Nippy play in winter open

POVERTY Bay Bowling Club’s artificial green came up trumps when members and visitors contested an open winter tournament on Saturday.

Bruce Ball (skip), John Fricker and Tony Dobson finished at the head of a field of 42 players, having won all three of their games.

Apart from Poverty Bay members, players from Gisborne, Kahutia and Tolaga Bay clubs took part.

The wind was cold but the forecast heavy rain did not arrive, and teams each completed three 90-minute games.

A lunch break for hot soup and rolls was much appreciated.

Joanne Atkins (skip), June Stichbury, Ngawai Turipa and Bruce Smart were second, with two wins and a draw.

They edged out three teams with two wins only. Of these contenders, the eventual third placegetters were Robin Jefferson (skip), Di Christie, Kym Brown and Chris Valentine, who had a titanic battle with Ball’s winning team in a game that produced a lot of banter.

After a close final end, the teams had five ends each, with a differential of only one shot . . . in Ball’s favour.

At the social gathering afterwards, several visiting players thanked club members for the opportunity to compete after such wet weather.

The increase in the number of artificial greens has given the sport a boost in winter, when natural-grass greens are often unplayable.

Players new to bowls are among the most enthusiastic supporters of artificial greens, as they enable year-round participation in what has been traditionally a warm-weather sport.