W. Franks Scores Historic Double in N.Z. Bowls Tourney

Northern Advocate, 23 January 1939, Page 8

W. Franks Scores Historic Double in N.Z. Bowls Tourney

pLAYING SUPERLATIVE P.OWLS RIGHT THROUGH TO THE LAST HEAD, “WALLY” FRANKS, OF THE BALMORAL CLUB, CAPPED A GREAT RECORD IN THE TOURNEY BY SKIPPING THE WINNING TEAM IN THE RINKS CHAMPIONSHIP ON SATURDAY MORNING, AND IN THE AFTERNOON RUNNING AWAY WITH THE SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP.

The latter he won from A, Connew, of Mount Albert, on the twentieth head most convincingly.

This particular double has not occurred previously, although in 1936 R. Haworth, of the Canterbury Club, skipped both the winning pairs and the rinks.

There was not much excitement over the concluding event of the tourney, the final round of the singles, for Walter C. Franks (Balmoral) never looked like losing in the final game, al though his opponent, A. Connew (Mount Albert), played many excellent bowls.

Franks was the first to got the strength of the green, which was particularly keen, and four heads were completed before Connew got on the board.

Overcame Reverse On this fourth head Connew showed his best form and finished up with a three after Franks had failed with two runs. This was the only weakness in the champion’s artillery, for he missed in a similar manner on the eleventh head when his opponent again scored three. On the next head Connew drove successfully at a bare target and, scoring a brace, took the lead for the first time. This reverse, five points lost in two heads, seemed to stimulate Franks to greater effort.

Uncannily Accurate ,/ drawing tecame uncannily accurate, while his positional play gave his opponent no chance to make up leeway. Connew was, moreover, unlucky on several occasions, just missing by inches shots that if successful might have made a big difference. From the twelfth head Connew failed to score till he gained a single on the twentieth, which at that stage was of no use to him, as Franks had moved up to 19. How Head Went First Head.—On the first head Connew led off with a bowl slightly short and Franks ran past with his first. Connew’s third lay a good shot from a wick, but Franks drew right round to rob him of position, which was not altered.—Franks 1, Connew 0.

Second Head—The second head found both playing good bowls, but Franks’ work was superlative. He lay two “Mauties” till Connew drew., in a wick to lie second. Connew tried a yard in, but missed.—Franks 2, Connew 0, Third Head. —Franks threw a fulllength head, and with both drawing to the jack the Balmoral man still held his advantage. He finished up with another couple to the good.—Franks 4, Connew 0.

Fourth Head—A medium length head suited Connew, who found his touch and placed two counters against two short ones of Franks, and the crowd applauded. Franks missed with two drives, and Connew easily added another.—Franks 4, Connew 2, Fifth Head.—On a . medium length head Connew lay shot till Franks rested inside. Connew just failed to trail the jack to his back bowl, and drew two more.—Franks 7, Connew 3. Balmoral Man Forges Ahead Sixth Head. —A shorter head found both bowling dead to the jack, with most of the bowls within a foot of it. Franks held shot by an inch or two, Connew tried to promote with his last bowl, but ran wide. —Franks 8, Connew 3.

Seventh Head. —On a full-length head Franks earned applause by drawing within a foot of the jack. Connew touched kitty, but ran on. With his third Connew had a run and missed, while Franks drew in again. The Mount Albert player again drew, however, dead for the jack, and carried it into the ditch. He had to be content with a single.—Franks 8, Connew 4. Eighth Head. —Connew followed up this success by placing his first in this head on the jack. Franks drew right on to the shot bowl, but failed by inches to get the first position. Both players had to move warily,' and the head finished with no change.— Franks 8. Connew 5. Ninth Head. —Connew's first was short on the ninth head, and Franks promptly took the l§ad with a bowl a foot away, followed by another counter in his next shot. Connew drew well, but just failed to get in.—Franks 10, Connew 5. Tenth Head. —Franks' first was wide and Connew drew the shot 15 inches

away. Franks lay just outside his opponent's bowl with his second, and with his third touched kitty, but left Connew with his shot. Connew’s final bowl, which brought rounds of applause from a packed gallery, was too good, for it moved kitty a couple of inches, so that he still held bul the one.—Franks 10, Connew 6. Eleventh Head.—Connew started off well on this head. Franks was unlucky with his second, pushing Connew up for another counter. With his third and fourth bowls, Franks drove, but missed the head at both attempts. Connew easily added another.—Franks 10, Connew 9. Connew in Front Twelfth Head.—Both players were wide on the draw. Franks lay the

shot till Connew, to the surprise ,of many drove at the bare target. He took the bowl out clean and Franks, playing a yard over with his last, was two down. —Connew 11, Franks 10. Thirteenth «Head.—Connew drew two counters with his first two bowls. Franks drove, but got only one out. With his third Connew got position behind, but Franks then essayed a resting shot, which he played perfectly to Me one. This position was not altered. —Franks 11, Connew 11. Fourteenth Head. —Tranks started off with a toucher, and lay a few inches just in front of the jack. He placed his second just behind. Connew, with his second and third, played two good bowls for a rest, but ran past. With his fourth, Connew tried a full drive, but was wide.—Frahks 13, Connew 11.

Fifteenth Head. —Both players went wide of the jack until Franks with his third drew level within inches. Connew sent up a good, bowl for his last, but Franks still held two counters. — Franks 15, Connew 11. ' Sixteenth Head. —Franks’ first was eighteen inches behind kitty, and Connew beat ft with one a bare foot in front. His next was too good—a counter on the side, v/hich Franks promptly rested out and took shot. The position was too dangerous for Connew to drive, and he failed to alter the position with a draw. —Franks 16, Connew n ‘ * Splendid Form at Finish

Seventeenth Head. —Flanks opened with a bowl 6 inches from the jack and placed his next just as close on the other side. Both of Connew’s bowls just ran through. Franks rested in for another, and with his last bowl Connew raised his supporters’ hopes as he trailed kitty; but it still left Franks with a single.—Franks 17. Connew 11.

Eighteenth Head. —At this stage Franks was playing superlative bowls, the spectators being amazed at his accuracy. His first two on this head were almost on the jack. Connew took the place of the counter and looked safe, but Franks again went one better. Connew drove with his last and broke up the head, taut the measure went against him, and Pranks had another single to his credit. —Franks 18, Connew 11.

Nineteenth Head. —Franks played his first inches from kitty. Connew was quite unable to touch the shot bowl, and Franks was content to hold the position.—-Franks 19. Connew 11. Twentieth Head. —Connew. with his second, drew a fine shot, and with his last tried unsuccessfully to burn the head. There was no need to play the -last head. Franks being the winner by 19 points to Connew's 12.