TEN PIN BOWLING - Strike for place in Olympics side

Strikes were coming fast and furious at Whangarei Ten Pin Bowling Centre, with medals and a place at the Special Olympics National Games up for grabs.
Special Olympics Whangarei hosted their first Ten Pin Bowling Regional Games on Saturday, attracting 15 teams from Auckland, Waikato, Counties, Manukau, Tamaki, Howick Pakuranga and North Harbour, as well as a strong Whangarei contingent.
All competitors were eligible to contest the National Games in Palmerston North in December.
Whangarei had four doubles teams, and two fours teams competing on Saturday. Eight will travel to Palmerston North, said Special Olympics Whangarei chairman Andrew Langford.
Doubles' teams were divided into three divisions depending on each person's handicap, calculated from the average of their last 15 games.
Whangarei teams stepped up on the day and performed admirably. Scott Hetherington and Derek Olsen came first in division three while Linda and Frances Mora were third.
In division two, James McGowan and D'arcy Collins were second while in division one, Roy Butterfield and Ian Mora also finished the day in second.
In the fours competition, the Whangarei team of Butterfield, Hetherington, McGowan and Collins were second in division three, while Linda, Ian and Frances Mora with Olsen were fourth.
Ten pin bowling in the Whangarei region for Special Olympic athletes came about three years ago when coach and treasurer for Special Olympics Whangarei, Glynis Collins, saw a need to encourage some people to try another sport.
"Many had outgrown the particular sports they had been doing and opted not to be involved any longer," Collins said.
"It was suggested they may like to try ten pin bowling."
Eight athletes contested their first ribbon day three years ago and six of them were in action again on Saturday, she said.
"To have a regional games after only such a short time in existence is only through the athletes willingness to compete, the working relationship with the management and encouragement of the staff and the Whangarei Ten Pin League, who have stepped in to give their 100 per cent for this event.
"Many of those taking part are not so mobile, but get a great kick out of it - especially if they get strikes or spares."