Ngongotaha and Ohope take out Bay bowls fours

Champ of Champ Men's Fours winners Ngongotaha from left: John Hohepa (s), Cyril Goss, Nick Tomsett and John McGregor.

Ngongotaha and Ohope have been crowned men and women's champions respectively after the Bowls Bay of Plenty Champion of Champion Men and Women's Fours.

The competition was played in Rotorua over the weekend with Arawa Bowling Club hosting the first day of the men's while the women played at Ngongotaha Bowling Club, with post section play all held at Ngongotaha.

The championship winners from 17 bowling clubs around the Bay competed.

Sixteen men's teams competed leaving the Ngongotaha team of John Hohepa (s), Nick Tomsett, John McGregor and Cyril Goss to play Tauranga's team of Dan Dickison (s), John O'Shea, Taylor Duncan and Lance Tasker in the final.

Ngongotaha claimed the title 21-11 with Hohepa playing exceptional bowls, either driving to take out the opposition's bowl cleanly or drawing the shot when down.

The Tauranga team gained an early lead of 11-1 after the 6th end but failed to score again.

Champ of Champ Women's Fours winners from Ohope, from left: Margaret O'Regan (s), Kathy Dempster-Rivett, Jenny Morris and Carol Lewis-Owen.

Fourteen women's teams competed in the hot and somewhat sticky conditions which didn't deter Ohope's team of Margaret O'Regan (s), Kathy Dempster-Rivett, Jenny Morris and Carol Lewis-Owen making the final against Taupo Bowling Club's team of Wendy Green (s), Lynette MacIntosh, Doreen Ryan and Marlene Jordan.

Ohope were always in front on the scoreboard leading 7-6 after four ends, then scoring five shots on the 5th end to lead 12-6, finally winning the game 19-9.