THE COMPETING REGIONS/TEAMS
| Counties | Team 1: Roger Andrew, Jason Parker, Jakeb White, Joyce Wilson Team 2: Matthew Ellis, Derek Bowman, Brian Macdonald, Angela Leslie |
| Waikato |
Team 1: Richard Caddy, Teri Anderson, Gheorghe Sirbu, Amber McNally |
| Manawatu |
Team 1: Grant Harvey, Tim Veale, Gordon McIvor, Sarah Warrington |
| Upper Hutt Valley |
Team 1: Ashley Diamond, James Sullivan, Lisa Gould, Chris McAdam |
| Ashburton |
Team 1: Grant Wilson, Matt Markham, Murray Bassett, Mat Bassett |
| Southland |
Team 1: Gary Low, Brian Hotton, Warwick Gray, Jan Low |
FIRST SESSION
CS - Counties, WK - Waikato, MN - Manawatu, UV - Upper Hutt Valley, AS - Ashburton, SL - Southland
Fours: WK 8, SL 8, UV 4, AS 2, CS 2, MN 0
Singles: WK 11, SL 8, UV 8, CS 10, MN 8, AS 3
Aggregate: WK 19, SL 16, UV 12, CS 12, MN 8, AS 5
Pairs: WK 3, SL 3, UV 9, CS 6, MN 9, AS 6
Aggregate: WK 22, UV 21, SL 19, CS 18, MN 17, AS 11
SECOND SESSION
CS - Counties, WK - Waikato, MN - Manawatu, UV - Upper Hutt Valley, AS - Ashburton, SL - Southland
Fours: SL 6, CS 6, MN 4, AS 4, WK 2, UV 2
Aggregate: SL 25, WK 24, CS 24, UV 23, MN 21, AS 15
Singles: WK 13, AS 9, MN 9, SL 8, CS 7, UV 2
Aggregate: WK 37, SL 33, CS 31, MN 30, UV 25, AS 24
Pairs: SL 10.5, CS 7.5, WK 6, MN 4.5, UV 4.5, AS 3
Aggregate: SL 43.5, WK 43, CS 38.5, MN 34.5, UV 29.5, AS 27
THIRD SESSION
CS - Counties, WK - Waikato, MN - Manawatu, UV - Upper Hutt Valley, AS - Ashburton, SL - Southland
Fours: MN 8, SL 4, WK 4, CS 4, UV 4, AS 0
Aggregate: SL 47.5, WK 47, MN 42.5, CS 42.5, UV 33.5, AS 27
Singles: MN 13, AS 12, UV 8, WK 7, CS 6, SL 2
Aggregate: MN 55.5, WK 54, SL 49.5, CS 48.5, UHV 41.5, AS 39
Pairs: AS 10.5, WK 9, CS 7.5, MN 4.5, SL 4.5, UV 0,
Aggregate: WK 63, MN 60, CS 56, SL 54, AS 49.5, UH 41.5
FOURTH SESSION
CS - Counties, WK - Waikato, MN - Manawatu, UV - Upper Hutt Valley, AS - Ashburton, SL - Southland
Fours: AS 8, UV 8, CS 8, WK 0, MN 0, SL 0
Aggregate: CS 64, WK 63, MN 60, AS 57.5, SL 54, UV 49.5
Singles: MN 12, AS 10, UV 8, CS 8, SL 6, WK 4
Aggregate: MN 72, CS 72, AS 67.5, WK 67, SL 60, UV 57.5
Pairs: WK 9, AS 7.5, CS 7.5, UV 6, MN 6, SL 0,
Aggregate: CS 79.5, MN 78, WK 76, AS 75, UV 63.5, SL 60
FIFTH SESSION
CS - Counties, WK - Waikato, MN - Manawatu, UV - Upper Hutt Valley, AS - Ashburton, SL - Southland
Fours: CS 6, MN 6, WK 4, AS 4, SL 4, UV 0
Aggregate: CS 85.5, MN 84, WK 80, AS 79, SL 64, UV 63.5
Singles: WK 12, AS 11, SL 10, MN 8, UV 5, CS 2
Aggregate: MN 92, WK 92, AS 90, CS 87.5, SL 74, UV 68.5
Pairs: MN 9, CS 9, UV 9, AS 6, WK 3, SL 0
Final Standings: MN 101, CS 96.5, AS 96, WK 95, UV 77.5, SL 74
Wrap-up/Summary
Final Standings: Manawatu 101, Counties 96.5, Ashburton 96, Waikato 95, Upper Hutt Valley 77.5, Southland 74
MANAWATU WINS WELCH TROPHY
Manawatu Indoor Bowls representatives have won the 67th Welch Trophy, the symbol of supremacy in New Zealand Indoor Bowls at Expressions - Civic Centre Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt at the weekend.
After a 14 year drought Manawatu fought off very strong challenges from Counties, Waikato and a fast finishing Ashburton.
Final Standings were Manawatu 101, Counties 96.5, Ashburton 96, Waikato 95, Upper Hutt Valley 77.5, Southland 74.
The winning team was captained by Grant Harvey (skip) who combined with Tim Veale, Gordon McIvor, Sarah Warrington, Jason Moore (skip), Bruce Meyer, Bob Lochrie and Tony Griffin The Reserve was Phil Clinch and the Manager was the very experienced Danny Moore who has a Welch Trophy title from 2002.
Manawatu had previously won the Welch Trophy in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004 all on even years and with players from that era making themselves available again the magic was there to repeat the win on an even year.
They had three Welch Trophy Gold star holders in the mix, the legendary Bruce Meyer, Gordon McIvor and Grant Harvey who now all have six titles each. Tony Griffin won his fourth title. Bob Lochrie won his second, Tim Veale, Sarah Warrington and Jason Moore all won their first
The tournament was played over five sessions of fours, singles and pairs with four points awarded for a win in the fours, three points for a win in the pairs and two points for a win in the singles.
In the final session the leaders Counties and Manawatu both won one game and drew the other between them which maintained Counties' 1.5 point lead. Waikato, Ashburton and Southland all had one win each while Upper Hutt Valley lost both games. Counties had the best overall record in the fours winning five games and drawing three out of the possible ten.
Counties were 85.5, Manawatu 84, Waikato 80, Ashburton 79, Southland 64 and Upper Hutt Valley 63.5.
In the final round of singles Counties had a dreadful round with only one win that in the final analysis cost them the trophy while Waikato won six games, Ashburton five and a half, Southland five and Manawatu four.
Manawatu's strength came through in the singles where overall they won 24 games and drew two for 50 points throughout the competition.
Going into the final round of pairs Waikato and Manawatu were level with 92 points each with Ashburton lurking two points behind with 90 points.
Manawatu 92, Waikato 92, Ashburton 90, Counties 87.5, Southland 74, Upper Hutt Valley 69.5.
In the pairs Manawatu stormed home with three wins, Counties also won three to move them into second place and Ashburton had two wins. Waikato could only manage one win and they dropped back to fourth overall.
The top player of the tournament was Jason Parker from Counties who won the Edgar Family Trophy which was awarded for the second time.