K. Murray Wins Singles Title

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31020, 28 March 1966, Page 18

K. Murray Wins Singles Title

K. G. Murray, the favourite to win the champion of champions singles, had some anxious moments in the final against D. Stuart (Dallington) before he won by 24 points to 15.

When leading’ 10-1 after 10 ends Murray seemed assured of victory over Stuart. But Stuart narrowed the gap to 16-15 by the eighteenth end. Murray, who had not been playing very well, drew away again, and when he gained four points on the twentythird end to give him a lead of 24-15, the match was conceded by Stuart. It was Murray’s second consecutive win in the singles championship, and he is only the second person to have performed this feat.

Murray had some cause for confidence when he began the final. In the semi-final he had beaten T. Coup (Kaiapoi), 21-18, after leading. 16-2, after 12 ends. He started well against Stuart, who beat A. Gray (Elmwood). 18-13, in the semi final. Murray was leading, 2-1, after three ends then Stuart, mistiming his drives, gave Murray seven points in two consecutive ends when his missed drives left Murray’s bowls intact to make the score 9-1. When the score was 12-3 after eight ends the playing of 25 ends seemed a formality, but then Stuart, rediscovering his touch on the draw, began to score freely. From 10-2 the score went to 16-15. Murray, perhaps slightly over-confident, often was short and Stuart, drawing well, always seemed to be inside Murray. Both players were undemonstrative when fortunes changed quickly. Stuart, who bends and sights before he delivers the bowl, perhaps took a fraction longer before he bowled. Murray. whose only sign of temperament is to stamp his left foot if the bowl goes off-course, was almost doing a fandango as Stuart crept closer and closer.

Murray, however, was equal to the occasion. He tightened up hia play and singles on the nineteenth and twentieth ends gave him an 18-13 lead. Further singles to Murray left

the score at 20-15 at the start of the twenty-third end. This was a repetition of early ends when Murray had scored well. Once Murray had gained the shot with his early bowls. Stuart decided to drive. He missed twice and even though he tried to draw a shot with his last bowl Murray scored four and won. 24-15. Murray played some superb bowls. His delicate drawing produced many points, but he may have relaxed too much on two occasions when Stuart’s inaccurate driving gave him an easy chance to draw second shot. Each time he was feet short and lost the chance of gaining precious points. However Murray was the more consistent and deserved his win. Stuart played some fine shots, particularly when he was trying to overhaul Murray, but on the day he was just not consistent enough.