ORANGE'S Dave Hayward has spent much of his time since the start of April in representative clothing.

The deaf bowler has contested three major events representing either NSW or Australia and he finished with excellent results.

His most recent achievements were at the inaugural Australian Disability Championships in Sydney last week.

Hayward was the leading bowler as he helped NSW win the state team challenge, beating arch rivals Queensland.

The 41-year-old helped NSW win the men's open teams event and he combined with fellow deaf bowler Dean Ainsworth to finish second in the open men's doubles.

He was fourth in the open men's singles and his good results during the tournament allowed him to finish fourth in the open men's all events behind good friend Ainsworth.

Despite these results Hayward said he wasn't as consistent as he could have been.

"I was up and down," Hayward said through his translator, sister Kathy. "I was happiest with the teams challenge."

Hayward and Ainsworth went head-to-head earlier in the year when they bowled at the Australian Deaf Championships at Shell Harbour in April.

Ainsworth edged Hayward out by 0.43 pins to have the highest overall average at the end of the championships.

Hayward had mixed results finishing third in the individual championships, fourth in the masters, fifth in the all events, seventh in the teams, ninth in the singles and 10th in the doubles.

Hayward also managed to fit in the New Zealand Deaf Championships during the first weekend in June.

Hayward thrived in Christchurch winning the men's scratch masters after a step ladder final.

He was fourth in the doubles and the mixed triples, ninth in the all events and 10th in the singles.

He bowled the highest six-game scratch series in the singles with 1115 and the highest three-game scratch series in the mixed triples with 591.

He also bowled the highest scratch game of 216.

Hayward said even though he has been busy he has enjoyed his bowling and travels.

"It's been fun," he said. "I'm happy enough. I enjoyed catching up with people."

l Orange's Donna Holland also performed well at the Australian Disability Championships last week.

She was second in the women's B grade singles, fourth in the A grade teams and sixth in the women's B grade doubles and the all events.

She also bowled with Western Australia in the state team challenge and helped them to finish third.