In last weekend’s first NZ Professional Bowls Association qualifiers held at the new Naenae complex, Wellington coordinator Richard Corry won the World Indoor Pairs qualifier with skip Laurie Guy to progress to the national play-offs in Hastings in September. Despite appearing in two Trans Tasman teams Laurie has never played at a NZ Finals Weekend having lost 2 qualifier finals and won 6 non-qualifier Ranking events. They beat Victoria clubmates Tim Toomey and Mark Noble in the final 8-3, 3-7, 2-0. Rich and Laurie also beat Ray Martin and Bradley Down in the semifinals.
The Scottish Singles qualifier final was also an all Victoria affair with 2017 Rookie of the Year Ray Martin defeating promising junior James Fairhall in the final 6-9, 8-2, 2-1. Ray had a lucky escape in his first game of the day when Nick Buttar returning for his first PBA action since 2010 failed to draw to a short rebounded jack but made the most of it. Ray will also play at Finals Weekend in Hastings in September. James accounted for Laurie Guy in the semifinals.
The Victoria club has continued its great support of PBA with 14 members in action over the weekend.