Far Northern star shines brightly

GRINNING WINNERS: Peter and Janet Sole, Noel and Rae Bailey with Eddie McCarthy and Sarah Travers at the 2015 Christmas Pairs indoor bowling tournament at Takahue last Sunday. PICTURE/SUPPLIED

The 2015 Christmas Pairs tournament held at Takahue Hall last Sunday proved as popular as ever in attracting 36 teams representing Whangarei, Bay of Islands, Northern Wairoa and Far North indoor bowling clubs.

In a typically irreverent report on proceedings, local commentator Stephen Joyce noted the annual Far North Indoor Bowling Association (FNIBA) tournament started on time this year because Ivan Jurlina did not get lost ("he obeyed his wife's instructions!").

The day began with a welcome to all attending from FNIBA president Eddie McCarthy and the game format was set at 4 games and 8 ends with everybody having one bye. The top placegetters in the tournament saw the Whangarei team of Noel and Rae Bailey come home in top spot, with Eddie McCarthy and Sarah Travers close in 2nd place and Peter and Janet Sole in 3rd place.

The tournament prizes went down to 16th place and there was five 'best sport' prizes and five spot prizes, with 26 of the 36 teams taking something home.

Another notable aspect from the event was seeing seven Far North teams placing inside the top 10, a pretty good result considering the calibre of the opposition, Joyce noted.

"A lovely meal was served after the completion of play, with some especially nice dishes made by the local ladies. I am sure no one left feeling hungry!" Joyce reported, and congratulating on behalf of the organisers the 'team behind the scene' for setting up the hall and preparing the food: "An awful lot of work goes into the preparation so well done to all - especially Lynne Pooley for the organising of the meal and the blokes."

Other highlights from the event included a really good selection of prizes provided by the sponsors and which encouraged good participation in raffle ticket purchases while various spot prizes and 'Best Sport' prizes were also awarded on the night.

"A big thank you to all of the sponsors for your generous donations " it really does help to make this an exceptional tournament," said Joyce, before wrapping up his review of proceedings with another dig at his arch nemesis.

"My old mate Mate Radich played very well " he came home in 10th place (just behind me!) but was very quiet most of the day complaining of food poisoning. I heard rumours that it was caused by too much chrysanthemum in the pork or perhaps too much 'Angry Valley'. In any event he left early saying he was going home to work on his mayoralty acceptance speech! Dave Ross did his annual very humorous raffle of a whole sheep (in parts) I'm sure this one had at least five legs!?"

The FNIBA President Eddie McCarthy thanked everyone for attending and especially acknowledged Pub Charities for their generous funding and also thanked all of the sponsors for their support which helped making a very successful day. McCarthy wished everyone a safe journey home and hoped they could all make it back next year.