Former Australian international Leif Selby needed no introduction in Dunedin, reminding his opposition and spectators exactly why he was once rated one of the worlds’ best.

Teaming up with former Carlton Cornwall greenkeeper James Williams, Selby and Williams were once again too strong for their Auckland opposition earlier in the season, winning through their centre event and giving themselves a chance to secure the National Champion of Champion Pairs silverware for a second consecutive year.

And after three days on the blue carpet in Dunedin, that’s exactly what they did. Displaying exquisite touch and intelligent shot play, Selby and Williams proved superior, running out victors in an entertaining final opposite local hopes Murray Wilson and Owen Bennett from the St Kilda Club, 16-11.

In a masterclass showing, Selby and Williams dropped only one fixture throughout the weekend, losing to eventual semi-finalists Rob Ashton and Wayne Coleman 19-9, in section play.
In his closing speech, Selby, who boasts multiple international accolades, paid tribute to Williams, who has recently relocated to the Bay of Plenty to take on a new career opportunity, pointing out it was likely to be their final time pairing up.

“To my mate here, I’m going to miss you buddy. We got there again, so proud of you mate, it’s been amazing to be part of this with you,” Selby beamed.
Selby also congratulated tournament officials, organisers and fellow finalists for their overall efforts.
Earlier in proceedings, Wilson and Bennett accounted for Ashton and Coleman in a close encounter, while Selby and Williams edged Hasting’s pairing Dean Drummond and Murray Glassey 19-12, backing up their previous win in section play on day two.

Other qualifiers included Denis Brewster and Phil Austin (Halswell), Lance Tasker and John O’Shea (Tauranga) and Renwick’s Maurice Symes and Kevan Greenwood.

Meanwhile, on the adjacent rink, another former international was vying for national honours with Nelson’s Jo Edwards and Kay Hammond taking on Wanganui pairing Dianne Patterson and Lesley Bourke.
In what proved their only loss for the campaign, Edwards and Hammond succumbed to the Wanganui duo, with Bourke’s draw play setting up a strong foundation off the front and Patterson adding where required.
Though it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Wanganui pairing, both forced into what was effectively post-section play after suffering a first round defeat to Queenstown pairing and eventual semi-finalists Debra Lloyd and Jane Anderson, 15-14.

Patterson and Bourke then went on a winning spree, comfortably closing Edwards and Hammond out, 17-10, in a consistent exhibition of bowls in the grand finale.

The semi-finals action saw Patterson and Bourke turn the tables on Queenstown, while Edwards and Hammond put a stop to the title run of Hawkes Bay pairing Natarasha Grimshaw and Henrietta Scott.

Other qualifiers in the women’s field included Glenice Paisley and Pam Calder (Invercargill), Dot Collis and Jen Watt (Waitarere Beach) and Bridget Kitching and Sarndra Cleland (Timaru Town and Country).

All attention now switches to the National Champion of Champion Triples in Naenae this weekend, with yet another opportunity to claim national honours presenting itself over three days.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

National Champion of Champion Pairs, 8-10 July 2022 Hopes Dunedin Lawn Bowls Stadium

Men Leif Selby and James Williams (Carlton Cornwall) def Murray Wilson and Owen Bennett (St Kilda): 16-11

Women Dianne Patterson and Lesley Bourke (Wanganui) def Jo Edwards and Kay Hammond (Nelson): 17-10