Unenviable task ahead of bowls selectors

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 4

Unenviable task ahead of bowls selectors

The Christchurch bowls selectors (Messrs J. R. Smith, G. T. Cotton and D. Martin) should have been well satisfied with the success of one of their teams and the near success of the other in the zone eliminations of the Rothmans national inter-centre tournament recently.

But the results were such that they now face an unenviable task in choosing the team to contest the South Island final, possibly at Timaru, on February 4. Both the singles players, S. E. Lawson and G. L. Barnes, finished with one win and two losses and if the choice remains between these two, as seems likely —although P. F. Meier is entitled to consideration— Lawson’s greater experience would give him an edge.

The situation in the pairs is even more intriguing. B. W. Sinclair and W. R. Wilkinson (skip) have in the past been the indisputable top team, but on Sunday they lost twice and, by all accounts, Wilkinson was well below his best.

On the other hand, the second pair of K. G. Murray and G. E. Bennett (skip), who had only once previously played together, combined outstandingly well and went through undefeated. Wilkinson might well be forgiven for one poor day, but then Murray and Bennett may be considered harshly treated if they were dropped. The situation is reminiscent of that two years ago when Murray struck up a successful partnership with

L. C. Lindley in the pairs in the elimination rounds and Sinclair and Wilkinson were preferred for the final, However, there was some justification, as Sinclair and Wilkinson were fresh from their third placing at the national championship. The position in regard to the fours is not a great deal different. Lindley’s team of F. W. Hoy, M. J. G. Robson and T. W. Dixon was unbeaten at Greymouth and apparently each member played extremely well. At Blenheim, T. F. Coup’s four of B. J. Smith, A. Memory and W. Hayes recorded two wins and a loss and, although it is hard to imagine Coup being dropped as the No. 1 fours skip—a position he has held for three years—the all-round competence of Lindley’s team might complicate matters.

The selectors have about six weeks before they must name their team for the South Island final, and the major tournaments at Christmas and New Year and then, no doubt, a trial could simplify their task—or, perhaps, add to it. However, one thing seems certain. The seven players chosen should comprise a strong team, one with an excellent chance of reaching the national final