Definition of... gallopers

Creatures who gallop after their play.  They cajole, entreat, gesticulate, wave and dance.  You being a well-mannered, reserved individual would never do that.  You quietly walk down the rink... and pray that the little ------- will go in the right direction!

Source: The Lawn Bowls Dictionary by Keith Dunstan

Region 1 Intercentre playoff 

Sunday, 20 March 2022

Congratulations to all players from each of the regions competing in last Sunday's Region 1 Intercentre playoff.

Auckland Men's Open Prem (L-R): Head Coach & Selector, Tom King, Aiden Takarua, Jamie Hill, Gary Lawson, Tony Grantham, Nick Thompson, Mike Galloway, Alex Reed with Manager, Sean Hird & Assistant Coach, Neville Hill.  Not pictured: Adam Wishnoski

The continued impact of Covid-19, saw the original National Intercentre event cancelled and replaced with a group of regional playoffs.  Auckland would therefore be part of the Region 1 Playoff against the Far North, Northland and North Harbour, played at Mangawhai Heads Bowling Club.  

The weekend weather forecasts had us worried but we hoped that the stormy weather would blow past the Mangawhai coast.  The Far North pulled out of the tournament, leaving three Centres to compete – Auckland, Northland and North Harbour.  On the day, playing conditions were very blustery but, we only got battered by a few showery squalls through part of Round 3.  

The draw gave Auckland the ‘Bye’ in Round 1, so our Men’s and Women’s teams arrived at Mangawhai looking forward to their Round 2 match-up with North Harbour.  In Round 1, North Harbour prevailed over Northland winning 2 of the 3 matches in the Men’s and Women’s divisions.

Auckland Women's Open Prem (L-R): Sue Curran, Linda Ralph, Lisa Prideaux, Kimberley Hemingway, Ashleigh Jeffcoat, Judy Raill, Estelle Hickey, Jenny Stockford with Manager, Helen Blick & Head Coach & Selector, Diane Harris

Click here to find out the finalists from the other regions...

Upcoming events

26-27 March – Interclub 8s & Interclub Half Day 6s 
2 April – Interclub 8s & Interclub Half Day 6s 
7-10 April – Bowls NZ National Interclub 7s
10 April – Social Bowls3Five Final, Bridge Park Bowling Club

Auckland 1-5 Year Interclub

19-20 March 2022

Twenty-one teams were drawn into five sections at four clubs - players were ready and eager to compete in this year's 1-5 Year Interclub. 

While a wet deluge temporarily disrupted play at one club on Saturday morning, with a little reorganisation and a change of venue for one section, matches were able to resume. Across the other three host clubs, qualifying rounds were well underway. By the close of day one, the number of teams had whittled down to the top eight.

It's Sunday & it is post-section.  The teams had read the result sheets - they knew who they were up against and they knew what they had to do to progress - you could sense the competitiveness in the air as the bell rang to start.

Epsom, Onehunga & Districts and Papatoetoe Hunters Corner weren't just glad at fielding a 1-5 side - they had become optimistic, their teams had progressed to the semi-finals, they were in with a chance!  Papatoetoe Black was facing off against Howick Hawks with Epsom vs. Onehunga & District Rays. Close-fought matches ensued, at times, the last bowl determining a winner. 

The final contenders were settled - Howick and Onehunga & Districts had each won 15/15 matches, with both Singles being undefeated.  David Weir from Howick started strongly, maintaining his lead throughout. The Pairs and Triples jostled for points, the lead seesawing between both clubs as the ends ticked over.  In the end, it was Howick's day.

Congratulations to our new champs Howick Hawks for your commendable win. Well done Onehunga & Districts for being such worthy opponents.  Howick will represent the Auckland region at the 1-5 Year Regional Final, to be held in Hikurangi on Saturday, 7 May 2022.

It was an exciting competition - it was great to see so many players participating. Thanks to our host clubs and thanks to the team officials. 

You can view the final results here...

Winners - Howick Hawks: David Weir, Greg Dowdell, Eddie Jones, Linda Fenton, Rod Sadgrove & Bruce Fenton with Richard Ludbrook

Runner up - Onehunga & Districts Rays: Valeece Simeon, James Forsyth, Liam Hill, Paul Carroll, Glen Taylor & Ross Fishwick

Papatoetoe Black: Back (L-R): Murray Cotter, Vai Gafa, Pale Luka. Front (L-R): Andrea Wilson, Prakesh Rachhod, Sky Tangaroa, Kotoni Feao

Epsom: (L-R): Loa Tukuitoga, Loretta Ross, Warwick Catchpole, Joyce Rugg (Manager), KJ Lark, Dave Vince, ‘Flash’ Gordon

From our clubs

Social Bowls3Five

Royal Oak Bowls
17 March 2022

The Social Bowls3Five League season concluded last Thursday with a hard-fought, narrow victory for The No Bowls. One of The No Bowls regulars is Murray West, a stalwart of North Harbour Bowls but also of social bowls at Royal Oak. 

‘Royal Oak is on my way home from work at Air NZ at the airport’ says Murray 'I kind of like the fun atmosphere of social bowls.’ Royal Oak Bowls certainly appreciates Murray’s support over the years. He is one of the good guys – helping coach the newbies at the start of play and adding up the scorecards at the end. And as if playing in the Social Bowls3Five League wasn’t enough, Murray usually plays in Royal Oak’s Twilight Bowls Pairs every second Wednesday.

The No Bowls will represent Royal Oak in the Auckland Social Bowls Cup Final on Sunday, 10 April 2022.

Contributed by Alastair McKenzie

Pictured: The No Bowls – Jasmine Fox, Murray West, Govind Marathe

Twilight Bowls3Five

Bridge Park Bowling Club
18 March 2022

Bridge Park’s ‘world-famous in Mangere Bridge’ Twilight Bowls3Five League finished in the drizzle under the lights last Friday night with a win for JSC. 

The League had 14 teams post-Christmas. While the numbers were down from the year before, thanks to Covid - the atmosphere on Friday nights was as electric and fun as ever.  It is always great to see how multi-generational the nights have become. The kids running around started coming a few years ago with their parents are now heading towards 10-12 years of age.  It would be great to think, next season we’ll start to see some of them playing with their Mums and Dads and then, hopefully joining the club. How cool would that be? 

JSC will represent Bridge Park in the Auckland Social Bowls Cup Final on Sunday, 10 April 2022.

Contributed by Alastair McKenzie

Pictured: JSC team - Alice Wilkinson, Tulagi Misikini and Bernard Corston

Eastern Bay Classic

St Heliers 
22 March 2022

Were we fortunate or what? after the torrential rain on Monday morning which left “B” green like a swimming pool. After some squeegee work on Monday afternoon, the green looked good.  With no further rain and lots of sunshine, we played the Barfoot & Thompson sponsored tournament as scheduled on Tuesday.

Glenn Flinkenberg & Helen Clelland were there to open the day's proceedings under blue skies. The four Eastern Bays Clubs, Glendowie, Kohimarama, Remuera & St Heliers had 16 players each playing two games of pairs in the morning and one game of Fours in the afternoon.

Clubs and teams experienced some very trying moments with lots of close and exciting games.  In the end, Glendowie Bowling Club was the worthy winner for the second year in a row.  St Heliers Bowling Club was a very good and creditable fourth!

Suzanne Curran, our President thanked the sponsors and the team of Sherwyn, Rostyn, Rudi, Jill, Sonia & Ross for making this tournament a huge success.  

Contributed by Roger Seaton

Pictured with winning team Glendowie is Glenn Flinkenberg left-back row & Helen Clelland left front seated representing Barfoot & Thompson.

Coaching at Royal Oak

22 March 2022

Members from Royal Oak Bowls enjoy a 'debrief' following their coaching clinic with Leif Selby, Auckland Bowls.

Club events