BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 January 1927, Page 15

BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

BENEFIELD’S RINK WINS THRILLING FINAL STRUGGLE. PROGRESS OF TOURNAMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. One of the most thrilling finishes in the history of the contest resulted in Benefield (St. Johns, Wanganui) capturing the rinks championship at the Dominion bowling tournament to-day. The weather was brilliantly fine and the green extremely fast. Benefield’s rink met Stewart's (Dunedin) rink in the final. Stewart, however, had two lives. In the first game Benefield had an easy victory by 20 to 10, but the next game, which followed almost immediately after, was a much more stubborn contest. Stewart’s rink showed an all-round improvement and led until the last head. At the end of the 13th head, Stewart led by 19 to 7, but never scored again. Slowly Benefield crept nearer and when the last head was played Stewart was only two up. Benefield was lying two on the last head when a shot by Stewart gave Benefield three more, making the final score: Benefield 22, Stewart lit. The rinks were: McMillan, Rowling, Wight, Benefield (St. Johns); Gregory, W. Smith, Bentley, Stewart (Dunedin). Other results are:— PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP. Second Round. —Pilkington (Hamilton) 17 v. Benefield (St. Johns) 15. Third Round. —Walker (Auckland) 20 v. Pilkington 19. Semi-finals. —Walker 22 v. Proctor (Remuera) —; Bell (Hamilton) v. Harraway (Green Island, Dunedin). G. Walker and Bell will meet in the semi-final to-morrow afternoon. SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Fourth Round. —Smellie (Green Island, Dunedin) 15 v. Walker (Auckland) 13; Bell (Hamilton) 19 v. Mclntyre (Hamilton) 15. Mclntyre still has one life. The draw for the semi-finals tomorrow morning is:—Bell v. Smellie; Mclntyre v Clarke (Rocky Nook, Auckland).