While Royal Oak Bowls was busy hosting the Shade Systems Champ of Champs Fours post section on Sunday, just a stone’s throw away Mt Eden Bowls was serving up a different kind of champ of champs atmosphere – the 2026 Auckland Twilight Final.

Sure, the polish and precision may have looked a little different, but the competitiveness, banter and excitement were right up there.

After April’s cyclone forced a postponement, Sunday’s rescheduled finals arrived with autumn sunshine, good vibes and plenty of enthusiasm. DJ Dice kept the tunes rolling while teams embraced the quick-fire five-end, two-bowl triples format… perhaps a little too enthusiastically. No sooner had one round finished than players were already asking, “Who’s next?”

Three qualifying rounds flew by before players paused for a classic Kiwi sausage sizzle lunch. Although judging by the mood, many were quite happy to skip the break and keep the game rolling!

Win or lose, the teams stuck around to cheer on the semis and the final in true community spirit.

In the end, it was The Grogsters from Auckland Bowling Club who claimed bragging rights after an awesome final against The Newbies from Royal Oak.

And here’s the best part. The Grogsters first discovered bowls at a corporate event at Auckland BC, became social members, joined the club’s twilight league… and now they’re Auckland Twilight Final champions. Add in the winning prize of a set of bowls for each player, plus one winning a one-year full membership spot prize, and you could say they’re now well and truly hooked on bowls.

Thanks to all the teams who participated, and to Mt Eden Bowls for hosting a fantastic day.