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New Zealand hold a slender two-point advantage over Australia after the first day's play in the biennial trans-Tasman International Indoor Bowls match at Mount Maunganui Sports Centre.

The Mat Blacks, who are the defending Henselite Trophy holders, lead 12-10 after a tense opening day.

Tauranga and New Zealand Indoor Bowls member Fiona Wilson during day one action at the biennial international fixture between New Zealand and Australia at Mount Sports Centre. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

Australia led 6-4 after the first session, with wins in the Men's Singles, Men's Fours and Mixed Fours, while New Zealand were successful in the Women's Singles and Women's Fours.

In the afternoon session, NZ won both the Men's and Women's Triples, the Women's Pairs and the Mixed 8-Bowl Pairs, while Australia won the Mixed 6-Bowl Pairs and Men's Pairs.

Tauranga's Fiona Wilson made a winning start to her third trans-Tasman clash, teaming up with Teri Anderson to beat Australia's Monika Korn and Meredith Norton 19-16 in the Women's Pairs.

Wilson then joined Lois Randall, Sheree Holmes and Denise Clarkson in beating Korn, Norton, Julie Zaporozec and Jodie Jones 27-17 in the Women's Fours.

Tauranga teammate Paul Smith was unable to get a win on his debut for New Zealand, as him, Grant l'Ami, John Zittersteijn, and Grant Rayner fell to Tony Simpson, Chris Price, Darren Voss, and Simon Zaporozec 11-34 in the Men's Fours.

The trans-Tasman International Indoor Bowls competition runs today and tomorrow at Mount Maunganui Sports Centre. Entry is a gold coin donation.

Two sessions will be played daily, with the first at 9am and the second at 1.30pm.

Trans Tasman International Match New Zealand 12, Australia 10. Results: Day One

Women's Singles: Teri Anderson (NZ) bt Anne Draffen (AUS) 26-15; NZ 2, AUS 0;

Men's Singles: Ashley Diamond (NZ) lost Arthur French (AUS) 20-23; NZ 0, AUS 2;

Women's Pairs: Fiona Wilson, Teri Anderson (NZ) bt Monika Korn, Meredith Norton (AUS) 19-16; NZ 2, AUS 0

Men's Pairs: Grant l'Ami, Gary Low (NZ) lost to Tony Simpson, Simon Zaporozec (AUS) 14-19; NZ 0, AUS 2

Mixed 8 bowl Pairs: Ashley Diamond, Sheree Holmes (NZ) bt David Blyth, Anne Draffen (AUS) 34-11; NZ 2, AUS 0

Mixed 6 bowl Pairs: Paul Wright, Maureen Pruden (NZ) lost Ian Ogilvie, Jodie Jones (AUS) 12-26; NZ 0 AUS 2

Women's Triples: Lois Randall, Linda McCurdy, Denise Clarkson (NZ) bt Caralyn Walsh, Julie Zaporozec, Barbara Hill (AUS) 20-13 NZ 2, AUS 0

Men's Triples: John Zittersteijn, Grant Rayner, Paul Smith (NZ) bt Chris Price, Darren Voss, Arthur Finch (AUS) 19-18; NZ 2, AUS 0

Women's Fours: Lois Randall, Fiona Wilson, Sheree Holmes, Denise Clarkson (NZ) bt Monika Korn, Meredith Norton, Julie Zaporozec, Jodie Jones (AUS) 27-17; NZ 2, AUS 0

Men's Fours: Grant l'Ami, John Zittersteijn, Grant Rayner, Paul Smith (NZ) lost Tony Simpson, Chris Price, Darren Voss, Simon Zaporozec (AUS) 11-34; NZ 0, AUS 2

Mixed Fours: Paul Wright, Gary Low, Linda McCurdy, Maureen Pruden (NZ) lost David Blyth, Ian Ogilvie, Caralyn Walsh, Barbara Hill (AUS) 16-19; NZ 0, AUS 2

Progress Score after the first day of three: New Zealand 12, Australia 10.