Fendalton Bowling Club

World Bowls Comes to Christchurch. Diary of the event, (2005)

Fendalton Bowling Club is currently hosting Bowls Singles Champion of Champions 2005 competition. This event is the first of five international tournaments leading up to the pinnacle event of world bowls - The World Bowls Championships 2008.

The organising committee chaired by Dr Michael Kerr has been active since January and will be assisted by a team of over 115 volunteers from 26 Bowls Canterbury clubs as umpires, markers, board attendants, parking officials, drivers, site managers etc. The three green complex has been expertly prepared by Fendalton Club members ably guided by Ken Thickett.

Four things are making this World Bowls Singles successful - the players, volunteers, the weather, and strong support from spectators. The first three have fallen into place and support from spectators is building. Come along and partake in the success of this event!

The lounge bar is open and lunches and refreshments are available every day.

Charges are minimal - admission $2/day or $1O/season ticket - parking $3/day in Fendalton Park; enter via Makora Street - programme to cover whole event $3.

Saturday 19 Nov.

The national Singles titleholders representing 28 countries from all five continents began their quest today to be crowned World Singles Champion of Champions on Saturday 19th November 2005. Thirty women and 27 men were entered by their national bodies, although some have been forced to withdraw, and Section play was preceded by two practice days. The weather is perfect for bowling and the greens in superb condition. A brief and enjoyable Opening Ceremony took place last night with entertainment by a local school Maori Kapahaka party.

Play will continue through the week with good weather predicted for each day. Results are being posted as they become available and can be found on the first page of http://www.bowlsnz.co.nz

Friday 25 November will see post-section play and the final of one of the championships in the afternoon. Post-section play and the final of the other championship will follow on Saturday 26 November. Both finals will be televised live on TV1 with the Women's final at 2PM on the 25th and the Men's at 2:30 PM on Saturday.

The playing format adds to the excitement and speed of each game. Two sets, each of nine ends, with (if necessary) a 3-end tie breaker, will decide the winner of each match. A killed jack will be re-spotted. Each game is taking about two hours to complete.

Sunday 20 Nov.

After an opening day in perfect weather Day 2 threatened to challenge competitors with swirling North West winds. True to style, the day turned out to be warm and windy however the morning seasons where mostly completed light winds. Late morning the gusty NW winds came in and the temperatures rose. This lasted for a few hours and the winds are now (3:45 pm) light and variable from South to West.

For the local spectators, the highlight of the day was the close game between NZ women's singles Champion Sharon Sims & Celia Smith of Scotland. Sharon took the game winning both sets, much to the delight of the crowd.

Despite the blustery conditions we are witnessing brilliant bowling with toucher after toucher in tight heads. A friendly atmosphere prevails and our hope is that the stormy conditions forecast for early tomorrow clear in time for another full day of competition.

Sessions are running to schedule with the competition starting at 8:30 AM each day and new sets beginning about every two hours completing the day around 6 PM.

Monday 21 Nov

Fortunately the threatened storms have not eventuate (yet - 4:30 PM) and the days competitions are preceding without interruption. Gusty winds associated with the passage of a weather front gave rise to varying conditions on the three green.

Now in day three, the competition is midway through the first phase. At the close of play on Wednesday Divisional play will be complete with Men and Women position playoff commencing at 9:00 AM while the top four from each division play their quarter finals at 12 noon.

In Division two of the Women's competition Sharon Sims (NZ) is confirmed in the lead position at the end of day three with Malaysia second and England third. In the Men's Division two, Dwayne Cameron (NZ) is poised midway in the results. (For latest results check http://www.bowlsnz.co.nz).

The high level of excellence required from the Umpires and Markers has placed great demands on the many local bowlers who have volunteered their time to this event. Much of the weight of the success of the competition itself rest on the broad shoulders of Chief Umpire, Barry Moore of the Fendalton Bowling Club. In the accompanying picture he can be seen striding out to deliver marking forms etc. for another game.

The office is staffed by the leaders of Bowls International, Bowls New Zealand and local office assistants. These are the people who ensure the whole event runs smoothly and the results are speedily processed for the competitors and general information.

Tuesday 22 Nov

Heavy rain during the last session of Monday's play made conditions uncomfortable for all concerned. All games were played out so the competition continues on schedule.

Today dawned clear but cold with fresh southerly winds. While all greens maintain their perfect surface condition the varying shelter offered by the trees in the adjacent Fendalton Park varies the comfort level from green to green.

At last count, Men's Division 1 is lead by Spain and Division 2 by Australia. In the Women's Divisions, New Zealand and Fiji are the leaders in their respective draws.

Sharon Sims fought a close battle with Amy Monkhouse of England the match going to a tie breaker after having won one set each. With precise bowling Amy took the first two tie breakers to win the game on a tight measure.

Earlier Dwayne Cameron won his match against Mark Walton of England to keep alive his chances of a final's spot.

Wednesday 23 Nov

Today dawned overcast and cool however the sky is now clear and the greens bathed in sunshine. At 11:15 AM the wind is developing into a light Easterly. Those in the early round today enjoyed perfect conditions as the greens maintain their excellent playing surface.

Little change occurred during the remainder of the day and games where completed in near ideal conditions. A Southerly change tonight should freshen the greens. Forecast for the remainder of the competition is for mild conditions with little risk of rain.

This afternoon the crowd swelled as many came to witness the game between Sharon Sims and Nor Iryani Azmi (Yani) of Malaysia. Close fought, Sharon scored a straight sets win.

As the competition develops, interest from spectators rises with many enjoying the sun while others watch from the comfort of the upstairs lounge.

When the Play-Offs commence tomorrow, activity will centre on the two main Club greens, both of which have spectator stands installed affording excellent viewing of the matches.

First games will involve those placed 5th or later on the table and are scheduled to be played from 9 AM to noon.

The four top players from each division will then play off for positions in the semi-finals to be contested by the Women on Friday and the Men on Saturday.

For final positions at the end of the section play and the ratings of all players check Current Standings on the Bowlsevent page.

Thursday 24 Nov

Today is play off time to find the positions for the lower order bowlers, and to hold the quarter finals to select the four top bowlers in the Men and Women's divisions to do battle tomorrow in the semi-finals.

As we near the end of the week the weather is becoming more settled with the strong winds of the earlier period now gone and the sun shining with consistency.

The friendly atmosphere that has prevailed continues with many gathering socially at the end of the day's play to enjoy the facilities afforded by the Fendalton Bowling Club. Now that play has finished for many, relaxation is the order of the day.

(Picture: Dwayne Cameron (NZ) against Nick Cole (Spain) in the Thursday play-offs.)

Friday 25 Nov

A great day for Women's bowls. With live television coverage of the final and recording of the semi-finals the club buzzed with activity. An excellent crowd assembled with solid attendance for all three games.

Once more the weather is perfect for bowls with little cloud and equally little wind.

After a delayed start the games commenced only to run over time in the morning meaning a shorten lunch break before the final commenced on time to meet television time-slot requirements.

The final was hard fought with the outcome a great moment for bowls. Nineteen year old Yani of Malaysia was a deserving and popular winner, one that the locals were happy to see take the cup although a home win would have been rather special.

(Picture: Nor Iryani Azmi (Yani) - Women's World Singles Champion of Champions, 2005.)

Saturday 26 Nov

All are in awe of the work of the green keeper Ken Thicket in having the surface come through the play unchanged. Throughout the tournament the greens have consistently run at 17-18 seconds and today is no exception.

While still excellent bowling conditions the sky is cloudy and temperature lower than most of the days. Mid morning some umbrellas came out however rain did not eventuate and these were quickly put away as the sun once more shone on the greens.

Games where scheduled half an hour later than on Friday and commenced on time. Bowlers were quicker to the mat and play proceeded apace.

While the highlight of the day for the locals was the win by New Zealand's Dwayne Cameron taking him into the final, the most enthralling game had to the semi-final between Mark Walton of England and Shane Globits of Australia. Going to the third tie-breaker one all, for the outcome to be decided by the rebound of the Jack from the ditch wall was heart breaking for Shane. Either player would have been a deserving winner however with his bowls in the right spot, the "run of the green" favoured Mark.

Once again the final was broadcast live on television with excellent camera work, commentary and direction. It is a great day for Bowls in New Zealand when we have such talent in our country playing for such a high title and being shown to the country and the world.

Its congratulations to all involved who brought us such a spectacle of bowling of the highest order.

(Picture - Mark Walton and Dwayne Cameron on the green ready for the Men's final.)

Sunday 27 Nov

Clean up day. The players have dispersed with many flying out today although a number have stayed to enjoy touring. Predictably the weather has settled down to clam and sunny conditions.

By midday the club had been put back into shape with the scaffolding the only reminder of the full week of bowling. The greens continue in excellent condition showing no evidence of the eight days of continuous play.

All that is now left is the analyzing of the organization and preparation for a repeat in late November 2006 when once more the world's top bowlers will assemble to battle for the title of Champion of Champions. We trust the many friendship formed at this event can be renewed.