Gwen Lawson: Conditions not ideal but top action still on display

Excellent performances have been produced on the local bowls circuit this week, despite the weather. Photo/Getty Images

Eighteen teams took part in the Men's Centre Open Triplesand at the completion of qualifying on Saturday seven teams had the required number of wins to go forward to day two.

The team from Mangawhai of David Frame, Paul Freeman and Neville Franks got the bye and in round one of post-section play, Tik Apaapa, John Jamieson and Bill Harris (Kensington) defeated Darren Mitchell, Charlie Shepherd and Paul Mullane (Whangarei) 14-10; Mike Butler, Trevor Johnston and Kevin Sidwell (Whangarei) defeated Gordon Bond, Dean McMurchy and Ian McMurchy (Kensington) 14-8; David Eades, Kevin Robinson, Wayne Wrack (Maungaturoto) defeated Larry Vallance, Clive Claridge, Laurie Reader (Whangarei) 12-8.

The semifinals saw Eades defeat Butler 18-14; Frame defeat Apaapa 19-7. The final over 18 ends between Eades and Frame started with a scoring of one per end for the first seven ends, Frame took the lead on the 11th end by scoring a two.

They then dropped four shots on the 12th end when Frame missed with two runs at the head to try and pick up the jack to score points at the back.

This gave the Eades triple a three-shot lead that they then never relinquished. There were some outstanding shots by both skips during this match with Eades being particularly accurate to keep his team in the match and several ends.

The final score was 14-10 to the Eades combination, securing another Centre title for Robinson and Wrack and a first Centre title for Eades.

While the men competed in the triples, the women were seeking a Centre title in the Open Fours.

Fifteen teams took part in the event on Saturday and seven teams won their way through to post-section play on Sunday at the Waipu greens.

The Maureen Parker, Pam Brewster, Noline Lewin, Diane Strawbridge (Kensington) combination had the first round bye, with Pam Arbon, Chris Crawford, Pat Reader and Linda Brockbank (Kensington) defeating Maree Attwood, Lauren Mills, Pat Warth, Caroline Downs (Kensington) 15-7; Diana Catton, Madeline Yovich, Glenda Norris-Palmer, Carol Neeley (Kamo ) defeating Anne Bateman, Manu Timoti, Sarah Wright, Betty Mitchell (Hikurangi) 19-12; Karen Horscroft, Jude Ganley, Amy Little, Chris Budge (Kensington) defeating Sue Wightman, Carol Henwood, Jan Hollingsworth, Mon Guttenbeil (Mangawhai) 14-11. In the semi finals Parker defeated Arbon 13-10; and Horscroft defeated Catton 15-10.

The final between the Parker and Horscroft combinations ended up being a one-sided affair with the 'holes being bigger than the bowl' on many occasions for Horscroft and some outstanding drawing from the lead and two for Parker.

The final was conceded to the Parker combination after 12 ends with the score at 18-4. This win gave Pam Brewster and Diane Strawbridge their Centre gold stars, having won their first five events.

Once again the conditions were not ideal for bowls with windy spring continuing to play havoc on the fast greens.

This Sunday will be round one of the Centre Interclub 7s event. Fourteen men's sides have entered and 10 women's sides. The event is played as singles, pairs and fours. Venues are Men Division 1 - Waipu, Division 2 - Mangawhai. Women Division 1 - Whangarei; Division 2 - Kensington.

Latest reporting time is 8.30am with play starting at 8.45am. Days two and three will be played on December 17-18. The winners of each division will represent their club and the centre in the NZ finals in March.

Christmas functions are the order of the day at this time of the year and club events for this next week are Saturday Leigh Men's triples; Mamaranui MX Triples; Tuesday, December 6: Kamo Men's Triples; Wednesday, December 7: Arapohue Men's Pairs; Maungatapere AC Triples; Mangawhai Women's Fours (two days); Thursday, December 8: Kensington AC Triples; Saturday, December 10: Regional 1-5 & 1-8 Rep tournament.

Found: I have in my possession a set of car and house keys found in the carpark at Onerahi last Saturday at the Women's Centre Fours. If they belong to you please contact me on 027 3298011.