The 2026 1–5 Interclub delivered everything it promised and more; the challenging conditions couldn’t hold back the 1-5 players from battling it out on the green. With a spot at the Mercedes Cup on the line, teams brought grit, quality, determination and resilience from the opening round through to the final bowl.
Across section play we saw several of the previewed contenders live up to expectations. Mt Wellington impressed but were narrowly edged by eventual runners-up Blockhouse Bay, while Ōtāhuhu Railway went down to Pt Chevalier Pirates in section two. Royal Oak Orion, tagged as pre-event favourites, showed composure early to top their section.
With weather conditions moving play under cover at Royal Oak, the post-section matchups didn’t disappoint. Howick Hammerheads produced a standout performance to sweep Royal Oak Starship, before their run was halted by a determined Blockhouse Bay side, who had earlier accounted for a strong St Heliers team. Orion and Pt Chevalier Pirates progressed directly to the semi-finals, with Orion securing their finals berth with a 2–1 win.
The final saw Royal Oak Orion stamp their authority on the event. While the singles and pairs were tightly contested, Orion’s dominance in the triples (25–2) proved decisive, sealing a comprehensive 3–0 victory over Blockhouse Bay.
Featuring a full roster of performance squad members, the Orion side showcased both depth and class when it mattered most.
Royal Oak Orion’s winning team
Rebecca Brosnan, Steve Fisher, Lee Singer, Nicole Singer, Jhanna Savov & Peter McConnell.
Congratulations to Royal Oak Orion on their outstanding performance. They will now go on to represent Auckland at the Mercedes Cup on 2 May.
A big thank you to all host clubs, umpires, officials, and volunteers whose efforts ensured the event ran smoothly despite challenging conditions. The 1–5 Interclub continues to highlight the strength and future of the game across Auckland.