Bowls: NZ men fours beat Australia at Asia Pacific champs

Paul Girdler and his winning team. Photo / Supplied

The New Zealand men's fours lawn bowls side skipped by Paul Girdler have overcome Australia in the final of the Asia Pacific Championship in Christchurch.

Girdler and his team of Shannon Mcllroy, Andrew Kelly and Mike Nagy overcome the powerful Australian side of Mark Casey. Nathan Rice, Ray Pearse and Wayne Ruediger to win the gold medal in a very tight encounter at the Burnside greens today/yesterday.

The Kiwis were down 10-6 after 12 of the 18 ends with Australia looking to be in control before New Zealand stormed home with an amazing performance across four ends.

Kiwi No 3 Mcllroy put on a masterly display that saw New Zealand score 10 shots between the 13th and 16th end to slip in front 16-10 going into the 17th end.

The Aussies scored a two on the 17th end to narrow the score to 16-12 before Mcllroy stepped onto the mat with his last bowl with the Kiwis three down on the head and looking in real danger.

With Australia needing the four to five shots on the last end to snatch victory, Mcllroy delivered with a pin point accurate drive that allowed their rivals to score only two, giving the host nation victory.

The win provided Girdler, Kelly and Nagy a second tournament gold medal to go with their earlier victory overJapan in the triples, completing a great international comeback for the Australian-based Girdler.

The four gold helped New Zealand finish the event as the best performed men's team from the 18 participating countries with two gold, a silver and a bronze medal.

The Kiwi women's team scooped three bronze medals which was regarded as a pass mark but will have the national selectors pondering their next move with the Heartland national championships over Christmas and further internationals next March.

Competitors are vying for selection for the five men and five women team to represent New Zealand later in 2016 at the world championships to be held in Christchurch in November.

Australia were the best performed women's nation.

One of the highlights of the 18 country event was the impact of two previously unheralded bowls nations in the Philippines women who came away with a full suite of medals while in the men Japan won a silver and bronze and will be strong contenders in the 2016 World Championships.