Lots of Years Ago.
21 – 2 – 50.
First women’s half day tournament held at he St. Albans Bowling Club. Entrance fee was two shillings per player and twenty teams participated. This included two teams from St. Albans.
Seventeen Years Ago.
17 – 2 – 08
Family Fun Day, a Bowls NZ initiative to try and make the general public more aware of the sport of bowls and give the opportunity for the general public to try the game of bowls.
The Family Fun Day was viewed as a great success with over 70 players on the greens. Well done to Alison, Bernadette and Mick and helpers who really put in a 
great deal of effort to make this day such a success. That it was such a success is testimony to the effort these three and their committee put in.
Throughout the season every effort was made to advertise the club by providing articles and photos for local papers and also in “Bowls” and “Avenues” magazines.
Pictured here are the successful “Likely Lads” with the Soixante Neuf Trophy. It was hoped that this would become an annual or even biannual event. Sadly this never occurred; four players from the two teams played a full season the next year, 2009.
Matt Mace, Luke McClintock, Nick McKay, Jamie Wagner and Michael Young were five juniors that suggested the strength of the club would be improved as the years went by. Only fwo of them are now involved with bowls in Christchurch, one sadly now for another club, but Jamie Wagner, after a spell in Melbourne, has returned and has become a valued member of Elmwood Park.
The rugby and cricket boys, the “Likely lads” and the “Young Guns,” added much needed youth and vigour. The enthusiasm on display when they played each other for the Soixante Neuf Trophy on the Family Fun Day was most noticeable and enjoyable.
25 – 2 – 08
Over 60s triples won by Mick Allan/Bill and Murray
In 2007 these three club bowlers entered the Dorchester 60 Years and Over Tournament. Three games and three losses.
In 2008 the same three bowlers again decided to again try their luck. Off to Lincoln they went.
Mick Tarling Allan Reid Murray Scott
Three games and three wins later they had qualified for post section play. Sadly work commitments meant Allan was unable to play.
Enter super sub Bill Whiting.
Bill answered the emergency call!
And didn’t he play well?
The three from St. Albans-Merivale won all their post section games and hence the Over 60s triples title.
Fifteen Years Ago.
22 – 2 – 10
Last Bernie Bigg at United. United was closing and amalgamating with Barrington and forming Barrington United.
Fourteen Years Ago.
22 – 2 – 11
Christchurch was rocked again by another strong and particularly violent earthquake at 12.50pm. It was a bitter pill to swallow for those who may have been close to getting over the September one. It certainly put the game of bowls into perspective. Once again the club [SAM] buildings escaped any major damage.
Eleven Years Ago.
19 – 2 – 14
For the second time this week a St. Albans-Merivale team won by default. In the 7s Rangoria didn’t front, apparently thought they had a bye. They apparently were using an old out of date draw!!!!
Oh dear!!!! They wouldn’t be the first or the last to do that!!
In fact this season AC8s had a draw change and MuzzaWeb was sent the old draw to publish. [2023 – 24]
Seven Years Ago.
20 – 2 – 18
Congratulations to Mat Bassett who is to represent Town in the Development U8’s Town v Country representative event this weekend at Hawarden.
Congratulations also to Pam Phair, Lois Grey and Ian Rule who recently played for Canterbury’s O60s Colphil Cup team against Southland. The two day event was held at Papanui Club, the results went in the favour of the Canterbury team who won both the men’s and women’s grades as well as the mixed fours games.
Winning Canterbury Team.
L-R Back Row: Ian Rule, Ross Fensom, Colin Lowery, Mike Small, Mark Lewis, Murray Shaw. Front Row: Kay Cannell, Pam Phair, Pam Clark, Verna Veint, Serena Matthews, Lois Grey
Five Years Ago.
21/22 – 2 – 19
This year the Canterbury Centre introduced a new tournament, the Canterbury Mixed Fours, with each team consisting of 2 men and 2 women. Three Elmwood Park teams qualified for post section play.
The team of Bev Morel, Bruce Humphreys, Sheree Cottle and Pete Morel reached the quarter finals to be defeated by Noel Alexander.
The team of Paul McKinnel, Pam Phair, MaryAnn Johnstone and Neil Johnstone reached the semi final to be defeated also by Noel Alexander.
The team of John Mears, Dave Vujcich, Lois Grey and Theresa Woodham have reached the final where they will play Noel Alexander, Rangiora, on the finals weekend of April 13 – 14.
Congratulations to all the participants, a great effort.
Five Years Ago.
17 – 2 – 20
Edwards Cup:
Played at Barrington United on a very hot afternoon. Because of the heat only 12 ends were played. Three very close games with positions on table remaining the same
Elmwood Blue 1½ Elmwood Gold 1½
B.Prouting 8 P.Felton 9 W.Leney 11 N.Johnstone 11 R.Wear 11 S. Greenland 10
Barrington United 1 Fendalton 2
Points till 17/2: EP Blue 52 BU 46 EP Gold 37 Fen 33
Two Years Ago.
16 – 2 – 23
Chiller: Donald Place.
The hot weather in early February caused issues to the outside chiller motor unit. Due to the age, the cost to repair and that we are close to moving into the Heaton St. clubrooms, it has been decided not to repair this. No keg beer will be able to be sold at Donald Place, bottled beer only.
18 – 2 – 23
A long hot day. Those having byes and winning by default would be rather pleased to avoid a double header.
Women’s premier 7s pm game, EP v Lincoln, had to be rescheduled as several of Lincoln’s team contracted covid.
In the morning AC8s Div 3 played Rangiora, a game in which the winner would be in a good position on the points table. According to one of EP’s team Rangiora used members of a higher graded team to ensure the win. Unsubstantiated but disappointing if true.
