Bowls: Wins for NZ singles and fours in world champs

8.10am

New Zealand made a strong start to the championship round at the men's world bowls championships in Scotland this morning (NZ time), winning their opening singles and fours matches.

Russell Meyer won his singles game 21-16 over England's Steven Farish while the four fought back from an early seven-shot deficit to beat Brazil 15-13.

Both teams earlier progressed to the championship rounds despite losses to Australia in the final qualifying round.

Meyer's qualifying loss saw him assigned a tough second-round championship match.

The four under Gary Lawson lost their final qualifying game 11-15 but went through to the championship rounds thanks to Canada's win over Jersey and a huge shots differential.

But their third place in qualifying pool has also given them a harder task in the second stage.

Tonight (NZT) Meyer was to play singles favourite Alex Marshall of Scotland, followed by South Africa's Donny Piketh in the second session.

In qualifying Meyer lost comprehensively 3-21 to Marshall in just 45 minutes.

For Gary Lawson and the four the day offers prospects for double revenge.

In the first game they were to face Canada, who beat them on the last end in qualifying pool play. In the afternoon they face Scotland's David Peacock, who snatched gold from the New Zealanders in the triples final.

RESULTS

New Zealand results from the men's world bowls championships in Ayr, Scotland this morning (NZ time):

Final pool matches:

Singles: Russell Meyer (NZ) lost to Steve Glasson (Australia) 7-21

Fours: Sean Johnson, Paul Girdler, Rowan Brassey and Gary Lawson (NZ) lost to Brett Duprez, Michael Wilks, Kelvin Kerkow and Kevin Walsh (Australia) 11-15.

Championship round one:

Singles: Meyer (NZ) bt Stephen Farish (England) 21-16

Fours: NZ bt Marco Fabra, Fabio Melo, Ascendino Melo and Gary Oughton (Brazil) 15-13

- NZPA