The Champ of champ men’s and women’s triples were held at Hobsonville over the weekend.
The weather was very kind although it did get very warm at times on Sunday.
Success for our women’s team and a semi-final for our men.
Our women’s team of Sheryl Wellington, Jan Gledhill and Colleen Rice started with a win in round 1 against Helensville 18-11.
In their quarter-final, they had a big win over Warkworth 20-4.
On Sunday, their semi-final was against Hobsonville, this was close early on but Mairangi Bay pulled away to win 19-9.
The Final was against Birkenhead, Linda Burris, Los Croot and Connie Mathieson.
Mairangi won the first end but then Birkenhead won the next four ends with their skip playing some amazing shots when Mairangi were holding multiples.
Mairangi was 8-1 down, they were struggling with the speed of the rink, but slowly clawed back the lead with all three players chipping in.
12 all with four ends to go. Linda played a fortunate shot to pick up 2 when Mairangi were holding 3, now 14-12 to Birkenhead.
Mairangi grabbed a 2 and then a 1 in the next two ends to lead 15-14 with one end to play. Last end, Connie played two great bowls right on the jack, Colleen decided she needed to play weight and in she came to split Connie’s bowls and sit close for shot. A great and crucial bowl. Los and Linda tried to move Colleen or the Jack, and came so close, Sheryl stayed away playing cover bowls and Mairangi Bay were the winners 16-14.
An exciting close game with both teams playing excellent bowls and it was played in a lovely spirit.
Jan collected her 9th Centre title, one away from a gold bar, Sheryl her 6th and Colleen her 3rd.
Well done Sheryl Jan and Colleen. (photos below).
Our men’s team of Phil Chisholm, David Payne and Bruce McClintock had a bye in round 1.
Round 2 they had a strong win against Sunnybrae 24-9.
Round 3 they defeated Beachhaven 21-13.
On Sunday their semi-final was against a tough Helensville team of Carlson Barnett, Bart Robertson and Brendon McPhail.
This was close early on but Helensville just steadily crept ahead, every time Mairangi looked like they were getting close Helensville closed them down, winning 14-10.
Our team bowled well but Helensville bowled just a little better.
Helensville went on to play the Manly team of Keith Benson, Paul Daniels and Kevin Rainsford in the final.
This was a similar story with Helensville getting a lead, with Manly coming back only for Helensville to edge away 17-13.
These Champ of champs are very competitive events but our Mairangi Bay teams are competing very well.
This weekend is the four’s events.
A big thank you to all the supporters who turned up to Hobsonville over the weekend.
Report by Alan Daniels