Solid build-up puts pressure on team ahead of nationals

Bowls Wanganui has settled on their representative squads for the start of next week's Bowls NZ Intercentre tournament in Auckland, with the desire to make their way into the top tier among 420 of the country's best bowlers.

The competition is open to all 27 centres in New Zealand to send their best squads of seven players, covering singles, pairs and fours games.

Under coach/selector Lindsay Wheeler, the men's team will have a tough act to follow from their success at last year's national event.

Spokesman Mike Morgan said they will be "worthy representatives" after a buildup which included coming tied for second place, third on points differential, at the annual Hexagonal tournament in Palmerston North in late February, behind Wellington and hosts Manawatu.

"There has been a couple of changes to the team who finished third equal last year at the Burnside Bowling Club in Christchurch, and so they know how difficult it can be just to qualify to make the last eight," Morgan said.

Both the men's and women's teams were whittled down to seven players from the 10 who play in the Hexagonal.

The Wanganui women's team were not as strong in Palmerston North, finishing fifth, although they lost five games by only a point.

Coach Chris Waterson pointed in their success in other tournaments, including beating Wellington and Canterbury.

"The build-up's been very good - won the tri-series, second in the quad series."

"I'm expecting a Top 5 finish. That's the goal I set for them ."

The men's team will practice tomorrow at the Aramoho Bowling Club from 5.30pm, and next Wednesday as well.

The tournament is from March 31-April 3.

Bowls Wanganui teams

Men - Singles: Bernard Anderson (Wanganui); Pairs: Ian Porteous (s) (Wanganui East), Gavin Scrivener (Aramoho); Fours: Ray Park (s) (Wanganui), Alan Dickson (Wanganui-Marton), Phil Corney (Aramoho), Tony McCrae (Durie Hill). Coach/Selector: Lindsay Wheeler.

Women - Singles: Dianne Patterson; Pairs: Leslie Bourke (s), Anne Loveridge; Fours: Pam Burgess, Marlene Foster, Marilyn Constantine, Rene Stratford.