Last weekend, Auckland’s representative sides returned to the greens with renewed energy, embracing the start of the new season.
A big thanks to Taylor Bowls for the fresh kit, and kudos to the reps for fostering a new team culture! Our players stepped onto the green with a strong sense of trust, belonging, and accountability, driven by the shared mantra to ‘Find a Way’ and ‘Enjoy the Journey.’
The Auckland teams were ready to represent! 1-5 Coach and Selector Brendon Walton reflected: “Beyond the on-green performance, what really stood out was the squad’s unity. While each player stayed focused on their individual goals, it was the collective effort that made the difference—we achieved this together.” He added, “The support from the bowls community was amazing. Having the wider training squad there to cheer us on made our team feel much bigger than just the 10 players on the green. That sense of belonging really hit home!”
The teams got off to a flying start, with Auckland dominating Northland in round one, winning all eight disciplines. This stellar performance boosted morale, leading to victories in both the Men’s and Women’s 1-5 trophies, as well as the combined 1-5 title.
On day two, the Premier and Development grades took centre stage. The Men’s sides, building on last year’s successes, delivered strong performances and secured the Overall Men’s trophy after winning all three grades. Although the Women’s Development team didn’t achieve the results they hoped for, they gained invaluable experience.
The Premier Women’s team, facing tough opposition from North Harbour, Northland, and Bay of Plenty, delivered a decisive 6-0 victory over Northland but narrowly missed out against Bay of Plenty and North Harbour, finishing third overall. This result will surely fuel their preparations for future events!
Congratulations to North Harbour, who claimed the top spot with 23 match points—and Bay of Plenty and Northland who were great opponents all around!
Looking ahead, we’re excited for the upcoming Battle of the Bridge on 1 December at Howick Bowling Club. With all grades playing across five greens, it’s set to be an exciting fixture.
Next up for our squads are closed training sessions with Blackjacks Head Selector and Coach Mike Kernaghan, providing an invaluable opportunity for our players to sharpen their skills and build on the strong foundation set for the season.
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