Mount Maunganui trio Paul Anderson, Nathan Arlidge and Lorrainne Rowling have topped the standings at the 2023 National Summerset Bowls3Five competition, taking out the silverware in a fiercely contested format in Wellington.
The event sees mixed teams of three take to the green in a triples-like format, played over two sets of five ends and a tiebreaker end, if required. Adding to the excitement is a 'Powerplay' opportunity with each team given the right to double their points on a nominated end.
Hosted at the Naenae Bowling Club on the indoor rinks, 26 out of a possible 27 centres were represented, concluding a busy season on the Bowls New Zealand Summer of Bowls calendar.
Following 12 section play games, teams required at least five wins to progress through to post-section, with the following teams making the mark; Arrow Force, Belfast, Blenheim Suns, Coromandel Mussels, Far North RSA, Kensington Trumpeters, Milton Mavericks, Mount Megalodons, Omarunui Aces, Paekakariki, Te Atatu, Waikiwi Southern Kiwis and the Wanganui Eastside Eagles.
In a straight-elimination, 13 teams were soon whittled down to eight, four and then the Grand Final, with the Mount Megalodons and Te Atatu lining-up in a thrilling match-up.
The final saw Te Atatu's Lauren Mills, Andy Ellis and skip Adam Blucher open up proceedings with a first set win (4-3), before Anderson, Arlidge and Rowling bounced back in fine style to secure the second set, (10-2), and force the game to a winner takes all six bowl shootout.
Despite Blucher’s best efforts, two great bowls from Arlidge and Anderson proved the difference, with a last-gasp draw from Blucher hanging wide to give the Bay of Plenty-based Megalodons the sought after victory.
The semi-finals saw the Mount Megalodons defeat Kensington on a tie-break end, while Te Atatu remained in control against Paekakariki, taking both sets. Beaten quarter-finalists were Omarunui Aces, Belfast, Blenheim Suns and Far North RSA.
The closing of this event brings to an end the 2022/23 Summer of Bowls season, with all attention now turning to the National Champion of Champion fixtures to be played throughout July.
-Sam Morton
