Club sends five to Adelaide

Christine Strichen, centre, throws a boule, watched by her New Zealand team mates Claire Wilson, left, Pete Hamilton, Sheryl Parslow, and Sharon Cannon at the Wanganui East Club yesterday.

The Wanganui East Club's annual petanque triples tournament was another opportunity for the club's five New Zealand representatives to get in some practice before taking on the Aussies in just over a month's time.

Multiple time national representatives Christine Strichen and Pete Hamilton have been chosen again for the Trans Tasman Challenge in Adelaide, while Sheryl Parslow returns after being first selected last year.

Napier's Sharon Cannon and Masterton's Claire Wilson are members of the Wanganui East Club and were also selected again for the 24 person squad.

The March challenge consists of a series of games between the open and senior teams of both countries.

"We're going to win, the open team's won it for the last seven years," said Strichen.

"The seniors have lost it once in the last eight years."

'Pie Man' Hamilton said they were all looking forward to the evening dinners and celebrations with Adelaide known for its hospitality, but before then they would be "teetotallers" to win the latest chapter of the friendly rivalry.

"Normally, they know us and we know them. It's great camaraderie."

Yesterday's triples tournament also decided the which team would go represent the club at the upcoming Wellington regionals, and despite the presence of five top players, the rest of their clubmates were willing to give them a challenge to create a competitive eight-team competition.

Veterans Paul 'Spida' Anderson and Richard Turfrey teamed with newcomer Trish Biddle-Amoroa to win the final.