Challenge for bowls titles

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33382, 14 November 1973, Page 30

Challenge for bowls titles

Four overseas bowlers — three from Papua New Guinea and one from Australia—will contest the national bowls championships, which begin in Christchurch on December 27.

Two of the visitors— R. Henderson and B. Baxter—are members of the Papua New Guinea team for the Commonwealth (James.

The others are brothers, M. ’and D. Murray, both Roman i Catholic priests. D. Murray is based 1 in Papua New Guinea and M. Murray lives in New South Wales. REQUEST MET Baxter and Henderson entered for singles and pairs, and also asked if two local bowlers could be found to play with them in the fours. The Murray brothers were interested only in singles and pairs, but when asked to combine with Baxter and Henderson in the fours, immediately agreed. The Murrays will play under Australia’s banner in the pairs, but the four will be recognised as from Papua New Guinea. STRONG CHALLENGERS As Commonwealth Games selections, Henderson, who will play at No. 3 in his country’s four, and Baxter, who is the fours skip, can be expected to make bold showings at the tournament. Henderson was the Papua New Guinea singles representative at the world championships in Worthing last year, and his record included a 21-14 win over the defending champion, D. Bryant (England), and a 19-21 loss to R. L. McDonald (New Zealand).

The secretary of the tournament committee (Mr M. A. LeCren) said yesterday that as far as he knew there was nothing to prevent overseas players winning New Zealand bowls titles.