SINGLES TITLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 16, 19 January 1940, Page 7

SINGLES TITLE

Centennial Bowling Tournament DEARE BEATS SQUIRE IN FINAL FIVE RINKS REMAIN IN RINKS CHAMPIONSHIP [ Ter Press Association.J WELLINGTON, Jan. 18. Great interest centred in to-day’s events of the New Zealand Centennial bowling tournament, when the final ol the singles event was decided, the semi-finals were reached in tne pairs contest, apd the field in the rinks championship was reduced to live teams. The most dramatic match of the day was the closely-fought contest between Deaie (Carlton) and Squire (Hawera), in which the former won the title by a margin of three points, the score being 18-15. In the pairs event, McWhannell (Hatatai) defeated Barnsdale (Christchurch), 21-14. Bremner (West End, Auckland) beat Dickspn (Thorndon), 27-17, Cullen (Thorndon) vanquished Reid (Lyall 1 Bay) 23-18, and Lawrie (Island Bay) disposed of Spearman (Sydenham) 21-19. The semi-finals will be played tomorrow morning, when Bremner will meet Lawrie and McWhannell will meet Cullen. Of the live remaining clubs in the rinks, Livingstone is the only twolifer. The draw for to-morrow morning is: Livingstone v. Bell (Tauranga); Kirkwood (St. John's) v. Hazelwood (Lyall Bay). Pavitt (Fitzroy) has a bye. The elimination rounds in the rinks were packed with surprises. The first

round to-day saw the elimination by Hadwin (Hutt) of Bremner (West End, Auckland), one of the two only former Dominion rinks title-holders remaining in the event. Hadwin, who has been playing consistently throughout the rinks contest, was eliminated in the sixth round byHazelwood (Lyall Bay). The other previous title-holder, Naylor (Hataitai) lost his first life to Bull (Tauranga) and his second life to Robinson (Hamilton). The Port Ahuriii rink, skipped by McCarthy, which gave a sterling performance yesterday, was defeated to-day by Livingstone (Onehunga) and Buchan (Epsom). A noteworthy game was that in the sixth round between Livingstone and Buchan. Livingstone held command up to half-way, being three up on the 14 th head. Buchan then made a run, scoring ten on four heads, but the Onehunga team, scoring freely in the later stages, caused Buchan to drive with remarkable success. One end oi: which Livingstone was lying five was burned and the replay was also burned by Buchan. Livingstone, hov. ■ ever, was able to secure victory by a margin of several points. Livingstone, in holding two lives, had to win twelve games in succession. Bell in the match against Dickinson, scored five on the 13th head, after which he dominated play. Hazelwoo. and Pav’tt had well-deserved win* against Hadwin and Robinson respectively. Fine Singles Play A large crowd assembled at Thorndon in the afternoon for the final between Deare and Squire. The first head gave the spectators a sample of the line play that was tc follow. Squire’s second bowl was < toucher but Deare, with magnificent judgment, drew round and lay the shot a few inches from* kitty. Squir< drew round the head to make a caliper measure for shot, which went to Deare. Squire took two off the second head with nicely drawn shots and a single on the third, the Auckland playei failing to dislodge a bowl six inches behind kitty.

One down on the fourth head, Squire trailed kitty for two but Deare, with a yard on, got a lucky wick, shifting Kitty for a brace.—3-all. Deare notched singles on the next three heads and two on the eighth, Squire missing with two drives. The ninth was a full-length head •‘je which both men played some loose shots. Deare got another single after a close measure to lead 9-3. A fast and accurate drive by Squire on the tenth head, when he was two down, took kitty into the ditch and he drew another counter with his last bowl. The Hawera player put one on kitty on the eleventh head and added two more. Deare saved one with a running shot. Squire levelled the score on the twelfth head.—9-all. Three down, Deare attempted a trail but saved only one. Deare took the lead again with two on the 13th head and gave away three on the next to stand one down on the board. The Hawera player drew two line shots on the 15th head, a long one and Deare failed to smash the head. —Squire 14; Deare 11. With the strain on Deare drew two perfect shots on the 16th head and a single on the next put him on even terms with his opponent. Deare took two off the 18th head and conceded a single on the next head. The Hawera player drove for kitty on the 20th i head, when his opponent was lying • two shots. Kitty bounced back, leav- j ing Deare one up. Squire got the | shot with his next bowl but Deare drew inside to take a single.—Deare 17; Squire 15. Squire had a rest shot bowl for I three to win on the last head but he missed by a narrow margin. Deare took the point to win, 18-15. In the elimination games in the '