Gary Lawson is a double World Bowls champion but the North East Valley club's invitation singles looks like eluding him again this weekend.
He had a disappointing start yesterday and lost his first two games to Andre Smith (Havelock) 25-19 and David Archer (Taieri) 25-15.
He will need to win his remaining five games to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Speight's-sponsored tournament tomorrow.
Lawson (49), one of New Zealand's greatest bowlers, won the singles and pairs gold medals at the 2008 World Bowls in Christchurch.
He has been in three singles finals at North East Valley but has been beaten by former Black Jacks Ian Dickison, Paul Girdler and Jim Scott.
He had been ranked top by the TAB for this weekend's event.
''If it happens it happens,'' Lawson said.
''It's a good field. I've been reasonably consistent getting that far but I don't like losing finals.
''It's a great tournament to start the season and like everyone else l'm keen to win but it won't be easy. If it's my turn it will be great.''
Lawson runs a building company in Christchurch and plays bowls for the Eastbourne club in Wellington.
It is six years since he dominated World Bowls in Christchurch but he is still young enough to return to the international arena.
''I'm going to put a lot more effort in this year and prepare myself for the nationals in Auckland,'' Lawson said.
''I'm not on the Black Jacks radar at the moment. It is just a matter of going out on the green and performing well for myself and the guys I play with,'' he said.
He has not ruled out a return to international bowls.
''If the opportunity came and the selectors asked me if I was available for World Bowls I'd be keen,'' Lawson said.
''It's being played in my home town of Christchurch.''
Australian-based Mark Watt is one of the younger bowlers trying to break into the Black Jacks.
Watt enhanced his prospects yesterday by beating North East Valley stalwarts Colin Wheeler 25-15 and former international Jim Scott 25-18.
Last year's champion, Ali Forsyth (Taren Point, Australia), won a cliffhanger against fellow Black Cap Blake Signal (Wellington) 25-24 but lost his second game to Jamie Hill (Auckland) 25-14.
Commonwealth Games representative Shannon McIlroy (Nelson), who has won the event three times, beat Shaun Scott (North East Valley) 25-20 and Roger Stevens (Southland) 25-14.
Mike Nagy (Taren Point), who won the New Zealand pairs and fours titles in Dunedin in January, beat Bruce Dunn (North East Valley) 25-17 and Andrew Kelly (Canterbury) 25-15.
Kelly, a member of the New Zealand 10-man squad, lost his first game to Bill Clements (Alexandra) 25-24.
Clements, the holder of a record 64 Central Otago centre titles, gained his second win when he beat Dunn 25-13.
