Winterclub section play has wrapped up, with several surprising results setting the stage for an intriguing finals day this Sunday.
Section One
Pringle Park Thunder led from the front, topping Section One after each week of the seeding rounds. They finished with 9.5 rink points and a commanding +116 shot differential.
From a possible 11 rink points, once the abandoned round is taken into account, Thunder dropped just one game across their five completed rounds.
Railway Storm and Balmoral both finished on 8.5 rink points, with Railway advancing to Division Two courtesy of a +69 differential, ahead of Balmoral’s +51.
Rounding out the Section One finalists are Mt Eden. Despite finishing with a negative shot differential, they collected seven rink points to edge East Tāmaki by half a point.
Section Two
The top four remained consistent throughout Section Two, although there was plenty of movement between the positions over the three weeks.
Section Two was the only section to complete all six rounds, thanks to the fortunate draw that placed both halves of the section under cover during the wet second weekend.
Carlton Cornwall Tui eventually claimed the section with nine rink points, narrowly ahead of MABC Lions on 8.5. Papatoetoe finished third with 7.5 rink points, while Howick Nurse Sharks secured the final qualifying position on seven.
Section Three
Howick Bronzies topped Section Three with 8.5 rink points and a +56 differential. It was the lowest total recorded by any of the four section winners, reflecting just how closely contested the section was.
Onehunga Sting and Henderson Ozich both finished with a +40 differential, but an extra half rink point saw Onehunga finish on eight and claim the Division Two position.
Henderson finished on 7.5 rink points, alongside MABC Blue. Henderson’s superior differential secured Division Three, while MABC Blue’s +28 placed them into Division Four.
Section Four
Section Four produced plenty of movers and shakers—and possibly the upset of the competition.
Howick Hammerheads finished with eight rink points and an enormous +164 differential, but remarkably, that was only enough for second place.
Epsom Eagles shocked the field by collecting 3.5 rink points on the final day, pipping Howick at the post to win the section with 9.5 rink points and a +61 differential.
Early favourites St Heliers Sinners finished third on eight rink points, while Week Two leaders Carlton Cornwall Kererū slipped to fourth after earning only one rink point in the final week, finishing on seven.
Finals Matchups Confirmed
The surprising section-play results have produced several fascinating post-section matchups.
Divisions One and Two will be played at Royal Oak Bowling Club this Sunday, where the inaugural Winterclub champions will be crowned. Pringle Park will no doubt be looking to continue their dominance while Epsom will be hoping to make the most of their opportunity. Division Two, in particular, is set to thrill, with a lineup packed with teams of Division One calibre taking to the green and looking to have the last laugh.
At Bowls Papatoetoe, defending champions Papatoetoe find themselves in Division Three, where they will enjoy home-green advantage against Balmoral in their semifinal. Henderson Ozich and St Heliers Sinners will meet in the other semifinal. Division Four will also be at Papatoetoe, with Mt Eden joined by the second qualifying teams from Howick, Carlton Cornwall and Mt Albert.
Wrap up warm, get along to either venue, grab a hot cup of coffee and support your club as they compete for Winterclub glory!