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Kirsten Griffin is the only new cap in the Blackjacks bowls squad for the Trans-Tasman and Six Nations series in Christchurch in March.

The 24-year-old, who won her first national title in Christchurch last Friday as a member of the champion fours team, has clinched selection after not initially being part of the Blackjacks extended squad.

Griffin played her early bowls in Wellington at the Victoria club and won centre titles with her mother, Leigh Griffin, the 2015 national singles champion, who was also a member of the 2016 fours gold medal team.

The Griffins lost last week’s national pairs finals to Christchurch sisters and current Blackjacks Mandy and Angela Boyd, who they teamed up with to win the fours title.

After moving to Nelson two years ago, Griffin joined Commonwealth Games champion Jo Edwards’ United club.

She will join Edwards, former United bowler Val Smith and the Boyd sisters in the New Zealand squad for the Trans Tasman series and the Six Nations tournament featuring visiting teams from Australia, South Africa, Malaysia, Wales and Scotland.

And the Trans Tasman Development squad includes Bradley Down and Nicole Toomey to play against Australia also in Christchurch in March.

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Blackjack Mandy Boyd has led her team to a brilliant comeback victory in the national women’s fours final in Christchurch.

Boyd, her sister Angela and Wellington mother and daughter Leigh and Kirsten Griffin beat Jo Edwards’ four 20-13.

Boyd’s team only took the lead at the the 15th end and clinched the title with four shots on the 17th, leaving Edwards an impossible task on the final end after  a three hour 50 minute battle.

It was the Boyds’ second title of the tournament after retaining their pairs crown in Monday beating Kirsten and Leigh in the final.

Mandy Boyd, 24,received her gold star for her fifth New Zealand title.

And Leigh picked up the consistency award as best Woman at the Nationals for the second year in a row!

The women’s final between teams skipped by Blackjacks Jo Edwards and Mandy Boyd was tied at 13-13 after 14 ends.

The Edwards team were too strong for their semifinal opponents, winning 22-9 against a composite four comprising three Victoria clubmates Nicole Toomey (skip), Sarah Taukamo and Robyn Rintoul and the Wanganui centre’s bowler of the year, Dianne Patterson.

Boyd’s four also had a convincing 22-12 victory over Alison Rennie’s Auckland four to book their place in the final.

On Wednesday, Nicole Toomey gained the point on the extra end to beat Carolyn Crawford (Dunedin) 14-13 in the quarterfinals. It was a tight game and Toomey took the lead for the first time on the 15th end. Crawford trailed by three shots after 16 of the 18 ends but drew level by scoring three shots on the last two ends.

You are here: Home » Blog » Archives for January 2016

If there are any seniors around this weekend, we would love some markers to be available for the mens junior singles. Please contact Rich on 0211689718 or Colvin on 0223008056.

You are here: Home » Blog » Archives for January 2016

Congratulations to Kirsten and Leigh Griffin for coming runner-up in the National Championship Pairs at the Burnside club in Canterbury on Monday.

In the women’s pairs final between Mandy and Angela Boyd from Burnside and Leigh and Kirsten Griffen (Victoria) the game was close from the start. Neither team could make a break until the 16th end when the Boyds, playing on their home green, scored a four. They then went on to defend the title they won last year on Auckland’s North Shore 17-10.

The scores were level at 5-5 after seven ends and 10-10 after 14 ends. The Boyds then took control to score a two, four and one on the next three ends to win the game. Ironically these two teams now join forces to play in the fours tomorrow.

The Griffins had to go to an extra end to beat Sandra Keith and Serena Matthews (Canterbury) 22-19 in the semifinal, but gunned down Australians Chloe Stewart and Donna Clarke 22-14 to clinch their quarterfinal on Sunday.

Kelsey Cottrell (Australia) beat last year’s champion Leigh Griffin 21-9 in the quarterfinal of the singles after defending champion Leigh had earlier beaten 16-year-old Raglan and New Zealand Development player Ashleigh Jeffcoat 21-19. Leigh remains a good chance to retain her player of the tournament title she won last year.