Favourites beaten on first day of bowls

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32819, 20 January 1972, Page 20

Favourites beaten on first day of bowls

The elimination of two former winners, J. P. Anderson (Linwood) and K. G. Murray (Linwood), and also the 1968 national singles champion, S. E. Lawson (Christchurch), were the major surprises when the Christchurch Bowling Centre’s 1972 open singles tournament began yesterday.

Anderson, who won the title two years ago and was in the final four last year, was beaten in successive rounds. He went down 17-21 to H. P. Butt< (St Albans) in the second round, and 14-17 to the defending title-holder, M. K. Boon (Christchurch), in th- third. Both Butts and Boon ended the day as onelifers. Murray, who lost to Boon in the final last year, also surrendered his first life in the second round, H. N. Archer (Cashmere) beating him 24-13. Murray got through the third round, but then failed by one point against R. A. Croft (Fendalton). Bawson won both his mom-

ing games but was beaten twice in the afternoon. M. J. G. Robson (Woolston W.M.C.) took his first life, 18-14, and D. C. Lofley (Bumside) his second, 19-17.

With Anderson, Murray and Lawson out of the field, W. R. Wilkinson (Beckenham), another former winner, must now be strongly favoured to take the tilte. He emerged as the two-lifer from what was clearly the toughest section yesterday. His last game was against T. W. Dixon (South Brighton), and as Dixon had had earlier wins over Butts and Boon this was expected to be a keen battle. However, Wilkinson, as had been the case in his three earlier games, was rarely in trouble and won 20-10. MEIER SUCCESSFUL

Another strong challenger when the tournament resumes next Wednesday may be P. F. Meier (South Brighton), who yesterday continued the great form he showed at the national championships in Dunedin. He also drew a strong section, but emerged as its two-lifer. His only real struggle came in the last round where he beat R. P. Thomson (Elmwood), 1714.

B. J. Smith (Linwood), another whose form at Dunedin rated him among the favourites, failed to reach the afternoon rounds. He was beaten, 20-15, by E. Craw (Lincoln) and 17-12 by F. W. Hoy (Spreydon). However, both Craw and Hoy joined Smith on the bank in the afternoon.

Despite the elimination of Anderson, Murray and Lawson, it was generally the favoured bowlers in each section who lasted the day. The four rounds yesterday reduced the field from 224 to 67, of which 14 are still two l lifers. Next Wednesday, the two-lifers and some onelifers will play at Canterbury and the remaining onelifers will be at-Papanui, Dallington, and Beckenham. The 67 survivors are:— TWO-LIFERS R. Dorman (Fendalton), W. R. Wilkinson (Beckenham), W. Hayes (Belfast), H. O. Brown (Opawa), M. J. G. Robson (Woolston W.M.C.), K. A. Jones (Lincoln), T. J. Edmonds (St Albans), W. E. Collings (Beckenham), A. D. Doig (Rakaia), G. L. Barnes (Christchurch), P. F. Meier (South Brighton), F. Reavey (St Martins), D. P. White (Christchurch W.M.C.), p. G. Jolly (Christchurch). ONE-LIFERS R. A. Lulham (Christchurch), J. Brailsford (Burwood), M. K. Boon (Christchurch), H. P. Butts

(St Albans), T. W. Dixon (South Brighton), L. A. Wheal (Redcliffs), H. Deavoll (Sydenham), S. C. Perry (Woolston), G. L. King (Papanui), B. S. Johns (Christchurch), M. L. King (Woolston W.M.C.). P. Barnes (Elmwood), G. T. Cotton (Beckenham), A. J. Thaln (Papanui), R. W. Cullen (Spreydon), D. C. Lofley (Burnside), J. M. Crombie (Fendalton); G. J. E. Hayward (Elmwood), A. J. Marriott (Cashmere), M. S. Robinson (Barrington), J. V. Jones (Southbridge), D. H. Heller (South Brighton), E. J. Tomlinson (Sumner), E. J. Bradshaw (Christchurch), A. T. Black (Linwood).

W. A. Graham (Christchurch), R. T. Bailey (Canterbury), J. Lane (Ashburton), C. S. Peate (Fendalton), G. Orchard (Burnside), R. E. Fraser (Spreydon), B. J. Sansom (Linwood), R. C. Lamb (Beckenham), E. K. Watt (Bumside), D. Sams (Barrington), N. D. Henderson (Elmwood), S. J. Snedden (Linwood), B. D. Chapman (Beckenham), R. D. France (Sydenham), R. L. Lindsay (Ashburton), R. P. Thomson (Elmwood), P. W. Neame (Woolston W.M.C.), R. A. Crott (Fendalton), N. J. Flewelien (Woolston W.M.C.), D. Langley (Christchurch), H. E. Young (Beckenham), C. B. Hill (Burwood), R. K. Kinzett (South Brighton), W. J. Cole (Christchurch), P. L. Reml (Riccarton Racecourse), G. E. Bennett (Fendalton), A. Memory (Woolston W.M.C.), W. T. Newburgh (Papanui).

Golf.—After a fairly successful time on the professional golfing circuit, D. J. Clark, formerly of Rotorua, has been appointed resident professional at the Manawatu club in Palmerston North. ,

Soccer.—lmre Kiss, who coached Western Suburbs to success in last year’s Gillette Chatham Cup soccer final, will coach the Central League team, Waterside, this season.