Favourites begin well in Christmas fours

Press, 27 December 1982, Page 3

Favourites begin well in Christmas fours

All the favoured teams were among the 17 unbeaten after the first three section rounds yesterday in the Christchurch Christmas fours bowls tournament.

The title-holder, Morgan Moffat (Linwood), won his first two games decisively, but he was put to the test by Philip Maples (Elmwood) in the third round. Moffat eventually won, 17-11, but it was not until he picked up a four on the second-to-last that Moffat was more than two points ahead. Maples played extremely well. He won several heads with nominated shots, a continuation of the good form he showed earlier in the day. John Gill (Papanui). a runner-up twice in this event and a form runner this time, is in the same section as Moffat, but they do not meet. Gill had three convincing wins and should have no problems qualifying. Ron Dorman (Fendalton), a previous winner, began well with three decisive wins, while Wally Wilkinson (Beck-

enliam). Robin Howman (Burnside). Travis Coup (Kaiapoi) and Neil Banfield (Spreydon) did well enough to suppose that they will qualify comfortably. Thirty-three teams were beaten once, and of the remaining 48, the only two skips who might have been expected to fare better were lan Scott (Dallington) and Ernie McCahon (Fendalton). Both gained their first wins in the third round, and will be looking for better returns today. Play on all greens was interrupted by the rain which hit Christchurch late in the afternoon, and some mopping up was required on those on the south side of town. However, the longest stoppage was less than an hour. Three and two-game winners are.— Three wins N. Williams (South Brighton). R. Howman (Burnside). P. Meier (South Brighton), H. Scrimgeour (Rangiora), N. Banfield (Spreydon). F. Cater (Beckenham). P. Remi (Burnside). T. Coup (Kaiapoi). A. Memory (Woolston

W.M.C.). M. Moffat (Linwood). J. Gill (Papanui), R. Dorman (Fendalton). L. Milner (Dallington). W. Wilkinson (Beckenham). M. Robinson (Barrington). R. Higginson (Rangiora), J. Dale (South Brighton). Two wins R. O'Callaghan (Shirley). A. Ravenwood (Rangiora), W. Morrison (Burnside), W. Boyd (Papanui). M. Hibbard (Linwood). C. Coxall (Woolston W.M.C.). E. Haigh (Cashmere). D. Hobby (Burwood). W. Hayes (Linwood). T. Story (Sydenham), M. Penfold (Rangiora), S. Prendergast (R.S.A.), G. Howse (Kaiapoi). J. Simpson (St Martins), T. Kennedy (Christchurch-Richmond M.S.A.), P. Maples (Elmwood). I. Ferguson (Burwood). F. Fiecken (Cashmere). D. Campbell (Burnside), F. Southern (Riccarton W.M.C.), I. Hanson (Barrington), A. Jones (Darfield), C. Timlin (Papanui W.M.C). A. Jackson (Sumner). D. Paterson (Canterbury), E. Turland (Elmwood), R. Roulston (Riccarton W.M.C.), R. Norton (Spreydon), B. Bishop (United), M. Graham (Cashmere), H. Berry (Linwood), J. Cunningham (Sydenham). G. Glystra (Burwood).