16 Aug 2026 – It was a perfect weekend for Peter de Boer and his teammates Sean Becker, Kenny Thomson and Phil Dowling at the NZ Senior Championships. They had an unbeaten run through the round robin to win the Men's title, and along the way scored a rare 8-point end.

Their 8-ender came in the midday draw on Saturday. When Peter de Boer lined up his final stone in the fourth end he saw seven of his own yellow stones already in the house, and a lone red partly guarded just behind the tee-line. A perfectly judged and swept gentle takeout popped the red back, and it just grazed one of his own at the backline on its way out of the house. See the shot here.

The low turnout of three men's teams did not diminish the competitive edge to the competition. Teams Peter Becker and Matt Whineray had a win and a loss against each other in the double round robin to set up a playoff for silver on Sunday afternoon. Team Becker took the honours, scoring one in an extra end to win 6-5.

The sole team to enter the Senior Women's event – Jo Olszewski, Sandra Thomas, Merran Anderson, Liz Matthews, Pauline Farra – won the title uncontested.

The winning teams now have the first right to represent NZ at the 2027 World Senior Championships. The timing and venue for this event are to be confirmed.
 

• Full results

Final Standings

Men

1. Peter de Boer, Sean Becker, Kenny Thomson, Phil Dowling
2. Peter Becker, Richard Morgan, Nelson Ede, Murray Pitts, Davey Greer, John Sanders (coach)
3. Matt Whineray, Steve McCrone, Ken Clasper, Rhys Greensill

Women

1. Jo Olszewski, Sandra Thomas, Merran Anderson, Liz Matthews, Pauline Farra

Winners, from left Peter de Boer, Sean Becker, Kenny Thomson, Phil Dowling

Runners-up Pete Becker, Dick Morgan, Nelson Ede, Dave Greer, Murray Pitts