FINALS TO-MORROW

Evening Star, Issue 26029, 18 February 1947, Page 3

FINALS TO-MORROW

STIRRING CONTESTS EXPECTED (Special.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 17. Adams (Phoenix, Oamaru) was in great form tq inflict a 20-8 defeat on the Hataitai four at Lyall Bay, finding the green, although on the heavy side, running to their ‘ liking. The North Otago men ajl performed nicely, and the third’s trad on the tenth for a brace a fine effort. In the second match against Clinkard (St. Johns), Oamaru was forced to accept defeat on the fourteenth by a couple of points after a really interesting game in which each team gave of its best. Unfortunately, this Iform was not maintained, and the North Otago men lost their next game. Haworth (Canterbury) and Squire (Hawera) were both relegated to the bank to-day, but the former has, with his lead, Halston, a' life in the pairs. Livingstoue (Onehunga) is out of all competitions. St. Kilda had to bow to the inevitable in the second game, that against the well-performed Karori team skipped, by T. Gray, veteran of many tournaments. On the ruu of the play the Wellington men were too good for Claridge, whose team were alwavs a few down on the hoard.

Only two past champions are left in at this stage—Bremner, twice a winner, and Spearman, of the Christchurch R.S.A., who has a rinks win and two singles to'his credit. Last year’s champion, F. White (Runanga), was subjected to a big hiding to-day , when a Sydenham player trounced the West Coasters to the; tune of 19-1. Tuesday will see the same conditions as pertained to-day—three games of 14 ends and a time limit of one and three-quarter hours, and it is expected that the rinks final will come up for decision on Wednesday afternoon. Stirring contests are expected. Otago’s hope rests on the performance_ on Tuesday of G. Claridge’s St. Kilda men, who up to the present have performed very capably.