Weather comes right for opening day

RELEASE PHASE: Brian Hardy in action at the opening day tournament of the Kaitaia Church Road Bowling Club earlier this month.

The Kaitaia Church Road Bowling Club celebrated the opening of its 67th summer season earlier this month with the holding of the Mary Florence Geard MBE Trophy.

Twenty teams accommodating 60 bowlers took part in the Far North Honda Two Bowls Triples tournament on Saturday, September 3, to play four games of eight ends each, with no time limit.

With every team having a bye during the day, this set the scene for socialising and a relaxed atmosphere, club spokesperson Faye Irwin Erceg said.

The day began with president John Richardson welcoming bowlers and visitors before mentioning several junior bowlers from a variety of clubs.

This was followed by the traditional formality of the official opening with Hisae Ngagawa sending the first jack up the green ready for Kerry Barnett to deliver the first bowl which was also well played.

Battle then commenced amid no rain nor wind and a warming temperature which reached 19 degrees.

David Riddle and Patricia Rayner were the official umpires for the day and their assistance was greatly appreciated.

Prizegiving was held prior to afternoon team with president John introducing and welcoming two life members present, Mona Cuttle and Betty Currie and announcing an apology from patron Margaret Marshall.

Results were, Pam Naylor (skip), Jim Naylor and Russell Hockley 4 wins 24 wins 37 points, 1; Jean Huxtable, Selwyn Hargreaves and A Violet 4, 19, 35, 2; Barry Allison, Don Lilly and Helen Dephofff 3½, 18, 30, 3; and, lucky dip: Trevor Smith, A Doug and Patsy Thornton.