YORK has pulled off a major coup by earning the right to host three prestigious bowls internationals later this month, writes Dianne Hillaby.

New Zealand, one of the world's leading bowls nations, are to play three men's and three ladies' Test matches against England at the York Railway Institute and Bert Keech clubs.

They will be the first three games in a seven-Test series, with the remaining four being staged in Warwickshire.

The Tests will form a key part of both countries' preparations for next year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Double world outdoor singles champions Tony Allcock has been handed the task of getting the England team in tip-top form for the Games.

He has been appointed Performance Co-ordinator of the National Lottery-funded 2002 Commonwealth Games programme for lawn bowls.

But his England team will face a stern test of their credentials against New Zealand, who have just beaten Australia in the Trans-Tasman series for the second year running.

The Kiwi men and women won three gold medals, a silver and a bronze between them in last year's World Championships.

Peter Belliss, Rowan Brassey and Andrew Curtain are the reigning men's world triples champions while Sharon Sims, Jan Khan and Anne Loman won both triples and fours gold, with Patsy Jorgensen, in the women's World Bowls in Australia.

All their medal winners are expected to make the trip to England for the Test series to gain experience of the kind of greens they are likely to face in the Commonwealth Games.

England have gone for a mix of youth and experience in their seven-strong team (one single, one pair and one four).

For the men, John Ottaway and David Holt have played at the top level while, for the women, Jean Baker, Shirley Page, Gill Mitchell and Katherine Hawes have also appeared on the world stage.

The York clubs have been selected to host the Test matches - a joint venture between the English Bowls Association, English Women's Bowling Association and the two clubs - due to their excellent facilities.

The games will be played on three successive days as follows:

Tuesday, July 17 - Ladies at Bert Keech (10am), Men at York RI (2.30pm).

Wednesday, July 18 - Men at Bert Keech (10am), Ladies at York RI (2.30pm).

Thursday, July 19 - Ladies at Bert Keech (2.30pm), Men at York RI (2.30pm).

Organisers are hoping spectators will turn out in force for a rare chance to see some of the world's leading bowlers in action. Admission is free.

Updated: 12:38 Thursday, July 05, 2001