Crowds will gather on and off the greens this weekend for the Shade Systems Champ of Champs Triples. It’s all about club pride, centre titles and plenty of bragging rights on the line.
Triples has a habit of exposing everything. It asks for touch, communication, tactical discipline and, perhaps most importantly, trust between all three players. There is nowhere to hide, and with club champions from across the region stepping onto the green, this weekend promises pressure, pride and plenty of high-quality bowls.
In the men’s field, the likes of Zoran Bartulovic, Adam Blucher and Steve Campbell headline teams that will draw plenty of attention as the rounds progress. Auckland’s Adam Haywood looks to double down on his recent Centre Triples crown while Pringle Park’s John Vujnovich lines up with Mark Posa and Matt Berry, a combination that will no doubt be viewed as a strong contender.
But Champion of Champions events are never won on reputation alone. Every side in the draw has earned the right to be there. Among the sides capable of creating a stir, Billy Fulton’s Henderson trio looms as one to watch, bringing plenty of experience and a few tricks up their sleeve. The presence of Piha Bowling Club adds another layer of interest and unknown to the men’s field. These events often throw up stories from outside the most obvious contenders, and it is always great to see smaller clubs represented and performing.
The women’s field is, as always, stacked with quality. Estelle Hickey, Maria Smith, Rima Strickland, Jo Cheng and Robyn Reihana all shape as major contenders. Breaking news from Ōtāhuhu Railway: their COC Pairs Champ, Doreen Jensen, has this week had a minor mishap in wet weather, ruling her out of both the COC Triples and Mixed Pairs. While the substitute is yet to be confirmed, skipping duties fall into the capable hands of Philly Akaruru.
The women’s draw also has a couple of teams worth a second glance. Skye Renes returns in Pt Chevalier colours. Known as a career lead, Renes moves into a skip role alongside Jenny Jones and Tracey Brayshaw. Marisa Posa teams with daughter Eva Bell, who we have not seen much green time from this year, along with Katy Merrett, who swaps her usual Balmoral colours to get amongst the growing competitive women’s field at Mt Albert.
St Heliers also field a strong side. With Jane Field unavailable, Paula Kemthrone comes in, leaving either Donna Davison or Jane Seagar to take the skip role, both bringing vast experience across all positions from their junior experience.
Expect tight finishes, momentum swings and a few big names being pushed all the way. By the end of the weekend, only two teams will remain as champions, and they will have earned every bit of it.
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