Manawatu centre title a first for three of the four

OPINION: The Manawatu Bowling Centre wrapped up its programme of centre events at the weekend with the open men's fours and singles and the women's singles being decided.

Bowlers never quite feel they have made it in the game until they win their first centre title so it was quite some achievement for the Palmerston North four to have three bowlers achieve that in the one event.

Trevor Butcher, who skipped the team, Eric Cairncross and Ron Henn were the successful three, with Paul Rowe as the fourth player.

It was worthy reward for bowlers who keep lining up and are always competitive.

No team ever won a title without a modicum of luck and the odd big shot, but consistency of performance is the decider. That consistency is gained through regular competition at the highest level and these bowlers have served their time that way.

In the singles it was established players who came through with Fran Frith winning the women's and Barry Wynks taking the men's. Fran is one of those players who is always there or thereabouts in whatever she plays but she will take special delight in a singles win with the team games being her forte.

Kay Hammond was game in defeat and she has a real career ahead of her.

Wynks added to an already outstanding season, having won the centre triples and finishing third equal in the national fours. His decision last season to make himself unavailable for our representative teams means Manawatu do not have his services. Wynks beat Brian Looker from Terrace End in the final. Looker is another bowler who has made great strides over the last two seasons.

The unknown factor in the men's singles was how Jason Moore might have gone. He was robbed of the opportunity when an injury at work forced him to default his last-eight game to Wynks. The Shannon Bowling Club is one of the minnows of our centre, but they have been innovative in playing competition bowls in the twilight, up to three nights per week.

It has meant renewed interest from old timers who appreciate the cooler conditions and workers have also become more available. It has sparked interest also from social members who have taken the opportunity to make up numbers and try the game.

The club is looking for entries for their men's triples on Thursday February 25, so take the opportunity to visit our southernmost club.Northern will again host their annual fundraising tournament for Arohanui Hospice on Saturday, March 6.

It is one of the most important days on the bowling calendar, not for what it is as a tournament, but for what it does for an organisation that touches us all at some time. Barry Gush is back organising and he tells me that the day usually raises $4000 to $5000.

The format is mixed fours and Gush is not too worried whether teams are one women and three men, just as long as you enter. It would be really something if every club in the centre made sure they were represented and packed the three greens.

As well as the bowls, Gush runs a monster raffle and auction and would welcome donations for those. See you there.

email tony.jensen@aon.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News