AROUND THE GREENS: CLUB BOWLS NEWS

Cup winners: Boon McIlroy’s team won the Bellerby Cup. From left are: Steve Ward, Property Brokers manager Stefan McNeely and agent Lee Ellis, McIlroy, Roger Dymock and Nathan Trowell. All pictures supplied

Life member Kevin Bright delivered the opening bowl for Kahutia Bowling Club’s 2021-22 season at the weekend, combining this with the championship pairs.

Thirty bowlers competed in three sections in ideal weather. The greens, prepared by the club’s new greenkeeper, Frank McLoughlin, were in tip-top condition.

A field of 14 contested the senior men’s section, which produced some close games.

In the fifth and final round, Steve Berezowski (skip) and Bruce Ball, with two lives intact, convincingly defeated Murray Owen (s) and Gary Tocker 17-5 on the 14th end of the 18-end match.

Four teams contested the women’s pairs. It was great to see Ngamiro Allen returning to bowls and teaming up with Carol Jukes.

A thrilling final between Lucy Shanks (s) and Marie Wright (lead), and Allen and Jukes was locked at 14-all going into the 18th end.

With her last bowl, Shanks removed the shot bowl, leaving Allen to try to regain the shot with one bowl left. She went ever so close, moving the jack but in the direction of the opposition bowls. The final score was 17-14 to Shanks and Wright.

The mixed pairs will be held this weekend.

Gisborne Bowling Club greens were busy at the weekend, with the Bellerby Cup and the finals of the championship fours being contested.

Sixteen teams from Poverty Bay, Tolaga Bay and Gisborne competed in the Bellerby Cup, which was sponsored by Property Brokers.

First, with four wins and a plus-25 differential, were Boon McIlroy (skip), Nathan Trowell, Steve Ward and Roger Dymock.

Second, with three wins and plus-30, were the Poverty Bay team of Jan Powell (s), Erin Sutherland, Bruce Gledhill and Win Baker.

Third, with three wins and plus-21, were Dianne Phillips (s), Lesley McIntosh, Ron Seabrook and Janet Willson.

Fourth, with three wins and plus-9, were the Poverty Bay team of Joy Davis (s), Jeff Davis, Ngawai Turipa and Jean Patterson.

With the start of daylight saving and a late night watching the rugby, it was a tough start for the finalists in the championship fours.

Both the women’s and men’s competitions produced some excellent bowls.

The team of Carol Hawes (s), Ginny Sherriff, Kym Brown and Dayvinia Mills, with one life left, had to beat Tanya Harrison (s), Dianne Phillips, Donna Smith and Bobbie Beattie twice to claim the championship.

With great lead bowls from Dayvinia and some some good team work, the Hawes four took control, winning the first game and forcing a final which they won 20-8.

Three junior bowlers — Don Oates, Peter Clay and Nathan Trowell — combined with Nathan’s dad Malcolm to win the senior men’s fours with a stunning display.

They beat Paul Harrison (s), Steve Goldsbury, Hona Huriwai and Geoff Pinn.

The future looks bright when young players and juniors can mix it with the “big boys” with results like this.

— Ginny Sherriff