New Zealand para pair clinch historic gold at bowls world championships

New Zealand’s Teri Blackbourn and Julie O’Connell have struck gold at the world bowls championships on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Blackbourn and O’Connell triumphed in the inaugural Women’s Para Pairs event, capping off a remarkable journey that began when they met for the first time at the airport in March on their way to represent New Zealand for the first time internationally.

The pair’s success was hard-earned, losing only one of their seven matches across the ditch to top their section and secure a spot in the semifinals, where they beat Thailand 15-12.

In the final, they were up against 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallists Rosemary Lenton and Pauline Wilson of Scotland.

The match was evenly poised until the Blackjack pair scored seven over three consecutive ends to push out to a commanding 12-5 lead.

Lenton and Wilson fought valiantly in the remaining ends, but New Zealand’s resilience and skill earned them a 14-8 victory, securing their place in history as the first ever winners of this event.

“It meant absolutely everything. It was really tough out there, but we played as a team throughout the tournament, and I’m really thrilled,” an ecstatic O’Connell said afterwards.

“It was super slick out there. It was really nice to extend a lead, but we never felt complacent as you never should,” added Blackbourn.

“It has been wicked getting to know Julie over the last six months, and winning this with her is the icing on the cake, I would not want to do it with anyone else.”

New Zealand could add a second gold on Sunday, with Christchurch bowler Tayla Bruce earning her spot in the women’s singles final.

Bruce saw off Australian Ellen Ryan in a thrilling semifinal, beating the Commonwealth Games singles and pairs gold medallist 21-10. She will face Canada’s Kelly McKerihen in the gold medal match.

Bruce and Ryan were locked at 10-10 in the race to 21 points, only for the Kiwi to reel off shots on five straight ends to move to 20-10.

McKerihen earned her spot in the decider by edging England’s Katherine Rednall 21-20 in the other semifinal.

“I was happy with how I played. We took a little bit to get settled in. The green was very different from what we have played so far and the wind was up,” said Bruce.

“I was happy with my play and proud to come up against Ellen and get over the line because she is an incredible opponent.

“I kept telling myself to keep patient once I got to 20-12 lead. I needed to be patient because I expected she would come back with her calibre.”