Inglewood take triples

Inglewood’s Lorraine Crofskey, Loris Ropitini and Cindy Nicoll won the Taranaki women’s open triples bowls title at Hawera Park on Monday.

The trio were too consistent in the final of the Abraham’s Funeral Home-sponsored event, defeating Paritutu’s Marlene McArthur, Marlene Barrowman and Heather Johns 23-15.

The Nicoll-skipped side dominated the first half of the game, leading 17-6 after 12 ends. The margin was still comfortable three ends later, with Nicoll up 19-9. However, Johns’ side won the next three ends, reducing the deficit to six shots with three heads remaining.

However, it was Inglewood’s day, and a brace on the next gave them some breathing space. Paritutu replied with a two, but it couldn’t find the maximum six on the final end to level the match.

The victory was Crofskey’s third Taranaki title, Ropitini’s fourth and Nicoll’s second.

In the semifinals, Nicoll overcame Hawera Park’s Ruth Vendt, Pauline Kennedy and Kristin Stampa 19-13, with Johns accounting for Vogeltown’s Val Webster, Yvonne Hallard and Gale Fache

19-12.

❚ West End have grabbed the initiative in the TSB Realty-sponsored men’s division one competition after a successful day on their own greens on Sunday.

West End Blue lead the 10-team field with 27 points, three clear of West End White.

Defending champions Paritutu share third spot with Inglewood, on

22, while Alton, 21, remain an outside chance with the final three rounds due to be played on Saturday at Stratford-Avon.

Dean Elgar, the West End Blue singles player, recorded two further wins, to add to his three triumphs on the opening day. But he was beaten 25-13 by Darren Goodin, who remains the only player to have won all six games.

After a forgettable first day, John Roberts and Craig Johns gave West End Blue three wins in the pairs, while John Sexton’s four had one win and one draw.

West End white progressed into second place after Dave Wilson won all three on Sunday, Jordan Linn and Steve Walker added two more victories to their three from the opening day, and Gary Murfitt’s quartet also won twice.

Inglewood, the leader from the first day, faulted winning only three from nine, two of those coming in the singles from Gerry O’Sullivan.