JACK'S CORNER - Hospitality knows no boundaries at Kaikohe event

Last week I had the pleasure of travelling to Kaikohe to play in the Jack Kosovich Memorial tournament. I played in the inaugural tournament 15 years ago, although I thought it was only about 10 years ago - shows how the mind goes - but had not been able to play since then because of other commitments. Like all other tournaments the numbers are dwindling and only 18 teams lined up this year. To keep everyone involved until the last game, the club changed the format to five straight games, three on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. After play finished on the first day there were only three teams with the maximum wins. Mike Butler was in front with three wins and 28 ends, from Sam Prasad with three wins and 23 ends, with local Kaikohe player Paki Repia in third with three wins and 21 ends.
On the second day, Mike Butler (who took ill during the game) and Paki Repia were both beaten, leaving Sam Prasad as the only unbeaten team. They had a convincing win in their last game and so won the tournament as the only team with five wins from their five games. They also had an impressive 41 ends and 87 points. Paki Repia was the runner up with four wins, 39 ends and 64 points with Tom Jellick in third with four wins, 35 ends and 71 points. This was a good result for Tom as he suffered a big defeat in his first game but won all his remaining games to still figure in the prizes. Fourth was Mane King from Moerewa with four wins, 32 ends and 67 points while fifth spot went to Fred Toi with three wins, 33 ends and 63 points.
The winning team was skipped by Garry Houlahan with Sam Prasad in the middle and Goldie Wardell leading.
As always in the Far North, the hospitality was tremendous and most of us came away a few pounds above our normal playing weight. I would recommend this tournament to all players. I have the heard the comment that it is too far to travel, but we do not think twice about travelling an hour in the car to get to Ruawai or Mangawhai, yet quibble about travelling the same time further north.
* Top names in action
This weekend is the big one for representative play with the Northern Regional League to be played around Whangarei. The Open and Open Reserve men and women are to be played at Whangarei and Whangarei RSA, greens while the Development 1-10 Years will be at Kensington and the 1-5 Years at Hikurangi.
Plenty of top players will be in action, with Rowan Brassey, Justin Goodwin, Doug Wilson and Danny O'Connor spear-heading a strong North Harbour side, while Auckland has Petar Sain, Grant Goodwin, Wally Marsic and Steve Cox in their line-up. Our own Northland men are looking strong with Tom Chapman, John Dunn, Gordon Bond and Sam Nelson all in good form, while the Far North can call on Barry Pridham, David Hood, Paul Huxtable and Barry Allison.
The women's teams also look powerful with Auckland having Wendy Jensen, Jo Babich and Bev Crowe in their team and North Harbour have Paulette Mytton and Carol Frederick. Northland will be looking to Manu Timoti, Linda Pedro and Maureen Parker for top performances with Far North having Elaine Albury, Johanna Hood and Jean Huxtable among their stars.
All in all this will be a great weekend of bowls with play starting at 1pm on Saturday, with two games in the afternoon, then the final round on Sunday morning starting at 9.30am. Make sure that you get along and support the players and see some top bowlers in action at the same time.
* Triples scheduled
Bowls Whangarei Annual Life Member's Triples is down to be played on the weekend of March 3/4 and the format has been changed this year to any combination so you can enter all men, all women or any combination of the two genders. There is a champagne lunch on the Saturday to help players to enjoy themselves. More entries are needed to fill this popular tournament so contact Dave Holwell on 438-9257 or get in touch with any club official.
* Recent results
A few results from club championships played recently. Hikurangi played their Triples and the winners of the men's event were Alan Jellick, Snow McPherson and Bob Jellick. The women's winners were Linda Pedro, Maree Attwood and Gwen Lawson. Kensington Women's pairs were won by Anne Bateman and Janice McLean, who carried on their good form from the nationals in Dunedin by beating Ann Muir and Judy Ganley. Bowls Whangarei triples were won by Dusty Reader, Laurie Reader and Sam Prasad on an extra end from Tom Chapman, Paul Yovich and Paul Graham. Whangarei Women's triples went to Peg Wardell, Pat Reader and Dot Edge ahead of Lenore Jamieson, Rere Thomas and Agnes Kirk.