Around the Greens: Club bowls news

Murton Family Optional Triples Winners: Tournament winners at the Kahutia Bowling Club were (from left) Murray Murton (skip), Noel Dunn (lead) and Ray Young (director). Picture by Judy Taylor

In Superb weather last Wednesday afternoon, a good number of bowlers entered the Murton Family Optional Triples Tournament.

It was gratifying to have support from other clubs, giving 16 teams some keen competition. The conditions of play were two games of one and a half hours. Prizes went to fourth place with an additional lucky draw.

President Murray Murton presented the prizes, with first place going to his team: Murray Murton (skip) Ray Young (director) and Noel Dunn (lead) with two wins, 10 ends won and a plus 8 differential.

Second placegetters were determined by their differential. They were Davinia Mills (s), Neville Wagner (d) and Gary Tocker (l) with two wins, 10 ends won and a differential of plus 4.

Third placing went to Murray Owen (s), Erin Sutherland (d) and Norm Young (l). They had two wins with seven ends won and a differential of plus 4.

Coming in at fourth place were Ropata Ruwhiu (s), Joyce Wagner (d) and Pat Murton (l) with one win and a draw.

Coming up on Saturday and Sunday are the club championship pairs for men and women, both senior and junior.

It was a case of thinking outside the square when Saturday dawned cold and wet for the Ryman sponsored Alex Allan Triples at the Gisborne Bowling Club and their pristine greens (courtesy of New Zealand's top greenkeeper, Jamey Ferris) were under water.

The 60 players who had entered were contacted and were more than happy to play on Sunday in near-perfect conditions.

Three games with a time limit of one hour five minutes made for some close and exciting play with many winning teams decided on the very last bowl of the game.

Consequently results were close with just three teams not losing a game and the eventual winners decided on ends.

Fourth were the team of Lex Kennedy (skip), Jenny Evans and Hugh Trafford.

Third were Lyn Trueman (skip, Kym Brown and Peter Clay

Second with three wins, 16 ends and a plus 28 differential were Arthur Hawes (skip) Andrew Ball and Lesley McIntosh.

First and winners of the Alex Allen Trophy with 19 ends and a plus 28 differential were Robin Jefferson (s), Janice Allan and Don Oates.