A last gasp final round has seen the Victoria trio of Bradley Down, Tim Toomey and Richard Corry claim the silverware at the National Club Championship Pairs, while Wanganui have taken out the women’s title in spectacular fashion.

Hosted at the Browns Bay Bowling Club in the North Harbour, play got underway for day two of the triples, with all eyes on the Wellington representatives returning as overnight leaders.

Victorious trio Richard Corry, Tim Toomey and Bradley Down, of Victoria are all smiles after their last-gasp win at the National Club Championship Triples.

A strong opening win opposite Southland’s Lyall Spencer and Co saw the Down trio all but secure the trophy - though with the Burnside line-up of Mike Small, Richard Hocking and Barry Williams breathing down their necks in second place - a mathematical chance forced the final round to go ahead.

With a superior differential of +36 heading into the last fixture, the Victoria side could afford a loss within 13 points - a theory so nearly tested as Small stormed out to a comfortable win, amassing a 24-11 victory and falling agonisingly short of the title by a solitary point.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Victoria realised they had done enough, with Small, Hocking and Williams finishing runner-up - one game ahead of Palmerston North’s Graeme Cooley and two games ahead of the heroic Kaeo trio, who, despite having only 12 members, had earlier defeated Burnside. Northend’s Lyall Spencer, Iain MacCallum and Alan Bailey finished sixth after a hapless campaign on the Browns Bay greens, unable to register a win after six rounds.

Meanwhile, Wakefield’s Margaret Eames, Linda Sisterston and Dianne Holland were once again dominant in round four as they pushed their way to a final round shootout opposite the well-performed Wanganui side skipped by Dianne Patterson, a side who had previously put paid to any title hopes from the promising Queenstown side of Margaret O’Connor, Christine Buchanan and Debra Lloyd, 28-15.

Wanganui's Dianne Patterson, Lesley Bourke and Karen Hunt flanked by Bowls NZ president Jeanette Sinclair following their triples victory at Browns Bay.

An opening round upset on day two saw the Tauranga South trio of Sue Hodges, Mary Smale and Mary Campbell inflict a loss on title contenders Alison Rennie, Jill Fraser and Clara Bowman of the Carlton Cornwall club, meaning a final round match-up between Wanganui and Wakefield would decide the title.

A strong finish from Patterson, Lesley Bourke and Karen Hunt saw them edge out the winners 14-9, consigning Eames to runner-up, ahead on differential over O’Connor and Co. Rennie and Hodges finished up fourth and fifth respectively, while Manawatu representative Lyn Jensen and team placed sixth - registering an opening win on day one opposite O’Connor.

With champions now crowned for the National 2x4x2 Mixed Pairs, National Club Championship Singles, Pairs and Triples - the programme will take a break as the country pays tribute to those who served our country proud as the nation reflects on ANZAC Day, with all action returning in the men’s and women’s fours on Thursday and Friday.

*In other events, be sure to check out the BPL07 unfolding at the magnificent Naenae bowls complex in Lower Hutt, Wellington, streamed live on the Bowls NZ Facebook page with Kevin Hickland during the day and LIVE on Sky Sport 4 from 6pm.

Results at a Glance
National Club Championship Triples, Browns Bay Bowling Club

Men
Champion: Bradley Down, Tim Toomey, Richard Corry (Wellington)
Runner-up: Mike Small, Richard Hocking, Barry Williams (Canterbury)
Third: Graeme Cooley, Dean Gilshnan, Ray Boffa (Manawatu)
Fourth: Gerrard Slattery, Paul Casey Jnr, Paul Casey Snr (Waikato)
Fifth: Barrie Johnstone, Allan Martin, Nick Bleychnden (Far North)
Sixth: Lyall Spencer, Iain MacCallum, Alan Bailey (Southland)

Women
Champion: Dianne Patterson, Lesley Bourke, Karen Hunt (Wanganui)
Runner-up: Margaret Eames, Linda Sisterston, Dianne Holland (Nelson)
Third: Margaret O’Connor, Christine Buchanan, Debra Lloyd (Central Otago)
Fourth: Alison Rennie, Jill Fraser, Clara Bowman (Auckland)
Fifth: Sue Hodges, Mary Smale, Mary Campbell (Bay of Plenty)
Sixth: Lyn Jensen, G Friis, Tania Harris (Manawatu)