SIDE ISSUES TO BOWLS FINAL

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33514, 20 April 1974, Page 4

SIDE ISSUES TO BOWLS FINAL

Although it cannot lie a conclusive verdict, the outcome of the Easter Fours final this morning should serve to help a little in determining Canterbury’s outstanding bowler of the season just ended.

By his deeds at the national championships, where he was placed in each of the three events, S. E. Lawson (Christchurch) would, in most years, have done more than enough to earn top place on any end-of-season ranking list. To enhance his claims even further, Lawson also took the Christchurch open singles title. However, he is being hotly challenged by the South Brighton club-mates, T. W. Dixon and P F. Meier, who will be endeavouring this morning to add even greater lustre to an outstanding season's record. In the final at Woolston W.M.C., Dixon, with Meier as his third, will play L. C. Lindley {Christchurch), who has Lawson as his No. 3. Already Dixon and Meier have broken new ground by winning the two major pairs events — the cham-pion-of-champions and the

open — in the one season and if they are successful today, they will accomplish another feat without precedent, three centre titles in one season.

Representing, as it would, half the centre’s tournament programme for the season, such a feat would, indeed, be a remarkable effort. There will be an added incentive for Dixon to win, for if he does, he qualifies for a centre gold star and would therefore give his club the distinction of having two players join the gold star “Club” in one season. Meier did so with the open pairs win and he is the only bowler to have gained the elusive fifth title in the past season. Although Lawson has been among the top echelon of Canterbury bowlers for a number of years, he has an unenviable record of semi-final and final defeats and a win this morning would bring him only his third centre title.

On performances during the summer, a LindleyDixon final for the Easter tournament is a most appropriate curtain-fall for the season and whatever the result it will cap a wonderful season for either Lawson or Dixon and Meier.