Australia has claimed its first gold medal at the Asia Pacific Championships but failed to clinch its second in a titanic tussle against its trans-Tasman rival.

The women's triples line-up of Kelsey Cottrell, Rebecca Quail and Lynsey Armitage got off to a fantastic start against the Philippines' Joy Tordoff, Asuncion Bruce and Milagros Witheridge, picking up a count of 10 over as many ends to establish a margin of 8 and put the match beyond doubt.

The trio kept the Philippines to single scores throughout the match and converted regularly to prevail 16-6 and earn the first gold medal of the tournament, with Rebecca Quail topping her first international dais after making her debut at the Australia v South Africa test series in August.

In the men's pairs, world number two Brett Wilkie and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mark Casey got off to a flying start against their fiercely competitive nemesis, New Zealand, picking up a 5 on the opening end.

The Black Jacks' Dan Delany and Richard Girvan fought back over the next six ends to hit the lead 8-7 before the Australian pair again put their foot down, breaking away to the biggest margin of the match with a 16-8 lead on the 14th end.

Three over the next two ends kept the New Zealand team in the contest, 11-16, with another 3 on the penultimate end putting the pressure firmly on the Australian contingent.

With New Zealand holding 1 on the final end, Girvan's weighted shot speared the jack to the edge of the rink, which gave them 2 and a measure, with Casey's final bowl wide and heavy.

Despair spread throughout the crowd as the measure returned in New Zealand's favour to give them the match, 17-16.

Australia now have one gold, one silver and a bronze from three disciplines with another chance at glory in the men's triples this afternoon, while New Zealand will have a second chance when the women's pairs face the Philippines.

Asia Pacific Championships
Women's triples final:
Kelsey Cottrell, Rebecca Quail and Lynsey Armitage (AUS) bt Joy Tordoff, Ascunion Bruce and Milagros Witheridge (PHI) 16-4

Men's pairs final:
Dan Delany and Richard Girvan (NZL) bt Brett Wilkie and Mark Casey (AUS) 17-16

Caption: Rebecca Quail has earned her first gold medal at the Asia Pacific Championships.