Paritutu is back on top in Taranaki men’s interclub bowls.
It won the first division title at West End on Sunday in commanding fashion, claiming its seventh title in nine years in the TCB Dentures-sponsored event.
Paritutu powered away with eight wins and one draw – and that was well after the final result had been determined – from nine games. That carried Paritutu to 17 points, well clear of West End (10), Tower (4) and Inglewood (3).
Singles player Darren Goodin returned three-straight wins, although he had to go into overtime to edge Dean Elgar 21-18 in the opening round, after earlier leading 15-3.
John and Aidan Zittersteijn produced a profitable performance in the pairs, the father-and-son duo recording three convincing wins. Hamish Kape’s four of Don Christensen, Allan Batley and Adam Collins won their opening two games before settling for a draw in the last round.
Kape produced a brilliant shot late in the second game, trailing the jack for a seven, as his team came from behind to beat Steve Walker (West End) 21-17.
In the second division, an unbeaten opening two rounds was enough to see the Waitara side of Kevin Waters, Bill Rona, Kevin Kenny, Jeff Jane, Cliff Rona, Jimmy Haupapa, Grant McAuley and Trevor Zimmerman take out the title. Waitara finished with 12 points ahead of Paritutu (10), West End (9) and Manaia (3).
In the third division, Paritutu won with 25 points, with Tower, Lepperton and Waitara finishing second-equal on 22. The winning Paritutu team was Martin Jordan, Peter Vynk, Alex Riddock, Eddie Betts, Bill Mitchell, Steve Taylor, Trevor Johns and Trevor Keightley.
Meanwhile, in a dramatic conclusion, Opunake became the inaugural winners of the Bayleys Real Estate-sponsored junior interclub when it beat Lepperton 18-17 on an extra end in the final.
The Opunake side comprised Daryl MacKenzie, Julie Hemahema, Kewene Ratahi and Levi Davis, while the Lepperton team was Shelley Baldwin, Neil Sole, Fred Quilter and Tina Quilter.
As a result of the victory, Opunake became the first holders of the John Murtagh Trophy, named in recognition of the glorious contribution Murtagh has made to the sport as a New Zealand champion and representative and as a coach extraordinaire.
In a poignant moment, Davis, who has received tuition from Murtagh as a member of the Vic Balance development programme, calmly drew a toucher on the extra end to secure the title.