Wilkinson adds to centre titles record

Press, 8 January 1983, Page 3

Wilkinson adds to centre titles record

Thirteen is a number which has special significance for the Beckenham bowler. Wally Wilkinson. Some years ago he got stuck on it while playing in the Dominion fours. going from 13-2 up to 29-13 down.

He only got off it when he stuck an "A" after his total on the scoreboard. What started, therefore, as a joke became a little more serious and Wilkinson still sometimes adds the "A" when he is on 13. But so far as Christchurch centre titles are concerned. Wilkinson was hardly on 13 long enough for superstition to take hold. He won his thirteenth title, which is two more than any other player, in the Christmas fours last week, and yesterday he advanced the record to 14 when he added the New Year triples to his haul.

This gives Wilkinson, aged 59. a "double double." He won both those tournaments when they were last played, two years ago — the Christmas event as the third for Morgan Moffat and the triples with his own team.

He' proved a clear-cm. winner of the triples. He won all his section games decisively. and took the final, against Ken Shivas. who was

playing on his home Burnside green, convincingly at 17-14. The score is a little deceptive as Shivas picked up six points on the last three ends: shots which Wilkinson was quite happy to concede? Wilkinson gave full credit to his team of Arnie Spicer and Geoff Wilkinson (no relation). a fourth-year player, who was also with him in the Christmas fours.

Both men did play well —; further evidence of Wilkin-’ son's ability to bring the best out in his players — but once again it was Wilkinson's ability to play the vital shots that brought ■ Beckenham to the fore.

The final was played in very windy conditions and although there were one or two tight heads most were fairly scattered. Wilkinson drew a few important shots, but it was his drive which made the difference.

Wilkinson was 8-5 up after eight ends and it was his drive‘to take out an opposition bowl on the next head which earned him a three, and a position of command which he never relinquished. Shivas. whose ' partners were Ray Marks and Max Davis, was usually struggling for close bowls and he was forced to drive quite often, with little success. The two semi-finals were fairly one-sided. Helped by a five on the first end. Wilkinson was 11-0 up on Jack

'Andrews (Christchurch-Rich-mond M.S.A.) after four ends, and he coasted from then on to win 18-10.

Shivas also began well, with a four on the first against Arch Ravenwood (Rangiora). He was ahead 164 after eleven ends, and although Ravenwood scored nine points on the next four ends. Shivas came away again to win handsomely/ The only other game yesterday. a quarter-final between Andrews, whose team was Jim Hecker and TerryKennedy. and Arnold Memory (Woolston W.M.C.) was the closest of the day. Andrews got a five in the middle' stages to lead 11-8. but Memory fought back and he was in front. 12-11. playing the last end.

Memory twice held the shot, but three good bowls, all different shots, by Kennedy swung the head Andrews' way. He drew the winning shot with a bowl which was intended as a block. Results.-

Quarter-final. J. Andrews (Christchurch-Richmond' M.S.A.) 13. A. Memory (Woolston W.M.C.) 12. Semi-finals- W Wilkinson (Beckenham) 18. Andrews 10: K. Shivas (Burnside) 20. A. Ravenwood (Rangiora) 13. Final.— Wilkinson 17. Shivas 14.