Update 27^th January  2015.

Comment on Bowls   by Denis Duffy.

The probability of drawing two specific marbles randomly from a barrel containing forty-four is obviously very small indeed. Gamblers would not fancy the odds, and mathematicians would confirm their doubts. Yet it happened just like that when the post-section draw for the Taranaki Open Fours took place last week. The scarcely believable result was that Philip Skoglund’s team found themselves immediately drawn against their clubmates from Northern, skipped by Doug Hayward. It must have been a bitter disappointment for both teams, but especially for the Skoglund side containing three of their illustrious family, which had impressively racked up seven straight wins in their section, without playing the final game. The Hayward side had to start as underdogs, but they looked the better team throughout and won impressively. It was an unfortunate anti-climax to end a satisfying week for the Skoglunds and Craig Gush. However, huge credit must go to Doug Hayward, Derek McKee, Des Meyer and Paul Darbyshire, who then took the bit firmly between their teeth and advanced confidently to the next round. The highly dangerous Tauranga Four led by the long experience of Peter Clark blocked the path to the last 16, but this hurdle was safely overcome. Next up were two former Manawatu players, Dean Elgar Skipping and Cameron Nairne Leading, in a West End team rated as a big local chance, but they too succumbed in a tight struggle, and the Hayward side had reached the heady heights of the Quarter-Final. Lying in wait there were the uber-consistent Settle brothers of Hinuera, winners the previous year, and this time the Hayward side dipped out with all flags still nailed to the mast. It was a fine showing by a team hardly noticed by this pundit in his preview. The final outcome of this iconic tournament was a ‘feel good’ story too, with the very able Roger Hassall finally crossing the line in his fifth final, while Paritutu team-mates Sanger and Skip Goodin also had multiple runner-up trophies in their possession. Only Lead Alan Batley had won previously, and that was many years back. Statisticians would have marvelled at the Paritutu side’s Quarter-Final win by 16-15 – a total of thirty-one shots scored over twenty six ends, including an extra end. Clearly, nothing was conceded easily in that one!

In one of the most impressive Representative outings in years, the Manawatu Men’s and Women’s sides simply swept aside the opposition in comfortably winning last weekend’s Quadrangular at Naenae. This bodes well for the big stuff later on, but with one proviso. Wairarapa is palpably weak, and Kapiti mediocre at present. That leaves Wellington, where the Women are always strong but the Men are seldom taken too seriously when Inter-Centre time arrives, Our selectors are largely getting it right, but there is much tougher opposition than this to come.

Thanks Denis.

Update 14^th January  2015.

Further comment on Bowls   by Denis Duffy.

As expected, Eric Watson’s Women’s team for the Quadrangular is based around the powerful Terrace End trio who have been dominant throughout the season so far. Sheryn Blake and Georgie Kahui-Rogers combine in the Green Pair, while Mere Fryer takes on the Singles spot. The strong Northern duo of Chris Quinn and Liz Rossiter is in charge of the Green Four, with Janeen Noble at Lead and Robyn Schishka in the Second position. The White team has Robyn McGregor playing Singles, while Lynlea Rogers, Elza Lindsay and Tina Varta are new faces at this level. Joan Ware, Tania Harris and Nola Urbahn fill the remaining places.

Thirteen Manawatu teams are contesting the 110th Taranaki Open Fours next week. The presence of the Skoglund family trio of Phil Snr, Philip and Raymond, skipped by previous winner Craig Gush, will attract a lot of interest in the ‘Naki, especially with Raymond returning to serious competition after a long break. Brian Little’s Palmerston North team of the Henn brothers and Ian Monaghan will also have targets on their backs after getting close to winning the tournament several times in recent seasons. The late withdrawal of Mark Noble because of his mother’s illness has forced a re-arrangement of Barry Wynks’s strong Takaro side which includes Terry Rossiter and Terry Curtis. Lindsay Toms of Palmerston North will fill the gap vacated by Noble. Taranaki pundits who scrutinise the other ten Manawatu teams may remember that in recent times Takaro’s Jim Munn has seriously challenged legendary player and  eventual winner in that year, Gary Lawson. Jim’s side includes Brent Mason, who won the Open Pairs which is run in conjunction with the Fours in 2007 with Clark Norris.

Thanks Denis.

Update 13^th January  2015.

Comment on Bowls   by Denis Duffy.

Men’s selector Sharon Sims has unveiled her teams for the Quadrangular later this month and they contain plenty  for a pundit to chew over. The Green side looks like a shadow Inter-Centre team and I’m delighted to see Shane Rogers unleashed as the Singles player. My predecessor in this role once borrowed the jargon term ‘unruly’ from the racing world to describe Shane. This was not an unfair assessment at the time, but when I marked a couple of Singles matches for him in last season’s Hexagonal event I also saw episodes of rare brilliance. Shane is a top player who is currently reaching the peak of his powers and now is the right time to trust him in the Singles ‘hot seat’. Pat Horgan and Dean Gilshnan pick themselves as the front-line Pair and will prove to be a major strength. Philip Skoglund and Mark Noble haven’t played a lot together as yet, but their selections in control of the Green Four will surprise no-one. Ross Ellery is the answer to the perennial search for a quality Fours Lead and of course he is a well proven Singles exponent if a need should arise. On recent form, Graeme Cooley must be a little fortunate to be the seventh member of the top side.

The White team features new faces at this level. Ray Boffa brings massive experience to the Singles berth and Jason Moore will lead well for Chris Barrett in the Pair. Adam Johnston and Mike Abraham, both younger players, have earned their spots in Brian Looker’s Four. There are question marks around this side though. I’m very surprised to find Barry Wynks relegated to Second in the White Four, playing behind Adam, while Terry Curtis must be dead unlucky to miss selection after playing a major role in the Mark Noble Triple’s unbeaten winning run last weekend.

Eric Watson’s Women’s side was unavailable at time of writing.

Thanks Denis.