Bowls: Napier clubmates claim $2000 prize

Omarunui's Merle McLean and Napier's Ken Smith give their skips the news from their end during yesterday's play in the Port Ahuriri Bowling Club's Railway Pairs tournament. Photo/Warren Buckland

Hawke's Bay bowler Ken Smith enhanced his liking of the Port Ahuriri club yesterday.

"This club is a happy hunting ground for me. I've won the Cray tournament here four times and now this," lead Smith said after he and his Bowls Napier clubmate Ces Bell collected the $2000 first prize in the eminent Voguehaven Rest Home-VJ Distributors Ltd Railway Pairs tournament.

While it was Smith's first Railway Pairs, Bell has played in all three. They were among three top 16 section teams with four wins from as many matches yesterday but won the title by three points on differential from a composite combination of Bay View's Rusty Smith and Port Ahuriri's Ron Joli who shared the second prize of $1200.

Nineteen points behind the winners in third place were another composite combo of Port Ahuriri's Steve Carlaw and and Napier's Martin Wyeth who shared $800.

The retired Bell, 68, pointed out he would have to check with his wife before deciding what to do with his share of the first prize while diamond setter Smith, 63, was undecided on how he would spend his share. Bell and Smith play together regularly and in Bell's words "have a reasonable record including a few centre titles".

Bell first started playing bowls in 1965 but has had several breaks.

"In fact I've played almost no bowls this year because I'm heavily involved with the Lions. I'm the membership director of the Taradale Lions ... I get a lot out of giving back to the community," he explained.

Last summer they won three of their five pairs games at the national Sevens final in Palmerston North. They will attempt to retain their title next year even it means missing out on club championship play at their club like they did at the weekend.

"Port Ahuriri is a good club. They leave no stone unturned in their quest to make everyone welcome and there were five teams here from the Ngongotaha club in Rotorua ... it's good to play different people," Bell added.

Taradale's national representative Angela Boyd and Waipawa's Mike Brown won the second 16 group and Bay View's Barry Wakely and Ken Robson won the third 16 group.

All 48 teams played four matches on Saturday to determine the three groups for yesterday's play.