THE final Champion of Champion event for the season was completed at the Mangawhai greens last Sunday. Fifteen clubs competed in the men's section and the final between Mangawhai and Onerahi resulted in a win to Mangawhai and a first gold star for Paul Wightman.
Mangawhai, represented by Graham Wintle (skip), Len Bird (two) and Paul Wightman (lead), scored on the first three ends to get out to a handy 6-0 lead. A four scored on the 8th end increased their lead to 12-4 and with skip Wintle playing some outstanding draw shots to get them out of trouble it was all uphill for Onerahi. After 13 ends the score was 16-6 to Mangawhai and the writing was on the wall. The game ended as it started with Wintle drawing the shot when he was three down and Mangawhai won the match 19-11.
Onerahi was represented by Ian Bowick (skip), Bruce Horscroft (two) Ian Halls (lead). This was a first centre title for Wintle and first senior title for Bird.
Results were:
Round 1: One Tree Point (bye); Hikurangi bt Ngunguru 30-10; Dargaville bt Kamo 18-11; Mangawhai bt Arapohue 15-12; Onerahi bt Kensington 19-12; Maungatapere bt Ruawai 20-10; Te Kopuru bt Maungaturoto 20-19; Whangarei bt Waipu 16-6.
Round 2: Hikurangi bt One Tree Point 11-9; Mangawhai bt Dargaville 14-12; Onerahi bt Maungatapere 16-9; Te Kopuru bt Whangarei 17-12.
Round 3: Mangawhai bt Hikurangi 16-11; Onerahi bt Te Kopuru 18-8.
Final: Mangawhai bt Onerahi 19-11.
Hikurangi ease to winIn the women's section, a disappointing nine clubs were represented. However, this didn't reflect on the quality of the bowls played. The Hikurangi combination of Diane Lawrence (skip), Glenda Norris-Palmer (two) and Leanne Stewart (lead) defeated the Onerahi combination of Ann Halls (skip), Sharon McKinnon (two) and Linda Swanson (lead) by 24-10.
The game did not start well for Onerahi when skip Halls gave away the shot on several occasions and after nine ends Hikurangi had a commanding 22-1 lead. With the Hikurangi combination all playing well, Onerahi really had no answer and it was only on the 14 to 16th ends when the game was comfortably in the Hikurangi hands that Onerahi scored 7 shots to make the score a more respectable total.
The game ended with two ends to play and Hikurangi winning the match 24-10. This was a 6th title for Lawrence, 4th for Stewart and 2nd for Norris-Palmer.
Results were:
Round 1: One Tree Point bt Whangarei 13-12.
Round 2: Kamo bt Maungatapere 26-10; Hikurangi bt Kensington 18-10; Onerahi 19-10; One Tree Point bt Mangawhai 21-13.
Round 3: Hikurangi bt Kamo 19-15; Onerahi bt One Tree Point 21-13.
Final: Hikurangi bt Onerahi 24-10.
Left behind at the centre Champion of Champion triples on the front green was a black sleeveless vest. If this belongs to you, please contact me.
Rep players on viewRegional 1-5 Year Representative tournament second round competition will be held at the Mangawhai greens this Sunday. Teams from Far North, North Harbour, Auckland, and Northland will take part in competition for men and women. Play starts at 9am.
The Northland men's team is handily placed in this competition in first place and the women are in third place after the first round. Come and view some outstanding bowls by this new talent that we have competing.
Regional NZ Club Championship competition to find area one representatives for the NZ finals have been played in the North Harbour Centre this week. Results from this event will be provided for you next week.
Prizes on offerThe Northland Coaching Association held their annual tournament last Friday and 32 teams took part with four prizes being awarded on each green. Thank you to those clubs that entered teams, in particular the Mangawhai Club who brought a bus full of players and entered 16 teams.
Just a reminder for next year - this event has a limit of one skip per team and a 1-8 year bowler to be included in each team. It would be appreciated if teams would address this issue when entering.
Reminders: Hikurangi Club have a men's open two day tournament next Tuesday and Wednesday. Lunches provided each day and included in entry fee. Prizes to the value of $2800 will be presented.
Clubs notch up tonsHikurangi Club are also celebrating their 100 years Centennial in 2014. Plans are underway for a weekend of celebrations in early December. If you are a former member of the club please contact us so that we can provide you with an invitation to attend these celebrations.
Maungaturoto is also celebrating 100 years this year and are looking to have their celebrations in November 2014. Congratulations to both clubs on their longevity.
Other events to noteThe Centre Junior (1-5 year) singles will be played the first weekend of May, so clubs please ensure that your junior bowlers enter this event.
The Centre Executive Fours (any combination) are scheduled for April 9. This event is open for all clubs to enter and volunteers at your club can be included in your teams. Please enter your teams through the centre office or via our website.
Kensington Kearne Cup A/C triples is scheduled for March 20. This tournament is a fundraiser for Hospice. Please contact Pat Warth for an entry.
The NZ wide Corner to Corner competition Northland/Far North final will be held at the Onerahi Bowling Club on Saturday. Registration and practice time is 10am with the competition proper starting at 11am. If you have won either the "bowler" or "non-bowler" section of your club competition then you should be at this event. Great prizes for local winners who will be eligible to play in the NZ final in Auckland where you have a chance to win $3000 for your club and $1000 for yourself.