Belliss returns to pairs

Wanganui's Phil Corney and his team had to contend with a lot of rain at last year's Arnott Shield matchup. PHOTO/FILE

The Wanganui representative bowls team is hoping the return of their world champion Peter Belliss can help them get their hands on the Arnott Shield today for the latest clash in the over 50 years of the inter-centre rivalry with Taranaki and Manawatu.

Both the Arnott Shield, contested by the three provinces' top teams, and the Duckett Shield for the development squads will be on the line at the Wanganui East and Aramaho bowls clubs respectively.

In addition, the women's senior teams and development squads will play their own tri-series at Castlecliff Bowling Club.

Wanganui will field both white and blue teams in all the grades, with Belliss expected to be an integral part of the senior men's white team in the pairs with Tony Waikato.

Manager Mike Morgan said Belliss, who was inducted into the new Bowls NZ Hall of Fame this year, had initially kept a low profile from Wanganui representative level after returning from Australia and purchasing a new home.

Having now been appointed as assistant coach of the Blackjacks who will attend the Glasgow Commonwealth Games next year, Belliss had come forward to represent Wanganui again.

"As a past world bowling champion he is still a force on the green with his silky delivery, which is the style every bowler would like to execute," said Morgan.

Last year, Taranaki kept the Arnott Shield fairly comfortably with 29 points (+37), followed by Wanganui with 23 (-25) and Manawatu on 20 (-12). Taranaki also won the Duckett Trophy, with Manawatu second and Wanganui third.

Games will start at 9.30am and follow a format of three rounds of singles, pairs and fours for the seniors.

The Wanganui teams are:

Men's Senior: White: Sean Johnson (singles); Peter Belliss, Tony Waikato (pairs); Bruce Winterburn, Phil Corney, Kevin Coombe, Tony McCrae (fours). Blue: Alan Dickson; Ray Park, Ray Savage; Cary Pinker, Bernie Anderson, Mike Bishop, Warrick Pinker. Selector: Lindsay Wheeler; Manager: Mike Morgan.

Men's Development: Team 1: Glen Springer, Leroy Paranihi, Graeme Tauri, Ray Hutchinson. Team 2: Gavin Scrivener, Desmond Pirere, Alan Springer, Colin Wright. Selector: Keith Schultz.

Women's Senior: White: Lesley Bourke; Liz Anderson, Ann Kendrick; Nyla Gilmore, Hannah Murray, Wendy Stuthridge, Tiny Maniapoto. Blue: Maria Klitscher; Anne Loveridge, Dianne Patterson; Marilyn Constantine, Marlene Foster, Rona O'Shea, Pam Burgess.

Women's Development: White: Judy Johnson; Janice Webster, Louise Rossiter-Wicky, Jill Rohloff. Blue: Margaret Blinkhorne, Wendy Black, Hilary Huwyler, Debbie Wildermoth. Selector: Chris Waterson; Manager: Aka Alder.