Central Otago breaks drought

NOT many New Zealanders would have too vivid a recall of sporting happenings in 1987, more than three decades ago.

It was of course the year the All Blacks triumphed in the inaugural Rugby World Cup and, on a far more modest scale, it was the last time Central Otago’s male lawn bowlers won the annual southern intercentre competition.

Central Otago’s previous success in what is now known as the Southern Six competition was revealed when they took possession of the Guardian Trust Cup after finishing ahead of Dunedin, Southland, South Otago, North Otago and South Canterbury in Oamaru.

Selector Marty Geary was over the moon with his team’s achievement.

‘‘It was an incredibly tight competition,’’he said.

‘‘Going into the final round, four teams were equal in the lead. We had to win all four disciplines and, incredibly, we managed it, to claim the trophy.’’

The Central Otago team comprised Allan Brash (singles), Alister Watson and Roger O’Brien (pairs), Pat Houlahan, Howie O’Donnell and Evan Kirk (triples) and Trevor Drake, Bob McAuley, Ken McConnell and Conor Muir (fours).

The men’s success in Oamaru completed a triumphant week for Central Otago bowls because a week earlier the women’s representative team won its Southern Six competi tion at Balclutha, finishing on 39 points, two clear of Southland with Dunedin in third place.

The women’s team consisted of Debbie Jackson (singles), Christine Buchanan and Lynley O’Callaghan (pairs), Angela Wilson, Debra Lloyd and Sue Helm (triples) and Margaret O’Connor, Jane Anderson, Gill Stewart and Pam Walker (fours).

The Central men’s development team just failed to complete the hattrick, finishing second behind Dunedin.