FOURTH ROUND IN RINKS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25706, 19 January 1949, Page 6

FOURTH ROUND IN RINKS

BOWLS

43 TEAMS REMAIN s UNBEATEN SYDENHAM FOUR’S SUCCESS (P.A.) AUCKLAND, January 18. Forty-three of 412 competing teams remain unbeaten after four rounds have been played in the New Zealand Bowling Association’s fours championship. A further two rounds were played yesterday. The weather was brilliantly fine, but many greens are beginning to show signs of wear after 10 days’ continuous play. The heat in the middle of the day was particularly trying, especially to southern players. The defending champion four, skipped by Mingins Onehunga, which was surprisingly beaten yesterday, won both the games to-day in a manner which suggests it is still a hard team to beat. Other skips who appear at this early stage to have strong prospects are Engebretsen (Heretaunga), Benson (Balmoral), Exelby (Frankton Junction), Bremner (Carlton), and Hadwin (Hutt). Engebretsen and Bremner are the only two of this group still unbeaten, but all the skips mentioned have strong fours, and are widely known for their capabilities as bowlers. Each of Engebretsen’s wins have been achieved comfortably. His particularly strong four was extended by Hadwin in the first round. Both his game’s to-day were of close scores, but the result was scarcely in doubt at any stage. Exelby, who ha;i not been playing his best bowls, came into his .own to-day with a 48-7 win over Constantine (Auckland). Benson, in the same section as Exelby, had a further two wins to-day, and the meeting between these skips in the last round of section play should produce a memorable game. Hadwin, who was narrowly beaten by Bremner in the first round, had two close wins to-day, the second of which was remarkable. His rink was playing a rink skipped by the 1947 singles champion, Vella (Onehunga). Hadwin was behind bv 17-3 after 11 ends and then staged a remarkable recovery to win, 25-23, Hadwin trailed the jack to the ditch with the last bowl of the match and changed the score on the head of one against to four shots. Other good skips still unbeaten, whose personal ability makes them a threat to any team, are Spearman (Sydenham), Skoglund (Otahuhu), Pilkington (Otahuhu), Donaldson (Ponsonby), Marinovich (Oratia), Marinovich was lead in the champion pair last year, skipped by Garelja, who is playing No. 3 in this year’s four. Three Brothers in Rink The three Crowley brothers, Tolaga Bay, with Hurlstone as number three, won the title in 1947 and cannot be overlooked as possible champions at this tournament. The other unbeaten rink in their section is skipped by Fleming (Newtown), but as there are only eight rounds of section play the two teams will not meet. White (Runanga), skip of the 1946 champion four, is still unbeaten, and had two good wins to-day. In the fourth round he led Toy (Ellerslie) 9-0 after three ends, but after nine ends the score was 11-all. White then drew away to score a comfortable win. The double champion in 1934 and 1938, H. Wilson (formerly of Linwood and now Mount Eden), was unbeaten in section 17. Again Lewis (Epsom) he led 8-0 after four ends, then Lewis scored 14 in a row. Wilson got five shots at the eleventh head and never again looked back, going on to win by a good margin. In section three T. A. Bartyiw, representing Seatoun, had three wins and one remarkable game. Crosby (Mount Albert) beat Armstrong (Grey Lynn), 32-31. Armstrong scored six at the twentyfourth end to square the scores. Crosby laid the shot on the final head. Pilkington (Hamilton), winners of the pairs in 1931 and the fours in 1925, had a hard struggle to maintain an unbeaten record in section 25 against Davenport (Te Papapa) this morning. Pilkington was 7-19 down after eight ends but staged a late run. as .in the old days, to win 25-23. Unbeaten Rinks Unbeaten skips are Platt (Papakura), Woods (Tauranga), O’Neill (Auckland), Nuttall (Mount Eden). Smith (Heiensville), Vodanovich (Dargaville), Piper (Paitai), Pilkington (Otahuhu), Nicol (National Service, Hastings), O’Connor (Ohaupo), Clinkard (St. John’s, Wanganui), Lockley (Devonport), Marinovich (Oratia), Meredith (Balmoral), Ewing (Stratford), Blackwell (Putaruru), Spearman (Sydenham), Warneford (Grey Lynn), Reilly (James McPherson Club), Wooton (Pukekohe), Skoglund (Otahuhu), Bremner (Carlton), Harris (Wanganui), Morris (Whitiora), Fleming (Newtown), Crowley (Tolaga Bay), Engebretsen (Heretaunga), Burndred (Mangere), Moon (Te Papapa). Neve (Hallyburton-Johnstone), Travers (Christchurch), Donaldson (Ponsonby), Hill (Edendale), Munro (Waitemata), Buchan (Te Aroha)/ Pilkington (Hamilton), Smith (Papatoetoe), Stirling (Remuera), Bradley (Ponsonby), MeMurchy (Grey Lynn), Macnay (Whangarei). White (Runanga), Leathen (Ponsonby), Martyn (Nelson).