Shield into second century

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: David File (pictured) will have the advantage of local knowledge when he skips John Dawson, Lofty Hurrell and Duncan Macpherson in Peace Shield bowls competition at Te Karaka tomorrow. File picture by Paul Rickard

Te Karaka Bowling Club hosts two more centre tournaments this weekend with the men’s Peace Shield Fours and the women’s Ella Gibson Memorial Fours being contested there over two days.

The relatively low number of entries means that only one green is required, allowing the small country club to showcase its excellent facilities.

With only seven teams entered in each, the tournaments will be played on a round-robin basis over seven rounds — four games on Saturday and three on Sunday — with each team having a bye. Games will be 15 ends with a two-hour time limit.

The Peace Shield tournament was introduced to celebrate the end of World War 1. It was first contested in 1919, so it has lasted a hundred years so far.

It is an impressive shield and has been a prized trophy to be displayed around local clubhouses. Over the same period, the runners-up have received another impressive trophy, the Slight Shield, which is slightly larger than the Peace Shield.

With the number of competitive bowlers entering centre tournaments declining over recent seasons, both the fours and triples events look set to stay as round-robin tournaments in future.

The field for the Peace Shield looks to be even so teams will need to be at their best to win it.

The Gisborne Bowling Club team who won the centre men’s triples at the same venue — Mal Trowell (skip), Arthur Hawes and Bruce Easton — have added Te Karaka club greenkeeper Dave Beattie to their team.

However, six other teams fancy their chances as well. Local knowledge is considered an advantage at Te Karaka so David File (skip), the recalled John Dawson, Lofty Hurrell and Duncan Macpherson are among the favourites.

Gisborne’s Jamey Ferris and Steve Goldsbury have already won the centre fours and pairs and will be looking for further success here with help from Ricky Miller and Ashli Ferris.

The father-son combination of Bob and Adam McIlroy will be joined by Kahu Kerekere and Te Karaka veteran Lester Wright. Skip Bob McIllroy will be in good form after three days of competitive bowls down at the Bowls NZ National Fours last weekend.

The Kahutia Bowling Club has two teams entered, George Vaotuua will skip junior players Mike Howes, Willy Murray and Joe Wimutu, while Murray Murton will skip Harry Green, Marty Ryan and Ray Young. Both teams have the ability to trouble any opposition and Vaotuua has been in good form recently.

Vern Marshall heads a strong Tolaga Bay team and with the likes of Murray Duncan and Mick Maunder at his disposal, his side will be among the favourites.

Since its inception, the Ella Gibson Memorial Fours has been one of the most popular women’s centre tournaments and has received strong support from the Gibson family over the years.

Although only seven teams have entered this time, the round-robin format will bring out the best in all the players.

Favourites again will be the Kahutia four of Glenys Whiteman (skip), Marie Wright, Francie Adair and Dayvinia Mills, who have an impressive record in this event.

However Gisborne’s Carol Hawes (skip), Lorna Reeve and Lesley McIntosh recently won the centre triples at Te Karaka and are joined this time by regular fours team member Anne Day.

Two strong Poverty Bay sides are in the field — Jan Powell (skip), Erin Sutherland, Kathy Carroll and Norma Miller, and Ora Peipi (skip), Val McGreevy, Diane Christie and Marion Jones. Both teams have plenty of ability.

Top skip Queenie Takurua has to be complimented for giving junior players Barbara Gibson, Burton Cup winner Paige Richter and Angela Gibson the opportunity to play at this level, while Bobbie Beattie skips Ginny Sherriff, recent winner of the Val Smith Mixed Pairs tournament, along with Karen Higgins and Kym Brown.

Te Karaka Bowling Club is represented by Sarah Brown (skip), Del Tamanui and Diane Murray, who are joined by Kahutia’s Anita Vaotuua. This combination will also be competitive in the round-robin environment.