Plenty of flak flying towards losers

Mangawhai Bowls held their annual open fours tournament, sponsored by Adams Trimmer, Dream Finance and Dominion Constructors, last weekend.
Winners play winners until one team comes out unbeaten over the five rounds, while losers play losers and one team comes out without any wins at all.
The team with all wins was a composite team of Colin Wintle, Allan Stebben, Ivan Andrews and Steve Smith, while runners-up were a Maungaturoto team of Kevin Robinson, Ron McCallum, Terry McMahon and Kevin Flower.
Third and fourth were teams skipped by Dennis Double from New Lynn (Auckland) and John Dunn (Onerahi).
The honour (if that is the right expression) of being the only team to not notch up a win was shared by two Mangawhai teams.
The skips of these teams were Len Lawrence and Graham Wintle and they both no doubt received plenty of flak for their efforts.
Don't forget entries for the Centre Fours close tomorrow at the Centre office. I always think that fours is the most enjoyable discipline and hopefully there will be a good turnout for the weekend of November 15-16.
Junior bowlers should also be alert for the closing date for their Junior Championship pairs, which is one week later on Thursday, November 13. Make the most of your junior playing years and get an entry in.
This weekend is set down for club championships, although not all clubs will be following this programme. It is designed this way so that all clubs do the same thing at the same time and free up players on other weekends to participate in open tournaments.
Far too often in the past we have seen an excellent open tournament spoiled by lack of entries when some of the major clubs decide to do their own thing and schedule championships on the same weekend.
Remember, you also have to fit in voting some time during the day. Perhaps one of the parties will come up with a Minister of Bowls as part of their manifesto.
The men's Umpires Tournament is set down for this Friday and entries are a bit on the low side, with just 13 teams entered at this stage. The umpires would like to get the field up to at least one full green of 16 teams, so Dave Dalton will take late entries on 437 7089 right up to the last moment.
The umpires deserve your support, as they do a good job attending and officiating at all Centre events plus major club tournaments and never receive many thanks. For the women bowlers, there is also a women's umpires tournament and this will be held on Friday, November 21, at Kensington.
Entries go to Sylvia Batchelor on 437 7681.