N.Z. Bowling Title.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 16, 20 January 1932, Page 9

N.Z. Bowling Title.

RINKS CHAMPIONSHIP.

Maxwell Walker and Bremner Going Strong. (By Tele-graph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Interest in the New Zealand bowling tournament increased to-day, as the 24 leading rinks met in post-sectional play. Games in pairs and singles competition will also be played as competitors become available. It is hoped that all the finals will be decided by Friday evening. With the exception of light rain on Monday, the weather has been very favourable, and on no occasion has play been interrupted. Conditions were ideal to-day. Bremner (West End, Auckland), had a comfortable win against A. Armstrong's Roslyn rink in the first game to-day, the Aucklander winning by 8. Scoring ones and twos, Bremner was four up at the eighth head. Armstrong o-ot one on the next, but a nice cluster of four at the tenth head put Bremner seven up, and he was 11 up when he scored a five at the thirteenth head. Three was his highest score from then on, but Armstrong scored a sensational six at the eighteenth head. Bremner was lying one at the time, but Armstrong, with his last bowl, drove several out, and landed kitty in the ditch. The Roslyn rink scored another two on the last head, but finished eight down. G. Deare (Dunedin) won comfortably from N. Murray (Fitzroy). After seven heads had gone the two rinks were on even terms, but then Deare scored three on both the ninth and tenth heads, and trailed the jack for four on the eleventh. The whole rink had played, beautiful bowls for the three heads mentioned, and led 17 —9. Murray failed to retrieve the position, although he and others of his rink played particularly well at times. He was nine down on the twentieth head, and the last was not played. For the greater part of the game Edwards (Temuka) was not seriously challenged by Laurenson (Linwood). With the score 10—3 in favour of the Linwood skip on the seventh head there was promise of an interesting and closely-contested game, but Edwards, ably supported by. others of his rink, registered two successive fours. From then on the Temuka rink went on to establish a substantial lead.

Something of a surprise was provided when Burgess (Opawa) defeated Gray (Kelburn), a formidable rink. The Opawa players scored four drawn shots on the second head and led 9 —2. After five heads had been played, fine play by Gray's rink made the score 16 all, but Opawa took the lead by two on the twentieth, Burgess playing brilliantly. Kelburn rink needed five on the last head, but they encountered wonderful bowling on the part of the opposition. Bollinson, the Opawa third, drew the shot, but Routley raked kitty into the ditch. Bollinson again drew shot amidst great applause, and Burgess added another. Gray promoted one of his own i bowls to gain shot, but he was left I four down.

A notable victory was that of Dick (Ashburtou), who defeated Foster (Caledonian), regarded as a likely finalist. The last head provided an exciting finish to a fine match. Foster was lying the five he needed, and Dick's first "drive failed to alter the position. His second, however, got well into the head, eiviri" him two shots. • • °

Chief interest in the first round on the Cmistchurch green centred round the game between M. Walker and J Calder (Pnoenix). The Oamaru team caught the conditions quicklv. and, playing a forceful game, led 13—1 at the ninth head, and by 18— Ci at the thirteenth. Then Walker and his team started a great run. A tlrree and a four left them five down with six heads to play. Calder notched a single, . but Walker followed with 2—l—2, leaving kirn one dawn. The Oamaru rink were not nearly as steady as their opponents on the twenty-first, and Walker lay three, with a bowl to play, which was a trifle too strong to give him four. In the extra head Walker's test got in a good one, which was followed by two other close shots. Phoenix mostly played too strong, and Walker won by three. The result was due to superior tactics on the part of Walker during the final stages of the game. Results: — SECTION A. Bremner (West End, Auckland) 25, v. Armstrong (Roslyn) 17. Gordon (Canterbury) IS, v. Hodge (Awamoa) 10. Wilson (St. Kilda) 21, v. Sprosen (Linwood) 16. Ramsay (Shirley) 23, v. Goodwin (Thorndon) 14. SECTION B. Hutchison (Dunedin) 27, v. Ives (Canterbury) 10. Moves (West End, Tiniaru) 22, v. Skoglund (Stratford) 14. Bandy (I'apanui) 24, v. Forster (Caversham) 13. Walker (Auckland) 24, v. Calder (Phoenix, Oamaru) 21. SECTION C. Burgess (Opawa) 20, v. Grey (Kclburn) IS. Dick (Ashburton) 22, v. Foster (Caledonian) 10. Deare (Dunedin) 24, v. Murray (Bitzr'ov) 14. Edwards (Temuka) 30, v. Laurenson (Linwood) 17. PAIRS COMPETITION. The green winners were : — Beckenham Green. —Jack (St. John's) 26, v. Johnson (Sumner) 21. Canterbury Green. —Martin CSumner) 24, v. Claughtou (Blenheim) 10. t Christchurch Green. —Coull (St. Clair) 17, v. Harkes (Canterbury) 12.