Bowls: Mainland defend Challenge Trophy

Jan Khan. Photo / Simon Baker

The Mainland bowls team defended their Challenge Trophy this weekend, on the back of a superb day of triples on day one at the Burnside Bowling Club in Christchurch.

With Black Jack bowlers spread evenly among the teams, every side had a chance at the silverware, but Mainland were out of the blocks early, winning five games from six in both the men's and women's triples to take the title.

A stunning final round of singles wins for the Southern men, winning five matches from six, saw Southern push Mainland all the way, but the Southern women weren't able to reproduce their male counterparts' victories and second was the best they could get.

triples success laid the platform.

Under the experienced leadership of skips Jan Khan, Ali Forsyth, Andrew Kelly and Amy Brenton, the Mainlanders went into the second day of competition at the top of the table. A patchy showing in the pairs on day two didn't slow the side down, and the bowlers won half their matches in singles play today.

The youngest bowler at the tournament, 16-year-old Tayla Bruce, said her Mainland side's win was invaluable to her development in the sport.

"I got to play with Jan Khan and I learned a lot, about decision-making especially. It's a great tournament and I took a lot from it.

"It's really exciting to be in a team that's defended their title, and I was really pleased to step it up today."

Final results from the 2012 Challenge Trophy bowls tournament, played at Burnside Bowling Club in Christchurch this weekend:

Mainland 128 game points, 1; Southern 106 game points, 2; Central 100 game points, 3; Northern 98 game points, 4.