The National 2x4x2 Mixed Pairs has thrown up a mixed bag of results on day one, with two teams remaining unbeaten - though without a perfect win record.
Hosted at the Browns Bay greens in the North Harbour, each of the six zone representatives are vying for national glory in a winner takes all round-robin format.
Tournament favourites and local hopes Tony Grantham and Trish Croot found themselves on the wrong end of a thrilling opening match-up, with the composite Bay of Plenty pairing of Mary Campbell and Dan Dickison edging out a 19-18 victory to get their campaign off to the best possible start.
Dickison and Campbell went on to secure a draw and a further win after three rounds, while Grantham and Croot bounced back in fine style to wrap up two wins.
husband and wife duo Paul and Sheryl Viggers jointly leading the pack after day one
Husband and wife pairing of former New Zealand squash champions Paul and Sheryl Viggers have come out of the blocks in impressive fashion, posting two wins and a draw to run equal with Campbell and Dickison - albeit slightly behind on differential points.
But with two rounds left to go and such a strong field in action, it’s unlikely differential points will play any part - with a strong charge expected from Grantham and Croot and a consistent finish required from the two joint-leaders to bring this result down to the wire.
Outside of the top three, Southland’s vastly experienced duo of Bruce Ross and Shona Klemick have posted one win, while former National Mixed Pairs champion and New Zealand bowls legend Judy Howat and partner have incurred two losses and a draw.
Canterbury hopefuls David Milne and Pauline Smith, of the Beckenham Club, have also
posted one draw opposite Howat, but found themselves on the wrong side of the ledger against both Klemick and Ross and the Viggers’ partnership in rounds two and three.
Day two will see Grantham and Croot take on Milne and Smith and the Vigger’s pairing, while Dickison and Campbell will line-up opposite a determined Southland duo capable of staging a remarkable comeback.
