By Allan Galbraith
The first bowls of the season, for the Symes Family Trophy, were played in cool but sunny conditions today. This trophy was gifted to the Club by one of New Zealand’s most accomplished players, Maurice Symes, in 1995. Today, seven triples teams and one four played three rounds, with the team of Gary Milicich, Craig Hepetema and Debera Dean (1st year) taking out the trophy with two wins and a draw.
As is usual, the first toucher of the season occurred on the first end of the Symes match, with Craig Hepetema taking that honour today – so a good day on the green for Craig. Eric Wallis, another Club identity of his day, gifted the tankard after he had bowled the first touchers in 2009 and 2010. At the time, there was no kudos for getting the first toucher, although the player might have to shout their team, so Eric decided to remedy that. (It wasn’t a coincidence that Eric’s name was up there - twice.)