Sincock, Scott provide boost for bowls team

The addition of current New Zealand representative Shayne Sincock and a former national squad member Kelvin Scott considerably boost Marlborough's chances of retaining the Noble Adams Shield at Westport this weekend.

Sincock and Scott have swapped allegiances, having become disenchanted with the game in Canterbury. Both will skip in the all-fours event, and Sincock showed he's in great form with his superb showing at this week's Trusts New Zealand Open in Auckland where he and West Coast's Lance Pascoe are playing in today's final.

Sincock skips a four in Westport, which includes Lindsay Thomason, Larry Boyd and Steven Gallop.

Scott's four is one of the most experienced, with Phil Welch, Wayne Coley and former national fours winner Bob Dowling providing a strong combination.

Marlborough selector Kingsley Schroder is delighted to have Sincock and Scott on board and said he'd chosen all the players from last year's development side following their continued success at that level.

Among those are Ken Hart and his Blenheim Workingmen's Club team-mate Craig McDonnell, along with Greg Smith making his senior debut and the highly promising Josh Boyd, from Takahanga.

Schroder said, "We are the current holders and we have got the team [to defend it]. I'm thrilled to have Kevin and Shayne here, having them, Sanjhe Prasad, Lloyd Gallop and Andre Smith as skips. Those five guys would be as good as anything in New Zealand."

He was particularly enthused about Smith's form so far this season, which he rated as the best the Havelock bowler has ever shown.

Schroder said that unlike some previous seasons, players now had to perform to retain their places.

He's particularly enthused about two of the youngest members of the side, Steven Gallop and Boyd.

"Josh is playing three for Andre. He will learn so much and Steven is probably the most talented player coming through. He will play three for Shayne."

Marlborough, Buller and Nelson will contest the Noble Adams Shield, with Nelson, headed by New Zealand rep and newly crowned New Zealand Open triples champion Shannon McIlroy, expected to provide strong opposition. West Coast is unable to field a team and the same situation applies in the women's competition.

Meanwhile, Marlborough senior women's selector Kaki Johnstone has gone for new blood to contest the Higgins Shield against Buller and Nelson at the Blenheim Bowling Club. She has picked several junior and development players.

Jan Gallop makes her senior rep debut, adding another proud bowling chapter to that family's bowls history.

Nelson hold the trophy after last year's event on the West Coast was rained out.

The holders won't have their strongest team, with world champion Val Smith, Marie Watson and Barbara McGregor not expected to play. Play in the Higgins Shield starts at 12.30pm tomorrow and 9am on Sunday.

Teams:

Men: Phil Welch, Wayne Coley, Bob Dowling, Kelvin Scott (skip); Lindsay Thomason, Larry Boyd, Steven Gallop, Shayne Sincock (s); Graham Hood, Colin Wratt, Josh Boyd, Andre Smith (s); Kevin Rich, Paul Langley, Warren Brown, Lloyd Gallop (s); Craig McDonnell, Ken Hart, Greg Smith, Sanjhe Prasad (s). Calvin Hart (manager).

Women: Honey Reuben, Glenda Bishop, Mary Riddell, Lou George (s); Jan Gallop, Aroha Boyd, Rosie Summerton, Kate Reardon (s); Jackie Skedden, Lois Burleigh, Val Andrew, Doreen Mott (s); Glenda Munro, Josephine Romano, Bev Dixon, Val Tringham (s); Colleen Robbins, Trish Downs, Noeline Hood, Karen Day (s).

The Alan Scott men's midweek competition at the Blenheim Workingmen's Club is set for an exciting finish following Wednesday evening's games.

With one round-robin match to play, Pelorus Jacks lead with nine wins, 18 points, and a differential of 143. The Springlands Swans, BWMC Makos and Touch a Class are all just a couple of points behind, separated by points differential.

The semifinals and final are tomorrow week, December 5.

- The Marlborough Express