CHRISTCHURCH SUCCESSES

Evening Star, Issue 25083, 26 January 1944, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH SUCCESSES

A REMARKABLE RECORD LBy Draw.J The R.S.A. Club, in carrying off the fours championship this season, gives the Ohristchurch Centre a further honour. Until 1934 no-Canterbury club had won the fours championship since the amalgamation of the various associations in 1913. The Christchurch centre has over the last nine championships won the shield on no less than six occasions. In 1934 the Linwood Club, with G. Dickson, V. lledpath, H. F. Gibson, and H. Wilson (skip) scored; in 1936 the Canterbury Club's team, comprising C. H. Elsoin, J. W. Turpin. C. J. Shaw, and \\. Haworth, were the winners, and the same team, with one change (P. Munn for J. W. Turpin) again won the honour in 1937. These successes were followed by the Linwood Club again securing first place in 1938. with S. J. Sneddon, F. Redpath. P. Munn. and H. Wilson. In 1941. at Christchurch. the Canterbury Club's men won the championship with C. H. Elsom, D. H. Joseph, A. Williamson, and P. Munn (skip), and the 1944 championship has gone to the vounsr R. S. A. Club of Christchurch. so ably skipped by Charlie Spearman The success of Christchurch players in the

fours championship over the last decade, is remarkable, and there aro many people associated with the game who attribute the experience gained a I indoor bowling by many Christchurcli players as the foundation for the great run of successes in the fours competitions which has come the way of players in that centre. (The indoor area is now closed 'owing to the sale of tho property for other purposes.)

The winning of the singles championship by M. J. Squire was most popular. This member of the Hawera Club had given fine displays in all the events contested over the last two weeks, and there were many who gave him a great chance of annexing the fours championship with his very consistent club mates. Squire,'with H. S. Maslin, won the champion pairs in 1933 and again in 1941. M. J. Squire has now joined the select band of players who have three titles. During the play on the various greens the free and easy stylo of Squire was frequently commented on. and some have gone as far as to compare him with that great stylist and player, the late Professor Maxwell Walker. No doubt Squire has many of the late champion's methods in hw play, and is certainly worthy of comparison with any of the past stars There is a similarity in appearance and style of play between Squire and D. H Joseph, of Munn's' Canterbury team, who to-day' competed in the final oi the pairs championship. In 1941, when the last championships were played Joseph and his lead, A. Williamson, were runners-up to Maslin and Squir* in the pairs. " The other pair contesting the pair? final comprised. Phil. Edwards, a popular member of the St. Kilda Club, and E. Travers, who is playing in uniform. Travers was for many years associated with bowling in the Waimate district and a few years back was a constant competitor at Timaru and Oamaru tournaments.