Triumph and Talent at Bowls Orewa – contributed article

  • May 11, 2026

The greens at Bowls Orewa were buzzing this past Sunday, as a fantastic crowd gathered to witness a masterclass in lawn bowls during the Centre’s Champion of Champion Pairs finals.

Sinton and Fisher Retain Their Crown
Lloyd Sinton, arguably North Harbour’s most remarkable talent, further cemented his legendary status by successfully defending the men’s title. Partnered with the highly accomplished Neil Fisher, the Browns Bay duo secured a dominant 23-7 victory over Omaha Beach’s Neil Ludlam and Paul Van der Linden.

This win is a testament to Sinton’s incredible resilience and skill. Despite facing significant physical challenges resulting from past injuries, his prowess on the green is undeniable. Remarkably, while still technically a junior, Sinton has already claimed three Centre Open titles.

For Neil Fisher, this victory marks his 13th North Harbour title—adding to an illustrious trophy cabinet that includes numerous Auckland Centre titles and national success.

The Road to the Final:

  • Quarter-finals: Fisher and Sinton defeated Riverhead’s Steve Cox and Duane McDonald (19-13).
  • Semi-finals: They overcame Birkenhead’s Bevan Beckham and Andy Ellis (20-13).

A special mention must go to the Omaha Beach pair, Ludlam and Van der Linden, whose impressive run to the final included hard-fought wins over Manly (18-17) and Mairangi Bay (24-19).

Mahurangi East Shines in Women’s Final
The rise of the Centre’s outlying clubs continued in the women’s event, with Lorraine Brassett and Jill Gowie from Mahurangi East claiming a thrilling victory. In a nail-biting final, they defeated Manly’s Margaret Eames and Kathy Stevens 21-19.

The Mahurangi East pair proved to be “giant killers” throughout the tournament, taking down several Gold Star holders and seasoned champions:

  • Quarter-finals: They ousted Mairangi Bay’s Sheryl Wellington and Theresa Rogers (16-12).
  • Semi-finals: They secured a 17-13 win against the formidable Birkenhead duo of former world champion Millie Nathan and Loz Croot.

In the other semi-final, Margaret Eames—one of the Centre’s top umpires—showed her skill on the green alongside Kathy Stevens, defeating Sunnybrae’s promising junior pair, Jo Staines and Aimee Carmichael, 18-11.

It was a weekend of high-caliber bowls, celebrated by a community that clearly appreciates the grit, grace, and growth of the sport in North Harbour.