Top bowlers vie for rep places against the Bay

There will be plenty on the line for Taranaki's leading bowlers when the representative side competes against Hawke's Bay at Palmerston North this weekend.

It will be the final chance for players to press for the intercentre event next month.

That feature contest will involve only seven players in both the men's and women's sides. There are eight involved in each team this weekend, suggesting only a mere trim will occur, but the men's make-up has further complications.

Mark Anderson and Tony Koubaridis, both of Alton, have been granted dispensation – rightly or wrongly – to partake in their club's professional tournament this weekend.

Both were front runners for inclusion in the intercentre event after they recorded four straight wins in the last rep fixture, the Arnott Shield, in November.

Selector Graham Baxter, who will also miss this weekend's event because of a prior engagement, has had further unavailabilities. The Alton duo of Grant Anderson and Bruce Phillips, earmarked as the potential top end of the fours, are not available for the remainder of the rep season.

And added to that, West End's Gary Lilley, one of the eight senior men involved this weekend, will not be involved in the intercentre, since that clashes with his club's centennial.

While it seems certain that Darren Goodin will play the singles, and Craig Johns and Dean Elgar will make the final seven-man cut, the remaining four positions could be anyone's guess.

Mark Anderson and Koubaridis could still feature, although Taranaki is likely to be much more profitable with them involved at the front of the four, as opposed to the pair.

That means the four other members of this weekend's side – Ian Andrews, Kevin Hills, Royce Hill and John Sexton – all have much to play for. Form will be persuasive.

But more than that, the men must use the encounter, where possible, to strengthen playing relationships and combinations.

That should also be the main drive for the women's senior side. Not selected for that team are Pauline Kennedy and Faye Hopkins and, while non-selection does not exclude them from being called back in for the intercentre contest, that seems unlikely.

Kristin Stampa, Cathy Andrews, Bev Robinson, Joy Clouston and Denise Cooper were all part of the side last season and would seem odds-on to be involved this year.

That means the remaining three players involved this weekend – Janice Ropitini, Kath Brown and Betty Fraser – will chase down the final two positions.

Motivation should not be lacking for any of them.

THE Hawke's Bay clash will also involve 10-years-and-under players, but then that could be the lot for those squads this season.

Bowls New Zealand canned the national finals of the younger intercentre event during the off-season – cost cutting was the excuse – yet Kerry Clark has been at pains to point out lately that the national body has seen a significant increase in reserves under his leadership.

Taranaki is unearthing a group of young players with bright futures, but they need to receive the right tuition and encouragement. The rumour mill has suggested that a regional intercentre event could still be held this season for those players. That would be a step in the right direction.

- © Fairfax NZ News