Asia-Pacific championship four reach deal with Bowls NZ

After seven months, the dispute between Bowls New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific championships four is over.

The four of Gary Lawson (skip), Jamie Hill, Shayne Sincock and Shannon McIlroy were found guilty of throwing an end in a pool match at the championships in Kuala Lumpur last August.

Since an investigation into the matter was announced late last year, the parties have been at each other's throats, but yesterday they kissed and made up.

After being found guilty of throwing the end by a judicial panel in January, the players were fined and Lawson was suspended for six months.

The players appealed the fines and Lawson's ban, but yesterday the players and Bowls NZ announced that after mediation on Thursday their differences had been settled.

The fines – $1000 for Hill, Sincock and McIlroy and $5000 for Lawson – were waived by Bowls NZ after the players agreed to withdraw their appeals. A suspension of six months on Lawson stands, although his future in the sport is uncertain.

The other three players were not suspended and they will be considered for the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team later in the year.

Lawson is not available for selection for the Games for personal reasons and will make a decision on his international future at the start of the next bowls' season.

In a joint statement released by Bowls NZ and the players yesterday, Lawson was quoted as saying: "The decisions and findings of the Bowls NZ judicial committee are accepted. We accept that our actions were contrary to the rules. This has been a difficult time for both Bowls NZ and the players and we all want to move on from this matter and work together with Bowls NZ for the good of the sport."

- © Fairfax NZ News