Murfitt’s quartet lift title

Garry Murfitt’s quartet was able to withhold a late fightback from Jocky Bright’s side to claim the Taranaki men’s centre fours title in an allWest End final at Hawera Park on Saturday.

Murfitt and his team won the final of the South Taranaki Clubsponsored event 17-16 after a titanic struggle.

The first third of the 18-end game was relatively even, with Murfitt ahead 8-6 after six ends. But the Murfitt side of Steve Temperton, Alex McKay and Dennis Osborne dominated the middle of the match. With Temperton, a third year player who has just transferred from Hawera Park, leading well, Murfitt opened up a commanding 17-8 lead.

But Bright and his team of Tony

Penn, Jim Rowe and Bryce Koch fought to the end, winning the remaining six heads but it wasn’t quite enough.

Murfitt led by two shots playing the last end. Temperton was handy, giving Murfitt the early advantage until Koch drew the shot. However, the necessary second shot didn’t come, giving Temperton his first Taranaki title, McKay and Murfitt their second each and Osborne his sixth.

Murfitt was incredibly lucky to make the final, beating a Hawera Park four entered under Grant Mudgway and skipped by Kearin Pollard 20-19.

Pollard led 19-10 with two ends remaining, before Murfitt took a five and a four to tie up the game. The West Enders completed the remarkable turnaround by winning the extra end.

In the other semifinal, Bright’s team cruised home 20-7 over Rangi Hiroti, in what was the secondstraight semifinal appearance for the Inglewood side.