It was a remarkable effort because bowls is a sport that usually takes years to master.
The bronze medal in the boys pairs at the New Zealand secondary schools championships in Auckland last December was unexpected.
The Kavanagh College sports co-ordinator persuaded brothers Greg (17), James (15) and Thomas (19) to enter a team in the school fours competition at the end of 2008.
They won the title and became hooked on bowls.
They have just completed their first full season with the St Kilda Bowling Club and have impressed older members with their keenness and skills.
"We enjoy the sport.
It is fun," Greg said.
"We especially like winning."
Greg won the zone 6 Kitty Hawk singles early this year to qualify for the national finals in Auckland.
The next target for Greg and James is to compete in the New Zealand under-30 singles at Christchurch at Labour weekend.
During the season they practise up to 1 hours most days on the St Kilda green.
To keep their hand in during the winter months the brothers play on the St Kilda club's indoor rink on Tuesday nights.
There are five brothers in the Bishop family and four play bowls.
Lawrence (23), the oldest, also plays for the St Kilda cub.
Another leisure activity popular with the Bishop brothers is deer hunting in the Gore region.
Thomas also races pigeons.
Names: Greg (17) and James (15) Bishop
School: Kavanagh College
Sport: Bowls
Achievements: Pairs bronze medal New Zealand secondary schools championships, Otago secondary schools series pairs champions, Greg won Otago under-20 Kitty Hawk singles 2010.