Masterton bowler makes grade

Crack Masterton outdoor bowler Ian Monaghan was part of a composite team that finished runner-up at the week-long 106th TSB Bank Taranaki open fours tournament, widely regarded as the most prestigious event of its kind in New Zealand.
Monaghan played at three in a side skipped by Brian Little of Palmerston North and which had brothers Ron and Brian Henn, also of Palmerston North , at two and lead respectively.
They were among 59 teams from the 214 teams participating to qualify for post-section play and made it through to the final by beating Rod Mahon (Birkenhead) 26-25, Kevin Mischewski (Stratford) 27-22 and, in the semifinals, Craig Johns of West End 24-23.
Wet weather saw the final between Little's team and an Onehunga four skipped by top New Zealand bowler Gary Lawson transferred indoors, with Lawson's side running out decisive 28-6 winners.
Two Masterton players, John Claydon and Brian Johnson, were part of another composite team which reached the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by Johns 25-18.
Meanwhile, the Wairarapa senior men's team to contest their annual quadrangular tournament with Wellington, Manawatu and Kapiti at Naenae this weekend has been named. Monaghan will play the singles, with Claydon and Warren Fisher combining in the pairs and Graeme Tindall skipping a four including Peter McGillicuddy, Les O'Donovan and Scott McKenzie.
Also travelling to Naenae will be the Wairarapa B squad, which will play development sides from the other centres. James O'Kane will play the singles, with Warren Wyeth and Mark Morete in the pairs and Gerry Hartstonge, Adrian Tregurtha, Richard Anderson and Paul Mussen making up the four.
Bowls Wairarapa held their women's open fours championship last week and it was won by a Masterton team skipped by Judith Wyeth. She had Joy Gibbs at three, Wyn Dellabarca at two and Maria Steffert at lead. For Dellabarca and Steffert, the victory earned them their first gold stars. Runners-up were the composite team of Avis Cooper, Karyn Burling, Darkie Barrow and Betty Scott.