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: