Mixture of club colours for Gisborne’s opening day

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The greens were manicured and fast, the weather was perfect, and 54 players in their club uniforms were keen to begin the 2003/04 season at Gisborne Bowling Club’s opening day.

Club president Chris Bunyan welcomed the teams and asked life member Bruce Smart to put down the first bowl.

Seconds later the jacks were in place and, with sponsor Gear Meat on board, the new season was under way.

Following Cyclone Gabrielle, Poverty Bay, Te Karaka, Wairoa and Tolaga Bay clubs have been forced to replace their flood-affected greens.

The Gisborne club has accommodated some of the other club players over the winter and Gisborne members have thoroughly enjoyed their presence on the greens.

So Gisborne’s opening day was a mix of different uniforms worn by people who were all keen to continue the enjoyment they experience through the sport of lawn bowls.

Winners were Kay Goldsbury (skip), John Andrews and Lesley Mackintosh with three wins, 12 ends and a plus-18 differential.

Runners-up were Peter Clay (skip), Janice Allan and Nanette Treloar with three wins, 12 ends and a plus-15 differential.

Third were Geoff Pinn, Ron Robertson and Joy McFarlane with two wins, 14 ends and a plus-15 differential.

The evening finished with presentations to last season’s prizewinners and the announcement of the most improved players — Chris Bunyan for the males and Nanette Treloar for the females.