Bowls: Pressure on NZ champs

Defending champions Rowan Brassey and Peter Belliss made an unexpected losing start to the $A40,000 ($NZ48,850) Kingscliff Classic pairs bowls tournament in New South Wales yesterday.

The New Zealand duo lost 16-21 to Queensland pair Peter Leon and Geoff Twist and may now need to win their remaining four section matches to qualify for the final on Thursday.

But in the other section, Russell Meyer and Paul Girdler beat Kevin Tresize and Steve Glasson 26-18 of New South Wales in solid style.

Wendy Jensen and Jo Edwards also made a winning start, 23-17 over Queenslanders Di Cunnington and Maria Rigby. However, Marlene Castle and Sharon Sims lost a close match 15-17 to 1999 champions Jeanette Sibly and Arrienne Wynen.