Friday Flash 11 November 2022

My initial impression!

I am quickly learning that the bowling environment in Auckland is a busy and beautiful place! I have had the pleasure of visiting various clubs over the last fortnight that cover the width of Auckland from Blockhouse Bay to Howick.

During my journeys, I have witnessed the various formats of bowls from the more competitive Thursday afternoon Remuera Triples tournament to a Gumboot Friday social event at Rocky Nook.

Thank you to all those who have taken the time out of their days to catch up with me to share their aspirations for their club and how Bowls Auckland may assist. I look forward to checking out more clubs in the coming weeks!

All the best to everyone playing over the weekend, and especially those involved in the Interclub Pennants and Half Day 6’s!

Dean Bartlett, CEO Bowls Auckland

The rules must be obeyed - rule 28A

Old George Jones, of lawn bowls fame, was always quoting the Rules of the Game.

One day he hailed me an answer to give, and I’ll never forget it as long as I live.

An old jersey cow had strolled onto the green and dropped the best cowpat that I’ve ever seen.

It was only a metre away from the jack. His bowl got stuck in it, and he wanted it back.

I said, “You can’t have it, so don’t be a fool. If you touch that bowl now you’ll be breaking a rule.”

He rushed to his bag and took out his book, turned over the pages and had a good look.

Then he said, “But hey, there is nothing to say that I can’t get my bowl back and continue to play.”

I said, “Listen here, don’t cause a commotion, Rule 28A says you can’t interfere with a bowl in motion!”

Contributed by Angela Caughey. Sourced from Mission Bay Women's Bowling Club newsletter circa 2000.

Speights Premier Fours & Open Stoke Pairs

On behalf of our team (Olivia Buckingham, Linda Ralph, Paris Baker & Ashleigh Jeffcoat) sent to Nelson for the Invitation Speight's Premier Fours last week, we wish to say thank you to Bowls Auckland.

I’m glad to say we didn't disappoint. We were the only female team there representing our Auckland Centre with pride and passion - taking down some really top team-named players. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the competition but we got into the plate final losing to a well-experienced team of Seamus Curtain (Lead), Finbar McGuigan (#2), Val Smith (#3), and Joe Edwards (Skip).

Paris Baker and I also competed in the Invitation Open Stoke Pairs held at Stoke Bowling Club, making it to the semi-finals. We finished second in our section and only lost one game to qualify. The highlight of this tournament, for us, was beating Val Smith and Jo Edwards, picking up a-full house 6 shots, wow! We beat some big named players, so we are proud of ourselves & that is an understatement, to be honest.

The comp was really hard. There were a lot of great bowls played, and with great spirit. We still held our heads high after losing the semi-final. We were outdone by Mandy Boyd’s brilliant class act of bowls. Whatever we did right, Mandy did better. Mandy outplayed everyone on the day. Congratulations to her and Kirsten Edwards on winning the prestigious Invitation Stoke Pairs.

Once again, thank you Bowls Auckland for your support and for believing in us. We hope there are more opportunities like this around in the future.

Contributed by Olivia Bloomfield

Cover update

What a massive week this has been in the history of Royal Oak Bowls. Indeed we doubt there's been a bigger week in the history of our predecessors, Onehunga or Hillsboro either. Watching the steel spans being installed over the green was amazing and inspiring. Our covered A Green is getting closer by the day folks.

Contributed by Alastair McKenzie

Burger & Bowls

9 November 2022

We had a pretty good turnout for our first night of Burger & Bowls at Pakuranga Bowls on Wednesday. The weather cleared up just nicely, in time for some fun and lots of laughs. Lots of new faces which was awesome to see. See you next Wednesday night!!

Contributed by Michelle Brown

Mt Eden in fluoro

8 November 2022

Hospitality NZ invited more than 100 of their distributors & suppliers to Mt Eden Bowls on Tuesday for a fun day of bowls and to sample the latest range of beverages.

The array of fluoro-coloured outfits was eye-catching, to say the least!

Contributed by Donna Cross

Kittyhawks in Thames

7 November 2022

Members of Kittyhawk travelled to Thames Bowling Club on Monday to raise funds for the local St John's.

The tournament was won by Murray Dickson, Jimmy Kishore and Ian McKenna and raised $700.

Howick 1-5 Triples

6 November 2022

Howick's Women's 1-5 Triples took place last Sunday. Three teams entered and played a round-robin format.

Great bowls were played by all teams with Shelley, Robyn and Lana beating Linda, Colleen and Robin in the final round and winning the title.

The third team was all very new players who played some great bowls and a good day was had by everyone.

Contributed by Linda Fenton & Noeline Sadgrove

Sunday 2-4-2 Pairs

It was a rock-on-up, pay-n-play 2-4-2 at Howick on Sunday, with all entry fees paid out on prizes.

This week's winners were Noeline & Lex.

ActivAsian’s Have a Go

6 November 2022

26 ActivAsians had a go at lawn bowls on Sunday morning and loved it! Thanks to Sport Auckland ActivAsian and the Rocky Nook members who came along to ensure our new visitors had a great time.

Pretty sure we have some converts!

Contributed by Steve King

Friday 2-4-2s

4 November 2022

Carlton Cornwall was the place to be last Friday! It was great to see so many hit the green to play in our weekly 2-4-2 Pairs.

We had good weather, and there was some terrific bowling on display. Congratulations to the winning duo of Mal MacElvanna and Peter Whiting.

Contributed by Jess MacKinven

Upcoming events

12 Nov – Interclub Pennants & Half Day 6s
12-13 Nov – National Interclub 7s
17 Nov – Bowls 3Five 1-5 Year Finals
19-20 Nov – Men’s Triples & Women’s Singles
24 Nov – Reserve Day: Bowls 3Five 1-5 Year Finals
26-27 Nov – Men’s & Women’s Pairs

2022-2023 PLAYING PROGRAMME

Centre events

Interclub Pennants & Half Day 6s

We're heading to the tail end of Interclub Pennants and Half Day 6s on Saturday & there are some great matchups lined up across the board.

Who are you backing in the Men's Premier Division - will it be the Pt Chevalier Pirates or Howick Red? What about the Women's Premier Division - St Heliers Gold, Royal Oak Athena & Carlton Cornwall Gold are all on the same points? Will St Heliers have bragging rights again this year with the Half Day 6s title?

It's all so exciting! No matter who you support or where you are bowling this weekend - good luck and good bowling.

Click the links to view results & standings...
Half Day 6s
Interclub Pennants

Get your entries in...

Auckland Men's & Women's Pairs entries close on Sunday, so get your entries in! It's easy to enter - click on the event image to take you to the entry form.

Club events

1K Pairs @ CCB

16 November 2022

Got nothing planned for Wednesday, 16 November? Why not grab your bowling partner and book your entry to Carlton's 1K Wednesday AC Pairs?

It's going to be a day of bowling, lunch, prizes, fun & much more! Did someone say lunch is provided? And, of course, there is every chance the winning team will get their photo in Friday Flash - that's gotta be a prize in itself!

Look forward to seeing you there. Click on the flyer for entry details.

Glen Eden's Pink Ribbon

4 December 2022

We're hoping for greens full of ladies from the Auckland region and beyond dressed in pink enjoying some great bowls on Sunday, 4 December! It's the day Glen Eden Bowling Club is hosting a Ladies Pink Ribbon tournament supporting breast cancer research.

Glen Eden last ran a Pink Ribbon event in 2018, where 54 players donning pink raised $1,000 for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ; now it is time to do it again.

Lunch and high tea will be served, raffles will be running, and there will be promotional material for sale on behalf of the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Come along, support the cause and the players, and remember to wear pink!

Click on the flyer for more details.

Māngere is hiring

Māngere Bowling Club is looking for a Club Manager to assist with the daily operations and the running of the Club.

Click on the flyer for more info about the role & where to apply.

2023 Australian events

Are you thinking of heading to Queensland to play in 2023 Australian Open or the 2023 Winter Bowls Carnival - then Ran from Taprobane Travel can help you with travel and entry.

Click on flyers for more details.