Double success seems to be the flavour of the season—and Mt Albert Bowling Club wasn’t about to miss out. Over the weekend, the club delivered a commanding performance to claim both the men’s and women’s titles at the 2025 Shade Systems Champion of Champions Triples.
Their dual triumph is a powerful testament to Mt Albert’s depth, cohesion, and hunger for silverware success, rounding out a thrilling tournament packed with big names, tight battles, and brilliant bowls.
Mt Albert men conquer a stacked field
Zoran Bartulovich led his side with cool-headed precision through a talent-rich draw. After opening their campaign with a dominant 22–9 win over Pringle Park, the Mt Albert trio dug deep to edge past tough Bridge Park and Balmoral combinations in hard-fought encounters.
Their semi-final clash was arguably the most commanding performance of the tournament — dismantling host club New Lynn 21–6 in a ruthless victory.
Coming through the other side of the draw was none other than Jamie Hill—donning Grey Lynn colours (yes, we double-checked his shirt too). Hill steered his side past Royal Oak’s Mike Galloway in a nail-biting 17–16 semi-final. The final was a classic on paper, but on the green, Mt Albert proved too sharp, controlling the tempo and capitalising on every opportunity to secure the COC Triples trophy in style.
Meanwhile, pre-tournament favourites Te Atatū saw their “three-peat” dreams dashed. Adam Blucher’s side impressed early with a resounding first-round win over Onehunga & Districts, but their campaign was derailed in the round of 16 by an in-form East Tamaki trio.
1–5 Women steal the spotlight
In the women’s event, Mt Albert’s next generation shone brightest. The 1–5 Year representative trio of Marisa Posa, Eva Bell and Jhanna Savov turned heads as they powered their way to the title.
After commanding wins over Rocky Nook and Epsom, they held their nerve in a tense semi-final against Ōtāhuhu, clinching a dramatic 21–20 win on the final end.
The final saw them face a formidable Auckland Bowling Club side featuring the in-form Lisa Prideaux, Aggie Motu and Kimberley Heminway. While the ABC side uncharacteristically struggled to find their rhythm, Mt Albert seized their moment — playing with maturity beyond their years to claim the title. It marked a first centre title for the mother–daughter combo of Posa and Bell, and a second for Savov, adding to her COC Singles title from two seasons ago.
The result capped a stellar season for Mt Albert’s women, with success spanning club, interclub, and representative levels.
A weekend that delivered
With games hosted across Remuera and New Lynn, the 2025 Shade Systems Champ of Champs Triples lived up to its billing. Sunday’s finals drew an enthusiastic crowd to New Lynn, where spectators were treated to high-stakes head-to-head clashes and high-quality bowls across both divisions.
Securing both titles is no small feat, and Mt Albert’s success speaks volumes about the club’s culture, investment in player development, and strategic direction. From a club having no women members just a few years ago, to now fielding a strong 1-5 membership in Auckland—it’s a positive story of growth, ambition, and execution.
As the season nears its conclusion, just two events and three titles remain: the men’s and women’s fours this coming weekend, and the mixed pairs after Matariki. With momentum building, the question is—who will rise to the occasion and finish the 2024-2025 season on a high?
👉View the full results here
