Mount Megalodons Claim National Summerset Bowls3Five Honours

Mount Maunganui trio Paul Anderson, Nathan Arlidge and Lorrainne Rowling have topped the standings at the 2023 National Summerset Bowls3Five competition, taking out the silverware in a fiercely contested format in Wellington.

The event sees mixed teams of three take to the green in a triples-like format, played over two sets of five ends and a tiebreaker end, if required. Adding to the excitement is a ‘Powerplay’ opportunity with each team given the right to double their points on a nominated end.

Hosted at the Naenae Bowling Club on the indoor rinks, 26 out of a possible 27 centres were represented, concluding a busy season on the Bowls New Zealand Summer of Bowls calendar.

Following 12 section play games, teams required at least five wins to progress through to post-section, with the following teams making the mark; Arrow Force, Belfast, Blenheim Suns, Coromandel Mussels, Far North RSA, Kensington Trumpeters, Milton Mavericks, Mount Megalodons, Omarunui Aces, Paekakariki, Te Atatu, Waikiwi Southern Kiwis and the Wanganui Eastside Eagles.

In a straight-elimination,  13 teams were soon whittled down to eight, four and then the Grand Final, with the Mount Megalodons and Te Atatu lining-up in a thrilling match-up.

The final saw Te Atatu’s Lauren Mills, Andy Ellis and skip Adam Blucher open up proceedings with a first set win (4-3), before Anderson, Arlidge and Rowling bounced back in fine style to secure the second set, (10-2), and force the game to a winner takes all six bowl shootout.

Despite Blucher’s best efforts, two great bowls from Arlidge and Anderson proved the difference, with a last-gasp draw from Blucher hanging wide to give the Bay of Plenty-based Megalodons the sought after victory.

The semi-finals saw the Mount Megalodons defeat Kensington on a tie-break end, while Te Atatu remained in control against Paekakariki, taking both sets. Beaten quarter-finalists were Omarunui Aces, Belfast, Blenheim Suns and Far North RSA.

The closing of this event brings to an end the 2022/23 Summer of Bowls season, with all attention now turning to the National Champion of Champion fixtures to be played throughout July.

-Sam Morton