Club News

The club Open Championship Pairs was played on the weekend of the 19th & 20th September. Being the first club championship of the new season it was a little disappointing to see only 10 teams entered. I understand that the club had over 30 names down for Saturday Interclub at one stage so I wonder why there were only 20 keen bowlers enter the champ pairs??

The weather over the weekend was somewhat contrasting with Saturday bringing still but very overcast conditions with the odd shower and Sunday being fine & dry with a strong breeze directly up the green. Challenging conditions again overall.

Conditions of play were a 2 life system and 18 ends per game with no time limit.

Round one saw some mixed score lines with the biggest blowout being the 24-4 defeat in only 14 ends by Wayne Hart/Steve Pitcon over Ian Henderson/Trevor Skelton. Wayne and Steve were one of the favourites going into the event with Wayne having been in good form in early season leading up to the event. Steve had very few bowls under his belt but as they say 'class is permanent’. Two other close match-ups on paper had Dave Poingdestre/Dean Croul v Bruce Buchan/Jamie Browning and Alan Peers/Rodney Eade v Gordon Smith/Noel Rooney. In their game Bruce and Jamie found it harder to manage a particularly tricky rink than did Dave & Dean. The 21-13 loss was to be Bruce & Jamie's only loss over the 2 days. In their game Gordon & Noel were neck and neck with Alan & Rod 12-12 after 13 ends. from that point on Gordon & Noel found a shot in each of the remaining 5 ends to run out good winners 17-12.

In their next match Gordon Smith/Noel Rooney met Dave Poingdestre/Dean Croul in one of two very close games in round 2. Things were very even right the way thru with Gordon & Noel picking up a 2 on the last end to run out winners 13-12.In the other close game Wayne Hart/Steve Pitcon seemed to gain the late momentum over Alan Peers/Rod Eade only to drop an unfortunate 3 on the last end to go down 15-14. In another game Ian Henderson/Trevor Skelton fought hard against their more favoured opponents Phil Read/Warren Dawson but were eventually subdued losing 15-10. This was a brave effort as Ian has been out of regular bowls for several seasons. His return to regular bowls this season promises to be a healthy bonus for the club.

There were four games played in round 3. Dave Poingdestre/Dean Croul were too strong for Phil Read/Warren Dawson winning 18-10 in 17 ends. In a very tight game Gordon Smith/Noel Rooney had the ascendancy halfway thru their game against Paul Hart/Harry Moore leading 9-3. However Paul & Harry fought there way back and it was 12-12 going into the last end. In a very ragged end with a lot of short bowls Paul & Harry held shot with Gordon having the final bowl. There was no draw line on either hand and it seemed like game over. Gordon made sure he was up but the target he had of dragging the jack was missed. Instead he slid off a short bowl and came to rest for shot. A lucky escape to claim victory. In another game , despite winning the last 3 ends Alan Peers/Rod Eade exited the tournament going down 17-13 to Bruce Buchan/Jamie Browning. Wayne Hart/Steve Pitcon had their second big win of the day beating Terry Buchan/Wayne Ruka 21-7 in 15 ends.

Sunday had 5 teams remaining. Gordon Smith/Noel Rooney having the bye. In a game where nothing went right for them Dave Poingdestre/Dean Croul went down to Bruce Buchan/Jamie Browning 21-10 in 15 ends. Dave & Deano were never in the game as on more than 1 occasion Dave's drives seemed to have delivered results only to see the ends involved turn to custard once the dust had settled. The other game in the round was very close in the end. Wayne Hart/Steve Pitcon seemed to be cruising against Paul Hart/Harry Moore leading 11-4 and then 14-8 after 12 ends. In a game which featured some consistently good bowls from all four players Paul & Harry then mounted a comeback picking up a 2 a 1 and a 3 in the last 3 ends to win 18-16.

In round 5 Gordon Smith/Noel Rooney met Paul Hart/Harry Moore for the second time in the tournament. Bruce Buchan/Jamie Browning sat out with the bye. In a contrast to their first meeting Paul & Harry had a handy lead 11-5 after 7 ends and continued to lead 13-9 after 12.However two 3s in the next 2 ends changed the game. This was followed by a 1 and another 3 - sealing the game for Gordon & Noel. The 20-14 victory saw them win 5 of the last 6 ends.

So two teams left but not necessarily a final as 2 lifer Gordon Smith/Noel Rooney met 1 lifer Bruce Buchan/Jamie Browning. Gordon & Noel found the other combination too much in this one. Gordon & Noel dropping too many "numbers" to seriously threaten and needed a 6 to draw on the last end. This never happened and Bruce & Jamie ran out deserved 19-12 winners.

So this still leaves the final to be played between the same 2 teams. SUNDAY 4th OCTOBER IS LOOMING AS A 'FINALS DAY'. The remainder of the handicapped singles will definitely be played then and then depending on results in that event the final of both the Handicapped Pairs (featuring Jamie Browning/Wayne Ruka v Dean Croul/Trevor Skelton) and the Open Pairs (featuring Gordon Smith/Noel Rooney v Bruce Buchan/Jamie Browning) are very likely to be played. ALL PLAYERS CONCERNED TO BE AVAILABLE AS THIS IS A DESIGNATED CLUB RESERVE DAY.

On The weekend of 26 & 27 September Auckland Centre held the Mixed 2 - 4 - 2 Pairs. Pringle Park had several players involved in composite teams. Of those who qualified for post section Alan & Chrissie Peers made it to the last 32 and Dave Poingdestre and Denise Samuels to the last 16 before being eliminated. Congratulations guys on a big effort.

Finally Congratulations to those named to represent the club in Auckland Centre Saturday Interclub commencing this Saturday 3rd October. This is a prestigious event and always one of the highlights of the season. GO THE PARK!!!!