Family set to take sides in annual clash

David Gunn is awaiting the battle for the Una Purves Memorial Cup among family members at the Wanganui Bowling Club next year. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

A family feud is brewing at the Wanganui Bowling Club when the extended Purves family battle it out for the Una Purves Memorial Cup next May.

Una Purves is a former great in lawn bowling circles and each year her extended family gather at a different venue to celebrate what was the love of her life - bowls.

May 10-11, 2014, marks the fourth time the family will have gathered to contest the cup and for the first time Wanganui will play host.

Vice-president of the Wanganui Bowling Club, David Gunn, who also happens to be the late Una Purves' son-in-law, said the "thick end" of 25 family members from throughout the country are expected to compete.

"It's a very unique tournament," Gunn said. "I don't think there are too many tournaments in New Zealand restricted to just family members."

"The tournament came about at Una Purves' funeral in 2010 when a few of us came up with the idea of a bowls match involving just us.

"Una was a very good lawn bowler in her day and loved the sport. She played at the Nelson St club and represented Wanganui in women's competition. So far we have held three annual tournaments in Auckland, Wellington and Te Awamutu.

He said there were several top bowlers in the extended family including Marilyn McLeod from Tauranga - a former national women's singles champion.

"The memorial cup is a coveted trophy to win in our family, but so is the wooden spoon.

"We have both competent bowlers and non-bowlers and we have a get-together usually on the Friday night to choose the skips and draw up the teams, then from the Saturday it's all on."

Gunn said choosing the Wanganui Bowling C club as hosts next year was a no-brainer.

"Not only am I vice-president, but the all-weather greens ensure the tournament goes ahead and it's central with plenty of motels close by," he said.