TO DEFEND TITLE

Opunake Times, 24 February 1939, Page 2

TO DEFEND TITLE

LAST YEAR’S CHAMPION

SINGLES FINAL PLAY

R. A. Ritchie is, to defend his bowling singles title this, year against D. J. Thomas, the latter having emerged from semi-final play iu which he was engaged with N. G. Davis. The penultimate stage of the championship series provided a fair galleyy with interesting play, consist ency mi the part of Thomas prey vailing over steady nlay bv Davis.

On the second head, Davis had three counters, but four perfect draw-shots by Thomas on the next irave him the advantage. At the fifth, Thomas, led by 7 to 4. but on the next Davis took out Thomas’ second sh.ot bowl to be four up on the head, A three at vantage 10-8, . and when Davis vantage 10 8, and when Davis scored a single on the 9th. it was the last time he chalked one. up before Thomas reached 16. The issue- was sealed at the 15th., where perfect draw shots gave Thomas four counters, and a single was all that was needed to finish the contest 21-10 Thomas thus meets, in the final last years’ champion Ritchie, who defeated him in « nrevious round this year. Eliminations in recent May were C. A. Smith, who was beatmi by Ritchie 21-11, and W. T Dudley, beaten bv Davis Bill. .

Division Play Semi-finals in the provincial competition will commence on Saturday with the meeting at Kaponga of Hawera Park, winner of the southern division, and Opunake, champions of the coast The local rinks will be as follows: Horsburgh, Hohaia, Trotter. Moron: Hardwidgc, Crofskey, Davis, Thomas; McCrone. Fake, Mac Lean, Mprris; King, Robson, Lobb, Ritchie: O’Sullivan, Burton, Sinclair, Smith; Laiug, Dudley, Reaver, Gunson. Reserves : Dalrymple, Mildenhall, Alger, Siddells. Cara leave at 1.15 p.m.

South Auckland Visitors Local bowlers are reminded of the visit to Opunake on Tuesday of a team _of South Auckland howlers. Five local rinks will be engaged with the visitors, together with rinks from Rahotu and Pihama, and play on the Opunake green will commence at 10.30 a.m. and conclude at 4,30 p.m. Local howlers wishing to take part are asked to give their names to the match committee

Champion Again Once again, F. Julian hol#y~ (Tie title of singles champion of Pihama. This week, haviiyg won his way steadily to the. final, he disposed of the challenge of P. Tito to win match and title 2110.