Burrell's 51st appearance as Lawson makes final

CLASSY: Double world champion Gary Lawson playing in the final of the Bacardi Cup tournament in Kamo. JS191114NADBOLS024

One of the legends of the Bacardi Cup played his part in making the tournament a success after the event initially got under way amidst thunder and lightning in Kamo.

Otago's Charles Burrell made his 51st appearance at the tournament at the Kamo Bowling Club, having competed every year the tournament has been run.

Burrell felt the event - which started on Monday and finished on Wednesday - had been well hosted and played in good spirit, mirroring the Bacardi Cup's last tournament in Northland.

Having started bowling at 22, the 78-year-old was glad to see plenty of banter being shared in Kamo.

"It's a good sport. The bowls are OK but it's the social part of it, the friends you make every year - there are quite a few from over the years," Burrell told the Advocate.

While the long-serving bowler couldn't get his name on the coveted trophy this year, he had tasted success previously.

Now though, Burrell was more about sharing the laughs - seen when replying with a bit of tongue and cheek to his teammates heckling him from across the room.

New Zealand representative Gary Lawson showed his class in making the final.

-For more on the Bacardi Cup, see Ted Bagshaw's report in the Whangarei Report on Thursday.