Bowler’s wait for singles title ends

Press, 22 October 1984, Page 28

Bowler’s wait for singles title ends

By KEVIN McMENAMIN Graham Stanley (South Brighton) won the major bowls singles title that has so often eluded him when he beat Ken Watson (Linwood) in the final of “The Press”Air New Zealand invitation tournament at Papanui yesterday. Stanley was the beaten finalist last year and although a centre gold star holder, in less than 10 years in bowls, he has had a frustrating run of near misses in singles. Four times he has been either second or third in the centre open singles. However, Stanley led throughout yesterday’s final and after advancing to a 9-0 lead after five ends he never looked in much danger of defeat. He drove extremely well to get himself out of the odd spot of bother and he tightened his grip on the game when he moved the jack for four shots and a 17-7 lead. Watson, who had gone into the final as the favourite on the strength of an unbeaten run through his five previous games, and a particularly impressive display in the semi-finals, closed the gap with nine points on five ends, but Stanley was unruffled by the challenge. He played very steadily over the latter stages, with his drive again a handy weapon, and he reached the target of 25 points with a lovely trail for two shots. The final score was 25-17. Stanley’s prize for winning the tournament is an all-expenses paid trip to the

$lO,OOO Manawatu Lion Masters singles in Palmerston North in February. Watson did not go away empty-handed. A spectator, upon hearing there was no second prize, anonymously presented a bottle of Scotland’s best-known export to go to the runner-up. In the semi-finals, Stanley had a long battle with Bernie Johns (Christchurch), who was eliminated at the same stage last year. Stanley led 9-1 early, but Johns fought back to trail 17-14 before Stanley pulled clear again to win, 25-17. Bill McDonald (Spreydon), who had drawn consistently well over the two days, held Watson for a long time in their semi-final. McDonald was ahead, 13-12, before Watson struck a purple patch on shortish heads and he won seven consecutive ends to gain his winning break at. 22-13.

The other four players to come through from the section rounds on Saturday were Robin Howman (Fendalton), Morgan Moffat (South Brighton), Wally Wilkinson . (Beckenham) and Jace Dale (Papanui). Along with Watson, Howman, Wilkinson and Dale all won their three games on Saturday. McDonald eliminated Howman in a game that was close only for the first half-hour, Stanley staged a strong finish to send Dale packing and Johns was under some pressure to withstand a late run from Wilkinson.

Wilkinson, at least, had the singular distinction of

beating Stanley, by the score of 25-14, in the second round of section play. Johns was a shade lucky to reach the quarter-finals. Dale won Johns’s section with three wins, and the three others, Johns, Noel Tomlinson (Hornby W.M.C.) and Neville Hill (Rangiora), all had just one win, Johns coming through on the best points differential. Moffat, who is hoping to make his mark as a singles player this summer, did not have a particularly happy tournament. He was beaten 25-7 by Howman, who did play outstandingly well, in his first game and he had to come from 15-7 down to beat Morris Nairn (Leeston), 25-21, in his third game and earn the right to continue. This was a marathon battle, lasting 34 ends, with at least seven heads burnt. Moffat, fell a long way behind Watson early in their quarter-final, and although he hit more drives than any of the other 16 players, his drawing was patchy and he never really looked likely to catch his old Linwood playing partner, Watson. Results from the quarterfinals were.— <

Quarter-finals.— W. McDonald (Spreydon) 25, R. Howman (Burnside) 16; K: Watson (Linwood) 25, M. Moffat (South Brighton) 14; B. Johns (Christchurch) 25, W. Wilkinson (Beckenham) 20; G. Stanley (South Brighton) 25, J. Dale (Papanui) 15. Semi-finals.— Watson 25, McDonald 15; Stanley 25, Johns 17.

Final.— Stanley 25, Watson