N.Z. BOWLING TITLES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 8, 10 January 1946, Page 3

N.Z. BOWLING TITLES

PAIRS COMPETITION BEGINS HEAVY GREENS MARR FLAY. (P.A.) Christchurch, an. 9. The pairs competition in tne New Zealand bowling championships was commenced this morning. The weather was cloudy with rain threatening, but the greens were playing belter than on the opening day. The pairs title Is not contested this year, but Franklin and Engebretsen (Heretaunga), runners-up last January, are competing. Most of the big game players were engaged this afternoon.

One of the most exciting games of the day was that between Williams and Edwards (Caledonian) and Colthurst and Higginbotham (Auckland). In the early stages the Aucklanders established a lead of 12 to 7 on the lltli. end then Edwards improved and, helped by accurate drawing on the part of his lead, was 17 to 12 down when the 17th. end had been played. Higginbotham saved by a good shot on the 18th. end, and then Edwards put a different complexion on the game by securing a five-shot which HiP"inbotham failed to disturb. On lhe conclusion ol the 20th. end Edwards had drawn level and a single on the final end left him the winner by 20 points to 19. It was an exciting finish and play on both sides was of particularly high standard.

In the game, Young and Cullen (Thorndon) v. Payne and Leggett (North East Valley), the latter haa all the best of the play and with nine ends gone the game stood at 13—19. Then Cullen had a turn and raced past, the Thorndon players finishing tne 19tliend with the score 22—17. Leggett got two on the 2uth., but Cullen ran out the winner by 23 to 19.

After their fine play against the Caledonian pair early in the day the failure of Colthurst and Higginbotham in their games with Morland and Andrews <St. Albans) came as a great surprise, especially as Morland had earlier been defeated by Sheldon and Breckon (Papatoetoe). The St. Alban's pair struck form from the start, whereas the Auckland pair were right off their game. When half the board had been marked Morland led by 14 points to 3. From this on he more than held his own and ran out the winner by 24—9. GREENS BECOME HEAVY. After the luncheon adjournment the greens were heavy and many short bowls were played. The greens improved greatly as tne afternoon progressed, but even so there was little draw.

The brothers P. G. and J. Martin (Edgeware) made light ol difficult conditions in their game with Peacock and Fleming (Caledonian). Foi' the first three ends the latter held their adversaries but on fourth Martin got in four lovely draws which Fleming failed to scatter, leaving Martin B—2. A two to Fleming on the fifth end reduced his deficiency to B—4,8 —4, but on the sixth Martin ran into the head and went from three down to one up. At tliis stage both the Martins were drawing with remarkable precision and carried their score to 17 —7 on tire conclusion of the ninth end. Three more ends went to the Martin, leaving them,. 26 —9. Without giving their opponents a look in the Martins ran out 31 to 11.

ENGEBRETSEN NOT EXTENDED The Heretaunga pair, Franklin and Engebretsen, were never extended in their game with Johns and McLean (Canterbury). It was only occasionally that McLean got a look in ana at lhe finish the score stood at 31 to 11 in the northerner's favour.

The highlight ol the afternoon's play was (he game between tne iviaitins and Franklin and Engebretsen. Last season J. Martin, who tor the present tournament is playing in Edgeware colours, won the nonunion singles championship, and his brother is looked on as one ot the best leads in competition. In the Auckland tournament last year Franklin ana Engebretsen played lead and skip in the championship fours which tneir team won. By the time Hie game started the green had improved considerably but long heads took a lot oi getting up to. 'lhe Heretaunga pair started oif witli a well-drawn brace, but after the third end the score stood at 2-all. By remarkable drawing Engebretsen and his mate lay three on lhe fourth end, which Martin failed to shift. Marlin then got a two, but on the seventh end the Heretaunga players had increased their advantage to 11 points to 4. At this stage l-'raiiK-lin was putting in some great leading and if he failed Engebretsen generally came to .the rescue. Marlin continued to sjore' an occasional single and he put ill some great running snots. After the twelfth end the Heretaunga players were 15—6 to the good and both were playing with sucn deadly precision as to nullity their opponents efforts. Engebretsen kept on scoring and (lie board stood at 16 points to i after the 14th end. Then J. Martin, with a nice firm shot, ran away with the kitty in the 15th and scored a three, taking the score (o 16—10, which appeared to leave him with a lighting chance. It was not to be, however, lor Engebretsen had increased his lead to 20—11 on the 17th end, making .his position assured. Martin drew a couple on the 19th and Engebretsen retaliated with a brace on the next, the latter carrying his score to 24—13 when the game closed. Better drawing Hian that shown by the winners has seldom been seen, evening in a Dominion championship.