Update 27^th  November  2013.

Congratulations to the Northern Ladies Team of Jacinta, Carol and Lynlea,    Chris, Joan, Julie and Tania with Manager Mae on winning  Division Two Interclub.

Good luck in the Regional Finals.

Bowling On – 27th November 

I expected reaction last week to my provocative column but the surprising thing is most all reaction has come from non bowlers and other organisations and sports.

The general tenet has been that the comments in regards to bowls in the Manawatu can equally be applied in many other sports and other organisations such as service clubs when using the sames introspection.

Several bowlers have contacted me and all were in agreement with the diagnosis. Is it too late to change? I believe it is as changes need to be so radical that the rank and file of the game would not countenance the quantum shifts needed.

Anyway enough of that and back to the current season's happenings. Two divisions of Manawatu interclub have been completed and as expected Northern are the women's Division Two champions and will proceed to regional finals. Bulls rattled home with 14 points but with 18 points in total were still five adrift of Northern when the last round finished prematurely.

In men's division three Palmerston North A didn't need to complete the final round either and on 22 points were well clear of Himatangi Beach and Northern with 16 apiece.

It's a lay week for interclub again this weekend before all other divisions complete three rounds on Saturday 7 December and with the division one teams at home there will effectively be a round robin Manawatu competition. With 18 points there for the taking on the day I wouldn't discount any Club including Palmerston North which currently languishes eight points behind Northern. A clean sweep first up and it could be all on.

Each season Men's division two provides the closest competition and it is very much that way again. Palmerston North's two sides, Johnston Park and Ashhurst/Bulls are always in the mix but this year it is Takaro that is in front by a clear four points. In the first two rounds they meet Palmerston North B and Johnston Park A so their destiny will be dictated by their own performance. I won't nominate any winners as I'm sick of eating humble pie whenever I do!

The final division to be decided is The Any Gender fourth and that looks as though Shannon or Dannevirke will prevail.

• I've entered the Men's Open Pairs the Centre is running from 2 January 2014 and I have to say I have often thought there was a good opportunity for Manawatu to run an open event at this time. I'm looking forward to it.

• The Standard publishing a file photo of Chris Barrett last week with the late Laurie Gordon alongside and it was a poignant reminder of what bowls lost last season with the untimely deaths of Gordon, Bob Williams and Fran Frith who were all aged in their mid sixties. Sure there were other bowlers who passed on but the comparative youth and outstanding abilities of this trio made the losses felt so much more.

TONY JENSEN

Thanks Tony.