Finals – 7 March 2023

The top eight Bowls 3Five Open qualifiers; Auckland Originals 1, Te Atatu TAT A3, Mt Albert Lions, Carlton Cornwall Gold, Te Atatu TAT Roosters, Onehunga & Districts M-J-M, Onehunga & Districts W-D-M and Glen Eden Phoenix gathered at Auckland Bowling Club on a warm Tuesday evening. The Finals started with a live draw to determine who would play who. 
 
Host club hopes were on their qualifiers & 2022 champions. Auckland Originals 1 lineup of Jamie Hill, Gloria Teinaki and Bevan Beckham started strong against Adam Blucher, Lauren Mills and Andy Ellis from Te Atatu TAT A3, taking set one, 7-3.  Te Atatu fought back taking set two, 2-10 and then secured the crucial tie-break to progress to the semi-final.
 
Onehunga & Districts had two teams qualify, securing quarter-final wins to meet each other in one of the semi-finals. M-J-M (Mike Bradshaw, Jaime Delany & Matt Carroll) and their club opponent W-D-M (Wayne Motu, Doreen Jensen & Mel Sam) had a tight battle, each side winning a set: 4-3, 3-4.  W-D-M prevailed taking the tie-break to qualify for the Final.
 
In the other semi-final, Te Atatu TAT A3 had found their rhythm, winning the two sets 9-2, 7-1 to defeat Glen Eden’s Christina, Sean, and Jennifer Doran.
 
A more youthful Te Atatu side would meet a mature wily O&D side in the Final – proof that this sport is for all ages. Both teams displayed skillful, considered, competitive, and entertaining bowls.  Te Atatu were the victors in a tightly fought battle, to be crowned 2023 champions.

As the winner of this event, Te Atatu TAT A3 will represent the Auckland region in the  National Open Bowls 3Five Interclub to be held on 5-7 May 2023 in Wellington.
 
Auckland Bowling Club’s facilities, green and hospitality made it an ideal venue for a successful & competitive Finals night – thank you.