Bowls: 40-year drought ends at Paritutu

Grant Hassall

Two long droughts ended at Paritutu on Monday when the Taranaki open singles bowls titles were decided.

Rahotu’s Camron Horo became the first western division member since clubmate Des Lowry triumphed in 1982 to win the coveted men’s title when he emerged victorious in a titanic final.

And in the women’s event, Briar Atkinson made it a threepeat and in doing so gave the Oakura club its first women’s centre title in 51 years.

Just like two years ago, when Dean Elgar edged Dean Goodin, spectators were treated to a high-quality men’s final, with Horo denying Paritutu’s Kaylin Huwyler, the 2024 winner, 21-20.

The pair were never separated by more than three shots in the final of the Harcourts Team Green-sponsored competition, as they took advantage of an excellent green and the calmest conditions of the long weekend.

Horo led 9-6 before Huwyler started to draw even tighter, taking the lead 16-13. But Horo became more consistent playing to the north and took a 20-17 lead. Huwyler responded with a single and a two to set up a dramatic last end.

Huwyler finished about 25cms away with his first bowl, but Horo bettered that with his first go. And with Huwyler narrowly missing with three runners, the 19-year-old Horo gained his third Taranaki title.

In the semifinals, Horo beat Steve Muller (Oakura) 21-11 and Huwyler overcame Paul Howell (Inglewood) 21-15.

Atkinson, who joined Oakura earlier in the year to re-establish the women’s section in the club, beat Trish Howard (West End) 21-11 in the final of the La Nuova-sponsored event.

Atkinson started the final with a three and led 10-6, before Howard was rewarded for some good draw play. She levelled at 10-all, but Atkinson kicked away again with two braces, and then, when leading 17-11, took a softer four to settle the issue.

Atkinson now has 11 Taranaki titles.

Sharing third was two Lepperton juniors – Shelley Baldwin and Mihi Hona. In the semis, Baldwin was defeated 21-7 by Atkinson while Hona lost 21-3 to Howard.

The last Taranaki title won by the Oakura women was Jessie Luckin and Mockie Ryan, who claimed the 1974 champion-of-champions pairs. On Ryan’s last bowl they beat Barbara Digby and the great Pearl Dymond 19-18 in the final.

Meanwhile, the Taranaki representative sides head off to the New Zealand intercentre event in Wellington this week. Play commences on Friday.

A late change sees Horo now included in the men’s seven, with John Roberts and Craig De Faria the pair. The selected four is Kelly Hill, John Gray, Steve Walker and Scott Roberts.

The women’s side is Chris Commane (singles), Rhonda Adams and Howard (pairs), Judy Crawford, Maree Gadsby, Bridget Fletcher and Gale Fache (fours).

Somewhat incredibly, just four of the selected 14 players took part in the singles.