Play in the Midlands Funds Management Taranaki Men’s Open Fours and New Plymouth Club Open Fours Pairs continues on Saturday.
Fours – 9.00am Start at Paritutu – Draw
Pairs – 8.45am Start at Vogeltown – Draw
Lawn Bowls
Friday, Jan 19 2024
Grant Hassall
Bowls can be a great game and a cruel game. Just ask Tauranga’s Dan Dickison.
The accomplished player experienced the best of the Midlands Funds Management Taranaki men’s Open fours when he won the event in 2021.
But yesterday his more than useful team felt the despair of defeat when they missed qualification by the narrowest of margins. They entered the day with four wins and a one -point loss. In their first attempt to gain win No 5, Dickison led fellow four-winner Gerry O’Sullivan (Inglewood) 23-20 playing the last end.
But the Inglewood boys plonked them around the jack to snatch a four and a one point win.
In the afternoon, playing another four-winner, Colin Boyle (Carlton Cornwall), Dickison’s side went to an extra end.
There Boyle rolled up one of his own team’s bowls to take the match 19-18. There was plenty of heartbreak elsewhere, too, with just 52 team qualifying.
Rewa’s Dave McNeal needed his last match to also qualify. Playing Barrie Johnstone (Katikati), who had lost the lot until then, McNeal’s team toiled valiantly.
But Johnstone had one of those games where whatever he did, he got a result, denying McNeal 19-17.
Pt Chevalier’s John Petelo, needing his last game, surged ahead 23-17 after 20 ends against Takapuna’s Simon Poppleton.
But Poppleton, despite losing his qualifying chances in the morning, battled on, forcing and then winning the extra end to eliminate Petelo.
The 2005 champion, Ray Park (Wanganui), won twice to advance. He looked safe leading Gavin Crow (Vogeltown) 23-9 after 17 ends.
Crow then produced eight unanswered points, before a four sealed Park’s 27-17 victory. Dan Delany (Royal Oak) needed the full quota of rounds to qualify, after his side was belted 22-6 by Phill Chisholm (Mairangi Bay) in the morning.
That forced Delany into a must-win seventh round against six-winner Peter Nixon (Sunshine Coast).
Delany appeared to be cruising after 16 ends, with a 19-7 lead. But then Nixon commenced his run, levelling the scores and forcing an extra end.
But Delany took a two to qualify 22-20. After only one win from the first two days, Mike Oldfield (Tauranga South) completed the transformation, winning the next four to qualify.
The last effort was a good one, 21-14 over Graeme Fulford (Havelock North).
Maurice Symes (Fitzroy) had a similar story, winning five in succession after he lost the opening two games.
The 77-year-old former New Zealand rep remains a determined competitor. Section three became the group of death, with just two teams surviving — Mike Reddy (Kaitaia) and Anton Ferrari (Naenae).
In the morning’s feature game, Reddy took the safest path by beating Ferrari 26-21.
Heading into the last round, five teams sat on four wins.
Only Ferrari managed to win, beating fellow four-winner Bob Shorter (Darfield) 25-20.
Eric Foreman (Fitzroy) and David Ball (Carlton Cornwall) both fell one point short and Steve Cottam (Paritutu) was just four shots adrift of Reddy at the end.
Even though the qualification criteria this year was reduced by one game, due to Monday’s rain, the elation and frustration remain just as pronounced.
Draws for Friday Play in the Midlands Funds Management Taranaki Men’s Open Fours
Men’s Open Fours Post Section Draw All teams start at 9.00am
Men’s Open Fours Pairs Draw All pairs start at 8.45am
Good luck to everyone involved.
Wednesday, Jan 17 2024 – Grant Hassall
Grant Hassall
While there was uniform delight at the clear skies the appeared so impressively on the second’s play in the 119th Midlands Funds Management Taranaki men’s Open fours yesterday, by early afternoon there were many wishing the overcast conditions from Monday would return.
The heat certainly took its toll and those not keeping up with the liquid intake found concentration much more difficult.
As expected, there was a wide cross section of results, with many guns surging ahead and others faltering.
Overnight the analysis is that of the 166 teams taking part, 29 have won the lot so far, 52 sides sit on two wins and 58 quartets have had just one victory. That means that 27 teams are dreaming about the pairs or next season.
Two of the more prominent skips in the latter category are Peter Dorreen (Far North RSA) and Garry Petersen (Wanganui East). Both are successful gold star recipients in their home centres and have featured in past Opens. But such is the nature of the game and the event.
Among the visitors to enjoy the heat and the well-running Paritutu front green yesterday afternoon was Mt Albert’s Steve Ramsay.
Ramsay’s team, after a win on Monday, was not in the hunt in the morning’s round, being thumped 30-8 by Birkenhead’s Nigel Drew.
The Aucklanders were therefore looking down the barrel in the afternoon with a clash against Stokes Valley’s Caleb Hope. But Ramsay and co righted the ship to score an impressive and important 22-16 victory. Drew, following Monday’s narrower victory over Hawera Park’s Mark Dudley, made it two impressive wins for the day by later beating two-winner Robin Pierce (Katikati) 29-10.
Drew presents a well-balanced side with specialist front men Mark Rumble and Brian Wilson joined by rising prospect Daymon Pierson.
Hope’s side includes Robbie Bird, who in his relatively short time in the game has already tasted success in the 2021 NZ champion-of-champions singles and twice in the NZ intercentre.
They finished the day on two wins.
After a near perfect performance on Monday, win No 2 came 25-22 over Dudley in the morning, after the boys from the capital had led by one shot at the commencement of the 25th end.
Courtesy of the Taranaki Daily News by Glenn Mclean- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350148388/former-taranaki-rugby-rep-rolling-taranaki-open-fours
Former Taranaki rugby rep Darryl Fale, who now lives in Papamoa, is making his debut at the Taranaki Open Fours bowls tournament.
VANESSA LAURIE / VANESSA LAURIE
It might be more than two decades since he donned the amber and black rugby jersey, but former Taranaki and Hurricanes loose forward Darryl Fale still cuts a recognisable figure on the sports field.
Fale has found his way back to his old province for this week’s Taranaki Open Fours bowls tournament where he’s making his maiden appearance.
Now living in Papamoa, where he works as b usiness development manager for Fidelity Life Assurance, Fale is representing the Mt Maunganui club in a team skipped by Bruce Currie.
Fale, who played the last of his 48 matches for Taranaki in 2000, is in just his second season of playing bowls.
“I’ve played in three or four tournaments for the club, but not a lot, really,” he said.
His attraction to bowls was simple.
“I hate golf,” he said. “So I had to play bowls, because the wife wanted me out of the house.”
Fale does not have to look too far for advice about the week, with his father, Glen, also playing in the tournament.
Things started well for Fale junior’s team on the opening day with a comfortable 34-11 win over John Kearns’ side from Omarunui.
However, things got tougher under the blazing sun at the Vogeltown club on Tuesday morning, with Fale’s team going down narrowly, 23-22, to Laurie Guy’s Victoria side.
By the end of play on Tuesday, three of the now-scheduled seven section play matches were due to be completed.
Shade was at a premium on the second day of the Taranaki Open Fours bowls tournament.
VANESSA LAURIE / VANESSA LAURIE
After two rounds, a number of sides had made the perfect start.
These included big names like Gary Lawson (Elmwood Park) and Blake Signal (Stokes Valley).
Signal only just won through in the morning, edging Maurice Symes (Fitzroy) 22-21.
Peter Belliss (Aramoho) was also unbeaten. His side narrowly sneaked past Paul Darbyshire (West End) 21-18.
Another cliffhanger, between two of the favoured local teams, saw Craig De Faria (West End) get the nod 27-25 over Scott Roberts (Tower).
Courtesy of Taranaki Daily News – https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350148388/former-taranaki-rugby-rep-rolling-taranaki-open-fours
Grant Hassall
On Monday the 119th Midlands Funds Management Taranaki men’s Open fours competition rolls underway.
Based in New Plymouth, but using the surrounding towns of Oakura, Waitara, Lepperton and Inglewood, the event is the most popular on the New Zealand bowling calendar.
All teams are guaranteed four days of bowls in the Midlands Funds Management-sponsored event. That incorporates eight games, with those winning six or more qualifying for the post section rounds, which start on Friday. The final is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
A number of leading bowlers from around New Zealand, plus eight teams from Australia, are included in the field.
Attaining six wins from the eight qualifying games is tough going, especially if teams are tripped up early in the piece. There will be plenty of anxious moments over the coming days, mixed in with plenty of social thrills and sectional delights — such as when a leading side is challenged, or perhaps even beaten. Here’s a taste of just some of the talent that lines up.
Section 1: A number of teams should feel confident, or at least hopeful, of advancing through the section. The sides appear evenly matched, with Evan Thomas (Birkenhead) and Ross Thorn (Naenae), the most likely. Bob Sanders, who made his name in South Otago but now plays for Dunedin’s Wakari, skips a useful team, while Darren Scott (West End), with Taranaki rep Bruce Colgan in tow, should both give a good account of themselves.
Section 2: Nigel Drew (Birkenhead), a semifinalist in 2019, skips a strong Harbour side, which has the ability to feature in the later rounds. So, too, does Caleb Hope (Stokes Valley), who was part of Gary Lawson’s 2020 Dominion fours winning team. Whangamata’s Mark Pene skips a side which contains Wayne Head and Adrian McGaughey, last season’s Thames Valley pairs winners. Steve Ramsay (Mt Albert) and Colin Christie (Fitzroy), qualifiers 12 months ago, again rate a chance of gaining the necessary six wins.
Section 3: Regular visitors Kevin Coombe (Aramoho) and Anton Ferrari (Naenae), who gave eventual champion Hamish Kape a torrid time in the last 16 last year before bowing, head the group. Mike Reddy (Kaitaia), ousted only on an extra end last season in post section, also returns, with his No 3 Sam Allison in good form, following an excellent run at the Dominion. Also keep an eye on Nelson rep Graeme Crawford (Pohara) and Gavin McLeod (Tawa).
Section 4: Peter Belliss (Aramoho) will be endeavouring to erase memories of a very frustrating semifinal loss in in 2023. His side includes this time Lance Tasker, a winner in 2021. 2002 Dominion pairs champion Brendon Gibson QSM (Johnsonville), who competed for a first time last year, presents a strong side, which includes Phil Todd, twice a runner-up. The Deegan brothers, Kevin, an impressive performer in Tropical Far North Queensland, and Paddy, of Opunake, are in the section. While Danny Goodall’ Coromanandel side contains Tony Jensen. It will be interesting to see if the thunderous drive that Jensen used to assist him in attaining a Manawatu gold star is still in his armoury.
Section 5: Two members of last year’s winning side, Aidan Zittersteijn and Daryl Read, are back for another crack. But Hamish Kape and Kaylin Huwyler, having spent the past fortnight in Christchurch, are not taking part this time. Zittersteijn will skip the team, with two capable players coming in – National Para squad member Kurt Smith and 2022 national club fours winner Adam Collins. Zittersteijn will clash in the fourth round with four-time champion Dan Delany (Royal Oak). His team, once again contains Teo Turua, who gave an excellent account at the 2023 world championships for the Cook Islands, a side that of course also included Zittersteijn. Gerard Slattery (Tui Park), with north of 30 Thames Valley titles and a few in Waikato, remains competitive, while Barney Bowden (Parklands, Christchurch) knows how to navigate section play.
Section 6: Gary Lawson (Elmwood Park), the 2011 winner, will be the early favourite. He presents a strong side. But as Lawson discovered during his last visit to the Open in 2022, it is a long week and the tide will undoubtedly turn in some pressure-cooker games. Kevin Smith (Hinuera), now with over 40 years experience in the game, is likely to provide Lawson’s sternest test in section play. That match is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at West End. Northern visitors Garry Banks (Takapuna) and Andy Ellis (Pringle Park) are in the group, as is Grant Pease (Fitzroy), who was part of the 2003 winning side. His team contains former All Black Bryce Robins.
Section 7: A host of evenly-matched visiting teams will dispute qualification. Simon Poppleton (Takapuna) is better known for his indoor bowls exploits but is in good touch having won the North Harbour pairs earlier in the season. The 2005 champion Ray Park (Wanganui), after an absence last year, returns to the fold. And so it continues – John Petelo (Pt Chevalier), Waikato open singles winner Stephen Liddington (Hillcrest) Phil Morgan (Te Puke) and regular qualifier Terry Osment, playing under the Johnsonville banner. Expect plenty of topsy-turvy results.
Section 8: Taranaki selector John Garrud (West End) will face an interesting opening clash this morning on his home green. The match will be played on approximately the same spot that his opponent, Graeme Fulford (Havelock North), tasted victory as a member of John Granger’s quartet in the 2002 final. Garrud will also tangle with Naki Nehemia (Johnsonville) during the week while Fulford faces a further tough assignment on day one – against Cary Pinker (Wanganui East).
Section 9: A number of competitive sides will clash with each other during the week, meaning teams that are usual qualifiers may not advance through. Early wins will be imperative. Dan Dickson (Tauranga) – who can forget that dominating finals performance in 2021? – commences with a game against an excellent draw player, Garry Petersen (Wanganui East), and then tangles with Trevor Harris (Hillcrest). Wednesday will be another tough day for Dickison with matches against Garry Muriwai (Martinborough) and Gerry O’Sullivan (Inglewood). And that is without mentioning Peter Dorreen (Far North RSA).
Section 10: The big game on the opening morning will be on the front green at headquarters where Auckland gold start holder Mike Bradshaw (Onehunga & Districts) meets the 2015 winner Darren Goodin (Paritutu). On Thursday both teams will meet dual winner Mark Anderson (Tower). The Hawken family team has a late change with Bruce Phillips coming in for Geoff Hawken, who has not made the trip over from Australia this time.
Section 11: Raymond Martin (Victoria), who represented NZ in 2023, brings with him an imposing side that includes 2016 world fours winner Blake Signal. They appear the strongest team in the group. But they are certain to get a good work out in some of their games. They meet the competitive Phil Taylor (Bridge Park) and the 1989 winner Maurice Symes (Fitzroy) on day one and during the week will also encounter Scotty McGavin (Bulls) and Paul Howell, whose Paritutu team contains two members that contested last year’s final.
Section 12: Craig De Faria (West End) has been a dominant force in recent Opens – the winner in 2019 and 2022, runner-up in 2020 and third-equal in 2023. It would be a major surprise if he doesn’t qualify, as the case was in 2021. But he does strike plenty of talent in section play: Warwick Frederikson (Blockhouse Bay) and Scott Roberts (Tower) – both on day one – as well as Putaruru’s famed Sutton family, Gary Johnstone (Arrowtown) and the 2021 Dominion mixed pairs winner, Laurie Guy (Victoria).
Jacks to be rethrown: Organisers have reminded all participants that should a jack be improperly delivered then the opposing team must re-deliver the jack. If the jack has been improperly delivered by each side, then it will be placed on the 2m mark. The only exception to this rule will be during section play in the pairs on Friday. Because those games will be played under a time-limit, the jack will be placed by the opposing side if the original throw is improper.
New Plymouth Club meals: Sponsors of the pairs event, the New Plymouth Club in Gill Street, have corrected details in the tournament handbook. Meals are available every night during the tournament, except for tonight (Monday). As an alternative, the Marbles buffet at the Devon Hotel, comes highly recommended.
Shirts available for purchase: In response to demand over the years, a specific Taranaki Open fours shirt has been designed. It is available for purchase at: