Update 7^th January 2014

Comment on Bowls   by Denis Duffy.

Sophie Fisher’s selection in leadership positions within the New Zealand age group women’s team to travel to the Trans-Tasman in March is the first national recognition to come the way of a Manawatu player in quite some time. Sophie is very much a model for the younger brigade in New Zealand Bowls in terms of both ability and general demeanour. Her selection also amounts to a well deserved recognition of the Himatangi Beach club. This little club on the fringe of the Centre area has staged a spirited revival of numbers and enthusiasm in recent seasons, and as more of their members participate in Centre events, their playing strength is growing rapidly.

The annual Inter-Centre Quadrangular was staged by Kapiti over last weekend. The Manawatu men’s and women’s teams both performed solidly without being able to seriously challenge the dominance by Wellington, always the team to beat in this event. The women were always competitive, but couldn’t find the consistency  to challenge a formidable Wellington side, who won comfortably. A 21-5 Singles win by Mere Fryer was a highlight, but selector Viv Lozell was left with plenty to think about before the crucial hexagonal event here in the Manawatu at the end of February. Playing numbers selected for that fixture will reduce from 14 to 10. The men’s performance was similar, with Wellington again occupying the winner’s circle. Shane Rogers, having served a period of penance for past indiscretions, impressed in his Singles berth, beating Wellington’s youthful star Euan Wong. Pat Horgan’s Four led the way though, with a dramatic seven shot haul on the final end allowing them to douse Wellington and complete an unbeaten outing. In the Horgan team, Graeme Cooley was outstanding, Chris Barrett as steady as ever, and Dean Gilshinan may well be ready now for a move to one of the other disciplines, with greater responsibility and more bowls to use.

Brian Little’s well performed Palmerston North side coasted into post-section play at the Taranaki Open, only to be decisively beaten first-up by ex-Manawatu man Dean Elgar, now playing out of West End. The Elgar team included last year’s Manawatu representative lead, Cameron Nairne. Cameron was impressive throughout the tournament playing at no 2 for Elgar. He is a young player with real promise and will surely be seen in action in Taranaki colours in the forthcoming Hexagonal. The strong Takaro outfit skipped by Mark Noble also disappeared in the first round when they allowed a team from the faraway Sunshine Coast to somehow run them down from behind over the last few ends. The well performed Settle brothers from Hinuera won the iconic event after foul weather forced the final to be shifted after 15 ends to the indoor facility at Paritutu – a real challenge for the players and an unprecedented situation. Brian Little’s team lost a final played entirely indoors, but this interrupted one finally finished around 7.30pm.

Denis Duffy

Thanks Denis.