BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 67, 20 March 1926, Page 13

BOWLING.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS. 'MAXWELL WALKER "WINNER. A RUNAWAY VICTORY. At the Carlton green yesterday, Professor Maxwell Walker maintained the remarkably consistent form he has shown at bowls recently t>y winning the champion of champions contest in very convincing fashion. Although he had an easy win in the deciding game the j Auckland Club's representative had by jno means a smooth passage through the (preliminary rounds. The champions from 23 clubs were in the competition, and in at least two of the preliminary games Walker had in sporting parlance "to fight for his life." But it is when the finish is close that the Professor shows to most advantage, for his extraordinary coolness and rare judgment rarely fails him when the position is critical. All the same, he took the opportunity yesterday when thanking fellow- bowlers for their generous reception of his victory to deny the imputation which had been circulated "that he revelled in an uphill game." Smilingly he intimated that he had had about enough of these "tight goes," they were too strenuous. As a matter of fact he only won against Keyes by a measure on the last head, while Brake, who beat him on their first, meeting, led him till the 20th head in the semi-final. This was a very notable performance on the part of the Takapuna champion. He is a veteran of 66 years, and up to the eighth head his drawing was I phenomenal, and he made the champion look cheap. Then Walker, whose versatility is his greatest asset, deadheaded twice in succession to keep the score down, and Brake was never quite so accurate afterwards. Still he fought out every head with the utmost determination, but failed at the last two. The state of the board for this game after each head was as follows, Walker's score being given first:—l—o, I—l, I—2, 2—2, 2—4, 3—4, 3 —7, 3—B, s—B, 6-8, 7—B, 7—ll, B—ll, B—l2, 10—*, H—l2, 11—14, 13—14, 13—15, 16—15, 18—15. Meanwhile on the adjoining rink. De Launay (Epsom) and Keatley (Rocky Nook) were fighting out the other semifinad. This resulted in a keen struggle from the beginning, and on four heads the total scores tied.. On the 18th head the score was 14—13 in Keatley's favour, but De Launay failed on the next and the Rocky Nook representative took 4 ■which -practically decided match. The scores of the game were as follows, De Launay's being stated first: —I—o, I—3, 2—3, 3—3, 4—3, 4—4, 5—4. 7—4, "— 6, 7—B, B—B, 10—8, 10—10, 10—12, 12—12, 12—13, 1-2—14, 13—14, 13— IS. 16—18, 16—20. The final game as already indicated, proved a runaway for Walker, who was in his best form, and drew beautiful • howls from the commencement, whereas i Keatley was obviously off his game, posjsibly feeling the effects of his hard fight with De Launay. The scores after each head were, Walker's name being mentioned first:—2—o, 4—o, 4 —2. 5 —2, 6—2, 6—3, o—4, o—4, 9—5, 9—7, 10—7, 13—7, 17—7, 19—7, 19—8, 22—8, 23—8. 24—8. Keatley then retired on the 18th head.