Sam Morton claims his 10thSouth Canterbury Title in guiding his Temuka team of Greg Valentine, Craig Dale, and Dave Wood to win the South Canter​​​​​​​bury Champion of Champions final against the Geraldine team, played at the Kia Toa Bowling Club on Sunday. They were up against Dan Rooney, Dave Curtis, Bruce Genever, and Michael Jones in the final. Curtis and Jones were both playing for their Gold Star which is five South Canterbury Titles.


Temuka raced away to a 6 to 1 lead with all team members contributing to the score. On the 5thend Rooney once again under pressure being 3 down, drew two beauties to close the gap 6 to 3. On the 6thend Dale drew a toucher and the Geraldine team tried to remove the bowl but failed and Temuka extended their lead 7 to 3. On the 7th end Valentine once again smothered the kitty with great shots, but Rooney played a sensational shot to sit on the kitty and close the gap 7 to 4. On the 9th end it was the end of the match with Butcher boy Jones drawing two great shots with Wood beside his two bowls. Valentine just missed with another two handy and Morton with his last bowl had a great run shot to remove both of Jones’ bowls to sit there for a one shot lead 8 to 5. The next end was a battle of the skips with Morton on fire drawing two great shots but Rooney with his last bowl nicked the kitty for one shot. The next end it was Genever’s turn to smother the kitty and Curtis added but an outstanding run shot by Morton removed all Geraldine’s bowls and sat there for 2 to lead 10 to 6. On the 12th end Dale held two shots and Wood one, but Rooney returned the favour and played a great run shot to remove all Morton's bowls to hold six shots. Morton playing his best bowls drew the shot and Rooney just missed with his last to lead 11 to 6. On the 13thend Jones once again held 2 shots, Rooney added another and Sam just missed to close the gap 11 to 9. On 14thend Wood held shot when the skips changed over with Morton's turn to smother the Kitty with two great draw shots to lead 14 to 9 with one to play. Geraldine tried to kill the end with the last few bowls but failed to give Temuka a sensational victory and a chance to represent South Canterbury in the National final. The Geraldine team played well but some big shots by skip Morton crushed their chances. It was a top display by all Temuka bowlers but special mention to the way Craig Dale played in winning his first South Canterbury title.


Results:

Quarter Final

Waimate - Adrian Robins, Nik Scriggins, Jason Rhodes, and Ron Law 14, Fairlie - Terry O'Conner, Mitchell Dunbar, Jeremy Stanley, and Stu Barwood 8

Temuka - Sam Morton, Greg Valentine, Craig Dale, and Dave Wood 16, Timaru - Warren Garrick, Graham Sangster, John Rankin, John Stamp 7

Geraldine - Dan Rooney, Dave Curtis, Bruce Genever, and Michael Jones 22, Pleasant Point - Daryl Fowler, Lex Gibson, Allan Cummins 3

Kia Toa - Alan Wilkinson, Leo Leonard, Tony Wilkinson, and Jim Kane 14, West End - Tom Taiaroa, Dave McNeill, Dave Carey, Malcolm Walker 8


Semi Final

Geraldine – 19, Kia Toa - 15

Temuka – 19, Waimate 6

Final

Temuka – 17, Geraldine – 9


- Richie Kerr

Sunday March 3rd saw the Champion of Champion Fours played at the Kia Toa green.

Rd 1:  Sharon Leonard, Jill Bennett, Julie McAulay, and Janice Williams (Kia Toa) played Eileen Rabbidge, Lyn Wilkie, Wendy Smith, and Judy Boyle (Timaru).  These teams played 15 ends. Both teams were 5 all after 4 ends, Kia Toa scored 2 (7) while Timaru scored 6 shots, to be ahead at 11-7. Kia Toa scored 6 shots to reach 13 and Timaru did not score again to lose 11-13.  Cathy Richards, Pat Parker, Karen Manning, and Sharon Hammond (Temuka) played Bridget Kitching, Rana Crabtree, Fiona Davies, and Glenis McDonald (West End).  Both scored 3 shots each 3 all, Cathy scored 3, Bridget scored 5 shots, and 2 shots for Cathy to make it 8 all. Bridget scored 4 shots to give West End, 12 shots, while Cathy scored 6 shots to beat Bridget 14-12.  Waimate and Geraldine had the bye.

Rd 2:  Waimate’s team of Rosina Beker, Lyn Chave, Maria Griffin, and Natalie Campbell played Geraldine’s Barbara Tiffen, Linda Gallagher, Sandra Sutton, and Shelly McGrath. After 7 ends in this game, it was 6 -4 to Barbara. Barbara scored another single shot (7), while Rosina scored 7 shots, (11), Barbara scored 2 have 9 shots, while Rosina scored 4 shots to win 13-9. Kia Toa (Sharon Leonard) played Temuka (Cathy Richards), and after 4 ends Sharon had scored 2 shots, a 5, and a single to be 8 to Cathy’s 2 shots. Cathy scored 2 singles to have 4 shots, while Sharon scored 5 shots to lead 14-4, Cathy scored 1, Sharon scored 3 shots and Cathy scored 1 more, and Sharon’s team was too good for Cathy’s team, winning 17-6.

The final was between Rosina’s (Waimate) team and Sharon’s (Kia Toa) team and was pretty even most of the way. Rosina started with 3 singles and on the next end Sharon scored a 4, Rosina scored 2, Sharon scored 3, 7-5 to Sharon, Rosina scored a single, Sharon scored 2, Rosina scored 3, Sharon scored 1 to be 10-9 up. Rosina scored 2 shots, Sharon scored 1 to be 11 all after 13 of the 15 ends to play. Rosina scored a single to be 12-11 up, on the last end Rosina’s 3rd, Lyn Chave drew 2 lovely shots, and Rosina put in another shot to go to 15, Sharon had a yard on shot to move the shots but just missed on 2 occasions.

A great game for a final, which gives Waimate the Pairs and Fours Women’s Champion of Champions titles.

Kia Toa was thanked for hosting and thanks went to the greenkeeper and Umpire.

- Raewyn Crowe