BOWLS - Promising starts to Octagonal tournament round

With Garry Houlahan
Northland selectors will be reasonably pleased with results from the first round of the Octagonal tournament in Auckland. The men's open team had seven wins from their 12 games to lie second with 14 points, just two points behind leaders North Harbour. This placing could have been much better except for two last bowl losses in tie-break situations. Academy men are mid-field with 12 points but well behind leader Counties, who have 20.
Both women's teams are well placed with the open team on 12 points, only four behind leaders North Harbour, while the Academy women are third with 14 points, well behind leaders Waikato (20).
* Bruce taken ill
The men's team suffered a setback when Bruce Horscroft had to be rushed to hospital with heart problems. All bowlers will wish him a speedy recovery.
* Changing colours
The men's representative teams arranged to have the use of the Northland Rugby colts strip of the traditional Cambridge Blue with the kauri tree motif at the weekend. Moves are afoot to adopt this strip as the representative colours if finance can be arranged.
Another change being looked at is more representative play. In past years, we had annual matches against Counties, Auckland, North Harbour and Far North, which gave selectors a chance to experiment with combinations and try out up-and-coming players. With the current brief representative schedule these opportunities are no longer available to selectors.
Another change being looked at is a return to shots play for singles and ends played for team disciplines and thus do away with the stupid sets system.
* Two full greens
The Whangarei Masonic Bowling tournament was held at Kensington last Wednesday and it was good to see two full greens again. In past years, Ben Preston has done much of this work but this year he had a spell in hospital and only came home the day before the tournament. I am sure everybody will wish him a speedy recovery.
Prizes for the bowls are awarded to greens and winners on the top were a local Kensington combination of Mike Butler, Dick Barnett, Stan Eyes and Neil Mackay with 4 wins, 27 ends and 62 points. Second went to Ray Martin, Peter Cross, Geoff Morehead and Alan King from Mt Manaia, also with 4 wins but only 25 ends and 47 points. Third was another Kensington team, of Jim Jones, Dave Read, Stan Wrack and Mike Bentley with 3 wins, 21 ends and 46 points. On the bottom green, the winners were all Kensington teams with Errol Keay, Stan Callagher, Colin Rawle and Eric Coates first with 4 wins, 27 ends and 39 points, second to George Gordon, Neil McPherson, Harold Stronach and Ron McIntosh with 3 wins, 18 ends and 36 points, while third went to Ron Diment, Jan Keogh, Trevor Hay and Pauline Hay with 3 wins, 23 ends and 44 points.
* Few at Drag Threes
The Te Kopuru Drag Threes attracted a disappointing field of only 11 teams, although this was bolstered by one team of ladies who entered to stop the bye. After qualifying play on Saturday, the hard work on Sunday saw Alan Rakich, Jim Vallance and Sandy Foy come out winners with 3 wins, 18 ends and 40 points with Alan McKinnon, John Matich and Ray Mayall in second place also with 3 wins but 15 ends and 32 points. Equal third were Eric Smitton, Merv Price, Maurice Glamuzina and Tom Chapman, John Jamieson and Graeme Lawrence. Consolation winners were Dan Collett, Jack McKenzie and Clem Milich with runners-up Kevin Nash, Marty Webb and Dave Fagan.
• Bowl up for prizes
Want some cash for Christmas? Then get a team together for Bowls Whangarei's Open Fours tournament on December 20-21.
Entries to the club website at www.bowlswhangarei.org.nz or phone either John Jamieson on 459 7148 or Garry Whitham on 021 805575.