BOWLS - It's udder chaos ... our green's become a steak-out

With Garry Houlahan
Last week the Maungatapere Bowling Club held their first tournament since their green was invaded by a mob of cattle.
The cattle were put in a paddock adjoining the bowling green and although the gate was shut, it was not realised there was an opening in the hedge which allowed them access to the green. They wandered all over the green, trampling the surface as well as leaving the usual deposits. Prompt action by club members helped restore the surface which was then given some treatment with a road roller to flatten it out.
Some very interesting photographs in the clubhouse give an indication of the damage done and the renovation work being undertaken and I recommend you have a look if you can.
It played well, with only a few bumps, and considering what it has been through it was really amazing it was so true. It must have been all right as the team of Garry Houlahan, Dave Holwell and Goldie Wardell went through with four wins to take the first prize, although things did not look good when after winning the first three games we were 8-0 down after two ends in the final game. However it was 9-9 playing the last end and one shot with the last bowl managed to secure the final win. Another mainly Bowls Whangarei team of Laurie and Pat Reader and Peter Nicholas were runners-up.
* Roll up with a team
The men's Umpires tournament which was called off earlier in the season has now been rescheduled for March 17 at Bowls Whangarei. If you can play that day make sure that you enter a team as the Umpires need the money to keep them going and it is always a good day. Contact Dave Dalton to put your entry in.
* Tournament success
Te Kopuru club held their annual Hams and Lambs tournament on Sunday and a good time was had by all. Winners were Kevin West and Betty Lewis who were the only ones with four wins on the day. Second and third was very close with Warren Sandford and Kerry Gribble managing to claim the second spot by just one end with three wins and 24 ends while Lorraine West and Bella Pook also had three wins but 23 ends.
* Club championships
Most clubs played club championships on the weekend and some of the results are: Dargaville singles champion is Ray Mayall who beat John Matich 21-19 by picking up two shots when the score was tied. Good to see Ray back playing top bowls and doing well. Kensington played fours and winners were Sam Nelson, Steve Mitchell, Peter Nicholas and Joe Thorburn who defeated Steve Smith, Graham Parker, George Lyddiard and Graham Blackman in the final. Kensington Women managed to complete both their fours and pairs and the pairs went to Ann Muir and Jude Ganley who beat Janice Mclean and Nancy Jujnovich. The fours was won by Anne Bateman, Trish Murray, Shirley Holland and Amy Burgess ahead of Pam Arbon, Rosalie Pattenden, Ellie Van Haaften and Jane Mitchell. Handicap Singles at Kensington Men was won by Trevor Hay who beat Eric Coates but not before losing one of his two lives and having to go out and win the last game to clinch the title.
Kamo Men actually played their championship fours the week prior because of the club's involvement with the Kamo Christmas Parade. The winners were Ned Yovich, Graham Neeley, Dave Kerr and Brian Trimmer and runners-up Percy Blundell, Ted Bagshaw, Clyde Taylor and Des Bryan. Onerahi pairs was won by Ian Bowick and Barry Moore who beat Bruce Horscroft and Les Lilly. Good to see Bruce back on the green after his recent heart problems.
Bowls Whangarei played triples and the winners with two lives were Tom Chapman, John Jamieson and Sam Prasad who beat Trevor Reader, Laurie Reader and Paul Graham, while the women's event went to Nancy Bradshaw, Rere Thomas and Margaret Sands (also with two lives). Runners-up: Peg Wardell, Pat Reader and Jan Wallace.
* First year sees win
An interesting point from the championship-winning teams in the women's triples at Whangarei. At Whangarei the winning team contained a first-year bowler in Margaret Sands while the runners-up also had a first-year player in Jan Wallace.