Wanganui men retain titles while women place second

HANDLE THE PRESSURE: Wanganui's Pam Burgess competes in pairs. PHOTO/ DEVYN STAINES

Despite ushering in several new players, the Wanganui men's representative teams retained the Arnott Shield and Duckett Trophy against Manawatu and Taranaki in the annual inter-centre tournaments on Saturday.

Although the inclement weather made adjustments on the Wanganui East and Castlecliff Bowling Club greens difficult, all the Wanganui teams adjusted, as the two women's teams finished narrow second in their triangular tournaments as well.

At Wanganui East on Saturday morning, both Wanganui senior manager Mike Morgan and Wanganui development manager Graeme Tauri said their teams had made excellent starts.

"Our team handled [the weather] really well, obviously better than the other teams," said Tauri.

Wanganui's seniors retained the Arnott Shield with 22 (+10) points, with Manawatu 20 (+15) and Taranaki 12 (+8).

Morgan said it came down to the Pinkers - Cary and Warrick - who were all square in their last game with Taranaki and the opposing skip drove three times but could not swing it his way.

"This was an exciting finish - it was the last bowl."

Development kept the Duckett Trophy when they finished tied with Taranaki on 12 points, but with a superior ends, 23 to 5, while Manawatu finished with 6 (-28).

In the women's Tri-Series games at Castlecliff, the Wanganui teams showed improvement on last year as they came runner-up in both grades, with the seniors missing out by a point to Manawatu, while the Development team was tied with Taranaki but lost on differential.

Coach Chris Waterson and manager Aka Alder was said how proud they were with the improvements and the attitude of the players.

"Very positive, especially the younger girls, starting to show a bit of form," said Waterson. The tournaments will be in Taranaki next year, in a two-day format.