Bowls: Bay of Plenty Centre champs draw large field

Winner of the women's Centre singles Mary Campbell (right) and runner-up Angela Stephen. Photo / Supplied

Bowls Bay of Plenty Centre men's and women's singles were held at the weekend and, with a large field of entries, three clubs hosted the event.

The women's singles event was played at Te Puke Bowling Club. There were 24 entries, including three from Ngongotaha, and the rest from clubs in the Tauranga area. The games were competitive, and 10 players qualified for post section play on Sunday.

The final was between Tauranga South bowlers Mary Campbell, a former New Zealand rep, and Angela Stephen, a second-year bowler. Stephen drew 1-1 in the second end then again at 3-3 in the fifth end, while Campbell's consistency paid off giving her a comfortable lead.

Stephen challenged her to the end, giving spectators an excellent game of competition bowls. Campbell won 21-10.

With more than 46 entries in the men's section - from Tauranga, Ngongotaha, Whakatane and Kawerau - Tauranga South and Tauranga bowling clubs hosted the two-day event. There were 17 qualifiers through to the second day, once again giving spectators with some competitive bowling and close games.

The final between Lance Tasker and John O'Shea, both from Tauranga Bowling Club, will be played at a later date and should be worth the wait.

Other results:

Mount Maunganui
January 16: 1st Robbie Watson, Tony Heath.

Matua
January 16: Open Mixed Triples — Sponsor Elliot's Funeral Service. 1st Mount — Keith Arthur, Alan Jones, Reg Archer 4W+22; 2nd Ohope — Mark Sarginson, John Chelley, Steve Green 4W+22; 3rd Omanu — Dave McLennan, Margaret McLellan, Emma Barber 4W+18; 4th Tga South — Brian Ellett, Mike Hammond, Stu Owen 4W+17; 5th Matua — Peter Keaney, Harry Burggraaf, Graeme Troy 4W+17; 6th Matua — Richard Wales, Helen Wreaks, Don Sewell 3W+6 Omanu — Colin Wood, John Francis, Winston Davey 2W+16.
January 19: Friday Triples — sponsored by The Raft. 1st Paul Schmidt, Simon Askham, Jan Ford 3W+31; 2nd Pat Gillon, June Spalding, Marlene Harnett 3W+21; 3rd Brian Swindal, Ron Edge, John Ninness 3W+7; 4th Peter Keaney, Pat Bryant, Chris Wilson 3W+7; 5th Bill de Graaf, Cliff Osborne, Graham Forest 2W/1D+11; 6th Tony Long, James Wallace, Don MacLellan 2W+10; 7th Richard Wales, Trevor Hinton, Gloria MacGibbon 2W+1.

Katikati
January 20: You Travel Local Optional Triples. 1st Robin Pierce, Ray Adams, Bob Mack; 2nd Janet Alexander, Hein Mack, Shirley Upton; 3rd Dave McKercher, Helen Board, John Upton.
Ladies under 8 playing years Singles Championship: 1st Joy Scott, R/U Raewyn Burwell.

Tauranga South
January 19: Triples. Winner Shirley Cross, Barbara Kimber, Maureen Bailey 3wins +15.
Men's Open Triples — sponsored by Eves Realty: 1st Derek Dean, Mike Read, Anthony Ouelett 4 wins + 43; 2nd Bill Smith, Robbie Butland, Dennis Duncan 3 wins + 13; 3rd Mark Sarginson, Steve Green, Brian Hill 3 wins + 2; 4th Ray Walsh, Bryan Duffin, Andrew Marshall 3 wins — 3.