Bowls: Results not in favour of Taranaki
Tuesday, Sep 03 2024
Grant Hassall
Taranaki were well beaten in the first representative bowls clash of the new season.
Neither the men’s nor women’s sides were in the hunt against Waikato which dominated the five-round fixture held at the Frankton Junction indoor complex in Hamilton over the weekend. Last year, at Paritutu, Taranaki had won both sections.
However, Taranaki were badly exposed this time, a clear indication that the sides have plenty of work to do if they are to be serious contenders for the national crowns later in the season.
Taranaki’s cause wasn’t helped with unavailabilities. But there were a number of hidings suffered during the event against a competitive Waikato side, albeit one without the depth of yesteryear.
In the women’s section, Waikato won 14 of the 20 games, with no Taranaki players breaking even. Sensibly, players were placed in different positions and disciplines, with seven of the Taranaki women claiming two wins from five games.
In the men’s group, Taranaki managed just five wins and two draws.
Craig De Faria and Steve Temperton were the best with three wins and one draw each from their five matches. That was an excellent return especially for Temperton who spent most of the weekend playing up the order. Manaia second-year player Stephen Fevre was next best. He managed three wins.
As a result of the fixture, Waikato became the first holders of the Ron Buchan Plate. Buchan was a stalwart of the New Zealand bowls, winning many distinctions including the 1966 world fours, back-to-back Dominion singles and the Dominion fours. While largely based in Waikato, Buchan, who was a hugely accomplished administrator as well, also lived in Taranaki. He competed in the Taranaki Open on more than 50 occasions, which included skipping the winning four in 1934.
Meanwhile, the Professional Bowlers Association New Zealand finals were contested at Paritutu over the weekend. There are currently seven regional branches in the country and each of those winners advanced to the national final.
Aiden Takarua (Invercargill) won the world singles and Chris Smith and Anthony Ouellet (Tauranga) took out the world pairs. Both winners earned the right to contest the world indoor championships which will be held in the UK in January 2025.
The UK singles was won by Martin Kreft (Dunedin), who ended the dream run of Wayne Hawkes in the final. Kaylin Huwyler ensured home town success when he edged out the Shangai winner Craig Merrilees (Invercargill) in the Scottish singles final.