Harrison and Shanks shine for GEC team

TOP PAIR: Paul Harrison (left) and Leighton Shanks played as a pair in the Octagonal Bowls Tournament on the Kapiti Coast this month, and finished first in the men’s pairs section.Picture supplied

BOWLS By Crackerjack

GISBORNE-East Coast bowlers Paul Harrison and Leighton Shanks won the men’s pairs section of the Octagonal Bowls Tournament on the Kapiti Coast this month.

They won five out of seven games in a tournament that also drew teams from Wairarapa, Manawatu, Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Taranaki and the Kapiti Coast.

Overall, the Gisborne men’s team finished fifth with 13 wins, a differential of 133 and 450 points.

The women’s team finished sixth with 11.5 wins, a minus-52 differential and 430 points.

The men played at Central Levin Bowling Club and the women, at Paraparaumu Beach Bowling Club.

During the three-day tournament, some terrific bowls, intense competition, and wonderful spectator support were evident.

Bowls Gisborne-East Coast team members were —

Men: Jamey Ferris, Boon McIlroy, Ricky Miller and Paul Harrison (Gisborne Bowling Club); Leighton Shanks, George Vaotuua and William Murray (Kahutia); Mick Maunder and Ben Elkington (Tolaga Bay); and July Williams (Te Karaka). Manager: Steve Goldsbury. Selector: Ben Brown.

Women: Tanya Harrison, Dayvinia Mills, Dianne Phillips, Carol Hawes and Lyn Trueman (Gisborne); Paige Richter and Lucy Shanks (Kahutia); Anita Vaotuua (Poverty Bay); Jasmine Merrick (Te Karaka); and Sharon Olsen (Tolaga Bay). Selector/manager: Bobbie Beattie.

One of the most thrilling games was in the singles between Gisborne-East Coast’s Jamey Ferris and 20-year-old Wellington bowler Seamus Curtin.

Ferris led 14-8 but Curtin slowly lifted his game and won the game 25-17.

Ferris played some outstanding bowls and beat some seasoned players to finish fourth in the men’s singles section of the tournament.

In the men’s pairs, Harrison and Leighton Shanks seemed to complement each other’s play.

Shanks brought to the tournament his vast experience of indoor bowls, which transferred well to the lawn version of the game.

Experience in indoor bowls also stood Lucy Shanks, Leighton’s sister, in good stead for the tournament.

She and Dayvinia Mills made a great pair and finished fourth in the women’s pairs.

Well done to all the Gisborne-East Coast men’s and women’s teams.