Linwood again has best bowls record

Press, 18 April 1979, Page 14

Linwood again has best bowls record

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

The bowls season which ended with various Easier tournaments last week-end has not been one of outstanding individual achievement by any one Christchurch male player. The best effort, in fact, has come from the women: the dramatic lastend victory of the Linwood pair, Thelma Anderson and Agnes Beazley, at the national tournament in Christchurch. The men never get close to a title at their national championships in Wellington and nor did any make any great mark at other major tournaments about the country. No man managed to win more than one centre title,

although the Christchurch partners, Stan Lawson and Peter Jolly, came close to a double success with a win in the New Year triples and a second in the champion-of-cham-pions fours. Although its only centre success was in the top division of the three-fours, Linwood was once again the club with most to crow about. It took three second placings: Morgan M> <*. in the Christmas fours, Mike Kerr in the colts championship, and Gary Muirson in the champion - of - champions pairs. Moffat also retained his place in the New Zealand team and he will be joined by another Linwood member, Kevin Darling, for the test against Australia in Brisbane later this month. Both must now be

front-line selections for the New Zealand team to contest the world championships in Melbourne early next year, their chances hinging on how well they perform in Brisbane. Linwood also led the field in women's centre tournaments. It had to settle for second place in the inter-club competition, but Lex Kimber, with Marie Watson as her partner both times, was the only woman to win two titles — the champion-of-champions pairs and triples. While Linwood continues its reign as the top club in Christchurch, Burnside, not unexpect-

edly, continues to make progress and it was the only club to win two men’s titles, Lyn Hanger taking the open pairs and Alec Grainger and Elwyn Hay the open pairs.

In beating Wally Wilkinson (Beckenham) in the singles final, and thus reversing last year’s result, Hanger denied Wilkinson the tenth win he needs to earn his second gold star.

However. Wilkinson should reach this goal before very long and his decision to transfer to Linwood next summer will not lessen his chances, especially if he can find a place in one of the strong teams of that club. In fact, he is likely to fill a vacancy in Moffat's four which will be created by the shift of Bryan Smith, who was with Moffat when he won the Do-

minion fours .two seasons ago; to Papanui. Papanui is also expected to have Lawson in its ranks next summer. These two gains will ensure Papanui’s continued place among the strongest clubs. Frank Carter’s decisive win in the chainpion-of-champions singles was, perhaps, the outstanding feat of the season and more is certain to be heard of him, and also of his son, Chris, who was just as impressive in winning the colts championship. Bill Newburgh (Elmwood). .Jack Dale (South Brighton) and Bernie Johns (Christchurch) were leading players to win further titles, while Graham Stanley and Dave Wadman (both South Brighton and Philip Melville (Christchurch gave additional proof of their potential. It was disappointing, and a little alarming, that Christchurch should again fare so poorly in the Rothmans inter-centre tournament. It is some years now since Christchurch has got past the zone elimination and for a centre of its size, and reputed strength, this is hard to understand. This year it was beaten by Buller, which was over-run when it went to the national final. Some of the blame has been levelled at the selectors and having tried all else they might be inclined to pin their faith more in younger bowlers next year, Carter and Stanley being two distinct possibilities. On recent results, a colts team could hardly do much worse.