Superior ends won earn Denham crew Craill Shield crown

Eric Craill and daughter Shelley (right and second right) were on hand for the presentation of the Eric Craill Shield to winners (from left) Jackie Horsfall, George Tamihana and Barrie Denham (skip). Picture supplied

It was great to see 48 players taking part in Poverty Bay Bowling Club’s Eric Craill Triples Tournament this month.

The tournament was held at Kahutia due to cyclone damage to Poverty Bay’s artificial green.

Winners of the Eric Craill Shield were Barrie Denham (skip), George Tamihana (director) and Jackie Horsfall (lead), who won all three of their games and 17 ends.

Second went to Dayvinia Mills (s), Peter Clay (d) and Tom Riley (l) who also won their three games but fewer ends — 15.

Third were Sharon Olsen (s), Marilyn Knowles (d) and Graham Moore (l), who had two wins and a draw.

Five teams had two wins and a loss but the team who won the most ends out of them — 15 — were Jock Smith (s), Ngawai Turipa (d) and Lois Wimutu (l).

This is the third year bowlers have competed for the shield. Eric took up bowling when he retired at 75 and has continued to play and help with practical work at the Poverty Bay club.

It was special to have Craill’s daughter Shelley, visiting from Australia, present at the tournament.

Erica suggested the day start with a “spider”. Two $10 notes were pinned to the middle of the green and each bowler bowled one bowl.

Joyce Wagner and Tony Dobson won the money for getting their bowls closest to it. The sight of 48 bowls of varying colours converging on the centre of the green was wonderful.

The “lucky loser prize” drawn from teams who were not placed went to Les Whittington, Jennie Evans and Joyce Wagner.

A special thank-you goes to greenkeeper Frank McLoughlin, Kahutia for hosting the tournament and Eric for his sponsorship.