The Canterbury’s Men's bowls team to play in this coming week's National Intercentre Tournament in the Garden City remains unchanged from the winning team last year.  Like last year, the team will boast Andrew Kelly in the singles; Gary Lawson (s) and Stephen Ditfort in the pairs; and Richard Hocking, Nathan Glasson, Kelvin Scott and Lance Pascoe (s) in the fours. And still looks the men's team to beat. 

The Christchurch tournament kicks off this week with the men's draw starting on Thursday (22nd March).  They'll compete in two qualifying rounds - with the semis and finals on the Sunday. 

Made up of 7 players, each Centre team will play Singles, Pairs and Fours in Section play - with one Section playing six rounds starting on the Thursday at the Burnside Club.  Two qualifiers from each Section will be drawn to play the Post section rounds.

Eight greens will be used - Burnside, Hornby, Bowls Papanui, Parklands, Morrison Avenue, Papanui Club, Fendalton and the Canterbury Centre green - to enable 5 qualifying rounds of section play.

The Women's competition will start on the Friday, with last year's winners Bay of Plenty, again the team to watch. 

They'll be buoyed by the fact that the Nelson and Canterbury Women's teams will be weakened somewhat this year - with the absence of Blackjack players Jo Edwards and Val Smith from Nelson, and Katelyn Inch and Tayla Bruce from Canterbury - who are all preparing for the Commonwealth Games.