Warming up for Nationals

Wanganui East Petanque's leading players have had a busy fortnight, which includes another national title for the kitty.

Christine Strichen, who will travel to Australia next month with the New Zealand squad, teamed up with Masterton's Claire Wilson and Napier's Sharon Cannon to win the Petanque NZ National Women's Triples at Auckland's Stanley Bay, February 7-8.

The team were the top qualifiers on Day 1 of the tournament, with their only defeat being to Strichen's clubmate Sheryl Parslow with Auckland's Ella Harris and Eileen Lippard.

Both teams were to meet again in the final, with Strichen's team prevailing 13-2.

Last weekend, Wanganui East players also competed at the Wellington Regional Triples, held at Park Ave in Lower Hutt.

It was historic as the final tournament to be held at the venue before the petanque pistes - or courts - are removed to make way for the new Wellington Regional Bowling centre.

Wanganui East's Shirley Selwyn and team mates Graeme Morris (Masterton) and Susan Norman (Windy Hills) were the top qualifiers, Strichen along with Claire Wilson (Masterton) and Dirk Winnie coming in at second qualifiers.

The all-Wanganui East team of Tony Simpson, Yvonne Futcher and Richard Turfrey also made the cut as 8th qualifier.

All three teams made the semifinals, with Selwyn's trio just edging out Strichen's 13-12.

The Wanganui East team lost the other playoff 13-4 to Wellington's Michael Rocks, Miles Cowper and Nick Jeguoisse.

The Wellingtonians then went on with it in the final, beating Selwyn's team 13-4.

This weekend the club members travel to the annual Masterton triples.