BOWLS TITLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 213, 9 September 1931, Page 13

BOWLS TITLE.

AUSTRALIAN SINGLES,

ROBERTSON'S FINE EFFORT,

•A Sydney paper thus describes the final match for the Australian elngies bowling championship at Brisbane:— Frank Dobbie, of Victoria, is the singlehanded bowling champion of Australia for 1931. He won the title on New Farm green after a wonderful game with A. H. Robertson, of New Zealand. On the last end played, the New Zealander was lying two ehots and game, with one bowl to be sent down by Dobbie. From alongside the head Robertson had the unenviable experience of seeing the Victorian, with a remarkable effort, draw the shot and take the game, 31—SO. Dobbie's hat went into the air, and Robertson was the first to congratulate him. There was a large number of spectators to watch a splendid game, that ran to 38 ends, and the closing stages provided many thrills. I Robertson led 29—26, but Dobbie, by dogged play, evened the scores at 29 all. Then he ran to 30—29, following a successful drive when the New Zealander was lying the shot. Robertson put his last bowl in the ditch. On the next head Robertson was lying game, having two or •three counters when Dobbie drove and eent the jack into the ditch near the edge of the rink. Robertson, however, scored a single with a beautiful draw shot up to the near edge of the ditch. The final end was on the short side. Robertson's first shot, though good, was beaten by. the Victorian. Robertson's next bowl passed between the opposing bowl and the jack, lying a close second. With his third Robertson just rested Dobbie's bowl and lay two shots. Dobbie drew to within inches of the lying bowl, and Robertson, with his last bowl, drew another shot just behind the jack. In tense silence the Victorian inspected the lead, which allowed an open draw with no short bowls blocking the way. Going to the mat Dobbie eent down a magnificent bowl that just beat Robertson s for the shot, and evoked cheers. The bowls were so close that, though Dobbie was certain he had won, the scorer measured and found the Victorian's was in only by the "proverbial coat of paint." Scores:—Semifinal: F. Dobbie (Victoria) 31, beat Lowe (N.S.W.) 28; H. Robertson (N.Z.) 31, beat A. Maughan (Queensland) 17. Final: Dobbie 31, beat Robertson 30. Maughan defeated Lowe, 31—23, for third place.