Darling heading to record bowls win?

Press, 30 December 1978, Page 32

Darling heading to record bowls win?

PA Wellington Kevin Darling (Linwood) is storming his way towards an unprecedented third national pairs bowling title. Darling, 31 coasted to three easy wins yesterday to be the most impressive qualifier for today’s three rounds at Wellington’s Berhampore greens. “I’m starting to get the feel of the grass greens now,” Darling said. “I’ve been playing on cotula in Christchurch. “I’ve got as much chance as the other 30 who are still in contention, but it is a title I would like.” Darling, winner of the pairs in 1973 and 1974, is again playing with a new partner, this tim» John Saundercock. “John is playing real good at the moment,” said lingDarling yesterday had winning margins of 11, 18 and 18 following on his first-day margins of 35, 21, 11. His victories have contrasted with those of another former champion and tournament favourite, Bob McDonald, of Onehunga. Yesterday McDonald scraped through with two nail-biting finishes. In the morning he trailed

Perry (Papanui), 2-15, after) 10 ends and 13-19 after 181 ends. McDonald picked up two on the nineteenth, one on the twentieth and an incredible four on the twentyfirst to win the game, 20-19. In his next match McDonald, tne 1962 pairs champion, had further troubles. His opponent, Power, (Waitara), was leaving, iz--10, and holding three when he tried to put one round the back of a long end, but knocked the jack out. On the re-play ’ of the end, McDonald "picked up four and three on the next two before running out an 18-14 winner. Several “big-name” players were eliminated — Gordon Jolly, Neville Hill, John La.ii’uert, Norm Lash, John Flett, Fiji’s Ram Harakh and Robbie Robson, who lost to Wanganui’s Des Stead, 1819, after an extra end. Interesting early games today are between the Mangakino veteran, Joe Baillie, and Kevin Darling, and Paritutu’s Dave Baldwin and Aramoho’s Peter Beiliss in a play-off. The 31 qualifiers for today’s round are:— Section 1: Walsh (Brightwater) ber*t Jolly (Leith), 20-14. Section 2: Fisher (Cavasham) beat Mathews (Henderson), 23-15; Mears (Blenheim) beat Gash (Gratia). 19-14. Section 3: George (Seatoun)

beat Shivas (Burnside), 16-15; i Collins (U. Hutt) beat Rowney | (Victoria), 29-16. Section 4: Kydd (Wainui) beat Pears (Karon), 21-19; Giddy (Arawaha) beat Tucker (Palm. North), 22-16. Section 5: Bellis (Ara maho) beat Hills (U. Hutt), 21-14. Baldwin (Paritutu) beat Horscroft (Hillsboro), 25-15, Section 6: Johns (Chch) beat Poole (Waverly), 16-15. Gibson ‘ (Winton Central) beat Webster (Mt Eden), 24-12. Section 7: MacArthur (Pari- ’ tutu) beat Dunn (Hutt), 19-14. Boothby (Hillcrest) beat Mortimer : (Tawa), 24-9. L Section 8: Gibson (Park Avenue) beat Boyd (U. Hutt), 25-9. 1 Emerali (Carlton) beat Smith (Marton), 22-15. i Section 9: Il Isley (Takapuna) beat Lowry (Rahotu), 25-16. Jones (Mount Wellington) beat Greathead (Berhampore),. 18-13. Section 10: Foster (St Heliers) beat Calder (Linwood), 17-15. 1 Phipps (St Heliers) beat Moffatt (Linwood), 18-13. i Section 11: Bailie (Mangakino) beat Small (Takapuna), 22-20. Darling (Linwood) beat Rolfe > (Turangi), 24-6. Section 12: Low (Onehunga) beat Goodwin (U. Hutt), 22-14. , Lander (Titahi Bay) beat Puk- ’ lowski (Manawatu). 27-7. J Section 13: Barrett (Onehunga) . beat Dickson (Onehunga), 24-12. i Somerville (Rewa) beat Terry (Woodville), 19-12. 1 Section 14: McDonald (OneI hunga) beat Latham (Hutt), 1710. Tavlor (J’ville) beat Lambert (Tawa), 21-9. Section 15: Scott (J’ville) beat , Taylor (Whakatane), 19-17; Sellers (Northern) beat Ellis (West- ) port R.S.A.), 22-16. ; Section 16: Stead (Wanganui - R.S.A.) beat Robson (Tokoroa), 19-18. McConnel (Kaikorai) beat Buchan (Hamilton COS), 26-15.