Ballinger wins bowls title

Press, 15 February 1982, Page 38

Ballinger wins bowls title

NZPA Palmerston North Paritutu’s Bruce Ballinger proved to be just too good for Okahu Bay’s colourful bowling personality Nick Unkovich in the final of the Manawatu Lion Masters singles in Palmerston North yesterday. . Unkovich showed superb drawing skills during his semi-final clash with Peter Bellis (Aramoho) earlier in the day to win 31-24. Although Bellis stuck grimly, to the task, his ploy to play long ends on the wily Okahu Bay bowler did not pay off. With Unkovich s place in the final secured, it was left to Ballinger and Aramoho’s Brian Trillo to fight out the second finalist

Ballinger earned nis second final in two years beating Trillo. 31-20 Tokoroa’s Robbie Robson managed to pip Ballinger in last year’s final and the Paritutu representative must surely have had that thought in mind during the match. The Masters final started with a bang, with Unkovich

killing the first end after Ballinger had held shot with a well-placed draw bowl. The Okahu Bay - player repeated his "killing’’ efforts on the third head, but Ballinger replied with a long end and took a 1-0 advantage in a final going to the first player to reach 31.

It proved to be a case of Ballinger settling into a drawing rhythm from the start and Unkovich. on the other hand, struggling to find weight and line. Unkovich strayed on the heads, while Ballinger continued to produce superb draw bowls, playing most of his shots off the narrow hand.

At 27-10, Ballinger looked to have the game, holding four shots. Those four bowls, however, proved to be just three after a measure and Unkovich survived.

It was only a -slight reprieve though, with Ballinger taking the title 31-16 when Unkovich missed a drive on the head to give, his opponent the 1982 Lion Masters, singles title.