Kahutia trio win triples final on extra end

CENTRE TRIPLES CHAMPIONS: Event sponsor Judy Blair (left) presented the trophy to Gisborne-East Coast centre open women's triples winners (from second left) skip Glenys Whiteman, Marie Wright and Ngamiro Allen. Picture supplied

Glenys Whiteman's Kahutia team needed an extra end to win the Bowls Gisborne-East Coast centre open women's triples.

For Whiteman and Marie Wright, it was their third centre open triples title in a row.

Ngamiro Allen came in this year for Paige Richter, who was in the previous two winning efforts. Allen delivered the shot bowl that broke the deadlock in the final.

Poverty Bay's Jan Powell (skip), Erin Sutherland and Diane Christie were the beaten finalists, 17-16. Powell and Sutherland were runners-up last year, too, along with Joy Davis, whose spot was filled by Christie this year.

Ten teams enjoyed perfect weather and excellent greens at Gisborne Bowling Club for the centre open women's triples.

The Gisborne and Poverty Bay clubs each had four teams in the tournament, and Kahutia and Tolaga Bay each had one.

In the first round of post-section play, Mills's team had a big win against Abraham's team but lost to Powell's 16-13 in the semifinal. Powell had beaten Olsen's team in the first round.

Whiteman's team beat Herring's team to secure their semifinal place. Harrison beat Seymour 16-15 but lost to Whiteman in the semifinal.

In last year's final, Whiteman's team beat Powell's 21-9, but this year's decider went down to the wire.

After some great bowls, the scores were level at 16-all, so the teams played another end to determine the winner, and Allen's shot bowl for Whiteman's team proved the difference.

Thanks go to centre women's open triples sponsors Judy Blair, who presented the winners' trophy, and David File Decorators.

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