Whanganui clubs dip out in finals

The Wanganui East Bowling Club's women's Division 2 team advanced the furthermost of the local sides at the Bowls NZ Interclub Finals in Auckland at the weekend.

Playing at the Browns Bay Bowling Club on Friday and Saturday, Wanganui East finished second in their four team Section 2, ahead of Wakefield (Nelson) and Papakura (Counties Manukau) and qualified for post section play on Sunday along with Allenton (Canterbury).

They then defeated Browns Bay (North Harbour) in the quarterfinals, winning the singles 21-11, losing the pairs 15-12, and claiming the deciding fours 13-10.

Wanganui East's run ended in the semifinals, beaten by Forbury Park (Dunedin) as they won the singles 21-11, but lost the pairs 14-8 and the fours 11-9.

From the other side of the finals, Allenton went through to win the title.

Over at the Howick Bowling Club, the Wanganui Bowling Club's team were entered in Division 1 Men's and finished second in their six team Section 4, ahead of the centre representatives from Thames Valley, Hawkes Bay, Central Otago and the Far North.

They advanced to post section play along with the Belfast (Canterbury) club.

Wanganui's run ended in the quarter finals against Wellington club Eastbourne, being beaten 21-9 in singles, 22-12 for pairs and 18-12 in fours.

Eastbourne would go on to beat the Blenheim and Stoke (Nelson) clubs to win the title.

Wanganui East Bowling Club also represented their centre in the Division 1 Women's grade, but did not advanced out of section play.

Also playing on the Howick green, the Wanganui East Division 1 team finishing third in Section 3, ahead of the Bay of Plenty, Dunedin and Hawkes Bay centre winners, but behind the Victoria (Wellington) and Paraparaumu Beach clubs, who advanced to Sunday.

The title was eventually won by Hinuera (Waikato).