It’s week two of a double-header centre event, with the Centre Pairs continuing this season’s upward trend in participation. Fresh off the tense and competitive battles of the Fours, the fast-paced pairs discipline is set to ignite the greens with action, quality, and no shortage of compelling storylines.
This year’s Men’s field showcases impressive depth, featuring standout combinations across multiple clubs. Auckland Bowling Club brings two dangerous pairings in Adam Haywood & Scott Cottrell, and Raika Gregory & Villi Fifita. Pt Chevalier counters with three strong duos: Alex Reed & Steven Campbell, Kevin Morris & Jean-Claude Fuller, and Brendon Walton, who temporarily trades the laptop for bowls shoes to team up with Shaun Goldsbury.
Carlton Cornwall again presents well-balanced threats through David Ball & Patrick Stanaway and the steady duo of Petar Sain & Gerard Hulst. Royal Oak’s strength continues with Martin Dixon & Gavin Brown, plus Mike Galloway & Steve Fisher, who will be eager to turn last week’s disappointment into a strong Pairs campaign.
Mt Albert rolls out two powerful combinations in Neven Grgicevich & Mark Posa and the experienced Tony Grantham & Zoran Bartulovich. Added depth comes from across the city: Chris Lowe & Peter Thorne (Mt Eden), John Vujnovich & Matt Berry (Pringle Park), Mike Bradshaw & Nicky Third (New Lynn), and Tony Garelja & Billy Fulton (Henderson). With talent spread so widely, the race for post-section will be tightly contested across every green.
The Women’s field is equally stacked with proven champions, rising combinations, and plenty of form. Royal Oak’s powerhouse duo Rima Strickland & Nicole Singer headline the draw as they chase a remarkable three-peat. The new Auckland BC pairing of Aggie Motu & Kimberley Hemingway also looms large, bringing established chemistry from last season’s shared success.
Doreen Jensen & Philly Akaruru enter in good touch after a Fours quarter-final run, while Balmoral’s Tessa & Linda Farley arrive with confidence following playing their way into the Fours final. St Heliers contributes two polished pairings in Catherine Bien & Angela Longney, and Jane Field & Paula Kempthorne, while Carlton Cornwall offers both experience and consistency through Estelle Hickey & Helen Blick, along with last year’s finalists Linda Ralph & Jo Cheng.
Royal Oak adds further intrigue with a fresh pairing in Janine Young & Jhanna Savov, while Pringle Park makes its Women’s centre event debut with former Blackjack Wendy Jensen teaming up with Jeni Hart. With so many in-form combinations, the Women’s Pairs promises another compelling chapter in the centre calendar.
Post-Section Summary
Post-section play will be hosted at Mt Eden (Men) and Carlton Cornwall (Women).
We wish all players and clubs the very best for the weekend ahead. Bowl well, play hard, and enjoy your time on the greens.