Bowlers go well at nationals

Marlborough’s representative lawn bowls teams competed with distinction at the recent Bowls NZ National Intercentre finals held in Wellington.

Both the men’s and women’s teams performed extremely well, the women qualifying for top eight post-section play for the first time and the men narrowly missing a quarterfinal spot by one game point.

The women won four of their sectional games, beating South Canterbury 2-1, Auckland 2-1, Hawke’s Bay 3-0 and Taranaki 2-1. They lost 3-0 to Wanganui. Both the singles and pair won four from five, the four managing just a single win.

Wanganui finished top of the section with four wins (9.5 game points), Marlborough lying second with four wins and nine game points.

Unfortunately, Marlborough drew defending champions and eventual winners Nelson in the quarterfinals. They lost 3-0 but pushed the strong Nelson combination all the way, losing the singles 14-25, the pairs 13-18 and the fours 13-18.

The Marlborough women’s team was Jan Gallop, Kiri Bond, Jenny Anderson, Pauline Bailey, Faye Mathews, Trish Downs, Colleen Robbins and Jane McIntyre. Coach/selector was Lloyd Gallop with manager Helen McIsaac.

The men’s side came agonisingly close to qualifying for the top eight. They beat Auckland 2-1, Thames Valley 2-1 plus Manawatu and North Otago, both 3-0, in section play, losing 3-0 to West Coast and Northland.

They won four singles, four pairs matches and two fours.

Auckland finished in top place with five wins (15.5 game points), followed by West Coast with four wins and 11 points. Marlborough placed third with four wins and 10 game points.

The Marlborough men’s team comprised: Henry Ulaula, Kevan Greenwood (player/selector), Max Brydon, Mark Grenfell, Nic Murrell, Michael Mehlhopt, Kerry McNulty, Chase Bishop, with Ken Lond manager.