GisborneFamilies were to the fore when Gisborne Bowling Club members held their triples championships at the weekend.
Mother and daughter Bobbie Beattie and Tanya Harrison, and husbands and wives Tim and Ginny Sherriff, Peter and Libby Clay and Steve and Kay Goldsbury all enjoyed success.
But the biggest winner on Saturday was the dad of winning junior men’s skip Ashli Ferris.
With partner Gabby, elite bowler Jamey Ferris produced a bouncing baby girl, who, according to proud dad, already has a bowling arm. Congratulations!
Beattie (skip) and Harrison were joined by Karen Higgins in winning the open women’s title without losing a life.
After helping to dispatch Queenie Takurua, Barbara Gibson and Jennie Evans, the Beattie trio then took care of Carol Hawes (s), Anne Day and Lesley McIntosh in the semifinal, 16-12, before winning the final, 14-11.
The strong open men’s field produced some epic matches before Charlie Ure (s), Bob McIlroy and Robin Jefferson came from one life down to upend Steve Goldsbury (s), Ricky Miller and Maurice Taylor, who had started the final day with two lives intact.
Semifinal and final were last-end heartbreakers for the Goldsbury trio as they went down 17-15 in the semi then 14-13 in the final.
The junior women’s championship was a straightforward affair for Ginny Sherriff (s), Kay Goldsbury and Beverly Davy. They won 19-9 then 21-6 in the two-horse race with Kym Brown (s), Margot Willock and Libby Clay.
In the junior men’s event, Ashli Ferris (s), Tim Sherriff and Peter Clay had to do battle three times with Roger Dymock (s), Jim Wilson and Peter Gledhill before the Ferris trio could claim victory in three matches that ebbed and flowed.
Ferris won the first clash 19-14, Dymock reversed the result, 16-12, then Ferris settled the matter 20-14.
Championship undecidedFour club championships have still to be finalised.
Games are still outstanding in the junior and senior mixed pairs, the men’s singles and the junior men’s fours.
Dates for these games will be posted soon.
Coming upThe Gisborne Glass-sponsored Hilton Croskery Triples will be played next Wednesday.
Entry sheets for the single-entry event are up at the three city clubs.
Entries close at 4pm on Tuesday.
Burton Cup ClassicBowlers from around the district and beyond have thrown their support behind the Burton Cup revival.
The restricted field for the classic fours was filled quickly and the field and draw will be emailed to skips this week.
Bowlers are reminded that lunches will be available to buy on both days.
Play on both days, February 9 and 10, starts at 9am.