Update 29^th October  2014.

Comment on Bowls   by Denis Duffy.

It’s Interclub time again, with the prospect of cut-throat competition in the two top Divisions as the  cream of local players square off this weekend. It’s a pity that the wrinkles in the excellent idea of combining this competition with Wanganui couldn’t have been ironed out, but maybe that will just intensify the clashes between the leading contenders. The heavy concentration of Women’s strength at Northern will make this one day competition theirs to lose, but on the plus side the lack of contenders will make it easier for Selector Eric Watson to find the right combinations with the first Inter-Centre clash of the season only a fortnight away. The task faced by this pundit in trying to predict how the Men’s competition might play out becomes very difficult with three of the six Division One contenders not having unveiled their selections at time of writing. Palmerston North arguably has greater depth of quality players than most of its rivals, and this is reflected in their decision to reverse previous policy by fielding two teams in Division One. Talking points in the sides emerging from Linton St are the return after a year’s break of Ross Ellery and the appearance of the well performed Brian Looker, previously of Terrace End, who Skips the Four in the B team. Ellery’s most recent performance at top level saw him drop only one Singles from five as Manawatu ran second in the National Inter-Centre. Even more interesting in the B team  is the appearance of top Kapiti player Ray Boffa, who will have Mike Abraham leading for him in the Pair. Palmerston North A will field possibly the most lethal and well performed combo named by any club so far in the Pair of Pat Horgan and Dean Gilshnan. The  Northern side, unconfirmed as yet, will probably start as favourite in Division One, with trump cards in Philip Skoglund and Glasgow Silver Medallist Mark Noble, as well as the return from tropical climes of the vastly experienced Craig Gush. Takaro visibly grows in strength each year. Their side is currently unknown, but with the big match ability and strategic craft of Barry Wynks in their corner, cannot be counted out. The return of Clayton Simpson to Terrace End compensates for the loss of Brian Looker, and they have Shane Rogers currently in red-hot form. Shane has travelled widely to display startling early season form on the Kapiti Coast and especially in Wanganui, where he recently dealt mercilessly to the best of the locals, including the legendary Peter Belliss, on his way to the local Open Singles final.

In a quick look at the remaining contenders for the rained off 2x4x2 Pairs , now up for completion in early December, Shane and the well performed Sherryn Blake  stand out as likely to be a serious threat to obvious favourites, the Mark Noble/Fisher and Wynks/Janeen Noble combos.    

Thanks Denis.

Update 13^th October  2014.

Northern Vs Paraparaumu.

Saturday the 11^th saw the annual competition between Paraparaumu and the Northern Bowling clubs take place.

The weather gods co-operated and turned on a cracker day.

It was a very close tournament with Northern coming out on top - just!

The scores were

-          Northern       18 wins 2 draws and 38 points.

-          Paraparumu 18 wins 2 draws and 38 points.

-          Diff - Paraparaumu -47 Northern +47 points.

It was a great day enjoyed by all.

Below are a couple of pictures taken on the day. (Click on the picture to enlarge it.)

Update 9^th October  2014.

Welcome to a new season.

Comment on Bowls   by Denis Duffy.

Despite the seasonal blasts of vicious Spring gales and squalls, there have been confirmed reports of bowlers emerging to tackle the new season, and doing so with optimism! Gloomy reflections on vanished participants have been outweighed by the arrival of a shrewd and energetic new Centre President, and a Men’s Selector whose presence must make Manawatu the object of envy from other Centres. Tony Woodley, now playing out of Terrace End, has taken up the presidential reins with energy and enthusiasm, though I have been told that his carefully aimed first bowl of the season at Johnston Park veered dramatically and mysteriously off course! The appointment of Sharon Sims as Men’s Selector is a masterstroke, and Sharon is to be thanked and congratulated for taking up this challenging role. To have in the position a person of such mana, which will easily earn the respect of all prospective representatives, is a huge plus for our Centre.

The representative season has already got off to an outstanding start. Unfortunately new Women’s selector, Eric Watson, despite casting his eye widely and trawling membership lists, was unable to come up with a viable squad to contest the annual season-opening Under 5 years fixture. However, Sharon Sims was able to conduct an excellent build-up programme for the Men, which bore fruit in a rare runner-up placing at Wanganui last weekend. Taranaki currently has an exceptional array of talent at this level, and they made no race of grabbing their second consecutive title. The Manawatu squad couldn’t get seriously close to them, but to run second in an event which demands the constant changing around of team combinations and disciplines, as well as coping with a scrambled draw and a tricky artificial playing surface, is no mean feat. Our Centre President doubled as Manager, and he has counselled me against mention of individuals, but I am about to defy orders, because this was a really notable effort. 

Graham Black somehow pulled off a magical Singles comeback to down a fancied Wellington player 25-24 after trailing 11-23. Graham has previously impressed as a player with exceptional qualities of skill and temperament for a novice bowler. Pat Simms is the standout among the smallish group of school-age players in action in the area. Son of the well performed Grant Simms, Pat already has significant experience in the game and is developing into a very able exponent of all the shots. John Osborne from Takaro  has long experience of intense high level Table Tennis competition, frequently in tandem with the redoutable Barry Wynks, and is well used to the stresses of rep. play. Bevan Burt and Michael Bowey both Impressed during last year’s Centre Open Pairs competition  - Bevan with his aggression and confidence, and Michael who quietly progressed to the latter stages, playing with his visiting father and on a diet of minimal play owing to work commitments. It must be stressed again though that this was a fine team effort, and one in which Alan Burton (a veteran of the event),Craven Teua, Steve O’Connell, Ron Sandiland and Todd O’Carroll all played a vital part.

Looking forward, it’s time for all bowlers to check out the list of upcoming club and Centre tournaments and to resolve to support as many events as possible. In particular, the Pathways Mixed 2-4-2 Pairs over Labour Weekend is rapidly looming. This is one which is usually well supported and surely will be again. A little further ahead, but an exciting prospect, is an Inter-School competition which is well overdue and now has the full backing in organisation of Sport Manawatu. Finally, it’s rumoured that the eagerly listened to voice across the early Saturday airwaves this season will belong to Steve Toms. Steve is now Centre Vice-President, and, as one of our most decorated bowlers is just the man to tell us what’s going on around the greens.

Thanks Denis.