Murtagh wins celebrity bowls

Press, 29 December 1980, Page 26

Murtagh wins celebrity bowls

PA Auckland Although he had not played any of his three opponents before in singles’ competition, John Murtagh did not give it a second thought when he won the celebrity singles bowls at Onehunga yesterday. In the .round-robin competition which preceeded the Rothmans national championships which start today, Murtagh beat Nick Unkovich, Phil Skoglund and Bob McDonald to win a trip to England in June. ’Coping well with the,constantly changing conditions, Murtagh produced consistent draw bowls , in all, three matches. Twice yesterday the greens were flooded and the second half of the morning round was transferred from a grass, to■ a. cotula green,. */ '7,' In ■ spite /of winning 7the competition, Murtagh . said he still leamt a lot from his opponents during the two days of play.'• I. “They are far better proven singles-players than me,” said Murtagh? ' “The experience .was-invaluable: You are learning from, them all the time.”' ‘ . <Ti Murtagh, who -will be defending, the singles championship he wpri last year, admits; to keying himself up for the special competition and will find it hard coming back to earth again, to start section play in the singles this morning. In” spite gf Ms «uaw 4

Murtagh had some anxious moments in his final match against Bob McDonald. When rain interrupted play, Murtagh was 2-8 down. Two hours later when the match resumed Murtagh found his length straight away and ran out' the wins her, 21-10. The challenge match between Skoglund and Unkovich produced some great play ? from both- bowlers, with the Aucklander winning, 21-20.. The pair swapped the lead several times, with some fine draw play and the odd smashing! drive from Unkovich. But bn the last end he made two fine draw shots to come from 19-20 down.

- Today the championships proper will start with 1664 players,- who hope, tq? retain at- 1 least dne'' of their two lives in the'singles contest. < Sixty-seven : greens-. froth Helensville..to -Papakura will be used. Play it the Birkenhead B greeh, has been transferred; tp: Takapuna, and competition Henderson has. been'; moved ;iio Hender-soniWomjeifsUi-.-'XV.' V •

Results, round one: J. Murtagh .'(Paritutu), 21, N. Unkovich (Okahu .Bay), 16: P. Skoglund (Northern), 21, R. McDonald (Onehunga), 18. Round two: Murtagh, 21, Skoglund, 18; Unkovich, 21, McDonald, 18. , Round'three: Murtagh, 21, McDonald, 10; Unkovich 21i Skoglund,-2«” - • -’.