Tight tournament as national titles beckon

ALMOST: Reagan Shortall was one of several Wanganui players to bow out in a semifinal when he lined up in the Partial-sighted men's singles during the 62nd Blind and Visually Impaired Indoor Bowls Nationals at the weekend. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

CLOSE games from more than 50 players from nine centres defined the 62nd Blind and Visually Impaired Indoor Bowls Nationals at Jubilee Stadium in Wanganui over the weekend.

This year's tournament also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Wanganui Visually Impaired Bowlers.

While close calls dominated many individual match-ups, few were closer than the battle of the provinces for the Bailes Cup.

Wellington and Gisborne fought it to be named the Champion Province with teams from the capital combining to win by the barest of margins. Just .06 points separated Wellington and Gisborne.

Brendon Kenny, president of hosts, the Wanganui Indoor Bowls Association, said a standout for Wellington was Owen Palamountain who won Champion of Champion Total Blind Overall Singles title for the fifth time to be awarded the Gold Star.

"He won his first title in Wanganui, so to win his fifth as well to be awarded the Gold Star was a real honour for Owen," Kenny said yesterday.

Palamountain, of course, also won the Total Blind Men's Singles with coach Barbara Dunn, while Nola Burgess from Gisborne claimed the Total Blind Women's singles with help from her coach Wendy Davis.

"Wanganui players made several semifinals, including the fours and both the partial men and women's singles. Reagan Shortall and Colleen Pryce filled the latter spots."

Results

Sunday - singles:

Total Blind Ladies Singles:

Winner - Nola Burgess with Coach Wendy Davis (Gisborne), Runner-up - Sarah Welsh with Coach Fay Chisholm (Counties).

Total Blind Men's Singles:

Winner - Owen Palamountain with Coach Barbara Dunn (Wellington), Runner-up - Aerengi Rouvi with Coach Irenie Edgeler (Otago).

Champion of Champion Total Blind Overall Singles Winner:

Winner - Owen Palamountain (Wellington), Runner-up - Nola Burgess (Gisborne).

Partial-Sight Ladies Singles:

Winner - Vi Coates with Coach Noel Fitzwater (Wellington), Runner-up - S Curran with Coach Phyllis Fox (Hamilton).

Partial-Sight Men's Singles:

Winner - Grant Evans with Coach (Hastings), Runner-up - Mata Strickland with Coach Mahia Strickland (Gisborne).

Champion of Champion Partial-Sight Overall Singles Winner:

Winner - Vi Coates (Wellington), Runner-up - Grant Evans (Hastings).

Monday

Fours

Winners - Sue Curran (s), George Nevill, Diane Julian, Louise Herny, with Coach Christine Foster (Hamilton), Runner-up's - Greg Hall (s), Kay Lodge, Aliester O'Donnell, Maria Doherty with Coach John Mills (Taranaki).

Fours Plate Event

Winner - Bill Walshaw (s), Ann Bain, John Buchanan, Linda Johnson with Coach Elizbeth Smith.

Febertion Cup (highest average points scored in post section by one team).

Winner - S Curran Team

Champion Province - Bailes Cup

Winner - Wellington