Finals Day really did give us the full season-defining spectacle: high-quality bowls, tight finishes, and plenty of championship-worthy moments across every discipline. With perfect conditions at Pt Chevalier, players, supporters, and officials settled in for a full day of top-level bowls, and the action did not disappoint.

From the early exchanges in the Fours to the final bowl of the Pairs, the intensity never dipped. Several matches hung in the balance right up to the closing ends, with momentum shifting as players handled pressure, crowd energy, and the weight of centre titles on the line.

History was made in the men’s and women’s Fours. Howick’s Neil Fisher claimed a remarkable tenth centre title, guiding his side of Bryan Chapman, Ian Fisher, and Hans Vermeulen to a dominant 16–3 win over Pt Chevalier. Over on the women’s rink, St Heliers’ Catherine Bien skipped her experienced team to a gritty 15–12 victory over Balmoral’s Tessa Farley and her combination.

The Pairs served up just as much theatre. Grantham and Bartulovich grabbed the morning spotlight with a 16–13 win over Haywood and Cottrell, before being edged 16–15 by Mike Galloway and Steve Fisher in another nail-biter. Galloway and Fisher carried that momentum straight into the final, where they secured the men’s title with a 19–13 win over Carlton Cornwall’s David Ball and Patrick Stanaway.

In the women’s Pairs, last year’s runners-up Linda Ralph and Jo Cheng were clearly on a mission. After a commanding 23–8 win over Gloria Teinaki and Dana Taylor, and with Catherine Bien and Angela Longney also progressing strongly, the final shaped up as a must-watch. Linda and Jo delivered a composed and clinical performance, sealing the title 20–15 and capping an excellent campaign.

But beyond the scoreboards, Finals Day shone brightest as a celebration of our bowls community. Clubs and supporters turned out in force, filling the seats and bringing a warm, lively atmosphere. Pt Chevalier once again showed why it’s such a trusted host and a genuine hub for its community. Immaculate greens, friendly staff, that famous buffet lunch, and families and neighbours spilling through the clubhouse and grounds all added to a day that felt every bit as special as the competition deserved.

Congratulations to all our champions for their outstanding performances on the big stage. And a sincere thank you to the host club, officials, volunteers, and supporters who helped make Finals Day a fitting conclusion to another exceptional centre competition.