Death of top bowler

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32977, 25 July 1972, Page 14

Death of top bowler

J, P. Andersen, one of Canterbury's most accomplished lawn bowlers and on his record in the last few year: certainly in the top three In the province, died on Sunday at the age of 44. He had been 111 for some months. Anderson first came to prominence as an indoor bowler, being the Canterbury singles champion of champions in 1965 and four Sears later being runfierup In lie national pairs. He began to make his presence felt in the outdoor branch of the sport in the late 1960 s and In 1970 he proved himself more ntog * the centre’s open singles and champion of champions singles tiUes. This was the first time that one Man had won these two events In the same season and in the open singles be had the rare distinction of winning with his two lives still Intact. m the 1970-71 season Anderson did not win any major titles, but he fared well enough to show that his double triumph Of the previous season was no Alike. He was third In the open singles and, as had been the ease in 1970. he was a member of the Christchurch team Which won

the Rothmans national intercentre tournament. Last summer proved to be a most profitable one for Anderson and sueh was the standard of his play at the national champlohShips in Dunedin that he very nearly won a place in the five-man New Zealand team which contested the recent world championships In England He was named as non-travelling reserve. i In Dunedin, Anderson was nar-

rowly beaten in the final Of the pairs by P. C. Skoglund (Northern) and he also made a great allowing tn the fours, being eliminated in the quarter-finale. At the centre level, he helped his Linwood club to win the Inter-club three-fours competition, he Skipped the champion of champions fours and was runnerup in the champion of champions singles. He also finished second in the Marlborough aentre’s Easter tournament. In the minds of many people such a list of achievements clearly made Anderson the top bowler in Canterbury last summer. Anderson Joined the Linwood Club in 19A and Immediately years. His later elub titles were the Singles twice, the pairs twice and the fours five flmee. He > served for a number of yean as the club's treasurer. As Well as being an outstanding bowler, Anderson waa also ian extremely popular one. A ) modest man, he had a wonderful competitive temperament and I whether winning or losing his > sportsmanship was always of the highest oi-der He is survived by his wife and - eight children.