Bowls: Changes made win so special

Bowls Heretaunga skip Tony Terry makes a delivery on his way to victory in yesterday's Webber Shield final.Photo/Glen Taylor

Tony Terry was quick to praise his five-strong team after winning the 71st Webber Shield men's fours tournament which ended at Bowls Heretaunga yesterday.

"Five for a fours tournament ... Yes, it's correct, the rules allow it," the host club skip explained before collecting the $1175 first prize after a Bowls Taradale team skipped by Bruce Ferrick conceded the 25-end final with Terry's team leading 28-17 after 23 ends.

Terry was referring to the fact he brought Mike Le Geyt in for Saturday's third day of play because his lead Charlie Dixon was involved with the annual Orphans Variety Concert.

Dixon, who turns 80 in July, got the call last Monday from Terry as his regular lead, Pat O'Neill, was forced to withdraw with a leg injury.

"That's what made this second win of the shield [Terry was in the winning 2007 team] so special. Even with changes everyone jelled so well. Considering he had three days notice Charlie was outstanding," Terry said.

Terry's team, which also included three Denis Biggs and two John Young yesterday, had one loss in eight games.

"We'll be back to try and retain the title next year," Terry said. A Heinz Wattie's employee, Terry, 52, has been playing for 32 years. He hopes to be elected on to the Bowls Hawke's Bay board this year.

"I've got a lot out of bowls and now I want to put something back into it," he added.

For Ferrick, who was in the winning 1994 and 2008 Webber Shield teams, this was his last Webber Shield tournament as a skip.

"Next month's national interclub tournament in Dunedin will be my last tournament as a skip.

"I'll be happy to play other roles in the future if anybody wants me," Ferrick, 72, said.

He is also eyeing the Hawke's Bay men's selector's role.

Ferrick, who has been playing for 40 years, heaped kudos on Terry's four.

"They gave us our first lost and our last loss and fully deserved the shield," Ferrick said.

Kia Toa's Dean Drummond skipped a composite team to third place and a Bowls Heretaunga team skipped by Bruce Stewart finished fourth.

A Takaro team from Manawatu skipped by Terry Curtis beat a four skipped by Bowls Napier president Ken Greeks in the Hawera Cup final. This is the bottom eight section of the DJ Porteous Lawyers, Grant White Autobody and Lion Breweries-sponsored tournament.