SPORTS REPORTS
Midhirst Tennis Club:
On February 14, Midhirst 1 played the newly promoted Midhirst 3 team in fine but windy conditions. The games were close, with Midhirst 1 winning 5-1.
Midhirst 2 headed north to Rotokare playing against Rotokare 1 where they won 4–2.
On February 21, both Midhirst 2 and 3 played at home against Okato 1 and Pukekura 1 respectively. Midhirst 2 came away with a convincing 5–1 win, winning 53 games to 28.
Midhirst 3 played Pukekura 1, who have just come down from section 1, losing 5–1.
Team captain Sally Dodunski says although they lost, they thoroughly enjoyed their games and the tougher challenge of hitting a harder ball playing in the section above where they usually play.
Night tennis has recommenced. All teams are enjoying their games, and the social nature of the competition.
Strathmore Golf Club: Twilight on February 16 was played in good conditions.
Best scores were Rick Caskey 21, James Smithson 18, Margy Smillie 18, Dan Murphy 17, Dick Vanner 15, Oliver Smithson 15 and Caroll Coulton 15. Closest to the pin was Rick Caskey.
February 20 was the club’s first day back on Sunday competitions.
After a wet evening, the day turned out well. The members played the first of two rounds of Captain Trophy and Golden Putter and the leader was John Cusdin Captain Trophy 36 and Gollen Putter 25 putts.
Stratford Avon Bowling Club: On Tuesday, open-grade Bowls3five club champions John Sextus, Irwin Van Pelt, and Karen Bond played in the Open Bowls3five finals to find the Taranaki champion to go to regional finals. They won their first game against O¯ akura but were then unfortunately knocked out by Ha¯wera Park.
On Wednesday night two junior Bowls3five teams from the club competed in the Southern division, qualifying to go to the Taranaki champs.
The team of Brian Needham, Kevin Sullivan, Theressa Needham, and Graham Kelly won all their games to become that team.
On Thursday at the Ha¯wera Park Optional Triples, the teams of John Sextus, Mike Sherning, Norm Webby and Dennis McEwen, Irwin Van Pelt, Rex Dyason came third on their respective greens.
Over the weekend the Women’s Taranaki Open Singles was played with one of the women’s teams of Janet Ravji, Bari Oliver, and Alice Gooch qualified but unfortunately, just lost their first knockout game on Sunday. The club hosted the Andersons Pies Men’s Opens Triples. Unfortunately, none of the teams qualified through to Sunday. The field was reduced to the semifinalists who will play the finals at the club on Saturday, March 5.
The week ahead: Thurs Feb 24: 9.30am Thursday Optional Triples; Fri Feb 25: 6pm Business House Bowls3five; Sat Feb 26: 9am Digger Mackay Trophy; Wed March 2: 1pm Pat Collins.