![]() From the outset, winners have earned a full national title and a point towards a potential Gold Star, but Gary Lawson and others have championed the argument that ‘pathways’ titles should not be recognised equally with the traditional tournament ones. Long gone are the halcyon days when money was poured liberally into the sport by a certain cigarette company, whose representatives would even dispense their product cost- free around the greens during top competition! The status of the ultimate champions is also under debate. ![]() It’s not quite that simple though, with endless debate about the costs of this system and consequently the best dates and venues to use from an economical point of view. The ‘pathways’ concept was designed to give all players the chance to play their way to a national title without the expense of attending the traditional Nationals held in the post-Christmas period. It’s also acknowledged that the region in which Manawatu competes is not one of New Zealand’s strongest, meaning that most of their opponents will have battled through a potentially tougher field to earn their place. The Heretaunga complex in Hastings the only one that is not located far from the Manawatu. Firstly, our ‘pathways’ players will face major hurdles to surmount in their pursuit of national glory because match play on artificial indoor surfaces is not available locally. While congratulating our successful players, several background aspects of the competition are points of discussion. Further aspirants for Dunedin will hopefully emerge as the week progresses. A journey to the deep South awaits Pat Horgan’s Palmerston North Men’s Four who will try for a National Club title at the Dunedin indoor complex in June. The top Men’s Interclub side from Northern and the ‘B Grade’ Women’s team from the same club both earned a spot in the National Interclub finals weekend to be held in Palmerston North later this month. At time of writing, Manawatu has already had significant success. The Bowls Napier greens are the scene this week of six consecutive days of regional eliminations under the ‘pathways’ concept. National Club Championship Singles – 2014 They lost that game 20-6 and Browns Bay continued to go on and win all of their remaining games to be crowned champs. They might consider their draw unlucky as after having a bye in the first round, their first competitive match was against Browns Bay (Neil Fisher, John Walker, Colin Rogan and Brian Wilson). In the Men’s Palmerston North finished with 1 win. Had to give and eventually Bruce edged in front to win the game 25-23.” The lead would swing back and forth as the spectators watched in awe of both the bowers. 19 year old NZ Development Representative Bruce was up against a -time national title holder and 84 year old Bev Budd – Terrace End who was gunning for a Bowls NZ Silver Star. “Only one round needed to be played on the final day after two superb games in the fourth round gave Burnside’s Tayla Bruce the national title. Results have come through from Bowls NZ for the National Club Champs held in Dunedin.īest performed was Bev Budd who came a close second to NZ Rep Tayla Bruce.
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