This year’s Bowls Auckland Centre Finals Weekend, held at the Remuera Bowling Club, was more than a competition; it was a thrilling celebration of first-time victories that brought families and champions together.

The excitement began with intense matches for both the Men’s and Women’s Pairs.

Men’s and Women’s Pairs

Nicole Singer of Royal Oak clinched her maiden open title alongside the seasoned Rima Strickland, clawing back a deficit to defeat the pairing of Linda Ralph and Jo Cheng from Carlton Cornwall, 19-16.

Meanwhile, in the Men’s category, superstars Gary Lawson and Tony Grantham from Mt Albert took on Chris Lowe and Jordan King of Mt Eden. With King leading superbly, the Mt Eden duo secured an upset, 14-9.

It is the first time in 50 years that Mt Eden has secured a centre title, marking a hard-fought victory.

Women’s Singles

The Women’s Singles were a riveting showcase of emerging talent versus seasoned skill. Young Hannah Dawson of Howick displayed remarkable poise against Estelle Hickey from Carlton Cornwall, despite an early setback. The championship culminated in a family duel between Carlton Cornwall sisters Estelle Hickey and Linda Ralph. Despite the tough competition, Linda triumphed with a score of 21-8, adding yet another title to her impressive collection.

The prize-giving was a heartfelt moment with the sisters joined by their mother, a former South African international.

Men’s Triples

Unexpected turns led to the final between Bridge Park and East Tāmaki. East Tāmaki’s lead, Storm Tenaki, dominated with his short-length play, setting a strong foundation for his team. Despite a late push from Bridge Park’s skip Teo Turua, East Tāmaki held on to win, 18-13 securing a first-ever centre title for all three players. The win marks a milestone as the second title for the club in its 75-year history.

A community celebration

Bowls Auckland Centre Finals Weekend transcends mere competition, fostering a vibrant community spirit that celebrates diversity and inclusivity within the sport.

In a year where entry numbers have continued to trend upward, the future of bowls in Auckland shines ever brighter, promising many more weekends of family, firsts, and fierce competition.

Congratulations to the new champions and thanks to all the bowlers competing in each discipline.  We also extend a big thanks to; all the host venues and their helpers, officials, Bowls NZ broadcast team and the wonderful commentators.