Northland bowls trio scare off opposition

Roll up, roll up for the inaugural any combination fours tournament at Bowls Whangarei.

The Northland team of David Eades, Kevin Robinson and Wayne Wrack of Maungaturoto won the men's title for the NZ Club Championship Triples held recently in Dunedin when their opposition from Browns Bay decided to catch a plane back to Auckland rather than front up for the final.

This was no reflection on the win of the Northland trio who had made short work of the Paritutu (Taranaki) team 20-6 in their semifinal.

It was the first national title by a Northland men's team in the history of the Centre, being a first title for Wrack and Robinson and a third for Eades who won his other titles when playing bowls in Nelson Centre.

This success capped off the second placing in the pairs event by Dean McMurchy and Gordon Bond and a third-equal placing for Diane Strawbridge in the women's singles. Congratulations to all entrants.

Northland men's and women's open teams left yesterday for the NZ Inter Centre competition being held in Wellington.

The women will be attempting to defend the title they won in Auckland in 2016. This year they have the top teams of Canterbury and Nelson - last season's other finalist - in their section. We wish both teams every success.

While the open teams are in the capital, the 1-8 Representatives will be playing in a regional event at Browns Bay on Sunday. This is a prelude to their NZ Inter-Centre competition to be held in Christchurch in April.

Dusty Reader, the president of Bowls Northland, cordially invites all clubs to thank their volunteers by entering as many teams as they wish into the inaugural tournament to be held at Bowls Whangarei next Wednesday. This is an any combination fours tournament. It will be generously sponsored by Carter Holt Wood Products and your Centre president. Please contact the Centre office with your entries.

The Centre Junior 1-5 Championship singles entries close today. This event is for men and women and is scheduled to be played at Waipu and One Tree Pt greens on April 1 and 2.

Please enter via the centre website or email. Remember that markers are also required.

Entries for Champion of Champion events should also have been in to the Centre Office by March 20. An entry form has sent to all clubs.

If you have not completed some events you are still required to enter the event, with entry fee now. Names of successful representatives can be provided when the event is completed.

Next week - Open tournaments: March 27 Ngunguru AC Triples; March 28 Waipu Men's Triples; Maungakaramea AC Triples; Kamo Women's Triples; March 29 Centre President's Day AC Fours.