RSA, Opononi supreme in fours

Centre Fours

The Opononi and Kaitaia RSA clubs can each add a new district title to their respective trophy cabinets after winning the Bowls Far North Centre fours championships at Church Road in Kaitaia on Saturday.

The men’s final was contested between Opononi and Houhora, where the combination of Patrick Higginbotham, Ian Lewis, Fab Cassidy and Henare Wikaira proved far too consistent for Cedric Campbell, Barry and Alex Kinnear and Brian Bellas, winning by a 22-5 margin.

The women’s final was taken out by the Far North RSA’s Jean Huxtable, Joanne Milich, Razia Wrigley and lead Jill Phillips, who won 17-8 over the Cooper’s Beach’s four of Margaret Wildbore, Glenis Love, Gaye Parker and Mary Wright.

Notable achievements included Phillips (among the women) and Wikaira (men) earning their first gold bar; Wrigley’s performance in the women’s final as a first-year bowler and Cassidy in the men’s despite still being considered a ‘junior player’, as each claimed their first centre title; while caps were doffed to Jean Huxtable for regularly including novice players in her teams.

Centre officials thanked the host club for looking after the players, the greenkeeper, those who provided cookies, along with the umpires and match control of the day.

The format was a one-life system of 15 ends or a time limit of 13⁄4 hours, with no time limit for the finals. Opononi’s Henare Wikaira, Fab Cassidy, Ian Lewis and Patrick Higginbotham won the centre men’s fours last weekend.

Pairs/ triples draws

The draw for the men’s and women’s sections in the Bowls Far North Centre Champ of Champ pairs and triples this weekend are as follows.

For the pairs, to be played in Kaikohe on Saturday (April 13), the draw is, men: P Doreen and P Huxtable (RSA), G and C Martin (Hoki), A Kinnear D Mansill (Hou), B Johnstone N Blechynden (Kaeo), S Allison R Te-Amo (Kaik), D Riddle J Richardson (Chur), D Williams I Woodley (Keri), M Shepherd P Guest (Kohu), B Dick I Lewis (Opo), D Sigley K Hardarker (Russ); women: S Marr B Scahill

(Coop), L Muru L Wells (RSA), V Kahi C Pinique (Hoki), F Tronell P Tahana (Hou), G Maker T Barton (Kaeo), E Strongman H Kennedy (Kaik), R Papera E Albury (Keri), G Hohaia R Guest (Kohu), S Whitaker K Haynes (Okai), H Cassidy M Korewha (Opo), D Davey L Wairepo (Russ), Church Rd withdrawn.

For the triples at the FNRSA on Sunday, April 14, the draw — skips’ names only — is, men: M Doak (RSA), M Korewha (Hoki), C Campbell (Hou), B Johnstone (Kaeo), D Davis (Kaik), J FoxChampkins (Chur), M Shepherd (Kohu), B Dick (Opo), A George (Russ); and, women: L Walters

(Coop), J Huxtable (RSA), M Korewha (Hoki), M Milich (Hou), K Parata (Kaik), B Barron (Chur), T O’Brien (Keri), G Hohaia (Kohu), L Cairns (Opo), K Gorrie (Russ).

Organisers reminded all players must appear in regulation costume (club colours or whites) as per page 45 of rule book and it was noted this had become an issue. In addition, anyone unable to make it was advised to contact Bunty Barron on 406-1693 if you have to withdraw before the playing date.

■ The rescheduled champ of champ singles will be played at Cooper’s Beach on Sunday, April 28.

RUGBY LEAGUE

United Valley Crushers 48 Pawarenga Broncos 6: The Crushers backed up the win last week by taking down the visiting Broncos at Taheke Stadium in round 4 of the Taitokearu Rugby League Premiership on Saturday.

Coach Peter Makiha didn’t feel home advantage counted as much as what was just a genuine all-round team effort.

“I think we just prepared well for a couple of weeks now. Really strong game defensively from my boys.”

Ngati Kahu Sharks 44 Aupouri Repo 30: The closest result of the three games played over the weekend saw the Sharks claiming a win on their home turf at Shark Park in Taipa.

Moerewa Tigers 52 Kerikeri Makos 24: The Tigers remain unbeaten at the top of the TRL ladder/ standings — sharing top spot with the Uta Te Whanga Giants — with this convicing win over the Makos at Simson Park.

Bye: Taiamai Taniwha and Uta te Whanga Giants (the latter due to withdrawal of Ngati Wai Seahawks confirmed).

Which leaves eight teams and the TRL administration needing to revise the draw; apparently that was on the main agenda at last night’s meeting.