BOWLS - Jack's Corner

With Garry Houlahan
* Hakaru win women's triples crown
The Centre Champion of Champion triples was finally completed at Hikurangi last Saturday after rain curtailed play the previous weekend.
There were three teams left in the women's event with Hakaru playing Kamo to decide who would meet Arapohue in the final.
Kamo's team of Dinkie Fischer, Madeline Yovich and Maureen Church led until the penultimate end when Hakaru scored two shots and tied the scores at 11-11, and then went on to win the final end when Sue Wightman drew shot. It was the only time in the game Hakaru were in front but it was the right time obviously.
Hakaru (Sue Wightman, Eileen Manuell and Wendy Serjeant) then played Arapohue (Diane Stewart, Raewyn Webb and Leeanne Stewart) in the final and took this game by 11-9.
They looked comfortable throughout and although Arapohue fought all the way there was little doubt which team would prevail.
Both teams had junior bowlers at lead and it was good to see these players making it through to a centre final.
In the men's event Dargaville (Jim Vallance, Mickey Marinkovich and Tom Ker) lined up against Bowls Whangarei (Tom Chapman, John Jamieson and Sam Prasad).
Bowls Whangarei started off with a rush picking up five shots on the first end but promptly gave three shots away on the second.
They settled down to their work, giving their opponents no chance and the game was conceded after 12 of the regulation 15 ends were completed with the score at 20-7 in favour of the Whangarei team.
Bowls Whangarei were the defending champions and the win gave Tom Chapman his third Gold Star for his 15th centre win.
The three Whangarei players were also members of the winning Champion of Champion fours team which won the event earlier in the season, so it was two centre titles this season to each of them.
* Timoti off to Malaysia
Last week I reported Manu Timoti was selected for the New Zealand squad. This week the news is she has made the New Zealand team for the Asia Pacific championships in Malaysia in August. Timoti was selected to play in the triples and the fours and we all wish good bowling in this event - we will keep a close eye on the results.
* Prizes at Kamo Club
About the only thing left for this season is the awards dinner and presentation of prizes at Kamo Club on May 23. If you are in line for a prize make sure you get along and even if you are not getting anything it is a good night out. Contact the centre office regarding tickets.
* Signing off on column
That is about it for the 2008-09 season. The greenkeepers are now busy renovating greens for next season.
Therefore, this is the last column for the season and also my last column as after nine years I am giving it away.
My thanks to all those people who have helped by feeding me information and well done to all those bowlers whose names appeared in lights.
If there is anybody out there who would like to carry on the column next season, please give me a ring.