Upcoming Events -

 

	Single Entry progressive club day - Sat 10th October at 1pm.
	Best Forsyth Triples - 17/18 October - 9am.
	60 plus Hetero Fours - Wed. 21st October at 10am.

  Bowls Heretaunga is now online 'from within the complex' and has a NEW email address  - bowlsheretaunga@xtra.co.nz

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Sid Heywood and Bill Read recently had a 'boys night out' at Havelock North's Rose and Shamrock - to celebrate Bill's 97th Birthday?

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The Havelock North Summerset Retirement Village Classic Fives for the 'Rae Smith trophy', was played today, 9/10, in fine conditions which deteriorated later, then halted play before the final round was completed. The 'Dales' carpet greens, now one year old, were playing exceptionally well. The winners with five and a half wins and a large differential were - Nancy Weaver, Elaine Wiggins, Marj Francis, Colleen Ferrick and Jane Paterson (Bowls Heretaunga). 2nd, with the same number of wins, but a lesser differential were; Fay Johnston, Sue Brock, Diane Mitchell, Maree Turner and Julie Haslett (Bowls Taradale). 3rd;  Pauline Craven, Liffy Law, Sue Ashton, Sue Belcher and Heather Leyland (Havelock North).

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– we Heretaungans have a ‘sporting hero’ in our midst?

     Maurice (Maurie) George Gordon is a modest bloke who keeps a low profile and never ‘shoots’ (pun) his mouth off. He was born in Napier and attended Napier Intermediate School before becoming a hard working beef farmer for the duration of his working life, (in districts including Poukawa, Raukawa and Bridge Pa), retiring in 1984.  A Widower for the last sixteen years, Maurie attributes his lifetime success as a marksman to his lovely wife Cynthia, who supported him and 'held the fort' during his many overseas competitions. They had a son, Bob (now a policeman at Havelock North) and two daughters Robyn and Desire, both of whom manage H.B. Kindergartens - where Maurie often helps out with handyman tasks.  In the little spare time he has remaining, eight Grandchildren keep him fully occupied.

He has been playing bowls for 16 years (our longest serving Lead?), firstly at the Heretaunga Bowling Club and since amalgamation, at Bowls Heretaunga.

His list of achievements in his chosen sport (shooting) is unbelievable and only limited space available prevents us from listing all his accomplishments/awards and trophies.  At ten years old, firing  with an air rifle, at berries/acorns and then wax matches on fence posts (the matches lit when hit with a glancing shot!), perfected Maurie’s skills as a sharp-sighted, imperturbable marksman. He started competitive shooting at the age of 12 in the Smallbore division (under the McLean Park stand) and after much success in this discipline, he moved to Fullbore (Roys Hill Range) after the 2nd world war. He found Fullbore (outdoor, long range shooting) more challenging than Smallbore competition (especially with wind variabilities).

Some of his more notable victories include being a three-time winner of the esteemed Ballinger Belt – 1951, 1953 and 1970, winner of both the prestigious Kings and Queens prizes, he competed three times with much success at Bisley (UK) and won a gold medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games at Christchurch. He was a valued member of the NZ international team for approximately twenty years and travelled all over the world competing with honour and distinction. Along with being a life member of both the Okawa Rifle Club and also NZ National Rifle Assn. - Maurie features in Sports Hawke’s Bay’s ‘Hall of Fame’.

He remembers feeling honoured, but a little apprehensive, when instructed to sit next to the Queen at a banquet on the Royal Yacht Britannia in Lyttleton Harbour. Valerie Young sat with the Duke of Edinburgh and both the Duke and the Queen made both feel comfortable with amusing tales (-ask Maurie to tell these - especially the part about 'pimples on your b#m'!). Maurie is still competing at top level and will shoot in the annual 3 day Ballinger Belt competition at Trentham for his 63^rd consecutive year  - now, due to failing eyesight; he reluctantly (and apologetically) uses a ‘scope’.  He will be shooting in a Te Puke event next weekend and is currently involved in the construction of a new electronic rifle range soon to be built at PakiPaki.

We are very proud of you Maurie!

*Note – (1)      The Ballinger Belt is the New Zealand National Fullbore Rifle Championship. Started in 1861, it is the oldest sporting championship in New Zealand. The National Championship wasn't always called the Ballinger Belt, it got its name when Arthur Ballinger won it outright in 1907 and donated it back with the name change. Today's championship format consists of three days shooting plus the final, firing a total of one hundred and fifteen counting shots, over distances ranging from 300 to 900 yards. This is usually competed for at Trentham where swirling,unmanageable winds (often gale force) prevail, making for extremely skilled competition.

      *Note –(2) Gold Medals 1974 Commonwealth Games - Christchurch

Robin Tait — Athletics, Men's Discus Throw

Dick Tayler — Athletics, Men's 10000m

David Baldwin, Kerry Clark, John Somerville, and Gordon Jolly — Lawn Bowls, Men's Fours

Maurice Gordon — Rifle Shooting, Queens Prize

Jaynie Parkhouse — Swimming, Women's 800m Freestyle

Mark Treffers — Swimming, Men's 400m Individual Medley

Tony Ebert — Weightlifting, Men's – 75 kg

Graham May — Weightlifting, Men's – 110 kg

David Aspin — Wrestling, Men's Freestyle (82 kg)

  Sports fans may also remember that at these CG games, John Walker was second to Filbert Bayi (Tanzania) in the 1500 metres final.

              

Maurie - now, and then.

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Thursday 8th October Mini Triples. 1st, D. Horne (s), Bruce Drown, Margaret Percival, Don Snell, 3 wins 35.  2nd, Bruce O'Sullivan (s), Ian Mc Kinnon, Phillip Plant, 2 1/2 19.  3rd, Jim Hoskyn (s), Len Charlton ,Trish Cross, 2 1/2 15. 4th, Jane Paterson (s), G. Hintz, P. Spencer, 2 wins 15.

Club Day, Tuesday 6th October. 1st, Doug Walford (S), Gail Harman, 3 wins 30. 2nd, Jane Paterson (S), George Hintz, Pam Spencer, 2 1/2 wins 26.  3rd, Bill Hynd (S), Terry Hart, Phillip Plant, 2 1/2 wins 18. 4th, Pam Rowlands (S)m G. Kerley, 2 wins 13.

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After the first day of play in the men's Championship Fours there are two, two-lifers remaining; - Bruce Stewart and Bill McGavocks teams, and three teams with one-life - George Ngametua (bye), Bill Hynd and Jim Hoskyn's combinations. Play continues tomorrow, Sunday. Final Result;  Bruce Stewart's team of Byron Brook, Bruce and Alan Ferrick won the Championship Fours with both lives intact, after beating remaining one-lifers George Ngametua (s), Ian Mason, Peter Wester and Mike Mabbett 19 - 13

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24 combinations took part in the Club Championship Mixed Pairs during the past weekend.   Lynn Stowe and Bill Hynd (one life) took a life off the remaining two lifers Paul (Kumera) Selby and Jane Paterson.  The final will be played at a later date. Photo from left - Jane, Bill, Paul & Lynn. RESULT: (played 5pm Thursday) Kumera and Jane won by two points - after being four up, with one end to play.

Thursday 1st October.  Mini Triples. 1st, C. Dixon (S), B. Drown, T. Cross, 3 wins 20.  2nd, C. Hodgson (S), P. Plant, B. Elliot. 3rd, P. Plant (S), J. Carrod, 2 wins 19.

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D.J.Porteous Lawyers Classic  Results

After a great weekend with enjoyable spring weather & daylight savings, a very tight competition was enjoyed by all who participated.

1st. P.Selby, M.Stevenson, P.Golder, B McIlroy, (Composite) 7- 1/2 wins  47- 1/2 points

2nd. T.Terry, M.Isaacson, I. Mason, M. Brown (Composite) 7 wins 45 points

3rd.  J.Johansson. R.Smith, B.Wakely, P.Bryant, (Bay View) 6-1/2 wins  47-1/2 points

4th   B.Wynks, L.Gordon, T.Curtis, C.Norris (Takaro) 6- 1/2 wins  45 points

Best team performance, 2nd day - T.Mairs, C.Bell, P.Rochester, A.Thompson (Composite)

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Bowls Heretaunga's BNZ accredited coaches Glenys and Elaine W. plus Club Captain Byron, have coerced/encouraged twenty junior Heretaunga players to enter Havelock North's Tong Cup Pairs - which is for players of five years or less playing experience?  Well done,  you guys!

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Opening Day was held in sunny, warm weather followed by a BBQ prepared by Charlie.  Results -  1st, M. Mabbett (S), J. Andrews, W. Hicks, P Spencer, 2 wins 39.  2nd, J. Riddell (S), P. Plant, T. Hart, 2 wins 31.  3rd ,G. Ngametua (S), Marj. Francis ,L. Charlton, T. Cross, 2 wins 29.  4th, J. Hoskyn (S), S. Taggart,  D. Anderson, R. Taylor, 2 wins 23. 5th, B. Stewart (S), A. Mapuhi, P. Rowlands, L. Stowe, 1 win 34.  6th, B. Ferrick (S), S. Chubin, I. McCracken, D. Snell, 1 win 28.  Various novelty games were arranged for the final period of play and the winners of these were - (1) Elaine Wiggins (s), Rohan Hook, Val Leadley and Glenys Robertson. (2) Doug Walford & team, (3) Mike Mabbett & team, (4) Denis Biggs & team, (6) Ron Glew & team, (6) Paul Selby & team.  Booby prize - Bruce Ferrick, Shirley Chubin, Ian McCracken and Don Snell.

             

Photos from left - Patron Bill McGavock rolling the Jack to open the season, (Centre) Andy Mapuphi showing off his prize, (Right) a bevy of new bowlers.

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Elaine Wiggins and Glenys Riddell have been awarded Bowls New Zealand qualified Coach badges. 

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Heartiest congratulations and the very best of luck to Bowls Heretaunga players Robin Drown, Wendy Hicks and Ineke vanLeeuwen, who have been selected to play in the Junior Hexagonal at Wanganui this weekend 5/6 Sept.

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The inaugural Roger Russell Memorial trophy for the most outstanding voluntary worker, was presented to Bowls Heretaunga's tireless Treasurer, Marjorie Francis, at the Heretaunga Chartered Club's AGM today. The award was greeted with enthusiastic approval by members, as Marj is well known as an amicable, diligent 'doer' who is vital and indispensable to the running of the club, and who prefers to remain in the background. Other news, stage one of renovations will be taking place shortly and the new Club Constitution was approved. Members were requested to make full use of the catering provided by the club - especially Thursday & Friday lunches, which to be viable, need more patronage by club members.

A very warm welcome is extended to our new members - Karl Haswell, Polly McKenzie, Trish Cross, Gavin Keighley, Shane Taggart, Paul Harrison and Bunny Kupa.

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Future Finance and Stephen Hill Motors - Motor Trade Tournament Saturday 29th August. A full field competed in this popular event.  Results; 1st, M. J. Francis (S), G. Forbes, V. Leadley, 4 wins 45. 2nd, W. Mc Gavock (S), I. Lambert, S. Robertson, 3 wins 40. 3rd, M. Davies (S), I. Mc Cracken, Marj Francis, 3 wins 36. More than half the players won a prize thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.

         

Pictured at the Motor Trade Tournament from left; Jackee Andrews (Keeper of the Purse) entertaining the players after contributing his 50cents worth. Centre; the winners on the day, with the sponsors - and right; Grace Forbes and Charlie Dixon being awarded their special prizes from the sponsors.

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Profile - Jim Hoskyn

Bowls Heretaunga’s newly appointed Vice President, Arthur James (Jim) Hoskyn was born and bred in Wanganui and retired to Hawke’s Bay a few years ago with his wife Eileen to be nearer to his family.  He then joined the Hawke’s Bay Orphans Club and linked up with the Karamu Bowling Club.

As a school leaver, Jim served in the RNZAF as an aircraft mechanic (at Woodbourne and Ohakea) before becoming a motor trade mechanic for the remainder of his working career.  As a young fellow, he was a ‘harrier’ and also played indoor bowls before turning to outdoor bowls in 1987 when he became a member of the Durie Hill Club, and after that a committee member/player at the Wanganui Club.   Being a Boy Scout leader and taking part in all administration roles including President and Secretary of the Jaycees, meant that Jim was kept exceptionally busy – as he obviously likes to be! Consequently, Bowls Heretaunga is extremely fortunate that he has accepted the Vice President’s position where his many skills will be utilised and sincerely appreciated, particularly his undoubted ability as a ‘story teller’  - jokes, not fibs!. 

Jim feels that the future prospects for Bowls Heretaunga are bright because of our wonderful facility, the high number of members participating regularly, and the many up-and-coming keen players.  Good on you Jim, we’re right behind you!   

   Photo – Jim (left) discussing the ‘position on the head' with Louis Vogels.

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Bluff Hill,  Kia Toa  and Omarunui  Bowling Clubs now have websites and both Havelock North and Bowls Taradale have new website addresses.  Bowls Hawke's Bay  click on these links for direct access. For these and all other Hawke's Bay Clubs and Centres, go to 'Sponsors and Links' page.

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