AUCKLAND WINS N. Z. PAIRS BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 January 1948, Page 6

AUCKLAND WINS N. Z. PAIRS BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

! IP-A.) Dunedin, Jan. 27. Spectators at the pairs final in the ■ Dominion bowling championships i were disappointed this morning, when I G. Littlejohn and A. J. Webster failed i to find torm against M. Marinovitch and S. Garelja (Gratia, Auckland). ■ Littlejohn could not get the strength ' of the green at all, and although Webster was more consistent he also was no match for his opposite number. Garelja and Marinovich were drawing particularly well in the early stages and were 11 points up with five heads played. Littlejohn drew two nice shots on the next head, but Gratia drew three and two and were 16-2 after eight heads. Hutt responded with two and then scored the possible of six. But Garelja was responsible for the score of five to Gratia and then Littlejohn was too narrow and Webster too strong. The Auckland pair had no difficulty in laying six shots. Three heads had resulted in 17 points, great scoring for a six bowl game. On the 13th. head Hutt drew one, but when Oratia drew a single and a two the game was virtually over. With the score 34-18 against them on the 18th. head, the Hutt pair were forced to concede the game. For the second time this tournament had produced a champion previously unknown. Garelja had taken part in a previous Dominion tournament without success, and this was the first time for Marinovich. It was a great struggle between J. H. Mingin’s Onehunga four and the Runanga rink skipped by F. White. Scores were level before the last end. Runanga lay two shots, but the game ended sensationally when Mingins drove at the jack, carried it to the ditch and lay alongside it, leaving White an impossible last bowl. The final score was 23-22 in favour of Onehunga.