Top Canterbury bowler dies

Press, 22 December 1987, Page 44

Top Canterbury bowler dies

Wally Wilkinson, one of Canterbury’s most renowned lawn bowlers, died suddenly in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Wilkinson, who was 65, is probably best remembered for winning 15 Canterbury >, centre titles, the most anyone has accumulated. However, his bowling career includes much more. He was the only Canterbury bowler to win a double gold star. In 1968 he represented New Zealand on a tour of South Africa and was very unlucky not to gain selection for the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. Mr Wilkinson Started

his bowling career with the Hornby club and moved about among the St Albans, Beckenham and Linwood clubs. He was with the Beckenham club at the time of his death. In the late 1960 s he allied with a group of six bowlers to build an outstanding record. Of these six bowlers, Jack Edmonds is the only survivor. The others were Harold Hartley, Bill Cogswell, Andy Hughes, who died earlier this year, and Bruce Sinclair. Mr Wilkinson’s only national bowls title came in 1970 at a tournament in Christchurch. With Hartley, he won the pairs

title. He has been well placed in other national competitions many times. Mr Wilkinson was remembered in bowling circles particularly for his accurate driving play. In the last two years he held the position of selector of the Canterbury centre. Formerly a schoolteacher, Mr Wilkinson’s last job was as headmaster of Linwood Intermediate School. He retired from that position. Apart from his outstanding bowling career, Mr Wilkinson was active in many sports. In his younger days he dabbled with some success in athletic]?, specialising in

middle-distance running. He was a ■ good cyclist, cricketer and softballer. He played both rugby and rugby league and refereed in both codes. He officiated in two rugby league tests when Australia toured New Zealand in 1953 and in the deciding test of the 1954 series against Britain. He is therefore the only Canterbury referee to have controlled more than one full international league test match. In his later years Mr Wilkinson was active among several ‘pony clubs. He is survived by his wife and