Academy players step to the green

Action from 2015 Academy Hexagonal as Hawke's Bay Richard Rangi, left, Dean Tehuna and Brian River watch Wanganui's Michael Penn, along with teammates Russell Duggan and Laurie Hunt.

The representative bowls season springs into life on the first day of October as Bowls Wanganui is hosting the Academy Hexagonal tournament at two clubs this weekend.

The men's and women's development teams of Bowls Wanganui will take on their counterparts from Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Kapiti, and Manawatu.

"Players are drawn from the clubs in the region and all being new bowlers to the sport and have been selected to represent us in the grand game of outdoor bowls," said Mike Morgan, the men's team manager.

"With six new players from last year, this men's team has a great opportunity to test themselves against players from other centres.

"The women's team is a good mix of experience and developing talent with four players in their last playing season as a junior - 5 years - and four players who are still only in their second year and showing plenty of potential.

"It's an exciting opportunity for all these emerging bowlers to experience playing at a representative level against their peers from five other centres of the lower North Island."

The men's games will be held at the Wanganui Bowling Club, while the women's matchups are at the Gonville BC greens.

Play will be today and tomorrow.

The Wanganui teams are
Men: Peter Cassidy (Wanganui East); Ray Coker (Durie Hill); Mike Connell (Wanganui); Russell Duggan (Durie Hill); Laurie Hunt (Wanganui); Gary Moore (Aramoho); Les Murcott (Wanganui); Gene Ridgway (Wanganui East); Russell Terrey (Aramoho); Blair Whiteman (Aramoho). Selector: Lindsay Wheeler. Manager: Mike Morgan.

Women: Margaret Blinkhorne (Wanganui East); Martha Hourigan (Wanganui East); Carol Hughes (Gonville); Karen Hunt (Wanganui); Sue Jermy (Wanganui East); Ann Morgan (Wanganui East); Jackie Ragan (Aramoho); Gaylene Reid (Aramoho); Denise Taylor (Wanganui); Debbie Wildermoth (Aramoho). Selectors: Reen Stratford, Kathy Garrett, Claire Ellen.