This weekend’s Shade Systems Champion of Champions Triples promises fireworks across the greens, with titleholders, form players, and hungry challengers all converging for a shot at glory.

One player with history in his sights is Te Atatū’s Adam Blucher, who is chasing a rare “triple-triples” title – gunning for his third COC Triples crown alongside clubmates Brendon Kelly and father Peter Blucher. But their road is anything but easy. Sitting in the bottom half of the men’s draw, they’ll likely need to navigate past experienced rival Mike Galloway (Royal Oak), as well as red-hot COC Singles champ Darral Gordon, supported by Mike Reid and Phil Robottom.

The top half of the draw isn’t short on talent either. Mt Albert, led by Zoran Bartulovich, opens against a gritty battle-hardened Pringle Park outfit skipped by Wayne Ruka. At the same time, another standout first-round blockbuster sees New Lynn’s Mike Bradshaw, Ula Fusimalohi and Dave Maka take on a powerful Papatoetoe trio of Peni Panapa, Pale Luka and Avi Padayachi.

With 25 teams in the men’s field, New Lynn will host a full day of action on Saturday with nine rinks in play for the round of 32, followed by eight in the round of 16, allowing all action to remain in one venue. Expect top-notch viewing for spectators in the opening rounds.

Back-to-back ambitions in the women’s field

The women’s draw is just as electric. Fresh from their COC Pairs title, Lisa Prideaux and Aggie Motu return to defend their Triples crown, this time with NZ Development Squad member Kimberley Hemingway They’ll need to be sharp from the get-go, facing decorated campaigner Helen Van der Walt (Carlton Cornwall) in their opener and sharing the bottom half with quality sides from Bridge Park, Balmoral, Glen Eden, and Onehunga & Districts.

In the top half of the draw, all teams enjoy a first-round bye, setting up an enticing round of 16 clash between Royal Oak’s Rima Strickland and Howick’s Linda Fenton. Meanwhile, in-form Doreen Jensen and Philly Akaruru also loom as a threat.

Women’s play kicks off on Saturday at Remuera before both fields merge at New Lynn for Sunday’s semis and finals. With expectations sky-high and star players scattered across the draw, could this be the perfect stage for a new name to rise and steal the spotlight?