Stoke lawn bowler joins select club

Former Commonweath Games bowler Amy Mcilroy achieved gold bar status at the weekend when the Stoke women’s four claimed the Nelson Centre 4s crown.

Stoke, skipped by her good friend Kirsten Edwards, came from behind to beat the strong Nelson four of Val Smith, Jo Edwards, Kay Hammond and Di Holland 15-11 at the Wakefield Bowling Club greens.

It was Amy’s 10th centre title which elevated her into the select gold bar ranks. It was a close contest until Kirsten absolutely cleaned up one of the 15 ends.

More than a decade has passed since Amy won her first centre title before she married top men’s bowler Shannon Mcilroy.

“It is such a strong local scene so titles aren’t easy to come by. I was stoked,” says the early childhood teacher.

“What’s best is playing with and against your mates. They have really got your back.”

Amy says she could feel positive vibes heading to the final.

“My nana died a couple of months ago and previously my poppa and uncle passed away. I could hear three Tui’s at Wakefield and I took that as a positive sign,” reveals Amy. Her next major assignment is teaming with Kirsten again for the national pairs tournament in Auckland in January.

And the following month, they will combine with Mandy Boyd and Taylor Bruce for the fours in Christchurch.

That reads like an absolute super team but, as Amy warns, at the top level anything can happen.