The 1-5 Men’s Pairs saw 31 teams enter playing across Te Atatu, New Lynn, and Mt Eden as Headquarters. 15 made it to post-section play, with many of the expected (1-5 Reps) sides mixed with a range of up-and-coming stars looking to make a name for themselves.  

It could be said the top half of the draw saw many of the “feature” matches starting with the Fuller vs Bartulovich skipped combinations facing off in the round of 16, their prize a faceoff with Steve Fisher and Carl Martin, two-thirds of the recent victorious Triples combination. Fuller vs Fisher (a repeat of the Triples final) – again went to an extra end, this time Fuller gaining the win. The third player in the winning Triples combination, Peadar MacElvanna, paired with Mike Faircloth, his three months of experience defeated strong pairings from St Heliers and Mt Albert on their road to the semis, where they met Fuller.

Mark, I Says!

-- By Rod Sadgrove

We arrived at Mt Eden on Sunday morning for Post Section play in the Bowls Auckland Men’s 1-5 Pairs.

First up is Onehunga Districts. James goes for short ends, and we are down 7-0 after 3 ends, again! We did this in section play against East Tamaki and Kohi. Mark is throwing them all over the rink.

Mark, I says, "This green is just like our new E Green at Howick." Mark says, “I hate E Green." Great, home for lunch and watch the ABs replay. James then changes to ¾ lengths. We have a chance. I grind it out. Mark still hates E green... however, he gets 4 shots on the last 2 ends, and we scrape home.

Rising in the East

-- By Paul Neazor

It wasn’t that long ago I had my introduction to the Kohimarama Bowling Club. I was a walk-in, one of those people keen to try the game and just rock up to their nearest club. I checked out four or five but settled on Kohimarama, as it was the nearest to home. I never regretted that choice for a moment.

In those days Kohimarama was regarded as a club full of nice people, but not one was to be taken seriously in competitions. The membership board was top heavy; about half the members had been part of the old Mission Bay Women’s BC and didn’t play much, there were next to no juniors (if I remember rightly, I took the number to four) and the all-important middle ground was pretty barren too.

Pathway 2-4-2 Mixed Pairs

Bowls New Zealand recently introduced a new Mixed Pairs Champion of Champions event to the National calendar to be played in Hastings on Friday 16-18 August 2024.

Bowls Auckland has made the decision not to change the Jarden Open 2-4-2 Mixed Pairs event scheduled for 28 & 29 December, this event will remain open to all competitors affiliated with Bowls New Zealand.

New surface at Glen Eden

-- Darren Schroeder

Glen Eden Bowling Club celebrated its official opening of our rejuvenated all-weather green on Saturday 15 October, with Club President Teresa Cassidy welcoming members and guests with a short speech outlining the work done and the support the club has received from funders.

Next up was Michelle Clayton of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board who congratulated the club and its members on their good work, and then play commenced in the Opening Celebration Any Combination Triples.

We have an exciting summer ahead, with opportunities through Auckland Centre Events to raise awareness for your company and support bowls in Auckland.

These events include the Auckland Representatives, Champ of Champs, Social Bowls and many more. The benefits to your company range from branding across our online channels to naming rights and even an article in Friday Flash!

For further information and to chat in regards to partnership opportunities, please email dean@bowlsauckland.co.nz

Clif Shanks 2-4-2 Pairs returns

-- By Alastair McKenzie

After an absence of two years, Royal Oak Bowls is looking forward to welcoming 32 of some of the best bowlers in the north of the North Island this Labour Weekend to the 22^nd Clif Shanks Memorial 2-4-2 Pairs.

Playing for a prize of $7,600 the tournament will be the first to play across the natural and covered artificial making it a genuine test of bowls skill.

There’s lots of potential winners in the field from previous champs Will Whitburn and John Carruthers through to current Blackjack Tony Grantham and his Mt Albert partner Zoran Bartulovich.

Full-field details and updates during the weekend will be on the Royal Oak Bowls Facebook page.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS