Big chance for bowls success

Press, 2 March 1984, Page 10

Big chance for bowls success

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

Not since 1971 has Christchurch won the Rothmans inter-centre bowls tournament, although rarely has it failed in the intervening years to reach the final rounds.

Once again this summer Christchurch has come safely through the elimination rounds and it may never have a better chance to win over all than it will when the finals are played at Burwood this week-end. For a start, Christchurch will have the advantage of a home green and while this has not proved decisive in the past the pace should be suited to the two South Island teams, rather than the four from the North.

The other South Island team is Dunedin, which has a great record in the event and will be endeavouring to complete a hat-trick of victories.

But Dunedin will be weakened by the absence of two of its top players, Stewart McConnell and lan Dickison, both of whom will be in Australia representing New Zealand in the Newcastle pairs. Dunedin will still have a strong team, but the absence of McConnell and Dickison must have some effect. The North Island will be represented by Counties,

Waikato, Wanganui and Wellington and it never ceases to amaze in this event how poorly the sup-posedly-stronger North Island centres fare.

Auckland is a prime example, and in spite of its numbers and iong list of top players it once again this season failed to survive the elimination rounds.

Manawatu and Taranaki are others which have disappeared surprisingly early, although the teams that have beaten them are obviously not without ability and taking them lightly would be foolish in the extreme.

Waikato has two experienced skips in Robbie Robson (pairs) and Jack Somerville (fours), but after them the names do not ring many bells.

Wanganui has Peter Beiliss as its singles player, and it does have others who are recognised as solid, if not spectacular, bowlers on the national circuit.

Wellington, like the other four North Island centres represented this time, has never won the title, but it might have prospects this year. Jim Scott is sure to be a force in the singles, and with Kerry Clark and Jack Lambert at the back end of the four it could be hard to beat in this section as well. Dunedin certainly has an interesting team, and there is little doubt that per head of population Dunedin has the drop on all other centres in the way of quality players. Kevin Darling will attract a lot of interest in the singles role, and if he can recapture the form that got him through to the final at the national championships in Januay, Dunedin will be a long $y towards retaining its crown.

Duncan McConnell has Geoff Wilson leading for him in the pairs and Terry Scott will have control of a four which has a very solid look about it.

Although a clear winner of its elimination, Christchurch was not totally convincing. The same seven players have been retained and they would have to do better to stay with the pace in this company. The key man, as always, is the singles player, Neville Poole. He would need, at least, to break even to give Christchurch a chance and against the likes of Darling, Beiliss and Scott this is no easy assignment.

The pair of Leon Jones and Bob Patterson has proved itself in the best company and it should better 50 per cent without too much trouble.

The four is a worry. The front two; Ken Watson and Allan Griffin, did quite well in the eliminations, and Watson is playing wonderful bowls at present. No-one doubts the ability of the other two, Graham Stanley and Morgan Moffat, but they have not been playing well and much will depend on Moffat’s ability to risefto the big occasion.