Wanganui East pipped for second at nationals

Wanganui East Club's open team continue to improve on the national scene after coming third at the Petanque NZ National Clubs Championship in Rotorua over the weekend.

The team have stepped up from their fourth spot last year and only just missed second after being pipped by Masterton, who had five more points in their overall total.

Sharon Cannon, Yvonne Futcher, Pete (Pieman) Hamilton, Shirley Selwyn, Christine Strichen, and Richard Turfrey) were the six-person open team to represent the club.

Wanganui East also sent along a debutante senior team, which failed to place but did score some meritorious victories over the weekend.

They were Paul (Spida) Anderson, Brian Futcher, Sue Gurr, Sheryl Parslow, Josie Penton, and Margaret Pomana.

Wanganui players also showed good form at the recent Hawkes Bay Lawn and Tennis Triples Tournament.

Futcher, playing with Masterton's Barbara and Murray Johnston, was victorious in the final, winning 13-5 against clubmates Parslow and Turfrey, who teamed with Auckland's Ray Pierce.

Strichen finished third equal with her teammates Claire Wilson (Masterton) and Sharon Cannon (Napier). Hamilton and Selwyn were victorious in the Plate over clubmates Krissy Dinnis and the father and son combination of Brian and Dene Futcher.