Holder Eliminated In Indoor Bowls Singles

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30469, 17 June 1964, Page 19

Holder Eliminated In Indoor Bowls Singles

The defeat of the title-holder, B. McClellan (Waikato), in the first round of post-section play for the singles championship, was the biggest of several upsets in the New Zealand indoor bowls tournament yesterday.

P. J. Pinhey (Hutt Valley), who won the title in 1958, and F. Haughey (Waikato), runner-up in 1955, were also eliminated. McClellan was defeated by a comparatively unknown bowler, Mrs .E. Browne (Manawatu). She gave a brilliant display of drawing and her tactical play was outstanding. Terrific concentration and the ability, to size up a head were two key'features of her victory. McClellan trailed throughout and his losing margin of 12-6 was a substantial one, especially for reigning champion. Canterbury Winners Pinhey failed to survive the first round against W. Ramage (Canterbury), going down, 14-8. However, D. McLennan (Waikato), who was runner, up to Pinhey in 1958, will contest the second, round today.

Another Canterbury player, Mrs E. Burrell, accounted for Haughey, a former runner-up. Of the Canterbury players who have so far played, D. B. Cook, W. H. Cuttance and A. E. Williamson scored wins. Cuttance, ' the Canterbury champion, eliminated J. Dunlop (Southland) without difficulty and Williamson, who was runner-up for the New Zealand title in 1957, defeated Mrs S. Knight (Canterbury). The only South Island player to win the singles title, J. A. Keith (Mid-Canter-bury), avoided defeat by the narrowest of margins. L. C. Sutton (Poverty Bay) tested his skill to the limit, losing, 7-6, after a great battle. Keith won the title three years ago Family Successes J. Russell, the Auckland champion for the last two years, had little difficulty beating Mrs M. McMurdo (Southland). T. Burr (Waikato), who won the title two years ago, survived the first round with a good win over K. Claydon (Canterbury). K.

Osborne • (Auckland), together with his wife, Mrs D. Osborne, and their son, R. Osborne, all gained wins. Change of Venue Of the original.- 499 entrants, 256 survived yesterday’s play. -It is expected that this number will be reduced to 16 by noon today and that the final will be played at 4.15. p.m. Section play in the pairs was concluded in the morn-

ing. Of the 865 entrants, 287 qualified. There were no further major surprises, although Mrs E. Gordon (Canterbury), a former national semi-finalist, was unsuccessful.

Originally, the finals of all championships were to be held at the Cailterbury association’s hall but in view of the intense spectator interest, the organisers have changed the venue to Cowles stadium