Four teams vie for sevens final

Press, 28 November 1988, Page 24

Four teams vie for sevens final

Four terns are in a neck and neck race to reach the final of the Canterbury Bowling Centre’s Trust Bank Canterbury Super Sevens, and it could go right to the last bowl of the qualifying round before the aspirants are sorted out. Saturday’s play served only to confirm that these four have proved more consistent than the rest and that none of them dare relax, or falter. Papanui did just that in section one and paid the consequences, with South Brighton edging ahead to a one-point lead. While it did not falter entirely, Papanui was able to score only a 2-1 win over Woolston Workingmen’s Club, while South Brighton got a resounding 3-0 win over Beckenham. Such is the nature of the competition, that it may prove fatal for Papanui, for only one team from each section will advance beyond the qualifying round and straight to the final. South Brighton’s win looked in doubt in only one of the games. Beckenham's four, skipped by Bill Fiecken, continues to.push hard in almost every game and just lacks that ounce of luck that can make all the - difference. Against the four of Peter Meier, Fiecken’s team was in contention all the way only to see the game lost at 17-16. Papanui saw the other side of the competitive coin, when Woolston W.M.C.’s Arnold Memory won 22-18 over Jack Dale, in the pairs, while the singles game was won with ease. Leon Jones beat Tony Thomas, 31-18. But the four

of Brian Barker lost to Clyde Palmer, 18-22. To beat Linwood containing Sonny Calder in the singles and Andrew Curtan in the pairs by such a margin would be cause for jubilation and it all but edges Linwood out of contention. However, only three points down, Linwood could still be there with a chance, should Burnside find the tension too tough and relinquish points in the next two weeks. Kaiapoi is similarly placed in section one, but has the game against the leader in the next round. None of the others appears to have a chance, barring upsets. In section two, Burnside duplicated South Brighton’s result, with a 3-0 win over Dallington. Its route to the win was only a little easier than was South Brighton's. The singles player, Stewart Buttar, for perhaps the first time this season, was pushed right to the last end, to win, 31-30, over lan McAllister. However, the other wins were somewhat easier. Ken Prebble, in the pairs, put a distance between himself and Ray Monroe, winning 34-6. The four of Robin Howman, however, scraped in for a 2220 win over lan Scott. Second placed Spreydon also gained a resounding win over Linwood, 3-0. It was an unlikely result, at least in the score line, but it served to ensure it stayed in touch with Burnside, being just one point down. Results (winning team named first. Games, in order, are singles, pairs and fours):

Section I South Brighton 3 Beckenham 0 G. Stanley 31, D. O’Callaghan 19; M. Moffat 29, B. Chapman 13; P. Meier 17, W. Frieken 16. Papanui 2 Woolston WMC 1 L. Jones 31, A. Thomas 18; J. Dale 19, A. Memory 22; B. Barker 22, C. Palmer 18. Kaiapoi 2 Sumner 1 A. Griffin 30, N. Poole 31; T. Coup 27, B. Johns 15; G. Matthews 23, C. Thompson 13. Sydenham 2 Canterbury 1 G. Lawson 31, J. Cadwell 11, P. Collins 28, P. Joyce 15; T. Berry 9, K. Tough 20. Section II Burnside 3 Dallington 0 S. Buttar 31, I McCallister 30; K. Prebble 34, R. Monroe 6; R. Howman 22,1. Scott 20. Spreydon 3 Linwood 0 T. Darby 31, S. Calder 25; B. McNish 20, A. Curtan 18; R. Hunt 25, J. Saundercock 13. Woolston Park 3 Rangiora 0 S. Godfrey 31, B. Chinnery 12; R. Fridd 26, J. Rowe 18; R. Bodger 21, H. Scrimgeour 10. Hornby W.M.C. 2 Elmwood 1 N. Tomlinson 31, J. Moreton 15; T. Horwell 17, W. Newburgh 26; R. Robinson 21, P. Maples 17. Points after five rounds are:— Section I: South Brighton 12, Papanui 11, Sumner 8, Kaiapoi 8, Sydenham 7, Woolston W.M.C. 6, Beckenham 6, Canterbury 3. Section II: Burnside 12, Spreydon 11, Linwood 8, Elmwood 7, Hornby W.M.C. 7, Woolston Park 7, Rangiora 5, Dallington 3.