Fred Persico of Wakapuaka is the Carpet One Nelson Open Singles indoor champion for 2012 after he defeated Dominic Palumbo of Stoke 12-10 in the final at Warnes Stadium.

In the final, over 12 ends, Persico made a great start, to lead 8-1 after six ends.

Palumbo fought back to level the scores by the final end but Persico scored a double on the extra end to take the title.

Both finalists saw off the last of the challengers from Golden Bay and Motueka in the semis with Persico comfortably defeating David Wadsworth and Palumbo accounting for Lee Fleming.

On Sunday the Nelson A team, of eight players, retained the McNabb Trophy, repulsing the challenge from Marlborough 45 pts to 26 . The points had been level after the first of the fours and singles disciplines.

Nelson went ahead in the first pairs round and continued to go further ahead with comfortable wins in the reverse fours and singles, putting the challenge out of reach before the last pairs. Top performer for Nelson was Pete Hodson, who was undefeated over the six rounds.

The Nelson B team, which included four promising young bowlers, lost to Marlborough 41-31. The young debutantes played some great bowls at times but their inexperience cost them on several occasions. They and the future of Nelson bowls will be all the better for having been given the chance at this higher level. A standout was Russell Stevens.

Next Saturday the Nelson Association hosts the second of the "champion of champion" events, the triples. The eight Nelson clubs each have entries with the combinations from the Stoke, Waimea and Tapawera clubs looking particularly strong.

Pete Hodson, Barry Beams and Palumbo play for Stoke, Mary Jordan, Linda Carrick and Pat Stade for Club Waimea while Nigel and Hayden Warnes and Brendon Higgins represent Tapawera. Play commences at the Warnes Stadium at 10am.

The Hope Club hosts its annual Grand Fours on Sunday at the Hope Hall.

During the past week Golden Bay and Motueka along with Nelson bowlers mourned the loss of long-time and respected bowler Mary Lowen-Inglis. She had been an integral part of Golden Bay and Motueka bowls over many years. Her last success was just last weekend when, at the age of 95, she was part of the winning Golden Fours team. The Nelson Association expressed its sympathy to her family.

- © Fairfax NZ News