By Gwen Lawson
The Centre Open junior pairs for men and women were completed last weekend.
Due to the small number of entries this event was conducted as a one-day tournament. It was success to Judy MacKenzie and Lynnette Springett (One Tree Point) and to Paul Price and Paul Shotter (Whangarei) the winners of these events.
Both finals were exciting affairs.
In the women's final between One Tree Point and Kamo represented by Carol Neeley and Glenys Sandilands, when the bell went both teams were on 12 points and an extra end was required to find the winner.
No more than two points were scored on any end and the lead changed regularly. OTP were in front 6-2 after five ends, Kamo in the lead 10-7 after 11 ends.
MacKenzie then scored on the next four ends to take the lead on the 14th end. Two points to Neeley on the 16th end made the scores equal and MacKenzie then scored a two on the extra end to win the match and both players received their first centre title towards a gold star.
In the men's division once again it was a close match with great drawing bowls played by both teams. This match went into the final end with the scores locked at 16-all.
Drawing the shot with his last bowl resulted in the win to Paul Price and Paul Shotter (Whangarei) over the Mangawhai combination of Glen Wintle and Keith Stewart.
This match had the Wintle combination out to a 13-7 lead on the 10th end when they scored a healthy four shots. Price then returned the favour by scoring two on the next end to get back within two shots.
Price scored on the next three ends to be equal 15-15 on the 15th end, one shot a piece on the next two ends saw them go into the final end all tied up at 16 a piece, with the Whangarei combination taking the match with one shot on the last. Both winning players received their first title towards a centre gold star.
Both finals were exciting to watch and the high standard of bowls throughout the tournament from all entrants was great to see.
Final placings were:
Women: MacKenzie and Springett (One Tree Point) bt. Neeley and Sandilands (Kamo) 14-12; Rawi Brewster and Janice Little (Mangawhai) bt. Sandi Ayerst and Yvonne Pitman (Composite) 15-8; Susan Egerton and Karina Cooper (Kamo) bt. Anna Greenwood and Tina Harris (Mangawhai) 17-11.
Men: Price and Shotter (Whangarei) bt. Wintle and Stewart (Mangawhai) 17-16; Richard Naera and Ed O'Donnell (Composite) bt. Dave Williams and Mike Lee (Onerahi) 32-13; Les Scott and Dave Smith (Onerahi) bt. Jeff O'Neil and Roy Taylor (Kensington) 19-16.
Upcoming Centre events: Centre Open Fours (women) and Centre Open Triples (men) will be played on November 18-19. Entries close today, Thursday. Centre Open Triples (women) and Centre Open Singles (men) will be played on November 25-26 and entries close on Thursday, November 16.
Centre Inter Club (7's) competition for men and women will be played on December 2-3 and entries close on November 16. Please ensure that entries are received by closing date.
The Interclub competition will be played in two divisions and teams will be allocated to each division. A copy of the conditions for this event have been sent to all clubs.
All these events have the winners representing the Centre in regional and New Zealand events later in the season.
Mamaranui Club report that their Barrie Gorrie Memorial Mixed Triples last weekend was won by the combination of Peter Mitchell, Pam Brewster and Betty Mitchell (Composite).
Second place went to Des McLean, Bonnie Lyford and Coral Todd (One Tree Pt) with third place going to Graham Gallant, Robin Sowerby and Noelene James (Composite). Their next Open tournament is on December 2 when they will be holding their Hams and Lambs Tournament.
Club Open fixtures set down for the coming week are: Friday 10th - Whangarei AC Triple 4.30pm; 11-12 Mangawhai Men's Fours; 13th Mt Manaia Women's Sixes; 13-16th NZ Chartered Clubs women's tournament at Counties-Manukau; 14th Arapohue Mx Triples; Maungakaramea AC Triples; 15th Whangarei AC Triples; 18th Leigh Men's Triples; 18-19 Centre Open Triples (men) and Centre Open Fours (women).