Please note that the Tower greens are under water and with it raining heavily in Hawera, coupled with the forecast for the rest of the day, today’s rep fixture between Taranaki and Wanganui is CANCELLED.
Lawn Bowls
Congratulations to the following players selected to play against Whanganui on Saturday the 7th of November at Tower.
Taranaki Men
Seniors:
Craig De Faria (Capt), Darren Goodin, Camron Horo, Daryl Read, Bruce Colgan, Adam Collins, Nathan Goodin, Kelly Hill, Steve Temperton, Kurt Smith, Manager: Kevan Sellars
Juniors:
Ross Sinclair (Capt), Steve Fevre, Jimmy Quay, Simon Rowe, Ian Dawson, Joel Chard, Cody Hall, Paul Spurdle, Blair Clark, Shae Fleming
Manager: Kevin Gledhill
Selector: John Gray
Taranaki Women
Seniors:
Gale Fache, Kristin Stampa, Trish Howard, Susan Cottam, Tina Atkinson-Watt, Jasmine Merrick, Rita Davey, Shona Lawn, Cindy Gray, Irene Taunt, Alethea Rowlands, Briar Atkinson. Manager: Cathy Andrews
Juniors:
Linda Kape, Jill Forbes, Theresa Needham, Ashleigh Megaw, Monique Bastin, Mihi Hona, Angela Debique, Sheryle Taylor, Colleen Hodges, Lois Debique, Shelley Clark, Alesha Quay. Manager: Denise Heaven
Selector: Chris Commane
Good luck to all those involved.
Monday, Sep 14 2026 – Sports News Taranaki by Grant Hassall
Taranaki bowler Craig De Faria is off to England.
De Faria completed an indomitable performance over the weekend at the New Zealand Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) finals at Papatoetoe to secure two trips to the United Kingdom in early 2027, a result that has seen him named the leading PBA player for the year.
De Faria had already excelled by winning preliminaries of all three singles in New Plymouth on King’s Birthday weekend. And that tenacious, consistent and accurate form, which Taranaki bowlers have become accustomed to, was on display throughout the Papatoetoe performance, with De Faria winning seven games from eight.
He won five-straight during the quarterfinals and semifinals on Saturday. Then beat Jason Wong (Auckland) 13-2, 9-5 in the UK singles decider on Sunday morning. Victory gave De Faria the invitation for the UK singles in Cambridge, England, on March 1-3.
De Faria was nosed out by North Harbour veteran Colin Rogan 10-0, 7-10, 2-0 in the Scottish singles decider. But then dominated Wellington’s Stephen Zino 9-8, 11-5 to win the NZ qualifier for the world indoor singles. That will be held at the luxurious Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk, England, on January 8-24.
De Faria will be the fourth Taranaki player to compete in that most prestigious event which was established in 1979. John Murtagh competed in 1981, Brian Baldwin in 1991 and 1992, and Debbie Wilford in 2016. Cathy Andrews also competed in a world indoor singles, but that was a different event organised by the IIBC.
There was an incredible result in the qualifier for the world pairs, with Taupo’s Jack Giddy and Dave Jones taking the title from Raymond Martin and Cushla Haimona (Wellington).
Prior to the finals weekend, Giddy had been a little dubious about taking part, as it clashed with one of his other loves, whitebaiting.
A native of Taranaki, Giddy made the right decision and was intending to return to his favourite spot on the Mimi river this week.
The UK trip for the world finals will be especially poignant for Giddy, who turns 92 in November. It will in fact complete a family trifecta, following the footsteps of Murtagh, his brother-in-law, and Sid, his legendary brother, who competed in 1994.
Giddy and Jones ended the hopes of the Taranaki pairs qualifiers, Briar Atkinson and Selina Goddard, in the semifinals.
Taranaki have claimed the Ron Buchan Plate from Waikato by a single game in a closely contested representative fixture that was held at Frankton Junction, Hamilton (men), and Paritutu, New Plymouth (women), on September 5-6.
With two points awarded for a win, and one for a draw, Taranaki sneaked home to reverse last year’s result 71-69.
Taranaki took the honours in both men’s sections, with the senior men were particularly good, while Waikato had the advantage in both women’s groups.
Just as he did in the first pre-season rep fixture against Whanganui, Rahotu’s Nathan Goodin was outstanding in the senior men’s section, again winning five games from five. That included three wins in the singles, two against the 2019 Dominion singles winner Taylor Horn and once against Will Bennett, after earlier skipping the four and leading in the pair for victories.
It would have been a result that would have especially pleased Buchan, who among the many remarkable things he did in bowls, first played in the Taranaki Open in 1933 and last played in it in 2001. Buchan, like Goodin, also took up bowls as a teenager, and while he spent the majority of his playing days in what was then known as the Waikato-Thames Valley centre, he also was a Coaster, living and playing at Opunake. It was from there that he won the 1935 champion-of-champions singles.
Goodin’s performance was much needed, both by the senior men, the side being somewhat depleted through unavailabilities, and Taranaki overall.
Senior manager Kevan Sellers ended up playing all five rounds and excelled with three wins and two draws. The next best senior was Steve Temperton with three wins and one draw.
Junior manager, Kevin Gledhill, a New Zealand Masters champion on many occasions, also had to ditch the administration, marking his senior debut with a victory, although two losses did follow. Gledhill follows Neville Elliott and Ted Power as past managers who have been called into action at senior level.
Four juniors also got a go during the weekend at senior level. One of those was Cody Hall, twice a Taranaki senior rugby champion with Inglewood. Hall, grandson of past Taranaki champion and administrator Stan Marshall, gave a good account of himself in his first rep outing. In addition to winning his senior game, he also won three-from-four in the juniors, including both singles encounters.
Experienced junior reps Shae Fleming and Stephen Fevre both enjoyed fine weekends, Fleming winning four and drawing one, while Fevre won all five. They combined for three pairs victories, the two on Sunday both being by large margins.
Despite Taranaki falling 20-10 in the senior women’s section, there was some light. Gale Fache, as skip, and Cindy Gray combined to win four games from five at Paritutu, where because of space restrictions no singles was played.
Monique Bastin, who is about to embark on her third season in the sport, returned a 75% record, winning three games from four, with all the triumphs coming with Fache. Irene Taunt, with three wins from five, was the only other senior women to breakeven against a Waikato side included Gaylene Harvey, Vicki Coll, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Teri Blackbourn and dual Dominion singles winner Debbie White.
Waikato also took the honours in the junior women’s, finishing ahead 17-13.
Six Taranaki junior women finished with a 50% strike-rate – Lois Debique, Shelley Clark, Angela Debique, Theresa Needham, Sheryle Taylor and Colleen Hodges.
Taranaki’s next representative is against Whanganui on Election Day, November 7.
Individual results (two points for a win):
Senior men, round 1: singles (C Horo) win 21-17; pairs (D Read, A Collins) win 21-14; triples (J Peters, K Hill, C O’Sullivan) loss 9-22; fours (N Goodin, K Sellers, S Temperton, C Ropitini) win 10-9. Round 2: singles (C Horo) win 21-17; pairs (D Read, N Goodin) win 16-11; triples (K Hill, K Sellers, P Spurdle) draw 14-14; fours (J Peters, A Collins, T Taunt, S Temperton) loss 11-14. Round 3: singles (N Goodin) win 21-12; pairs (C Horo, A Collins) win 31-14; triples (K Hill, K Sellers, S Temperton) win 22-12; fours (D Read, J Peters, KJ Gledhill, CJ Hall) win 13-9. Round 4: singles (N Goodin) win 21-17; pairs (C Horo, A Collins) loss 14-16; triples (K Hill, K Sellers, S Temperton) win 19-11; fours (D Read, J Peters, KJ Gledhill, C Ropitini) loss 7-14. Round 5: Singles (N Goodin) win 21-16; pairs (C Horo, A Collins) loss 17-18; triples (K Hill, K Sellers, S Temperton) draw 17-17; fours (D Read, J Peters, KJ Gledhill, C Ropitini) loss 10-13. Overall: Taranaki 26 Waikato 14.
Junior men, round 1: singles (I Dawson) win 21-17; pairs (S Fleming, S Rowe) win 20-12; triples (J Quay, S Fevre, C Hall) win 18-7; fours (C Murray, G Benton, T Taunt, P Spurdle) loss 9-15. Round 2: singles (I Dawson) loss 13-21; pairs (S Fleming, S Fevre) win 18-15; triples (J Quay, S Rowe, C Ropitini) loss 12-16; fours (C Murray, G Benton, C O’Sullivan, C Hall) loss 6-13. Round 3: singles (C Ropitini) loss 13-21; pairs (S Fleming, I Dawson) draw 14-14; triples (C Murray, S Fevre, P Spurdle) win 22-8; fours (J Quay, T Taunt, C O’Sullivan, S Rowe) loss 10-14. Round 4: singles (C Hall) win 21-6; pairs (S Fleming, S Fevre) win 31-3; triples (P Spurdle, I Dawson, J Quay) win 19-14; fours (C Murray, T Taunt, C O’Sullivan, S Rowe) loss 7-15. Round 5: singles (C Hall) win 21-13; pairs (S Fleming, S Fevre) win 30-8; triples (P Spurdle, I Dawson, J Quay) loss 10-12; fours (C Murray, T Taunt, C O’Sullivan, S Rowe) draw 13-13. Overall: Taranaki 22 Waikato 18.
Senior women, round 1: pairs, M Bastin, K Stampa 10 T Blackbourn, V Coll 31; triples, R Davey, S Lawn, T Howard 12 T Jakes, K de Jongh, D White 19; fours, AJ Rowlands, C Gray, I Taunt, G Fache 7 A Nicholas, M Hughes, J Logan, G Harvey 20. Round 2: pairs, AJ Rowlands, T Howard 16 J Logan, G Harvey 18; R Davey, S Lawn, K Stampa 14 A Nicholas, V Coll, D White 16; M Bastin, C Gray, I Taunt, G Fache 17 T Jakes, K de Jongh, M Hughes, T Blackbourn 15. Round 3: L Debique, T Howard 6 T Blackbourn, D White 28; AJ Rowlands, I Taunt, K Stampa 7 J Logan, K de Jongh, G Harvey 24; R Davey, C Gray, S Lawn, G Fache 18 T Jakes, V Coll, M Hughes, A Nicholas 7. Round 4: AJ Rowlands, T Howard 13 T Blackbourn, G Harvey 16; R Davey, S Lawn, K Stampa 11 A Nicholas, T Jakes, D White 21; M Bastin, C Gray, I Taunt, G Fache 17 J Logan, M Hughes, K de Jongh, V Coll 11. Round 5: AJ Rowlands, T Howard 17 T Blackbourn, D White 11; R Davey, S Lawn, K Stampa 17 A Nicolas, J Logan, V Coll 18; M Bastin, C Gray, I Taunt, G Fache 16 T Jakes, M Hughes, K de Jongh, G Harvey 7. Overall: Taranaki 10 Waikato 20.
Junior women, round 1: pairs, L Debique, M Hona 17 A Welsh, R Brown 15; triples, S Clark, A Debique, T Needham 16 H Davison, P Reed, K Maunsell 16; fours, S Taylor, J Forbes, A Quay, L Kape 10 M Pohe, M Waters, M Tapara, J Rhodes 21. Round 2: A Megaw, M Hona 7 A Welsh, R Brown 26; S Taylor, A Quay, A Debique 22 H Davison, B Ward, K Maunsell 9; C Hodges, J Forbes, T Needham, L Kape 11 M Waters, J Gonano, M Pohe, J Rhodes 20. Round 3: S Clark, M Hona 17 A Welsh, K Maunsell 20; A Megaw, A Quay, T Needham 19 H Davison, M Tapara, R Brown 23; C Hodges, J Forbes, A Debique, L Kape 20 B Ward, J Gonano, P Reed, J Rhodes 16. Round 4: L Debique, M Hona 11 A Welsh, R Brown 20; C Hodges, A Quay, A Debique 8 K Maunsell, M Pohe, M Tapara 24; S Clark, S Taylor, T Needham, L Kape 18 M Waters, B Ward, P Reed, J Rhodes 8. Round 5: C Hodges, M Hona 22 K Maunsell, J Rhodes 11; A Megaw, A Quay, T Needham 17 H Davison, J Gonano, M Tapara 16; S Taylor, J Forbes, A Debique, L Kape 14 A Welsh, M Pohe, P Reed, R Brown 15. Overall: Taranaki 13 Waikato 17.
Overall across all four sections for the Ron Buchan Plate: Taranaki 71 Waikato 69.
The TSB Bank Bowls New Zealand Museum is currently looking for a Curator. Hours are flexible and this could be a rewarding position for someone interested in local history or the sport of lawn bowls. Set against the background of Mount Taranaki, it is the only Bowls Museum in the world and contains over 8000 exhibits of the game as played by the men and women in New Zealand. Bowls is the 3rd largest participation sport in New Zealand and is played world wide. Old trophies from historical events, the Library of Jubilee, and other historical bowling information complete the museum. The museum is set in park surroundings near to historic New Plymouth Bowling Club.
For more information contact the Centre Office via email or by phone on 027 757 8800
https://tsbbankbowlsmuseum.omeka.net/
Finalists from the World Junior Bowls Championships Mixed Pairs event.
Congratulations to Briar Atkinson and Camron Horo for being selected to represent New Zealand in the 2026 World Junior Bowls Championships to be held in December in Hong Kong. John Gray (Fitzroy) will manage the side.
Full article from Bowls New Zealand:
The World Junior Championships provide a valuable platform for emerging players to test themselves against some of the world’s best young bowlers, gain international experience, and continue their progression towards future elite representative honours.
Blackjacks #61 Atkinson and #120 Horo have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their sport, consistently performing at a high level while embracing opportunities to learn and grow. Their selection reflects not only their ability on the green but also the dedication and work ethic they have shown throughout their bowls journey.
At the 2025 event held in Northern Ireland, Atkinson took home the silver in the Women’s Singles, Horo bronze in the Men’s Singles, and the duo won the Mixed Pairs discipline.
Bowls New Zealand Head Coach and Convenor of Selectors Mike Kernaghan said the pair have earned their back-to-back selection for this event through strong performances and a willingness to continually improve.
“Briar and Camron are exciting young talents who have shown great promise through their performances and commitment to development. Competing at the World Junior Championships after their success in 2025 will again provide them with an excellent opportunity to gain valuable international experience and represent New Zealand with pride.”
Mike Kernaghan – Head Coach
Good luck to Briar and Camron.
Taranaki take on Waikato on the 5th and 6th of September for the Ron Buchan plate. Congratulations to the following players selected.
Taranaki Men at Waikato – Frankton Junction
Seniors:
Cam Horo, Daryl Read, Adam Collins, Jason Peters, Kelly Hill, Nigel Berry, Nathan Goodin, Steve Temperton,
Manager: Kevan Sellers
Selector: John Gray
Junior:
Ross Sinclair, Shae Fleming, Ian Dawson, Jimmy Quay, Chris Ropitini, Cody Hall, Craig Murray, Joel Chard, Trevor Taunt, Paul Spurdle, Steve Fevre, Craig O’Sullivan
Manager: Kevin Gledhill
Unavailable/rested: Bruce Colgan, Darren Goodin, Craig De Faria, Kurt Smith, Blair Clarke, Gavin Benton, Simon Rowe
Taranaki Women versus Waikato – Paritutu
Seniors:
Kristin Stampa, Tina Atkinson-Watt, Monique Bastin, Shona Lawn, Alethea Rowlands, Cindy Gray, Irene Taunt, Rita Davey, Trish Howard, Gale Fache
Manager: Cathy Andrews
Selector: Chris Commane
Junior:
Jill Forbes, Theresa Needham, Ashleigh Megaw, Linda Kape, Mihi Hona, Angela DeBique, Sheryle Taylor, Colleen Hodges, Alesha Quay, Shelley Clark, Lois Debique
Manager: Denise Heaven/Cathy Andrews
Unavailable/rested: Bridget Fletcher, Susan Cottam, Jasmine Merrick, Briar Atkinson
Full results from the Women’s fixture will be available on our website. Results for the Men’s fixture will be available through BowlsHub from Bowls Waikato.
Women’s results (from Taranaki): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xbDdbK9-vU03wycMy5bc3csoX8Lf8xNoXQomDzXfu9A/edit?gid=361516322#gid=361516322
Men’s results (from Waikato): https://results.bowlshub.co.nz/club-group/01df90e7-e383-4351-99c3-734dfaba1d58#events
Taranaki v Waikato 2026-27 Conditions of Play
Good luck to all those involved.
Taranaki needed differential to edge out Whanganui in a senior representative bowls fixture at Paritutu’s indoor complex when the pre-season encounter concluded on Sunday.
Both provinces won six games each, with three matches drawn.
That seemed an unlikely outcome after Saturday’s three rounds. Taranaki won five of those nine encounters, with two drawn. But the visitors did well to turn things around to level the ledger in Sunday’s two rounds.
In the development section, where Taranaki lent one different bowler to the visitors each round after they turned up with only eight as opposed to nine players, the hosts were dominant. Taranaki won 12 games from 15, even though selector Chris Commane used 16 players in that section, with nine of them winning all their matches, albeit none of them contested all five rounds.
Mihi Hona, Theresa Needham and Lois Debique all won four-from-four, while Michelle Warren, Shelly Clark, Colleen Hodges and Angela Debique won thrice from as many attempts.
In the seniors, veteran Kristin Stampa, who is returning to the representative scene this season after concluding a stint on the Taranaki Board, proved that she remains a top-notch competitor. Stampa won four games and was only denied a fifth win in the final round, when her and Susan Cottam were held to a 16-all draw by arguably the best combination that Whanganui could provide, Dianne Patterson and Reen Belliss. Patterson, who won the Taranaki Open fours-pairs event in January, won two and drew three during the weekend.
Gale Fache, another returning, won four out of five, as did Cindy Gray, who has established herself at this level, following up some impressive performances from last season. Face and Gray’s only defeat was in the last round, when the last delivery from Whanganui skipper, Gwen Stuart, removed Irene Taunt’s stunning shot to take the game.
Taranaki’s next representative fixture is against Waikato on September 5-6, with the men travelling to Hamilton and the women playing at Paritutu once more.
Results of the Taranaki-Whanganui representative bowls fixture held at Paritutu on August 15-16 (Taranaki names first):
Senior women, round 1: T Atkinson-Watt, S Lawn 11 A Richdale, D Patterson 18; AJ Rowlands, S Cottam, G Fache 20 T Lawson, R Irwin, R Belliss 13; M Bastin, R Davey, C Gray, K Stampa 14 T Taylor-Pope, G Stuart, J Johnson, D Wildermoth 8. Round 2: J Merrick, K Stampa 23 J Johnson, R Belliss 14; T Atkinson-Watt, S Cottam, I Taunt 17 G Stuart, T Taylor-Pope, D Patterson 17; AJ Rowlands, R Davey, C Gray, G Fache 13 T Lawson, A Richdale, R Irwin, D Wildermoth 9. Round 3: M Bastin, K Stampa 17 T Taylor-Pope, D Patterson 17; R Davey, J Merrick, S Lawn 11 A Richdale, R Irwin, D Wildermoth 21; S Cottam, C Gray, I Taunt, G Fache 23 T Lawson, J Johnson, G Stuart, R Belliss 6. Round 4: J Merrick, K Stampa 23 A Richdale, D Wildermoth 13; M Bastin, T Atkinson-Watt, S Lawn 12 G Stuart, R Irwin, D Patterson 18; AJ Rowlands, C Gray, I Taunt, G Fache 10 T Lawson, T Taylor-Pope, J Johnson, R Belliss 18. Round 5: S Cottam, K Stampa 16 D Patterson, R Belliss 16; R Davey, T Atkinson-Watt, J Merrick 11 T Taylor-Pope, J Johnson, D Wildermoth 19; AJ Rowlands, C Gray, I Taunt, G Fache 12 A Richdale, T Lawson, R Irwin, G Stuart 13. Final points: Taranaki 15 +13, Whanganui 15 -13.
Development women, round 1: A Murray, M Hona 33 A Webb, K Jaggard 5; M Warren, S Clark, T Needham 16 J Forbes*, E Everitt, R Snowden 15; C Hodges, D Chapman, S Taylor, I Taunt 14 K Peeti, M Adams, M Bishop, N Maraku 10. Round 2: L Debique, M Hona 32 A Webb, M Bishop 9; C Hodges, A Debique, T Needham 24 A Murray*, N Maraku, K Jaggard 11; M McEwen-Shepherd, J Forbes, A Quay, L Kape 9 E Everitt, M Adams, K Peeto, R Snowden 15. Round 3: M McEwen-Shepherd, A Megaw 8 L Debique, M Bishop* 21; M Warren, S Clark, A Debique 17 A Webb, N Maraku, K Jaggard 16; A Murray, D Chapman, S Taylor, L Kape 26 E Everitt, M Adams, K Peeti, R Snowden 9. Round 4: L Debique, M Hona 25 N Maraku, K Jaggard 13; C Hodges, A Megaw, T Needham 15 E Everitt, M Bishop, R Snowden 11; S Taylor, J Forbes, A Quay, L Kape 6 A Webb, M Warren*, M Bishop, K Jaggard 18. Round 5: A Megaw, M Hona 22 N Maraku, K Jaggard 11; S Clark, A Debique, A Quay 22 E Everitt, M Bishop, R Snowden 8; L Debique, J Forbes, T Needham, L Kape 26 A Webb, M McEwen-Shepherd*, M Bishop, K Jaggard 8. Final points: Taranaki 24 Whanganui 6.
Bowls Taranaki is launching an exciting new youth‑focused tournament — the Vic Blance Challenge — designed to grow the game and inspire the next generation of bowlers.
Bowls Taranaki is proud to announce the inaugural Vic Blance Challenge, a fresh and energetic tournament created to promote lawn bowls to new and emerging players aged 21 years or younger. This event celebrates accessibility, youth development, and the welcoming spirit of our bowls community.
The Vic Blance Challenge invites Men’s, Women’s, or Mixed teams of three, playing 2‑bowl triples, with one requirement:
- At least one player must be 21 years old or younger on the day.
This format encourages clubs, families, and friends to team up and support young bowlers as they develop their skills in a fun, competitive, and inclusive environment. The event is open to all — brand‑new players and existing members alike.
Entries are through the Centre Office or via the website: https://taranakibowls.co.nz/vic-blance-challenge/
📅 Event Details
- Date: Sunday 27th September 2026
- Time: 1.00pm start (expected finish 4.00–4.30pm)
- Venue: Indoor Stadium, Paritutu Bowling Club, 445 St Aubyn Street, New Plymouth
- Entry Fee: $5 per person
- Extras: BBQ food included, cash prizes
- Equipment: Bowls provided
- Footwear: Flat‑soled shoes required
- Contact Person: Kevin Gledhill – 0272620239
All proceeds from the Vic Blance Challenge will directly support youth bowls programmes across Taranaki, helping us grow participation, strengthen pathways, and nurture the next generation of provincial representatives.
The Vic Blance Challenge honours the legacy of Vic Blance by championing the future of our sport: young people discovering bowls, learning the game, and becoming part of our community.
The Coaches Association are putting on some free coaching on the 29th August from 10am-12pm at Paritutu indoor stadium for all 1-5 year bowlers and also new bowlers. They will be covering Laws and Etiquette on the green also skills and the basics of bowling. Will finish off with a game
If interested, please confirm to Janice 0274490734 or Rhonda 0273494448 by 24th August if attending.
