The Blockhouse Bay Bowling Club proved a happy hunting ground for long-serving Auckland representatives Karen Hema and Linda Ralph over the weekend, with both taking out two of the three titles up for grabs at the Trusts New Zealand Open .
Auckland representatives Karen Hema and Linda Ralph were in devastating form last week, combining to take out the NZ Open Women's Pairs and joining long-time friend Anne Bateman to take out the Women's Triples.
In a week that was consistently hampered with inclement weather, early rounds of post-section were forced indoors and under the covered roof at New Lynn - though a willingness and determination to pull through saw the competition proceed as scheduled.
With the cameras rolling and the sun shining, all finals were broadcast live to Sky Sport 3 and were likely the focal point for most club houses and lounges alike, as another busy weekend of bowls passed throughout the nation.
A thrilling women’s triples finale set the tone, with both teams giving it everything to the final end. The surprise package in Esther Eu, Helen Murray and Sheila Putu proved more than up to the task, footing it with Northland’s Anne Bateman and locals Hema and Ralph - keeping pace with one end left to play.
With the scores locked at 16-16 after the scheduled eighteen ends, the experience of the Bateman trio won through picking up a three and claiming the first of the weekend’s silverware.
Next up was the men’s triples - a single point victory for the side of David Eades, Bruce McClintock and Bart Robertson, accounting for the strong North Harbour based triple of Neil Fisher, John Walker and Colin Rogan, 12-11 in a result that saw Eades unexpectedly open his emotions in a post-match interview with Sky, citing expletives several times.
While Eades has provided public explanation for his actions, it us understood the matter is being investigated further by the governing authorities.
Concluding Saturday’s finals action, Papakura’s Leeane Poulson edged past Tauranga South’s Jenny Welch in a bowl-for-bowl finish, with Poulson holding on to take the crown 21-20 over a gallant effort from Welch.
Carlton Cornwall's James Williams had a memorable week on the Blockhouse Bay greens, teaming with Shane McGonagle to advance to this year's Men's Pairs final. A tough assignment in the form of Royal Oak duo Mike Galloway and Martin Dixon proved too tough to overcome, eventually settling for silver on the podium.
Sunday’s play saw the men’s pairs final commence, with the favoured pairing of Royal Oak’s Martin Dixon and Mike Galloway proving a tall order for Shane McGonagle and James Williams to overcome - with the experienced Dixon-Galloway duo racing to the finish line 22-10 - and showing their class throughout as they commanded the run of play.
The follow-up fixture saw the women’s pairs finalists take to the rink, with Hema and Ralph once again showcasing their ability, comfortably defeating the St Helier’s pairing of Catherine Bien and Ling Qu and claiming their second title in as many appearances.
Wrapping up the event in fine style, it was over to Sydney based pennants performer Chad Grant to put on a sublime show opposite hometown hero Graham Growcott - a show he managed with distinction, taking the victory 21-18 and putting the silverware on a plane enroute to Club Grandviews across the Tasman.
In other results, Friday’s activity saw the Disabled Pairs final take place on the TV rink for the first time in the event’s history, with Norm Earnshaw and David Stallard winning through, beating Peter Whiting and Jill Brierley 17-9 in an entertaining match-up.
Results at a Glance
The Trusts New Zealand Open, Auckland
And your champions are . . .
Singles
Men: Chad Grant (Club Grandviews, AUS)
Women: Leeanne Poulson (Papukura)
Pairs
Men: Mike Galloway, Martin Dixon (Royal Oak)
Women: Karen Hema, Linda Ralph (Carlton Cornwall)
Triples
Men: David Eades, Bruce McClintock, Bart Robertson (North Harbour composite)
Women: Anne Bateman, Karen Hema, Linda Ralph (Composite)
Disabled Pairs
Norm Earnshaw, David Stallard
