Scott Wins Singles

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 259, 23 January 1928, Page 10

Scott Wins Singles

BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIP ENDS Clarke the Runner-Up MUSTON PLAYS IN SEMI-FINAL PERFECT weather and good greens were the conditions under which the New Zealand Bowling Association’s championship tournament was concluded on Saturday. The day was devoted to the last five days of the singles championship which was won by J. Scott of the Caledonian Club, Dunedin. Very meritorious performances were also those of H. Clarke, Carlton Club, Auckland, who was runner-up, and C. Mustou (Auckland) who reached the semi-finals. (Special to THE SUN)

CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. CJCOTT defeated Muston rather easily by 22—8, the Auckland player not producing the form he displayed against Edwards. Starting off well he was 6 up on Muston before he had scored. Two on the fourth to the Auckland man made the score 6—2. Poor heads were being played considering that the conditions were so good. Muston got two more on the fifth and one to Scott made the score 7—4. On the sixth Scott got j two pairs and a single and the score stood at 12 —4 in his favour. On the 10th there were several open heads, and with Muston not driving accurately, Scott continued to score and was 10 up on Muston on the 12th. Play was not of an interesting nature, and Scott went on to win by 22—8. Muston’s performance was disappointing and unaccountable, but at times he played some fine shots. Scott was consistent but never brilliant. CLARKE IN SCORING MOOD Clarke met Ferguson and had no trouble in defeating th€> Balmacewan player, the feature in this match being the perfect green taken by Clarke as against the great number of narrow bowls played by his opponent. Clarke got going early and was in a scoring mood from the start, being B—l on the fourth and 9 —3 on the seventh A couple of pairs followed and Clarke was up 10 on the Southerner on the ninth end. Clarke was playing well and drawing some fine shots. There were no exceptional features for few heads during which Clarke went to 15—4 and Ferguson got a three on the 13th, making him eight down. At this stage Clarke was getting his first on to kitty early and it generally stayed there. The score in his favour was 2 27, with six heads to go. Ferguson secured a couple on the 16th, but Clarke also scored with a pair and a single and the score for the 18th was 23—10. The 19th was a wide head and Ferguson netted 3. Then followed a three to the Carlton player, and the game finished 26—13. Clarke played like a champion and was expected to give Scott a good go in the final, but this was not the case, as Scott always held the position and never looked like being beaten. SCOTT MORE CONSISTENT Scott started early and was 7—o on Clarke on the first three heads. A two to the Carlton man and one to Scott followed, and Clarke was six down. Wide heads were being played and the scoring shots were not nearer than a yard from the jack. Clarke, pulling up, was four down on the ninth head and started to show some form, getting a pair and a single. He was three down on the thii'teenth, the score being 12 —9. Then Scott got a pair, a single and a pair, and the score stood at 17 —9 on the sixteenth head. On the eighteenth head Clarke got a lovely four, all drawn, which Scott did not disturb. This put the Carlton man within striking distance, and the nineteenth was the head that may have given Clarke a fighting chance, but when he was laying two and three, Scott raked, the white to the ditch and Clarke only got one from the head, with four down and two heads to go. There was a longhead for the twentieth, and Clarke got a beauty on the jack and lay three with a bowl in hand, but Scott with

a perfect .shot rested a lying shot. Clarke failed with his last and fck*ott took one from the head, the final score being 19—14. Roth men were heartily applauded. On the play Scott played a better all-round game, but Clarke was not the Clarke of the morning. Had he played as he did against Edwards he would certainly have won. Scott has a fine record and has won the Otago champion of champions singles twice, and has also won numerous doubles and rinks competitions at Oamaru, Dunedin and Invercargill. He is recognised as one of the best South Island bowlers. Clarke’s performance was very meritorious. He was the winner last year and runner-up this year from 416 competitors. Clarke was highly pleased with the greens and the general arrangements and gave Scott all credit for his win The Caledonian Club, winners of the rinks and singles, have 130 members and put 18 rinks in play every Saturday. Each member of the winning rink is recognised as an able player in Dunedin, and the team is splendidly balanced. The club’s record this tournament is an enviable one. Keen interest was evinced in to-day’s singles and a large crowd witnessed the finals. The following are tho results of the last five matches: Eleventh round. —C. Muston (Auckland) 21, v. T. Edwards (Temuka) 12. Twelfth round.—H. Clarke (Carlton) 21, v. Edwards 18. Edwards was eliminated in this round. Semi-final. —Clarke 26. v. T. Ferguson donian) 22, v. Muston 8. Final. —Scott 19, v. Clarke 14.