Callum Horwell, a double New Zealand schoolboy champion, and younger brother Jonty played in the Kaikorai Festival Fours for the first time yesterday.
Callum (17) started bowls five years ago and has won the New Zealand secondary schools pairs title with Logan Park High School partner Jacobi Kohu-Morris for the last two years.
''I felt very excited when we won in Christchurch two years ago,'' Callum said.
''We didn't expect to win.''
They defended their title in Hamilton last month.
''It was a lot easier the second time. But it was a relief to be able to defend it.''
He is dedicated to the sport and spends three days practising at the Kaikorai club each week.
Callum has been mentored by Mike Kernaghan, who won a bronze medal in the singles at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
The brothers join their uncles, Steve and Peter Wilson, at the Kaikorai Bowling Club.
Jonty (14), who followed his brother into bowls fours years ago, is the youngest player at this year's Festival Fours.
He won the club junior singles title two years ago and enjoys the competition of bowls.
Jonty was not overawed playing against experienced adult bowlers.
''I can beat anyone,'' Jonty said.
''It all depends on how I play myself.''
He is lead in Peter Stumbles' Kaikorai four and played a key role in the team's 17-9 win over Colin Wheeler (North East Valley) in its third game yesterday.
They lost the first two games against Regan Larkin (Composite) 26-10 and Gary Clegg (Mornington) 38-22.
Callum was playing in Buck Buchanan's Kaikorai team which lost its three games to Colin Wheeler 20-9, Jocko Susilo (Andersons Bay) 22-11 and Joe Gordon (Composite) 23-10.
