National Intercentre Sevens – contributed article

  • April 13, 2026

Mairangi Bay enjoyed a spectacular season, achieving the incredible feat of sweeping all three of Bowls North Harbour’s sevens titles. This dominant performance earned both the men’s and women’s division 1 teams a well-deserved spot at the New Zealand play-offs in Wellington, where they tested their skills against the very best in the country.

Individual and Team Highlights
While national titles are famously difficult to secure, Mairangi Bay showed plenty of grit and talent on the big stage:

Michael Thomas: Emerging as a major “bright spark,” Michael excelled in the men’s singles. He claimed victory in four of his six matches, holding his own against elite competition like Nelson’s Shannon McIlroy.

The Women’s Four: The powerhouse team of Sheryl Wellington, Jan Gledhill, Jodie Cottier, and Theresa Rogers delivered a solid performance, finishing with a respectable “pass” by winning two of their four matches.

Competitive Spirit: The men’s team opened the tournament with great momentum, drawing with Napier and securing a hard-fought victory over Geraldine. This win was a masterclass in precision, with Mairangi Bay showing nerves of steel to edge out their opponents by a single shot across all three disciplines.

Testing Themselves Against Greatness
The tournament provided an invaluable opportunity to compete against some of the legends of New Zealand bowls. The Mairangi teams faced off against world-class athletes, including Jo Edwards, Val Smith, and Mandy Boyd.

Though they didn’t reach the final weekend, Mairangi Bay finished a commendable fourth in their seven-team section. Competing at this level—where matches are decided by the narrowest of margins—highlights just how high the club has risen.

Final Results
The event was a showcase of top-tier talent, culminating in a historic “double” for the Nelson centre:

Women’s Final: Nelson defeated Elmwood Park 2-1 in a high-stakes clash of champions.

Men’s Final: Stoke took the title in a thrilling finish against Auckland, secured by an exciting three-shot pickup on the very last end.

Mairangi Bay can head home with their heads held high, having proven they belong among the nation’s elite clubs.