Plenty of contenders for singles
It’s the women’s turn to take centre stage this weekend when the Taranaki open bowls singles is contested.
Defending champion Cathy Andrews (Paritutu) heads the field of 32 players in the event. But it won’t be easy for Andrews to claim what would be her fifth title in nine years.
New Plymouth’s Val McEldowney, the runner-up last season and a past winner, is also expected to feature, as should Rhonda Adams, the champion of three seasons ago, who enjoyed an excellent winter season at the local PBA.
The feature opening game will be at West End, where two previous winners, Bev Robinson (Opunake) and Kristin Stampa (Hawera Park), meet. The loser will then face an uphill battle to qualify, with players required to win three of the four section play games on Saturday.
Sunday’s post section play will take place at Paritutu.
❚ The men’s centre fours will be held in Hawera this weekend, with 34 teams, two more than last year, competing in the South Taranaki Club-sponsored event.
Three qualifying matches on Saturday will approximately halve the field – teams need two wins to qualify – ahead on Sunday’s post section at Hawera Park.
Alton’s Mark Anderson returns with the same side that did the business last year – Clive Phillips, John Roberts and Alistair Hurley. But runner-up Craig Johns (West End) has two newcomers at the front of his quartet, his sons, Bret and Thomas Defaria. Steve Walker remains at No 3.
❚ The men’s open singles last weekend was ultimately dominated by a number of established players, with Dean Elgar managing to handle the pretournament favourites tag, although he did have two close shaves in post section against Clive Phillips and Darren Goodin.
Both times the coin went in the air and Elgar claimed one point victories. It is certainly his time in the sun at the moment.
But beyond the establishment, it was refreshing to see some newer faces emerge.
Colin Young has joined Hawera Park this season, having arrived from the Waikato, and he should be pleased in making the quarterfinals.
Rahotu’s Shaun Brider, a half brother of former junior champion-of-champions singles winner Daryl Read, dress aside, impressed during section play. While other juniors to advance to post section included Oakura’s Steve Muller, New Plymouth’s Tobyn Hori, who has made a bright start to the season, along with three West Ender’s Bruce Lilley, Vini Purcell and retired lawyer Quinton Reeves.