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