Belliss downed in semis

Press, 10 February 1986, Page 23

Belliss downed in semis

NZPA special correspondent Glasgow Peter Belliss’s hopes of making today’s final of the world indoor bowls championships at Coatbridge, Scotland, an all New Zealand affair, were dashed by the English champion, Tony Allcock, in the semi-finals.

Beiliss, who sought to add the indoor title to the outdoor crown he won in Aberdeen 18 months ago, was beaten 21-17 in a match described by commentators as one of the best ever. Both players received a standing ovation from the spectators. Earlier, Phil Skoglund

had continued his tremendous run of form at the championships by beating England’s Roy Cutts 21-8 to become the first New Zealander to reach the world final. Beiliss, aged 34, a professional from Wanganui, made a slow start to his match against Allcock and at one stage trailed 7-17. He fought back magnificently and came close to pulling off a remarkable victory. With the score at 17-20 Belliss’s final delivery left him holding the three shots needed to tie the score. Allcock’s last ball was perfect, stopping next to the Jack and giving him

the one shot needed for victory. “That was the finest match I’ve played in and I suppose Peter must consider himself a little unlucky to be out of the event. It was a wonderful game of bowls,” Allcock said.

Beiliss, who collected £2500 ($6500), said: “I’m not too disappointed about losing in these circumstances. I couldn’t have played any better.” Skoglund, aged 48, found little difficulty in overwhelming Cutts in spite of having to use Belliss’s set of bowls. His own set was inadvertently lifted by the beaten quarter-finalist, Noel Burrows, be*, Skog-

lund found the borrowed set just to his liking and he required only 90 minutes and 16 ends to polish off the Englishman. “It’s a fantastic feeling to be in the final, particularly as I expected to be a spectator after the first round,” Skoglund said. “I found Peter’s bowls suited me ideally, although they are a bit heavier, but I will definitely be back to my own set in the final,” he said. Skoglund’s path to the final included victories over last year’s runnerup, Cecil Bransky, of Israel, and the threetime champion, David Bryant, of England.