JACK'S CORNER - Winning ways put both Northland teams in the final

With Garry Houlahan
IT WAS a fantastic weekend for Northland men and women Open representative teams, who were both successful in winning the Region 1 national qualifying tournament at North Harbour.
The women's team were clear-cut winners with 14 points, which was well ahead of second placed Auckland on 8 points (and 7 sets), with North Harbour also on 8 points (and 6 sets) in third place, and Far North in fourth on 6 points. All players got into their stride early in the competition and kept the momentum up throughout.
The men's team win was not quite so clearcut and they had 12 points, while second placed North Harbour were on 10 points, Far North third on 8 points, and Auckland fourth on 6 points. This was a very good team result with everybody contributing.
Both men's and women's teams will now go on to the national final later in the season.
The 1-10 Year Development teams both played well but unfortunately were placed just third in their respective competitions.
The men's team did, however, have a bearing on the outcome as Northland's result in their game decided who won the tournament. It all came down to the final bowl and Hayden Smith drew the perfect shot to give North Harbour victory by half a set.
Northland were successful in winning back the Robin Ellery Trophy, which is presented to the centre with the best overall score.
They scored 42 points to head off North Harbour with 40 points, Auckland 38 points, and Far North with 24 points. Congratulations to all who took part.
* Triples at Kerikeri
KERIKERI Bowling Club held their annual triples tournament last week and attracted a full field of 32 teams for the event. The top eight qualifiers played off in the main event, while the remainder played in a consolation event on the second day. Winners were a team skipped by David Hood from the host club Kerikeri, and they beat the Wintle team from Mangawhai in the final. Third was John Dunn (Onerahi), fourth went to Quinn Turton (Kawakawa), fifth Merv Bradley (Composite), sixth Derek Guerin (Kerikeri), and seventh and eight spots were shared between Ray Thorburn (Waimauku) and Keith Greenwood (Leigh).
In the consolation there were four teams with four wins on the day and after a countback the winners were Mike Butler's Kensington team with Ant Travers (Far North RSA) in second, Neil Lett (Composite) third, and Paul Vegar (Kerikeri) fourth.
* So close to victory
WHILE the Mangawhai men were doing their thing at Kerikeri, the Hakaru Women had a team in the Bay of Plenty Open Women's Fours at Tauranga and they went all the way to the final. The result was the same as the men, with runner-up being their lot, but a fine result all the same, with the score being a very close 13-12. The team was Kris Wintle, Sue Wightman, Carol Stebben and Pam White.
* Charity date
THE Kittyhawks are having a third attempt to get their charity tournament played.
It is now set down for March 31 and will be played at Onerahi, starting at 9.30am, with proceeds going to North Haven Hospice.
If you can support this worthwhile charity it will be much appreciated.
Entries to Jerry Litt 432-3765, Malcolm Sandford 432-0003, Harry Davis 437-6037 or Brian Vincent 027-4537834.
* On right Pathways
THIS week winners of centre events for both men and women go to Auckland to play in the Pathways regional finals. Singles are played on Thursday, Pairs on Friday, Triples on Saturday, Fours on Sunday, and Mixed Pairs on Monday. If successful they then go on to the national finals. Good bowling to them all.