Bowls: Weather wreaks havoc with champs

Champion of Champion Singles for Men were concluded last Sunday. The semifinals and finals were transferred to Hikurangi artificial green because of the weather conditions.

This event results in a first Centre Open title for the small Maungaturoto Club when Kevin Robinson defeated Ray Mayall of Dargaville in the final 21-7.

In the semifinals Mayall came up against Wayne Wrack of the Waipu Club. Although Wrack was in front for most of the match, Mayall hung in there and in the last few ends nailed the jack with his first bowl and Wrack had no answer.

In a close finish Mayall defeated Wrack 21-19.

In the other semifinal Robinson drove himself out of trouble against Dusty Reader of Whangarei, and won the game comfortably, 21-13. The final, Mayall, who had fought so hard to win his semi, had no answer for Robinson who had success with his well-waited shots and came away with a 21-7 victory.

The 1-5 Year Open Singles event was also held last weekend. The weather conditions played havoc with the greens on Saturday and play had to be abandoned. Games were reduced in time and shots on the second day, section play was completed first and was then followed after lunch by post-section play. Three rounds were completed and the final for the men and women's sections will be played today at the Maungaturoto greens commencing at 9.30am.

Fourteen men and 15 women qualified and those to reach the semi finals were:

Women: Linda Spratt (Ngunguru); Diane Strawbridge (Kensington), Sue Epsom (Mangawhai) and Donna Anderson (Mangawhai). Spratt defeated Strawbridge 15-10 and Epsom defeated Anderson 15-14 in some very close competition. The final today will be between Linda Spratt and Sue Epsom.

Men: John Rynne (Mangawhai), Murray Heaton (Mangawhai); Kelvin Bint (Hikurangi) & Vaughan Tito (Mangawhai). Heaton defeated Rynne 15-6 and Bint defeated Tito 15-10. The final today will be between Murray Heaton & Kelvin Bint.

This Saturday will see the finals of the Northern Regional 1-5 Year Interclub Sixes being held at the Hikurangi greens. Play starts at 9am. Teams from Birkenhead, Okaihau, Papakura, Carlton-Cornwall and One Tree Point will be taking part to compete for the coveted Mercedes Cup.

Entries close today for the 1-10 Year Any combination Triples to be held next Saturday at the Hikurangi greens. Teams may be any combination and players from different clubs may join together to form a team.