It was a very busy weekend for our representative teams.

We had senior rep teams [Men & Women] in Wellington at the Bowls NZ Intercentre 7’s. This is the culmination of their representative season – what they have been building up to throughout the season.

Our Junior [1-5] teams were in Auckland for the Auckland Octagonal. While we do not come within their region, there have been vacancies the last 2 years, firstly in their Development Octagonal, and this year in their Junior Tournament. The Auckland Manager has been keen to have us fill vacancies as they arise, and the Board has relished the opportunity to participate against different, strong opposition.

Senior Women’s Tournament:

Team: Natarsha Grimshaw (Capt), Cheryn Menhennett, Lillian Tukiri, Robyn Wallace, Mere Nepia, Louise Fitness, Louise Greeks & Julie Constable. Manager Dave Porteous.

25 Centres competed in both Tournaments.

Hawke’s Bay were drawn in Section 1 which proved to be a very strong section. The two qualifiers out of the section reached the semi-finals and were awarded bronze medals. The other Centres in our section were Gisborne – East Coast, Canterbury, Wellington, Waikato, West Coast and South Canterbury.

We played Gis – EC first at Naenae [HQ] on Thursday afternoon, winning 2-1 [Pairs & 4’s victorious] which was a good result because we had lost to them 4-0 in the Octagonal at the same venue only a month ago.

That afternoon we lost to Canterbury 2-1 [Pairs won easily]. Cheryn led Tayla Bruce early. But Tayla’s international experience proved too much. Tayla ultimately won 7 out of 8 games, losing only to Jo Edwards 20-25 in their semi-final.

Friday we went to Island Bay to play on their mainly starweed greens. We lost To Wellington 3-0 and Waikato 2-1. Cheryn beat Debbie White [former National Singles Title-holder] 25 -13 – a real feather in her cap. The Pair lost to Gaylene Kanawa [formerly Harvey] and Lisa Mundell in a tight game That pair also won 7/8 games, again losing only their semi-final match to eventual winners Bay of Plenty.

Saturday saw us at Wilton being serenaded by tuis. We beat West Coast 3-0 and South Canterbury 2-1, Cheryn getting 3 wins in a row for a 50% result and the Pairs winning both games for 4/6 – 66%. Overall we won 3 out of 6 matches and 9 out of 18 games for a 50% result.

The final results in the section saw Canterbury win on differential [equal match & game points but better differential than Waikato], Waikato 2nd qualifier, and Wellington 3rd 1 match point behind those two.

We were 4th ahead of Gis-EC, South Canterbury & West Coast . A meritorious result.

Senior Men’s Tournament:

Team: Paul Harrison, Mark Noble, Ian Mason, Mike Isaacson, Hewson Whiting, Grant Sargison, Michael Brown & Aaron Bryant. Selector/Coach Dave Stevenson, Manager Tony Casey [who was unable to travel].

The Men were drawn in Section 3 with Central Otago, Wanganui, North Harbour, West Coast and Northland.

The first day was Friday at Silverstream. They lost to Central Otago 2-1 [Pairs victorious}, Wanganui 3-0  [4’s lost by 1 when Peter Bellis drew the winning shot], and finished the day by accounting for the strong North Harbour team 3-0, with the Ladies team in attendance as they had their bye.

Saturday was at HQ – they defeated both West Coast & Northland 3-0, but unfortunately Northland had drawn with Wanganui in the previous round giving them an extra game point and allowing them to qualify with Wanganui. Hawke’s Bay had much higher game points than Northland, but lacked that 1 match point, to finish 3rd ahead of North Harbour, Central Otago & West Coast – again a very meritorious result. Selector Dave Stevenson expressed himself very proud of the team. Wanganui also received a bronze medal, losing to Runners-up Auckland in the semis. Wellington defended their title.

Junior Tournament in Auckland:

Men’s Team: Hein Pharenqua, Brent Rixson, Scott Pedersen, Ian Hutton, Andrew Hyde, Mike Skelton, Paul Falvey & Colin Scott. Selector Sheryl [Goatee] Viggers, Manager Frank Golder.

The team finished 2nd to Auckland who were overall winners in Goatee’s words “deserved winners with a well structured and organised team….- credit to Brendan Walton.”

Women: I do not have a report from Selector/Manager Campbell Parnell, but am aware the combined team came 4th out of 8 Centres.

Well done to all involved.

That ends the representative 2024-5 season on a good note.

The Board will now look to appoint selectors to vacant positions [Women’s Senior and Men’s Development]– Dave Stevenson for another year and Cam Parnell for 2 years are confirmed in their roles.

Thank you to Goatee and the Women’s Panel for selecting the Men’s Development and Women’s Senior teams respectively.

Dave Porteous

Bowls HB Representative Liaison.

Article added: Monday 17 March 2025