DIVISIONAL FINAL

Opunake Times, 8 March 1938, Page 3

DIVISIONAL FINAL

SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP ANSLEY (RAIIOTU) WINNER Witliout one <1 font at any stage of tile contest. Ansley e*f lj;>hotu, was ilie, winner of tin* singles howling title of the Wi.m'.orn Division in the final wmtisi at the Opunake green on (Saturday before- a gathering of interested spectators' The champions of seven cluhs. Opunake. Kaponga, Raholu, Okato, Pibama and Anroa. were those engaged in the contest, which was "•played on the two-life system. Vi sley thus gains the opporlnnitv to play for the provincial title at Hawern on Thursdav None of the matches in whicli A nsley Avas engaged caused him any degree of trouble, and Ins play throughout the day was of vtop-notch standard. Short or ■tamg, he played every head with merufc, showing excellent judgement of green and strength. He was the least put out by tlie tricky wind whicli blew' in gusts across the giccu. Tlie first to ho put “on the bank” was the Kaponga champion, J. Dawson, who was eliminated in the second round. Frank Julian, Pihama veteran and picside: t of the division, followed in the third round, having gone down to Ritchie and Guy in succession. Ashley also left the com

test at this stag**'. A The fourth run ml saw Hie downfall of the Opunake president mul singles champion. 11. A. Ritchie, who was accompanied by Ashley, the Ukato titleholder.

For the final round, Ansley, with two lives still intact was matched with Huy, the young-bv-experienee player from Auioa competing for the first time 'n a divisional final. Until the seventh head had been ployed, scoring was at a slow rate, but Guy ptut in three beautiful shots an (he eighth to go ahead to a 6-0 lead, increasing it by three mi the next two heads. As quickly as he had gained the advantage, however, he lost it. for he failed to score on the next four heads. Ansley chalking up a maximum, a brace and two singles to lead 13-9.

While Huy remained at 10, Ansley went rapidly towards the required total and was at 19 before his opponent scored another single. Guy essayed a spoiling game with some success, keeping Ansley's count to a single on the 20th. head, but he could not prolong the game, and a further single on the 21st. brought Ausley victory among applause from the onlookers. Detailed results of play are as follow; First Bound Guy (Auroa) 21 v. Dawson (Kaponga) 12. Ritchie (Opunake) 21 v. Ashley /Oka to) 16. i Ansley (Rahotu) 21 v. And-* lews (Warea) 11. Julian (Pihamu) a bye. Socond Round Ashley (one life) 21 v. Dawson tone life) 6. Ritchie (two lives) 21 v. Julian (two lives) 15. Ansley (two lives) 21 v. Guy (two lives) 18. Andrews a bye. Down 5-10 on the twelfth h«ad, Ritchie had a hard battle with Julian but managed to even when twenty heads had been played. Then he maintained the lead, and with a three on the 26th. head, he ended the contest. A see-saw game resulted in the Ansley-Guy contest and at one stage, it appeared that Ansley would not come through with bis two lives intact. Drawing up from a 16-13 disadvantage to

lend 18-17. Guy looked to be a but Ausley again squarj t>d the contest, and put in three counter* on the 27th. to win.

Dawson was outplayed by Ashley in his contest, which was a runaway victory for the latter. Third Round Ausley (two lives) 21 v. liitchie (two Hve6) 18. Guy (one life) 2) v. Julian (one life) 7, Andrews (one life) 22 v. Ashley (one life) 12. Again Analey made a late recovery from a difficult position, running on successive threes in driving and drawing to lead 101 l ll on (he twelfth head. Tie continued to score heavily and the game ended on the IfHh, head. With a maximum on the Sth. Guy was never headed by .Julian, and 17 heads were sufficient to gain a decision. Andrews also established an early lead being 17-1.1 on the 19th.. and adding a two and a three' on the last two heads to win Fourth Round Ausley (two lives) 21 v. And(one life) G, Guy (one life) 21 v. Ritchie lone life) 10, In both contests, the Issue waß seldom in doubt, although Ritchie made an effort to retain his place the contest. W Pina! An stay (two lives) 21 v. Guv tone life) U. Mr. F. .Julian was umpire of the final contest. Cup Presented At the conclusion of play, the cup was presented to Mr. Ausley hy Mr. F. Julian, president of

the division. Mr. Julian conveyed congratulations to the winner, and expressed the hope that lie would repeat; his success in the provincial final. Mr. An.stay had been a division finalist for the past four years and had now won the coveted honour for which lie had been contending over that period. Mr. Julian convoyed Ids congratulations also to Mr. Guy, the runner-up, whose piny during the day had been an Indication of promise in Ids future career. Thanks also were extended to tile greonswarden and greenkeeper of the Opunake club for the extra work they had performed in preparing the green, and to the referees and umpires for their assistance in running (lie tournament.

Both the champion and the runner-up expressed thanks in appropriate terms. Opportunity was taken hy Mr. Julian to present to Mr. R. A. Ritchie the Brennan Cup for the singles championship of tin l Opunake club. Trophy Regained Through the victory of a rink skipped hy W. T. Robson, the Opunake club lias regained possession of the trophy presented by Mr. C. H. Marcroft for competition among clubs of the Western Division. The game resulted : T). Trotter, J. Crofskey, v\ E. S. Dudley. W. J. Robson (Opunake, challengers) 23 v. Poole, E. Walker. R. Walker. Ausley fßahotu. holders) 19.

The contest was played at Ruhotu.