Bowls: Meyer faces uphill battle for trophy

MELBOURNE - The ledger is against Russell Meyer in the Transtasman Trophy series which starts in Melbourne today, and so is the new series format.

But the 32-year-old New Zealander is eagerly looking forward to playing world singles champion Steve Glasson six times over the next three days.

"He's well ahead of me, but hopefully I can get a few back this week. I think he's won about five or six to my one."

Meyer, a professional bowler who plays for Cabramatta in the New South Wales premier league, had his sole win over the big Australian during last year's transtasman tests in Rotorua.

But Glasson had his measure at the world championships at Ayr in Scotland a few months later, easily winning 21-7 in their final pool match before going on to claim the overall title. Meyer took bronze.

The format being used in this week's series mirrors that for next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

It means that the singles, pairs and triples combinations will clash twice a day for the three tests over three days, with matches comprising two sets of nine ends.

On paper, Glasson is a strong favourite to beat Meyer. He not only has the far better record in their contests, but he is more acquainted with the format than the New Zealander.

"I haven't played that format, but Steve has played it a fair bit on carpet in the test series Australia have against the British nations," Meyer said.

But he said he was in good form in the early stages of the premier league season and was relishing the chance to test his form against Glasson.

"I've been studying a few plans, and with six matches will get the chance to try a few different tactics."

Meyer thinks the New Zealand men's team can topple the Australians, as they did at Sydney's St John Park two years ago, before succumbing in Rotorua last year.

"I think we have a good chance, over the three disciplines in the men's event. We have a good team balance, with a few new guys mixed in with the older guys."

Old hands Rowan Brassey and Gary Lawson team up in the pairs for New Zealand, while the triples is a new combination, with Glenn McDonald skipping Steve Posa and Philip Skogland.

The New Zealand women's team, men's under-25 and women's development sides are also playing for the trophy.

- NZPA