Allenton fours sides advance to knockout stage

through in two really tight games to open the day, before cruising to victory in their last to book a spot in the knockout stage.

There was double-delight for the Allenton Bowling Club in Christchurch on Sunday as two of their sides made it through the first stage of the Bowls Canterbury Centre Fours.

Their women’s side waltzed through their qualifying stage at the Papanui Club while one of their two men’s teams also advanced to the next stage in impressive fashion.

Celebrating her birthday, Sandra Keith skipped the women’s side to success.

She was joined by Rosemary Bennett, Sandra Holdom and Annette Sargisson.

In a tough draw first up they struck the Burnside Bowling Club side skipped by Black Jacks legend and Commonwealth Games medal winner Tayla Bruce in the opening match of the day.

The prospect barely daunted the Allenton ladies though as they coasted to victory with an impressive 19-6 win to kickstart their bid for glory.

With the bye in the second round, victory in their final match was all that was required to qualify for the top eight which will be played this weekend.

It took a last bowl stunner from Keith for them to get there against

Belfast’s Raelene Peters but they did it and advance as one of the teams to beat on Sunday.

On the Morrison Avenue Bowl- ing Green, the men’s quartet of Dan Hopkins, Michael Lawson, Liam O’Connor and Jock O’Connor made tough work of their way

They squared up against fellow Allenton player, Rodney Greaney – who also plays for the Halswell Club, in the opening game of the day and the battle went right down to the wire with the side winning 15-14 in a nail-biter.

Life didn’t get any easier in the second round up against a Woolston Park team with again only one point separating them at the finish as they won 17-16.

The third match for the team proved the easiest as they waltzed past a Kaiapoi Club side 18-11 to book their place in this week’s knockout stage where 18 teams from the original 36 will regroup.

Mid Canterbury’s two other sides in the competition were unable to advance.

Allenton’s John Eddington’s team won their first game but lost their next two while it was a winless day for the Methven quartet.

Back in Mid Canterbury, a full green stepped out at the Hinds Bowling Club for the Maddison Trophy with Craig Kellett, Bronson Kellett, Beavan Broker and Murray Smallridge taking out the tournament with three wins, 20 ends and 39 score points, two clear of the Graeme Bishop skipped side who claimed second.