The Centre Junior Singles was an excellent match, says Gwen Lawson.
Twenty-one men and 15 women took part in the Centre Junior Singles held last weekend with 10 men and six women qualifying for post-section play at Waipu on Sunday.
Congratulations to Paul Shotter (Hikurangi) and Paul Price (Whangarei) who reached the men's final and to Carol Neeley (Kamo) and Sue Rokstad (Hikurangi) who reached the final of the women's division.
Both finals were excellent games to watch and the ability of these players was amazing.
A good crowd were very appreciative of the excellent bowls played.
In the men's final the match was closely fought with the score being within two shots all the way until the last four ends.
Price was in the lead by one after eight ends, Shotter led 15-14 after 17 ends, and found form on the last three ends to score six shots and win the match 21-15.
These two players had teamed up to win the junior pairs earlier in the season. This was a second junior title for Paul Shotter and he therefore earns his first point to a gold star.
In the women's final Neeley moved out to a 8-3 lead after six ends and 11-6 after 10 ends.
Rokstad then scored four shots on the next two ends to be only one shot behind.
A three scored on the 20th end by Neeley put her out to a 19-15 advantage.
The next end was killed by both players before Rokstad got one shot back.
Neeley placed two shots right on the jack in the next end and Rokstad was unable to move them and the game was won by Neeley 21-16.
The score was no reflection on the great bowls played by both players.
On many occasions you could place a handkerchief over the bowls nestled on the jack.
This was a second junior singles title for Carol Neeley and resulted in her winning a further point to her gold star.
Results of post-section play were:
Men: Round 1: Gordon Wright (Kensington), Dave Smith (Onerahi), Paul Shotter (Hikurangi), John Cooper (Kamo), Richard Naera (Kensington), Bill Roberts (Whangarei) byes; Paul Price(Whangarei) bt Keith Stewart (Mangawhai) 21-13; Ken Rozell (Mt Manaia) bt Glen Wintle (Mangawhai) 21-10.
Round 2: Smith bt Wright 21-7; Shotter bt Cooper 21-12; Roberts bt Naera 20-19; Price bt Rozell 21-19.
Round 3: Shotter bt Smith 20-14; Price bt Roberts 21-12.
Final: Paul Shotter bt Paul Price 21-16.
Women: Round 1: Carol Neeley (Kamo), Karina Cooper (Kamo) byes; Lyn Springett (One Tree Pt) bt Glenys Sandilands (Kamo) 21-17; Sue Rokstad (Hikurangi) bt Sue Egerton (Kamo) 19-8.
Round 2: Neeley bt Cooper 21-13; Rokstad bt Springett 19-18.
Round 3: Carol Neeley (Kamo) bt Sue Rokstad (Hikurangi) 21-16.
The First Year Tournament is set down to be played next Sunday at the Whangarei greens. Play starts at 8.45am.
Clubs please remember to supply a marker with your players and please support your players on the day.
Please note this event will be run as one tournament - mixed singles with the following entered:
Men: Geoff Wood, Mark Elliott (Mangawhai); Robbie Hayman (Whangarei); Des Smeath (Kamo); John Hooson (Kensington) Paul Anderson (Mt Manaia)
Women: Betty Trevett, Kim Lysaght, Christine Lineham, Elaine Hamber, Lyn Pine (Mangawhai); Carol Christmas (Whangarei) Deb Hooson, Michelle Harrington, (Kensington).
The Centre 1-8 Open Triples is scheduled for March 4. Very few entries have been received so far and the closing date has been extended to February 26.
If no further entries are received this event will be cancelled. Please remember that this is an Open event and teams may be composite and of any combination. Please enter on the Centre website.
The Trusts NZ Open tournament held by Auckland Centre has been completed and it is congratulations to the following Northland and Far North players:
Anne Bateman playing in a composite team – winner Women's Triples; Lauren Mills, Chris Budge and Anne Bateman both last 8 in the Pairs; Dennis Brewster and Larry Vallance last 8 in Men's Pairs; Kevin Robinson and Wayne Wrack; David Hood and Barry Allison – last 16; Dennis Brewster –composite – last 16 in triples; Sharlene Leaf last 8 in singles; Diane Strawbridge last 16; Chris Budge last 32. Sam Allison last 16 Men's Singles.
Club tournaments next week: 23rd One Tree Pt AC Triples24/25 – Leigh Men's Fours; 24th Ruawai Men's Triples; 24/25 Kensington Classic MX Fours; 25th – Centre 1st Year Singles; 27th Whangarei AC Triples; 28th Maungatapere MX Triples; Onerahi AC Triples; Mar 1st Mangawhai Men's Fours.
Lost property: I have a pair of prescription sunglasses in my possession left at Whangarei last Saturday. Contact me if they are yours.