West End come up short at national finals

West End, Taranaki’s champion in both the men’s and women’s interclub competitions this season, could not make it out of section play at the New Zealand finals in Christchurch at the weekend.

The West End men got close, after nine wins from 15 games, but were denied a place in the quarterfinals by Elmwood Park (Christchurch) and Browns Bay, the latter finishing with one more win than the third-placed Taranaki representative.

Singles player Dean Elgar was the pick of the Taranaki players, finishing with four wins from five games. John Roberts and Craig De Faria won three and were left frustrated when absurdly the time was reduced part-way through one match. It proved costly with only 12 of the 18 ends completed, and Roberts and De Faria were denied 10-8.

The West End four of Bruce Colgan, Neil Candy, John Garrud and Steve Walker had two wins.

Inspired by singles player Kelvin Scott, who inflicted the only defeat on Elgar, Elmwood Park won the men’s title after edging Stoke (Nelson) 2-1 in the final. Scott scored a crucial 21-19 win over Shannon McIlroy in the decider, which was essential after Gary Lawson had lost in the pairs. Lance Pascoe was the Elmwood Park fours skip.

West End finished fifth in their section in the women’s event, well short of the qualifying Carlton Cornwall and Takapuna clubs, who were pipped 2-1 in the final by Nelson.

Susan Cottam won one from five in the singles, as did the pair of Lorraine Heal and Sue Winter. The four of Jan Johnson, Molly Nagle, Jackie Moeahu and skip Trish Howard recorded two victories.

Meanwhile, on the local scene, a host of popular extended tournaments have been held recently, including the last ever combined New Plymouth clubs three-day mixed fours. The event started in 1991 but with the event now down to two greens, time has been called on it. The 2021 winners were a New Plymouth side of Peter Robertson, Gordon Brown, Sue Edwards and skip Elaine Hodge.

Tower’s popular Nolantown 5000 was won this season by an Opunake team of Daryl MacKenzie, Levi Davis, Kewene Ratahi and skip Rodney Woods.

The combined Stratford-Avon and Fitzroy under 10s pairs on the weekend went the way of Steve Temperton (West End) and Steve Sabine (Inglewood).