Bowls off to a good start | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

The TSB Bank Taranaki Open Men's Fours Bowling Championships had a great first day, with beautiful sunshine providing great playing conditions.

With more than 244 competitors, spectators can expect fun, finesse and ferocious competition at the 102nd tournament. Teams have travelled from as far away as Australia (3) and the South Island (5), with Wellington bringing the most teams from out of town (25).

The week-long tournament is held at several New Plymouth bowling greens, as well as Inglewood, and around the coast (Okato, Oakura and Rahotu).

Taranaki has plenty of teams, with more than 100 teams representing their district.

The Stratford-Avon Bowling Club has two teams entered. They are J Sextus, K Mischefski, M Hoskin, M Stieller and W Robinson, J Coombes, G Watts and T Upson.

Eltham has one team entered - T Wolfe, C Burrows, C Coutts and T Whakarau.

Inglewood has the most Central Taranaki support, with 11 teams entered.

Finals are scheduled for Sunday, if all goes to plan. Teams must win six from eight games to move forward to the next round, which will begin on Thursday.