Fruitful effort for Barnes and Kane

MARK LAWSON/Timaru Herald

WINNING FORM: Kia Toa skip Lockie Barnes, right, plays a shot watched by Oamaru Phoenix skip Greg Smith during the Park Bowling Club's annual fours tournament final.

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Lockie Barnes, who didn't have a team at Friday lunchtime, and Jim Kane, who pulled his team out earlier in week, joined forces to win the Park Labour Weekend bowls fours tournament in cold and tricky conditions.

Barnes' four, which also contained the steady Bill Kitto at lead and Gary Bloomfield from Oamaru, looked to be down and out with seven ends to go but took control of the game with some sizzling shots from Kane at three and some brilliance from Barnes, which inspired the team to post a remarkable comeback.

Greg Smiths's Oamaru Phoenix team had control of the game early on.

With Graham Taiaroa and Smith's father, Jack, in great form, Ian Nichol getting the better of Kane with some precision draw shots and Smith's touch immaculate, the four raced to a 15 to 5 lead with seven ends to go.

The ninth end was crucial, with Barnes having three seconds and Nichol drawing a blinder. Barnes played the shot of the tournament, sitting out Nichol's shot to gain four shots.

Smith went to push shot bowls through and sit there for two but sat the bowl on the jack for it to spring a foot and Smith's team went down three shots.

Barnes lead 17 to 15 with two to play but with Smith's team holding five shots, two sensational shots by Kane gave them the win 19 to 15.

- © Fairfax NZ News