Hodson puts singles title on the line

Nelson bowler Peter Hodson will begin the defence of his national singles title in Taranaki today.

Bowls New Zealand's National Open Championship at Paritutu Bowls Club will be the 99th men's and 68th women's national open to be held. A team of five Nelson bowlers will attend, with two notable omissions.

The Black Jacks duo of Val Smith and Jo Edwards will take a break from competition, following the worlds champs in Adelaide that finished earlier this month.

Men's Black Jacks player Shannon McIlroy will attend the tournament along with his fiancee, Black Jack Development player and interclub champion, Amy Brenton. Completing the team are Jimmy Pugh and Gary Watson.

In Auckland almost 12 months past, Hodson defeated Howick's Neil Fisher 21-16 to win the New Zealand national men's singles title. Things had not looked good after losing his opening game, but that victory has led to more success.

Hodson qualified for the world champion of champions singles bowls tournament in Cyprus, where he won the bronze medal.

The Hyundai National Open championships will be held from today until January 9.

Defending champions: Men's singles: Peter Hodson (Stoke), women's singles: Sandra Keith (Leeston), men's pairs: Blake Signal and Alvin Gardiner (Composite), women's pairs: Genevieve Baildon and Jan Shirley (Composite), men's fours: Andrew Kelly, Ali Forsyth, Blake Signal, Greg Ruaporo (Composite), women's fours: Carole Frederick, Ruth Lynch, Gayle Melrose, Lisa Helming (Birkenhead).

- © Fairfax NZ News