Former Otago representative Grant l'Ami returned to the international arena in style to keep New Zealand in touch on the first day of the transtasman indoor bowls test against Australia in Balclutha yesterday.
L'Ami won five Australasian titles between 1999 and 2003 and then took a six-year break from the sport before returning last year.
The Taranaki player showed he still has his magic touch by winning both his games at the Balclutha Memorial Hall yesterday.
L'Ami beat Chris Dudman, 20-14 in the men's singles and then teamed with Ashley Diamond to comprehensibly beat Tony Simpson and Arthur Finch 24-8 in the men's pairs.
The singles was closely fought. The scores were level 12-12 after 17 of the 25 ends.
L'Ami led 15-14 after 22 ends and then took control when he scored two, one and two to close out the game.
But Australia put a firm hand on the Henselite Trophy when it came storming back in the afternoon session to lead New Zealand 13-9 after the first day's play.
New Zealand won the morning session 6-4 but Australia dominated the afternoon session 9-3 to take the lead.
L'Ami and Diamond were the only members of the New Zealand team to remain unbeaten after the first day's play.
The New Zealand men's four of Blair Spicer, John Zittersteijn, Diamond, and Mike Phipps comprehensively beat Tony Simpson, Arthur Finch, David Speechley and Terry Hogan 22-8.
The most exciting game of the day was in the women's singles when Monika Korn (Australia) beat Lisa White 21-19 in a thriller.
The experienced Korn led 20-11 against new cap White after 18 ends. White fought back with singles on the next four ends to trail 20-15 with three ends left. Korn scored a single on the 23rd end and White finished strongly with a brace of twos, going down by just two shots.
White combined with Fiona Wilson in the women's pair against Korn and Julie Zaporozec.
New Zealand led 16-12 after 15 of the 18 ends but Australia fought back to lead 17-16 before the final end.
Wilson left her best to last and played a superb bowl on the final end to take the shot and draw the game 17-17.
The test continues today and ends tomorrow.
