Bowls Pairs Champion’s Final Head Causes Upset

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30028, 12 January 1963, Page 5

Bowls Pairs Champion’s Final Head Causes Upset

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 11. The pairs champion, J. N. S. Flett, of Pt Chevalier, achieved the almost impossible to beat die double singles champion, J. H. Rabone (Auckland), at the New Zealand fours bowls championships at Wellington today.

Flett was in a seemingly hopeless position when he needed six to

tie on the last end. But he got seven fantastic shots—only one under the maximum—drawing the winning shot with his last bowL Wellington's delinquent weather interfered with the championships again today. The first round was put back from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and for much of the first game the heavy, wind-swept greens reduced bowling to hit-and-miss stuff. Hands were cold and many players were unable to get a suitable grip on their bowls.

M Survivors Only 16 rinks played two rounds, the other 128 playing one. At the end of the day there were 64 survivors instead of the originally-plan-ned 32.

The loss of time will result in three rounds being played tomorrow.

With a steady, drying wind the greens became more playable as the afternoon progressed. Two to overcome them and play admirable bowls were Flett and W. H. Hampton, of Naenae. Hampton a Cardiff Empire Games representative, decisively beat and eliminated th- playing-through champion. R. Brown (Marlborough).

The Marlborough men hurled drive after drive at the 20th head, but to no avail, and they surrended the without playing the Few en 15th Brown, with only one change from the winning rink of last season, took a four on the 15th and a one on the 16th to draw level, 13-13, with Hampton. But then Hampton and his team of F. B. Tait, H. Hamer and C. McCoy, collected a

two and a one. He got a three on the next when Brown, lying two-down, misdirected a drive and left Hampton lying three-up. The Marlborough men drove furiously on the 20th head but Hampton matched each good drive with an equally good block. Hampton won 21-13.

On the same green the four “master,” T. T. Skoglund (Carlton), had a good win over G. A. Nicholls (Avon. Taranaki). Skoglund, dressed throughout the match in a raincoat, led 13-1 after eight ends, but thereafter Nicholls made ground to cut Skoglund’s winning score to 19-14.

Skoglund’s nephew. P. C. Skoglund (Wellington), had to fight desperately to beat a former charrfpion, I. B. Evans, of OmarunuL P. C. Skoglund’s team includes his father, a former Minister of Education. P. O. Skoglund. Past Champions Win

Past champions to win included M. A. Marinovich (Oratia), H. H. J. Robson (Mangakino), W. P. O’Neill (Carlton), and G. H. Crowley (Gisborne).

C. L. A. Spearman (Christchurch R.S.A.), run-ner-up last season, was eliminated in his second game by D. M. Finnie (Sydenham). The 1952 champion, K S. Ewing (Fitroy), went ou' to D. G. Emirali (Sandringham). Marinovich was far too good for the Inglewood combination of Ernie, Roy, Bill and Barney Spurdie, winning 21-9.

The singles champion, A. Govorko (Ngongotaha), revealed his best rinks form to date in eliminating the accomplished players of R. Graham’s Wellington team. Survivors are:— Skoglund (Carlton), Hampton (Naenae), Dick (Kelburn), Hanratty (Hutt), Kirkham (Carlton), Skoglund (Wellington). Daniel (WMkanae), Ballinger (Khandallah), Crowley (Gisborne), Flett (Point Chevalier). Barron (Miramar),

Govotfco (Ngongotaha). „ Jolly (Leith). Moore (Carlsin as ‘“SSB: McDonald , (Onebunga), Vaughan.. (Kabotia), Uvtogstone (FUmmerton). Griggs (Palmerston North), Warr (Johnsonville), Doosan (Island Bay), Oracge (85. Ftnnte , (Sydenham), Tjiylqr (JobMonville). Clemente (Eastbourne). DeUadonna (Newton), Thompson (Wbittora). <S£ Hutt). BaFich (Hamilton) Powell (St Jot Mi’s). Nicholson (Plimmerton), Murtagh (Parttutu), Roteon (Mangakino), Gwynne (Titahi B«), Hendemson (Otnaranui), Lfttle (Seatoun), Marinovich (Gratia), McDonald (Wanganui East), Kedghtley (New Plymouth), Cooper (Naenae), Oran (Mount Albert). Hawthorn (Khamtetah) o-NeU (CaritoS). Myers (Waihi). McCaw (Naenae). Scott (Hawera), Airrntt (Paraparaumu Beach), Bennie (Fendalton), Gribble (Stoke), Hamilton J Balmoral), O’Boyle (Neleon R.S.A.).