Bowls: Promising young stars shine on day one of National U18 event

Paris Baker, a 17-year-old from Te Atatu Peninsula, has amassed a great lead in the Women's Under 21 Section 2 of Bowls New Zealand's National under 18 event at the Papanui Bowls Club in Christchurch winning all four games to sit with 12 points.

Alex Wilkinson from Burnside also scored a huge scalp taking out Ashleigh Jeffcoat 21- 15 in their game.

Australian Natasha Russell in the opposite section took her points to 9 ahead of Lucy Shanks and Samantha Sweeney on 6 points.

In one Men's Wellington's Brady Amer, claimed full points from the day. He eventually took the game 21-16, even though Takarua came back in the middle stages.

Bradley Down, from Wellington, suffered his first defeat at the hands of Aidan Green, also from Wellington. However the pair share the lead with Leighton Shanks who will be pitted face a tough battle against Timaru's Tom Taiaroa.?

Section three's top of the table clash between Jonty Horwell and Seamus Curtin saw Horwell make a good start but Curtin found his straps and fought back. It was too little too late and Horwell took the game 21-13.?

The Men's qualifying round will be played at 8.30am Sunday followed by the semifinals and finals.?The Women's final qualifying round will start at 10.30am, followed by their final.?