Girl Dominates Bowls Final

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31399, 19 June 1967, Page 3

Girl Dominates Bowls Final

“The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON. Rarely has a national indoor bowls fours final been dominated by an individual—almost never by a girl. But after L. Dunn (Mount Albert, Auckland) had thrashed T. Regan (Waikato), 29-7, in a game that finished at the fifteenth end, on Saturday, the over-riding impression was the magnificent play of Dunn’s lead. Miss B. Bowsie. From the first bowl played in the final, Miss Bowsie never lost her touch. Mrs P. Regan, Regan’s lead, also gave a magnificent display, and hers was the only bright spot in what was for Regan, undoubtedly, a nightmare match. In the semi-finals, Regan

had defeated A. E. Williamson (Canterbury), 12-8. Miss Bowsie provided the foundation on which Dunn built a lead of 17-5 at the halfway mark. Mrs Regan could only applaud as her younger opponent outplayed her on nearly every end.

Nevertheless, Mrs Regan was the only player in Regan’s team that appeared anywhere near top form. Dunn showed complete control throughout and never appeared ruffled. In fact, he had little cause. His number two, Mrs C. Walker, a former winner of the Truth Rosebowl, and Mrs M. Serra showed that they, too, could draw and drive with the best

of the men. The match opened quietly, with B. Howard, Regan’s number three, drawing well to give his side a 1-0 lead. However, Miss Bowsie and Dunn drew exceptionally well on the second and third ends

to score a two and a four, to lead 6-1. Regan appeared set for a big score in the fourth, but Dunn played a remarkable drive which sent the jack rebounding two feet back towards him. Then Dunn also demonstrated his remarkable

control to draw in for one and go to a 7-1 lead. A three on the fifth and a two at the sixth gave Dunn a commanding lead of 12-1. The eighth end completed Regan’s downfall. Miss Bowsie led perfectly and Mrs Serra followed with a trail that put Dunn three up. The skip capitalised on this excellent team-work to add another two to score five and

lead 17-2. Dunn hammered home the advantage with a five at the thirteenth, one at the fourteenth, and a four on the fifteenth, bringing the match to a close with three ends unplayed.

I Three Canterbury players I survived to the late stages, Williamson being surprisingly defeated by Regan in the semifinals. The Canterbury four showed glimpses of the form that won Williamson the national pairs title last year, but lapses at crucial stages cost them the game. J. Charlesworth lost to the defending title-holder, S. E. N. Smith (Auckland), 16-7. Charlesworth was by no means outclassed by the former champion and the result could have been much closer with an ounce of luck. Charlesworth had earlier defeated another Canterbury player, E. G. F. Smith. R. Murphy scored an outstanding win over F. Jennings (Wellington) to go through to the quarter-finals, but was eliminated by C. A. Campbell (Auckland), 14-4. Murphy appeared to lose his earlier touch.