Clubs are reminded that the Centre program and Open Tournament calendar for 2018-19 has been forwarded to all Clubs.
The Champion of Champion Pairs for Men and Women were held at the Mangawhai greens on Saturday, May 5.
The men's title was won by Carlson Barnett and Patrick Lewis (Arapohue), who defeated Bob Ashworth and Murray Dalbeth (Maungatapere) in the final.
The Maungatapere men conceded on the 15th end when the score was 22-8. A possible six on the third end gave Arapohue a great start and they never looked back, scoring on nine of the 15 ends played.
In the semifinals Arapohue defeated Whangarei 19-8 and Maungatapere defeated Hikurangi 20-16. This was a second Centre title for both Barnett and Lewis.
The women's title was claimed by the Hikurangi combination of Betty Mitchell and Leanne Stewart, who defeated Sharon Rudman and Jill Stewart (Waipu) 15-14.
This match went the full 18 ends and ended in almost total darkness.
In the semifinals Hikurangi defeated Ngunguru 22-4 and Waipu defeated Mangawhai 19-5. This was an 18th tile for Mitchell and sixth for Stewart.
The Champion of Champion Fours were completed on Sunday with the men playing at One Tree Point and the women at Hikurangi.
Kevin Robinson, Wayne Wrack,Brian Hagger and Tim
Holt (Maungaturoto) defeated Whangarei's Trevor Reader, Steve Smith, Clyde Claridge and Garry Fraser 16-14 on an extra end.
In the semifinals Whangarei defeated Hikurangi and Maungaturoto defeated Arapohue.
This was a 26th title for Wrack, first for Hagger and Holt.
Karen Horscroft, Ann Muir, Chris Budge and Jude Ganley (Kensington) defeated Hikurangi's Betty Mitchell, Manu Timoti, Gwen Lawson, Leanne Stewart in the low scoring Women's final 11-9.
The last bowl of the match, played by Horscroft, managed to get the shot when Hikurangi were holding three to win the title.
This win gave Chris Budge her gold star.
In the semifinals Kensington defeated Maungatapere 13-8 and Hikurangi defeated Onerahi 18-7.
This result was a 29th title for Muir, sixth title for Horscroft and fourth for Ganley.
Left at Mangawhai on Saturday on the back green was a bowls lifter. If this belongs to you and you can identify the motif on it, please contact me on 027 3298011 as I am holding same.
On Saturday we have the final event of the season.
The Regional tournament (1-5 year competition) for the Mercedes Cup will be played at Hikurangi between teams representing Counties-Manukau (Papakura), Auckland (Balmoral); North Harbour (Mairangi Bay); Northland (Mangawhai Men) and Far North (Kerikeri).
Play starts at 9am, the teams will playing singles, pairs and triples.
All of these bowlers have less than five years' experience at the game and all are keen to show how much they have progressed in the sport.
An official visit was made to the Northland Centre by Bowls NZ CEO Mark Cameron.
He spoke to a good crowd of bowlers on the way forward for bowls, the range of competitions that will be held next year, and a televised competition to be seen on SkyTV in October and November.
The matter of change to the way the bowlers of this country pay their fees to the National body was also thoroughly discussed.
The Centre Awards night and prizegiving will be held on Saturday, May 26, at the Kamo Club. Meet and greet at 6pm.
Tickets are available at $28 per person from the Centre office. Please contact and order your ticket numbers which then must be paid for prior to the event.
Club tournaments set down for next week include: Wednesday May 16 - AC Triples Maungaturoto; Sunday May 20 - Hikurangi AC Triples. Winter tournaments on artificial greens will be the order of the day from June.
Competitions are available at Dargaville, Hikurangi, Kamo, Onerahi, One Tree Point, Maungaturoto. Please check your handbook for dates.
Clubs are reminded that the Centre programme and Open Tournament calendar for 2018-19 has been forwarded to all Clubs. Please pass these on to your Match Committee for their immediate attention.
First in will be given priority for any changes of tournament dates. If your club has not received these documents, please contact the writer for a new copy.