Women's Center Triples Held at Timaru Bowling Club 13th and 14th December. 

An outstanding final of bowls played, Kia Toa's Lead Julie Robins, 2nd Shirley Moffatt, and Skip Sharon Leonard against Timaru's Lead Judy Boyle, 2nd Eileen Rabbidge and Skip Lyn Wilkie. 

This game could have gone either way with Leonard's team off to a good start and by the 7th end Kia Toa were up 8-5. Then Timaru picked up five shots in the next three ends to take the lead. A determined Kia Toa took three shots to take back the lead and after that it was end for end for the lead.  Going into the last end it was 14-15 to Kia Toa. With a spread out head, it was which Skip could draw the first shot. Leonard stayed calm to draw giving Kia Toa the win 16-14. A great game to watch. 

In the semi final the Waimate Triples team of Melissa Thomson (lead), Rosina Beker (2nd), and Liz Law (skip)  played well over the weekend with new first year bowler Melissa leading very well. They were up against an experienced Leonard's Kia Toa team, going down 21-8.

There were some very close games over Saturday with four rounds being played in very warm conditions. 

It was so good to see some new faces this year with some clubs giving new bowlers a start in the Center Triples.  This weekend Waimate had two new bowlers playing in teams with Melissa Thomson impressing the Development selector. Melissa has played social bowls at Waimate for a couple of years and has joined as a new bowler. With there being a Saturday morning competition for her to play in this year, she has enjoyed interclub and enjoyed playing a Center event with Liz Law encouraging her every step of the way. Great to see .

And Temuka's Michelle Darby is one to watch. Michelle came along to increase the numbers at Temuka encouraged by her mum. Michelle had only bowled a couple of times before she started with family members and has jumped in boots and all playing both Robinson Trophy and Moore Shield Interclub, and now pushes mum into practicing four or five times a week.

It is increasingly important that clubs get these bowlers in this format and those clubs should be proud of the standard at which these players are playing.  More clubs are encouraged to do this.

And big thank you to the Timaru Bowling Club for hosting this event and a special thanks to Bridget Kitching for umpiring the weekend. 

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy bowling year to come.

 - Carolynn Darby