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.