Beiliss wins but declines prize

Press, 28 October 1981, Page 48

Beiliss wins but declines prize

PA Auckland In a thrilling finish Peter Beiliss beat Barry Salter, of Australia, 25-23, in the final of the Papatoetoe international open bowls tournament yesterday but declined to take the $3OOO first prize. Beiliss wants to remain an amateur as he has hopes of retaining his place in the national side and going to next year’s Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. “I thought twice about taking the money,” he said after the final. “With threats of New Zealand being boycotted from the games it could turn out we don't go. Then I would have thrown $3OOO down the drain.” The prospect of accepting the prize was particularly tantalising for Beiliss, who has worked for only three weeks this year since Christmas. For the last three winters he has gone to Queensland to improve his game in the tough competition in the Gold Coast tournaments.

A fitter by trade, Beiliss has had only odd jobs in the last 18 months as he has devoted most of his time to his bowls. The Wanganui man intends to turn professional after Brisbane, or sooner if he is not selected. The final was an extremely close game, with neither Beiliss nor Salter really gaining any ascendancy. Beiliss was slightly more consistent with his draw shots, forcing Salter to drive more often, but he always stayed in the game and after being 17-22 down, came back to lead, 23-22. Salter then proceeded to draw two shots on the next end—enough to give him the game. With only one bowl left Beiliss was forced to drive to save the match. By the time the bowls had finished ricocheting around the head, Salter had only one bowl on the green. The kitty was in the ditch and Beiliss had four shots and the game. Salter could not believe it and raised his arms in horror, but the game had been

snatched by the New Zealand champion. Afterwards the New South Welshman conceded he would have played exactly the same bowls again given another chance. The $lOOO Salter received as runner-up was some consolation for his fourty-fifth birthday. The ultimate irony was the fact he and Beiliss have shared a hotel room during the Air New ZealandRadio Pacific tournament. Nick Unkovich became the first New Zealand professional bowler when he accepted the $5OO for third equal place, but lan Dickison declined the other $5OO. Dickison, too, had hopes of going to Brisbane and wants to retain his amateur status. The $3500 of unclaimed prizemoney will go to the New Zealand Bowling Association, which will use it for the promotion of the game. Most of it is likely to end up back in the hands of the Papatoetoe Club, which had the foresight to organise the first New Zealand proam tournament.