The removal of double world champion Gary Lawson and the thrashing of Birkenhead veteran Ross Haresnape were features of the men's singles quarter-finals at the national bowls tournament in Auckland yesterday.
Lawson (Eastbourne) was beaten by Richard Collett (Papakura) 21-4 and Haresnape controversially conceded his match against Brown
Bay's Colin Rogan at 1-13. The official result reads 21-1 because a singles game must be played up to 21 shots.
It is believed Haresnape conceded as he was unhappy with the green speed.
It wasn't so much the results but the winning margins which caught the big Pakuranga crowd by surprise.
Collett, who had never played Lawson in a singles game, was delighted with his win.
"It was definitely one of my better games of the tournament," Collett said. "Everything went my way - I hope I can carry it on now."
He certainly did. Collett cruised to a comfortable 21-8 win against Colin Rogan (Browns Bay). Hamiltonian Chris Lourie is the other finalist after beating Ryan Bester (Cabramatta) 21-14 in the other semifinal.
Two Wellingtonians who admit they've "giggled our way through the championships", Dale Lang and her lead, Fiona McKinlay, are unlikely finalists in the women's pairs at the Hyundai Championships.
Their opponents, twice winners and New Zealand representatives Sharon Sims and Mary Campbell, are veritable thoroughbreds at this level.
For Sims and Campbell, it'll be another day at the office. They won the title in 2006 and 2007 and Sims, in particular has compiled perhaps the most impressive record for any New Zealand female bowler at international and national level. They beat two very consistent teams skipped by Lin East (Browns Bay) and Kristin Stampa (Hawera Park) to reach the final.
