8.30am
The New Zealand women's bowls team has ended their campaign on a winning note at the World Bowls Championships in Leamington Spa, England.
The New Zealand four of Jo Edwards, Sharon Sims, Val Smith and Wendy Jensen defeated South Africa 21-12 in persistent rain on the final day of the two
week champs.
The win left the New Zealanders in fifth position in the fours and 6th in the overall team standings.
England, the host nation eventually won the Taylor Trophy, the award for the best team overall, despite finishing equal on 99 points with Wales and Australia.
England had a superior shots differential.
Earlier England defeated Jersey 23-10 in the final of the fours competition.
Elsewhere Ireland's Margaret Johnston became the most decorated women's bowler in history when she claimed the singles gold medal by beating South Africa's Lorna Trigwell 21-9.
The win was Johnston's third world singles title and sixth career gold medal from world champs.
Overall at the men's and women's World Bowls Championships New Zealand won medals in six of eight disciplines, and claimed a world title in the women's pairs.
The next World Bowls Championships will be held in Christchurch in 2008 and it will be the first time the men's and women's events are held together.
Results:
Fours - Playoff for 5th/6th: New Zealand (Jo Edwards, Sharon Sims, Val Smith, Wendy Jensen) bt South Africa 21-12
Playoff for 3rd/4th: Wales bt Scotland 15-12
Gold medal match: England bt Jersey 23-10
Singles - Gold medal match: Ireland bt South Africa 21-9
New Zealand Results Overall:
Singles: Marlene Castle 17th
Pairs: Jo Edwards, Sharon Sims 1st (Gold Medal)
Triples: Castle, Val Smith, Wendy Jensen 3rd (Bronze Medal)
Fours: Edwards, Sims, Smith, Jensen 5th
- NZPA
