The recent trip to Auckland by the Inter Club teams was an informative and successful experience for all involved. Although the results were not as hoped for the players all gained valuable experience at another level in National competition and were left with a desire to repeat the experience again next year.
The men’s team travelled by coach resulting in a great team spirit and a very happy trip. Some of the light-hearted moments concerned Bill’s driving in Auckland, Arne’s Island discovery, and the apple-pieing of our beds by those unknown, although the ladies were blamed. Friday’s visit to Blockhouse Bay B C for a roll up resulted in Brian (Blue Bowls) Cooper coming second in a corner-to-corner at the club. This helped break the ice and the locals were very friendly and invited us to stay and have a meal at the club that night and a few good friendships were made.
On Saturday we went to Balmoral BC to support our ladies which the other competitors commented on with a little envy. The ladies returned the favour on Sunday. Their support was most welcome and was commented on by our opposition who said what a great club spirit Levin was showing. They even asked if we could bring the ladies to the finals to support them, like a ‘rent a crowd’. A few of our competitors commented on our new shirts and were really impressed by the logo displayed as Club of the Year, even asking how we went about winning this prize and how could they emulate us.
The finals were held at Carlton-Cornwall Bowling Club, (a mansion indeed) where we gave our support to our group winners from South Canterbury who were most appreciative. All in all a valuable trip both for the experience in bowling in a National tournament and as a team building exercise. The club should be proud of all the positive comments made about our club by all our opponents concerning the great team spirit in which our players participated.
Peter Brown