With Garry Houlahan
* Career off to a glittering start
A great start to Manu Timoti's international career in the Asian Pacific games at Christchurch when she won a gold and a bronze medal in her two disciplines.
Play at this level is very intense and the New Zealand women's fours team of
Jan Khan, Marina Khan, Mary Campbell and Manu Timoti played well throughout the competition and beat Malaysia 17-14 in the final. This was one of the three gold medals won by the New Zealand teams during this event.
At one stage it looked as if Manu would be involved in another final when her triples team reached the semifinals, but they ran up against a rampant Australian team and went down 22-6 but still picked up the bronze medal.
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The Northland Centre Singles was the big event of the weekend and while the women have completed their competition, the men still have the final to play. A field of 64 men entered and after section play on Saturday 22 of them had managed the necessary three or four wins to qualify for post section play on Sunday.
With so many qualifiers, it was not possible to play all games out on Sunday, and two players remain to contest the final which will be played at a mutually agreed time and place in the future. There was some discussion to playing it on Sunday evening but the players could not reach an agreement.
Those concerned are Tom Chapman (Bowls Whangarei) and Wayne Wrack (Waipu). Chapman reached the final by beating Ian Bowick (OnerahI) 21-17 while Wrack beat Gordon Bond (Onerahi) 19-17.
I was fortunate enough to mark the Wrack/Bond game and it was fascinating to see the different approach by both players. When Bond was in trouble he resorted to the draw shot while when Wrack was in trouble he resorted to the drive. Both players were expert with their preferred shot and the result was a very tight game.
The women's final was played between Pam Arbon (Kensington) and Sue Wightman (Hakaru) and resulted in a good win to Arbon 21-13. Although the game was always close, Arbon appeared to have it under control at all stages and played some fine draw bowls to keep the pressure on her opponent. Arbon made the final by beating Helen Pike (Kensington) while Wightman beat Christine Crawford.
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Veteran bowlers looking to play in the annual Veterans Tournament are advised the Centre handbook is incorrect and the event is now being played at Bowls Whangarei on Friday, February 16. This change has been made to avoid a clash with another club tournament which is also set down for February 9.
This day has to be one of the best value for money tournaments around. Cost is just $5 and you get a day's bowls and a free lunch as well. No need to phone ahead as single entries are taken on the day. The only requirement is to be 60 years of age or over. Contact Robin Steele on 437-2202 or just turn up on the day.
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On Sunday the Regional Under 20 Kittyhawk Singles will be played at Waipu greens commencing at 9.30am. This regional competition replaces individual Centre competitions and the top 4 men and top 2 women from the field of 22 men and 10 women will receive invitations to attend the National final in Auckland at Easter.
Centre President Bill Walker is appealing for markers for these games so if you have nothing to do on Sunday contact the Centre and put your name forward.
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The following teams have been announced to represent Northland at the regional representative event on February 24 and 25:
Men Open Team: Singles - Tom Chapman (Whangarei)
Pairs - John Dunn & Gordon Bond (Onerahi)
Triples - Alan Rakich (Dargaville), Trevor Reader (Whangarei), Sam Nelson (Kensington)
Men Reserve Team: Singles - Mike Butler (Kensington)
Pairs - Joe Thorburn & Steve Mitchell (Kensington)
Triples - Paul Wightman (Mangawhai), Ian Halls (Onerahi) Ian Bowick (Onerahi)
Men's Academy Team: Singles - Carl Van Haaften (Kensington)
Pairs - Alan Stebben (Mangawhai) & Hayden Smith (Whangarei)
Triples - Alistair Trimmer (Kamo), Charlie Jellick (Maungakaramea) & Aaron Van Haaften (Whangarei)
Men's 1-5 Team: Singles - Kevin Robinson (Maungaturoto)
Pairs - John Ridling (Kamo) & Ross Burrows (Mangawhai)
Triples - Junior Haggar, Paul Thompson & Geoff Trappitt (All from Arapohue). Reserve - Rex Roadley (Maungaturoto)
Women's Open Team: Singles - Linda Pedro (Hikurangi)
Pairs - Manu Timoti (Hikurangi) & Ann Muir (Kensington)
Triples - Madeline Yovich (Kamo), Sue Wightman (Hakaru) & Maureen Parker (Kensington)
Women's Reserve Team: Singles - Caroline Downs (Kensington)
Pairs _ Maree Attwood (Hikurangi) & Diane Stewart (Arapohue)
Triples - Nancy Jujnovich, Janice Mclean & Anne Bateman (all Kensington)
Women's Academy Team: Singles - Patricia Murray (Kensington)
Pairs - Ngaire Nicholls (Kensington) & Carol Stebben (Hakaru)
Triples - Glenda Norris-Palmer, Karen Horscroft & Maureen Rahui (all Kensington)
Women's 1-5 Team: Singles - Amy Burgess (Onerahi)
Pairs - Anne Lison & Sharon McKinnon (Onerahi)
Triples - Judy Ganley (Kensington), Jacqui Howarth (Kamo) & Ann Halls (Onerahi). Reserve - Dot Haslam (Kensington)
With Garry Houlahan
* Career off to a glittering start
A great start to Manu Timoti's international career in the Asian Pacific games at Christchurch when she won a gold and a bronze medal in her two disciplines.
Play at this level is very intense and the New Zealand women's fours team of
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