The inaugural National Under 26 Pairs brought together some promising young bowlers to Tāmaki Makaurau set against the stunning backdrop of Maungawhau (Mt Eden Maunga) and the historic Mt Eden Bowling Club. With an average age of 20.4, ranging from 12 to 26, the event provided a crucial platform for rising talent and established young competitors alike.

Among the standout teams were Canterbury duo Hamish Kelleher (Halswell) & Liam O’connor (Allenton), Auckland Premier reps Adam Blucher, David Motu & Liam Hill, and National Pairs runners-up Ashleigh Jeffcoat & Henrietta Scott, who split for the tournament to form two powerhouse pairings.

Caitlin Thomson (Omokoroa) admitted to pre-event nerves, saying, “This under-26 event is a new experience, and you never really know who’s going to be here. But it’s exciting!”

Fierce Finals & Unforgettable Battles

After four rounds of highly competitive qualifying, the top eight teams advanced to the Championship knockout stage, while the remainder contested the Plate event.

In the quarter-finals, Jeffcoat & Thomson fell 16-9 to Ouellet & Baillie, while Dawson & Scott edged out Motu & Hill (14-10). The semi-finals saw Blucher & Hill claim a narrow 13-11 victory over Ouellet & Baillie, while Dawson & Scott’s consistency proved too much for Warburton & Cameron-Powell.

The final featured Dawson & Scott against Blucher & Hill. Dawson & Scott built a commanding lead, stretching from 2-3 down to 15-3 ahead. A late surge saw them concede a four, but they held their composure to secure a 16-12 victory and the gold medal.

Post-win, Scott shared how the pairing came to be: “I originally thought it was going to be an Under 21 event and was thinking, ‘Who do I know under 21 in Auckland?’ I thought of Hannah.” The team was formed! It turned out to be Under 26, and didn’t they slot in just fine!

In the Plate event, North Harbour’s Paul Buchanan & Deanne Bronlund claimed victory, narrowly edging out Eva Bell & Daniel Chivers with an eight-shot differential over three rounds of round-robin play.

Bronlund praised the experience saying, “This was the best tournament I’ve played in! Everyone was well looked after. Plus the quality of opponents was top level—you had to work hard.”

Bowls – A Sport for All

The finals highlighted the inclusive nature of bowls, where skill and strategy can outweigh physical strength. With men and women competing on equal footing, Dawson & Scott’s triumph demonstrated the sport’s unique ability to foster fair competition.

The National Under 26 Pairs set a high benchmark in its debut year, filling a crucial gap in youth competitions. It joins other prestigious age-grade events like the U26 Singles at Burnside and Bowls Wellington’s U26 5-a-side.

With a phenomenal first edition, this tournament is set to become a must-attend event, offering young bowlers a pathway to elite competition.