Former National Singles champions Dean Elgar and Sue Wightman have stormed out of the blocks early at the National Club Championships, sounding an early warning to the field after day one.

Hosted at the Browns Bay Bowling Club, the men’s and women’s singles got underway under pleasant weather conditions in the North Harbour.

Former National Singles champion Dean Elgar in action

Following three rounds, both Elgar and Wightman posted unblemished records securing the full nine points up for grabs. Wightman, representing the Mangawhai Club of Northland, proved clinical in her opening encounters dispatching Marlborough’s Sandra Bunt, Kapiti Coast hopeful Audrey Stevenson and Southland’s Bronwyn Stevens in convincing style.

Trailing Wightman, Kahutia representative Dayvinia Mills, has started her campaign with two wins and a loss, likewise for Stevenson, who both remain one game behind the section leader.

In other results, Elgar, a Taranaki mainstay, posted wins opposite South Canterbury representative Gary Ford, Far North hopeful Ian Lewis and multiple national champion Lance Tasker. Ford and Westport’s Chris Bullock both clocked two wins to keep pace with Elgar, while Tasker and Lewis secured a solitary win from three starts to stay within a mathematical chance of victory.

Heading into day two, Elgar is poised to face Hawkes Bay contender Kelvin Bland, who thus far is yet to secure a win and is on a collision course to meet Bullock in what could prove a title decider in round five. Both Ford and Bullock will meet in round four, with Ford scheduled to go toe-to-toe with Tasker in the final round.

The women’s action will see Wightman continue her campaign opposite Tauranga South’s Mary Campbell, and in what is expected to be a crucial match-up, will face Mills in the final fixture.