Update 23rd December  2014.

Comment on Bowls   by Denis Duffy.

We’re led to believe that when a powerful beast emerges from long hibernation, the rumblings are heard and felt all around. It was a bit like that last weekend when the word spread that Phil Skoglund Snr had won the Northern Club’s Singles title. I suspect that Phil himself has long forgotten how many times his name is on this trophy and on the record of past winners of the two Centre Singles titles, but it’s quite a while since he has seriously pursued them. Credit is due to Murray Wood, who took Phil’s first life and pushed him to 21-18 in the final, but the re-appearance of the old Master from Northern in the Champion of Champions event will be well worth watching. Ross Ellery’s victory in the Centre Open Singles on the same day was also pleasing. Ross’s obvious skill is backed by a phlegmatic and unflappable temperament. He’s a tough and dogged opponent with four bowls, and it’s surprising that his only previous Centre Singles title was in  Wellington many years back. The other three who made it to the last day, Dean Gilshnan, Graeme Cooley and Adam Johnston, would all have been worthy winners, and it was good to see a talented newcomer to this Centre narrowly fail to survive that far. Eryl Bocock of Northern has represented several New Plymouth clubs, with Paritutu the most recent, and has already proved to be a fine all-round player.

Attention now turns to the Open Pairs for both Men and Women, to be played at Terrace End early in the New Year. Phil and Philip Skoglund will team up in that one, as will Craig Gush with Raymond Skoglund, who is having his first competitive outing in well over a decade. A glance at the handbook for the 110th Taranaki Open Fours reveals that these four players are travelling together to that event where they have drawn one of the toughest sections. Entries are strong for both Women’s and Men’s Open Pairs, and in the Men’s event the format being used will make this the most cut-throat competition in ages. Only eight teams from around forty can qualify for the second day, meaning that even one narrow loss in section play will probably mean elimination. The Women’s event will follow the same format, and most of the contenders for Eric Watson’s representative sides are in the field.

Thanks Denis.