The Shade Systems Champion of Champions Fours arrive this weekend, bringing together club champion quartets from across Auckland for another major title on the centre calendar.

In the women’s draw, defending champions Aggie Motu, Jessie Macaw and Kimberley Hemingway return, this time with Jo Cheng stepping into the lead role. Their title defence begins against a very capable Onehunga and Districts side skipped by Jaime Delany, a match-up that should provide an early test for the reigning champions.

Another opening-round clash worth watching is Howick’s Hannah Dawson up against Robyn Reihana’s Te Atatū side. Howick brings a strong blend of experience and 1-5 enthusiasm, with Dawson skipping the side, Lana Dowdell and Les Eagleton offering experience through the middle, and Dana Taylor taking the lead role. Reihana is joined by Marion Hakaria, Mackensie Blucher and Heather Stewart, a para-bowler, who, while still relatively new to the sport, is already proving very capable.

Last week’s CoC Singles winner, Lesley McLinden, returns. This week in Bridge Park colours, hoping to make another statement and another shot at national honours.

In the men’s draw, the bottom half, played at Royal Oak on Saturday, features several serious contenders. Mt Wellington’s Sam Brack meets Glen Eden’s Cameron Higgins in what should be an evenly contested opening match. Brack is joined by Richie Rogers, Thomas Viggo and Richard Coles, four players searching for a breakthrough. If they can combine well early, they are every chance of moving through the rounds and staking a genuine claim.

Kevin Morris (Pt Chevalier), Tony Balogh (Mt Albert), Don Faifua (Ōtāhuhu), Billy Fulton (Henderson) and Davey Motu (New Lynn) all feature in the bottom half of the draw, alongside last week’s Champ of Champs Singles finalists Mike Galloway and Steve Campbell. Both skip their respective sides and could potentially meet again in the semi-finals.

At Remuera, in the top half of the draw, Adam Blucher fronts with his familiar side of Brendon Kelly, Scott McCamish and Peter Blucher, opening against an Onehunga and Districts side skipped by John Evil. Fraema Akaruru-Teinaki also returns, bringing the full line-up (plus one) from last weekend’s runner-up 1–5 Triples side. They are joined in this half of the draw by several experienced skips, including Dan King of Epsom, Petar Sain of Carlton Cornwall and Chris Lowe of Mt Eden.

With so many strong quartets in the mix, the title feels wide open. There is a healthy balance of experience, proven performers and in-form juniors across both draws, setting the stage for a competitive weekend and an exciting conclusion when the final bowls are played on Sunday afternoon.

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