BOWLING

Grey River Argus, 13 February 1928, Page 6

BOWLING

WEST COAST SINGLES Mercer Wins Championship The AVest Coast Centre’s annual “Champion of Champions” singles contest was played on the local green on Saturday. Of the live clubs in (ho Centre, Reefton was the only one not represented. Hie players taking part b •- ing: L. S. Mercer (Greymouth), N. Leach (Runanga). C. Sara (Westport), and D. Stevenson (Hokitika) The conditions of the contest provided Ih.il each player should play every other player, the winner to bo the competitor with tin* greatest number of wins. The rain, which fell on Friday and early on Saturday morning, made th'* green heavy, but it otherwise played well, there being a fair draw on either hand.

The first games played wore between Mercer ami Stevenson and Sara and Leach. Both these were fairly closely contested, although the winner in each instance undoubtedly had the better of the game right through. Mercer beat Stevenson 18 ea 16, and Sara, beat

his game against Leach, the score being 19-13.

In the second round, Mercer met Sara, and Stevenson played Leach, but these games wore very uninteresting, as the result was never in doubt after the first few’ heads had been played. Mercer won by 24 points to 5, and Stevenson had a margin of 15 points over his opponent, the scores being 21-6. The final round saw Mercer play Leach, and Stevenson play Sara. The latter game resulted in an easy win for Stevenson, the final score being 24-13 in his favour. In the other game, Leach started off well, and after four , heads had been played led by 6 points to 1, but Mercer gradually overhauled him, and assumed the lead on the eleventh head, eventually running out a winner by 20 points to 17. Leach played his best game in .this match, but, after the early stage, never looked like winning. Mercer throughout the three rounds played far the best bowls, and thoroughly deserved the win. This is the second occasion on which this player has won the Coast Championship, having been successful two years ago at Runanga. His performance this year is a particularly good one, as he won the Greymouth Club singles, with an unbeaten record, ami has finished up with the Coast Championship, also without a defeat. There is no question that at the present time Mercer L easily the best singles player on tin West Coast.

At the conclusion of the games the Champion (’up was presented by Alt At a meeting of the West Coast Centre, who complimented the winnei on his successful record and on agair winning the AVest Coast Championship PAIRS FINAL. Th? final of the AVest Coast Cham pionship was not played on Saturday but will take place at the first suitable opportunity between Stevenson am Benjamin '(Hokitika), and Graham anc Mjir (Greymouth). CENTRE MEETING.

At a. meeting of the AVcs t Coast Centre, there being present Messrs Jas Ring (Chairman), P. Struthers (West port), T. Bowes (Runanga), and A. E Benjamin (Hokitika), it was decide* to hold the next tourney at Hokitika It was reported that new greens arc being made at Millerton, Denniston and Sergeant’s Hill (Buller), and at the Mental Hospital, Hokitika. Mi Ring was re-elected President, and the appointment of a Secretary and Trea surer was left in his hands.