The Wanganui women are back in the top eight after going down narrowly to Wellington in post section play at the Bowls NZ National Intercentre Championships at the weekend.
Coach Chris Waterson said his side played extremely well and proved they were worthy of competing at the top level.
Theteam - Dianne Patterson (single), Marilyn Constantine, Pauline Pirere, Marlene Foster and Pam Burgess (fours) and Anne Loveridge and Lesley Bourke (pairs) - all played a part in the success.
"We finished second in section play behind Nelson on 26 to our 24 with Waikato a wee way back on 17," a proud Waterson said yesterday.
"Anne and Lesley beat Val Smith's pair 15-13 and that was significant. That win put us into second place in section play. We only had three losses - that's a great performance.
"Diane lost one single and won four, the pairs lost one and won four and so did the pairs.
"We came up against Wellington in post section play and won our fours 14-13 before going down narrowly 25-20 in the singles and 20-18 in the pairs. Wellington has the population to draw on and is a strong side.
"Our performance at this championship proves we are back at the top. To make the top eight at national level is fantastic," Waterson said.
