New Zealand Blackjack Val Smith has again skipped her way to a national title, combining with high performance squad players Deb White, Ashleigh Jeffcoat and Kimberley Hemingway to take out the 2023 Summerset National Women’s Fours.

In somewhat of a topsy-turvy final, Smith and Co held on to take the silverware, despite several fight back attempts from Lynda Milne, Linley O’Callaghan, Angela Johnstone and Christine Buchanan on the Alexandra green.

Several multiple counts throughout the game proved the difference between the two teams, though both sides appeared to struggle for consistency on what seemed to be a difficult rink for all involved.

Though, an outstanding effort in the semi-final saw Milne’s four defeat the previously unbeaten Mandy Boyd quartet of Kirsten Edwards, Amy McIlroy and Angela Boyd - likely serving as a highlight from what has otherwise been a fantastic showing from the Southland/Central Otago composite this week.

In other results, Smith defeated the Valerie Symes-skipped four of Glenda Bishop, Kiri Bond and Colleen Robbins, wrapping up the result, 22-13, and moving one step closer to a seventh national title.

Meanwhile, the men’s final concluded with a relatively commanding display from the Rodney Greaney composite of Paul Matheson, Adrian Robins and Kevan Greenwood, defeating the gallant run of Raika Gregory, Kelvin Budge, Robbie Bennett and Dave Budge, 22-14.

Racing out to a 10-1 lead after seven ends, Greaney and team seemed to have the final under control, though not to give up without one last fight, Gregory spearheaded a comeback of sorts, using his ferocious drive and telling draw ability to push his side back in contention, 16-14 with three ends left to play.

However, back-to-back three counts on the sixteenth and penultimate end in favour of Greaney secured the result, with the Halswell/Waimate and Renwick composite ending what has been a memorable week on the greens. The win marks a maiden national title for Greaney, Matheson and Robins, while for Greenwood, this is his second.

Earlier in the day, Southland representative Craig Merrilees and his team of 16-year-old star David Motu, Craig Tinker and Gavin Hamlyn proved too strong for the Sheldon Bagrie-Howley-skipped four, though came unstuck against a formidable line-up in Greaney and Co.

The other semi-final saw Gregory’s side put a stop to the heroic run of Te Rangi’s Stephen Sanders, Jason Heffer, Earl Doidge and Graham Low - reflecting the exit of the last club team standing, representing the Te Rangi Bowling Club in Invercargill.

Other beaten quarter-finalists were (skips name only) Mike Galloway, Graham Skellern and Blair Barringer.

All attention will now turn to the Summerset National Mixed Pairs, with a quality field set to start qualifying on Monday morning throughout the region.

-Sam Morton