Richards cleans up again
South Canterbury’s second time bowler of the year can credit rugby for her taking up the sport.
Timaru Town and Country Club bowler Cathy Richards took out the points-based title for the 2014 season.
The 69-year-old said she discovered the sport after having a roll at an indoor stadium in London in 1991, after going to the Rugby World Cup.
She thought it was something she might enjoy doing back at home.
Before that she had been dubious on the game.
‘‘I had always said I will never play old man’s marbles,’’ Richards said. ‘‘That’s what I called it.’’d.
The bowls title is based on points individuals accumulate in team and individual games during the season.
Richards won centre champion triples and fours and champion of champions triples.
She was also runner-up in centre champion pairs and centre champion triples.
Richards credited her team and husband Mike for her second regional title.
‘‘He does all the housework while I go to bowls,’’ she said.
Richards said she is not an uptight bowler but is not one of those people who never has a bad day.
‘‘There are days I go out and bowl terribly,’’ she said. ‘‘It is like I have never played before.
‘‘It’s just something happens.’’
Ashburton bowler Sandra Keith is one of her favourites to watch.
‘‘She never has a bad day, that’s why she plays for New Zealand.’’
Richards said players such as Keith are good for the game, as she is relatively young for the sport in her forties.
Attracting younger
that
players is something bowls needs to do she said.
‘‘It is happening in the North Island,’’ Richards said. ‘‘My two grandsons play. ‘‘They grew up watching.’’ She is a self-confessed sports nut and will happily sit down and watch anything except wrestling and boxing.
Richards said she had never played tennis but that is her main spectator sport.
‘‘When Wimbledon is on sometimes I sneak into bed at 5am and Mike wakes up and asks what time it is.
‘‘I tell him never mind just go back to sleep.’’