Improved showing by S.I. women bowlers

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33775, 22 February 1975, Page 4

Improved showing by S.I. women bowlers

North Island women bowlers, like their male counterparts, generally believe themselves superior to those in the South Island. In the women’s case it is a well-founded contention.

In terms of national titles, the record book gives North Island women an overwhelming advantage: the singles on 14 occasions to three; the pairs 20 to three: and the fours 21 to three. It was, therefore, of more than passing interest to find the South Island finishing with a two (the fours and the singles) to one advantage (the pairs) at the championships in Christchurch during the last two weeks. It is possibly' more in outlook, and. to a slightly lesser extent, technique that the North Islanders are better equipped. They •re more accustomed to

strongly-competitive tournament play and this, no doubt, largely accounts for their more professional approach to the game. However, the observation that Mrs A. Whiting (Woolston W.M.C.) had “done a Tayler” when her team took the first title decided, the fours, was close to the mark.

A home-town victory always brings added lustre and in this case it was not only for the obvious reason. Mrs Whiting brought to an end a long run of North Island fours victories and in the final she was carrying the hopes of the South Island almost as much as her own centre.

It was also a popular win for other reasons. Mrs Whiting has a solid record at club and centre level, and the step up to national honours was well merited.

It was only the standing of her opponent, Mrs E. Wilkie (Walton), that made Mrs Whiting the underdog for the final, but with the

complete support of her team she won decisively.

Just to confirm that her fours victory was not a fluke, Mrs Whiting made a bold showing in the pairs, being narrowly eliminated in the semi-finals.

It was probably in the singles more than any of the championships that North Island players were expected to enjoy dominance.

However, while they were present in strength towards the finish, it was a relatively unknown Dunedin woman, Mrs A. Triggs, who had the final say. Women bowlers generally shun the drive and stand or fall on their drawing ability — and Mrs Triggs proved herself a draw bowler of great skill.

After Mrs Whiting, the most successful local player was Mrs A. Manson (Shirley). whose record gave no hint that she would feature so prominently. She maintained a high standard throughout the two weeks

to reach the semi-finals of the singles and the quarterfinals of both the pairs and the fours. The North Island was represented by a strong contingent of “name” bowlers, and it was one of the slightly-lesser lights, Mrs N. Baker (Auckland Women’s), who saved their oyer-all reputations by winning the pairs. The top group, comprising Mesdames Wilkie, S. Winstanley (Marewa), J. Osborne (Manawatu), R. Ryan (Waharoa) and I. Foote (Hauraki), all got close to further titles, but, with the exception of Mrs Osborne, they lacked the brilliance to win vital games.

Mrs Wilkie, whose performances make her the top-ranked player in the country, was not as impressive as when she played in the last Christchurch tournament four years ago. But she still won admiration for the elegance of her delivery and, in the fours final, her graciousness in defeat.