Taking place today, Friday 30 July 2021, is Red Nose Day.  It is Cure Kids biggest fundraising appeal where incredible Kiwis across Aotearoa come together to help fund big research for little lives.  With origins dating back to 1989, Red Nose Day has grown to become one of our country's most recognised appeals, symbolised by red noses.   Here is a link if you wish to donate.

This day in NZ history...

1979 — Carless days for motor vehicles were introduced to combat the second ‘oil shock’ (petrol shortage) of the 1970s. They did little to reduce consumption and were scrapped in May 1980. 

Under the legislation, all private owners of petrol-driven motor vehicles were required to select a day of the week on which they would not use their car.  A coloured sticker on the windscreen indicated the chosen day.  Read more here...

Source: NZ History
Image source: Nevile Lodge cartoon on carless days (Alexander Turnbull Library, B-135-684)

Carlton Cornwall
snaffle second CoC title...

Date: 23-25 July 2021
The history books will record that Carlton Cornwall won the National Champ of Champs Women's Fours, thus securing its second National title in the 2021 Champ of Champs competitions. 

Congratulations to our team - Karen Hema (skip), Linda Ralph (3rd), Lisa Prideaux (2nd) and Judi Wong (lead), with Clara Bowman as team manager. 

On day one, our ladies secured two wins. On day two, their first opponent was Te Karaka Club from Gisborne East Coast. I was humbled to learn that two of the team (as do many other club members) work in remote parts of the East Coast and travel more than three hours one way to get to bowls! Carlton Cornwall got another win on the board to qualify for Post Section.

On Sunday, our ladies progressed to the finals with three good wins. By the time I made it to Pukekohe following WinterClub, the ladies were down 0-4 after two ends. A wave and a smile from the President must have lifted their spirits (that is my version) because they won the next four ends to hold a 6-4 lead!

There were four defining moments of the game:
On the 8th end - Karen ran at the head and removed Takapuna’s bowl that held their second shot, leaving CCB with a four.

On the 11th end - from a position of three down Linda's second bowl drew around some front bowls to secure one shot.

On the 12th end - Lisa drew two touchers to keep the pressure on Takapuna.

After 13 ends - CCB led 14-11, but Takapuna did not lie down, producing fine draw bowls. The scoreboard now reads 14-14-14.

Emphasising how close the game was - of the 14 ends, five were decided on the Umpire’s measure.  And so, to the final end. After 10 hours of bowls, it came down to a one-end shoot-out. Takapuna's lead was short with her first bowl. As they say, she left the door open! Judi wound up the bionic arm and let her first bowl go - we waited for what seemed an eternity as that bowl arced up the mat, kissed the jack and stuck. Elation! Despite their best effort, Takapuna could not draw close - victory went to our ladies. 

What a fantastic game, well done. Due to a late finish, celebrations will have to wait for another day.

One Proud President
Gerard Hulst