BOWLS TOURNEY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 89, 9 January 1935, Page 11

BOWLS TOURNEY

Play in Championship Singles ELIMINATION ROUNDS Tricky Conditions For Competitors By Telegraph.—Press Association. ■ Auckland, January 8. The annual New Zealand bowling tourney was continued in warm and bright weather. A strong westerly wind made bowling somewhat tricky, especially on those greens where the run of bowls was across the wind. The greens were slightly faster than on the opening day. Play in the singles championship was continued. Seventy-seven successful contestants, who came forward as a result of Monday’s section rounds, were divided again into sections on the greens of the Carlton, Epsom, Onehunga and Mount Eden clubs. Play took place on the two-life principle. At the end of the day the 77 contestants were reduced to 16. The twolifers were Engebretson (Napier), Bourke (Hawera), and Russell (St. Heliers). The one-lifers were Wellings (Hataitai). Richards (Awakino), Luscombe (West End, New Plymouth), Livingstone (Onehunga), Keatley (Rocky Nook), Squire (Hawera), Somervell (Ponsonby), McConnell (Devonport), Coburn (Glen Eden), Routley (Kelburn) and Letham (Ponsonby). Further rounds. will be played as these contestants are released from the pairs and rinks events. The championship pairs contest will begin tomorrow. ! ’ Champion Defeated. The largest task ever set the tournament committee in the history of the game in New Zealand, has, as a result of to-day’s play, been brought to within measurable distance of finality In the contest to find the singles eham- ! pion of the Dominion, no less than 311 ! who took their places on the respective greens have been reduced to 16, W. Carswell, the champion, did not survive the five rounds staged during the day. He went out to Squire (Hawera) »n two games, by 13-22 and 9-18. Harrison, the only Australian con- . tender, who did so well on the opening ■ , day, met with disaster at the hands of Squire (Hawera), and H. C. Clarke (Carlton). The remarkable accuracy

of Harrison’s driving did not stand to

him as it did on Monday. In his game against Clarke he missed no Jess than 14 successive fast shots. That was ap parently his weakness bn the day. On the other hand, his opponents out.drew him, and the noted Australian had to take his place with the spectators on the bank. His losses were against Squire, 10-19, and against Clarke, 12-17. Engebr.etson's Sound Play. « Both Engebretson (Napier) and Russell (St. Heliers), have played through two days of ten games without a loss in any game in the event. Engebretson is one of the soundest players seen on Auckland greens. He relies on draw shots for his wins, and only plays fast shots when it is imperative for him to do so. His last two games were a fine illustration of this. In the last game, Russell played against McConnell. The latter looked like a winner, at one stage the soore being 5-13, but Russell piled on points from then on and ran out the winner by a couple of points. Bourke (Hawera), the other twolifer, gave Somervel his first loss in inter-section play. In the last game of the day Bourke was the first to put his chalk upon the board. Points were evened up 10-10 on the sixteenth head, and Bourke ran out the winner - by two mints. Features of Game. The character of the play to-day was much the same—careful drawing, a yard fine shot occasionally, a running shot infrequently, and a straight drive very rarely. Successful exponents of the game seemed to take the hardest shot on in preference to the spectacular and apparently easy and risky method—-the straight drive.. They seemed contented rather,to play a safe game—that of drawing rather than of bursting head& Therefore, it seemed to the spectators that the games lacked something of the dash of spectacular bowling. Nevertheless it was a true and safe interpretation. Detailed results are as follow:— FIRST ROUND. Epsom Green: Whittaker (Carlton), 23; Peterson (Balmoral), 21. Higginbotham (Henderson), 19; Luscombe (New Plymouth), 11. Livingstone (Onehunga), 25; Lawrence (Remuera), 14. Jury (Ponsonby), 20; Buxton (Carlton), 19. Englegretsen (Napier), 20; Hill (Rocky Nook), 6. Evans (Whitiora), 14; McFarlane (Ngaruawahia), 13. Hutchison (Dunedin), 21; McMaster (Stanley Bay), 9. Leather (Mount Albert), 22; Bennett (Auckland), 14. Benefield (Wanganui), 19; Robertson (Hamilton), 14. Sgkerley (Rocky Nook), 26; Smith (Elmwood), 9. G. Blackham (Timaru), 18; Audley (Glen Eden), 12. Hutchins (Wanganui), 20; Bruce (New Plymouth), 15. Russell (St. Heliers), a bye. Carlton Green: Rosich (Waihi), 20: Duncan (Carlton), 18. Gladding (St.

Kildaj, 18; Robertson (Waitemata), 15. McConnell (Devonport), 20; Bremner (Auckland), 13. Newman (Thames), 22; Lancaster (Carlton), 11. McW'hannell (Hataitai), 13; Thompson (Hillsborough), 8. Bourke (Hawera), 24; Robertson (Onehunga), 1.4. Routley (Kelburn), 19; Lloyd (Caledonian), 10. Gee <Te Awamutu), 20; Chappell (Balmoral), 8. Sunde (Glen Eden), 19; Henderson (Paeroa), 14. Letham (Ponsonby), 23; De Launay (Carlton), 19. Mount Eden Green: Kent (Carlton), 16; North (Te Awamutu), 11. Richards (Devonport); 23; Lett (Masterton), 20. Kerr (Onehunga). 19; Bish (Pukekohe), 14. Bennett (Thames), 20; Donald (Auckland), 14. Oates (Matamata), 22; Wellings (Hataitai), 12. Coburn (Ponsonby), 22; Leaeh (Manurewa), 19. Stewart (Timaru). 20; Foy (Hawera), 38. Dunston (Waihi), 20; Gordon (Carlton), 18. Onehunga Green: Somervell (Ponsonby), 18; C. Muston (Carlton), 17. Grant (Dunedin), 19; Wyatt (Pukekohe), 18. Prangley (Mangere), 19; Herd (Wanganui), 8. Mingins (Epsom), 18; Dowlaud (St. Kilda), 11. Squire (Hawera), 19; Harrison (Sydney), 10. Keatley (Rocky Nook), 19; Clarke (Carlton), 11. Carswell (Taieri), 18; Waterman (Takapuna), 13. Kelly (Balmoral), 27; Wright (St. Heliers), 11. SECOND HOUND. Carlton Green.—Two-lifers: McConnell, 27; Gladding, 7. McWhannell, 19; Newman, 11. Bourke, 25; Routley, 16. Gee, 21; Sunde, 14. Letham, 25; Benefield, 11, Blackham, 17; Wakerley, 11. Russell, 23; Hutchins, 9. Rosich, a bye (meeting Russell in the third round). One-lifers: Duncan, 20; A. Robertson, 15. Lancaster, 16; Bremner, 7. Thompson, 20; H. A. Robertson, 10. Lloyd, 21; Chappell, 15. Henderson, 17; De Lau-

nay, 15. Smith, 24; W. J. Robinson, 11. Bruce, 23; Audley, 17. The last-named seven losers were elimina.ted.

Eptom Green. —Two-lifers: Higginbotham, 20; Whittaker, 12. Livingstone, 17; Jury, 13. Englobretson, 25; Evans, 7. Hutchison, 22; Leather, 11. Onelifers: Luscombe, 23; Peterson, 12. Lawrence, 21; Buxton, 8. Hill, 19; McFarlane, 10. Bennet, 17; McMaster, 14. The last-named four losers were eliminated. Onehunga Green. —Two-lifers: Somervell, 18; Grant, 12. Mingins, 23; i Prangley, 14. Squire, 18; Keatley, 14. » Carswell, 23; Kelly, 16. One-lifers: Wyatt, 16; Muston, 15. Dowland, 18; Herd, 17. Clarke, 17; Harrison, 12. Wright, 19; Waterman, 11. The lastnamed four losers were eliminated. Mount Eden Green. —Two-litas: Richards, 20; Kent. 12. Bennett, 19; Kerr, 17. Coburn, 22; Oates, 18. Stewart, 16; Dunstan, 15. One-lifers: North, 18; Lett, 13. Donald, 20; Bish, 17. Wellings, 25; Leach, 11. Gordon, 22; Fo.v. 17. The last-named four losers were eliminated. THIRD ROUND. Carlton Green. —McConnell, 18; McWhannell, 14. Bourke. 20; Gee, 15. Letham, 20; Blackham, 18, Russell, 21; Rosich, 12. Dunean, 18; Lancaster, 13. Lloyd, 19; Thompson, 12; Henderson, 20; Smith, 16. Bruce, 23; Gladding, 16. Routley, 25; Newman, 7. Sunde, 20; Benefield, 15. Wakerley, 15; Hutchins, 14. The following were eliminated in the third round: Lancaster, Thompson, Smith, Gladding, Newman, Benefield, Hutchins. Onehunga Green.—Somervell, 17; Mingins, 16. Squire, 22; Carswell, 13. Dowland, 18; Wyatt, 15. Clarke, 17; Wright, 12. Prangley, 21; Grant, 12; Keatley, 18; Kelly, 16. The following were eliminated in the third round: Wyatt, Wright, Grant, Kelly. Epsom Green. —Livingstone, 16; Higginbotham, 13 ; Engebretsen, 19 ; Hutchison, 11. Luscombe, 22; Lawrence, 16. Bennett, 20; Hill, 15. Whittaker, 21; Jury, 16. Leather, 18; Evans, 11. The following were eliminated in the third. lound: Lawrence, Hill, Jury, Evans. Mount Eden Green.—Richards, 16; Bennett, 15. Coburn. 18; Stewart, 13. North, 21; Donald. 16 Wellings. 21; Gordon, 6. Kerr, 17; Kent, 12. .Oates, 20; Dunstan, 17. The following were eliminated in the third round : Donald, Gordon, Kent. Dunstan FOURTH ROUND, Carlton Green. —McConnell, a bye. Bourke,, 20; Letham, 19. Russell, 18; Duncan, 17. Henderson, 25; Lloyd, 8. Routlev, 17; Bruce, 15. Sunde, 22; Wakerley, 8. McWhannell, 20; Gee, 15. Rosich, 17; Blackham, 8. The following were eliminated in the fourth round: Duncan, Lloyd, Bruce, Wakerley, Gee, Bia ckham. Onehunga Green.—Somervell, 17; Squire, 15. Dowland, 18; Clarke, 15. Keatley, 19; Prangley, 13. Carswell; 25; Mingins, 11. The following were eliminated in the fourth round: Clark*, Prangley. Mingins. Epsom Green, —Engebrtesen, 18; Livingstone, 17. Luscombe. 19; Bennett, 14. Leather, 22; Whittaker, 18. Higginbotham, 15; Hutchison, 13. The following were eliminated in the fourth round: Bennett, Whittaker, Hutchison. Mount Eden Green. —Coburn, 25; Richards, 14. Welings, 11 ; North, 10. Kerr, 20; Oates, 12, Stewart, 21; Bennett, 11. The following were eliminated in the fourth rouni,: North, Oates, Bennett.

, FIFTH ROUND. ' Carlton Green. —Bourke, 19 ; Somervell, 18. Engebretsen, 21; Coburn, 14. Russell, 17-; McConnell, 16, Routley, 21; Henderson, 17. Letham, 20; Rosich, 19. Sunde, 16; McWhannell, 15. The following were eliminated in ' the fifth round : Henderson, Rosich, McWhannell. Onehunga green : Keatley, 17; Dowland 10. Squire, 18; Carswell, 9. Somervell (two lives) was competing at Carlton green. ". The following were eliminated in the fifth, round:—Dowling, Carswell.. Epsom green: Luscombe, 26; Leather, 14. Livingstone, 22; Higginbotham, 5. Engebretsen (two lives) was competing at Carlton green. The following were eliminated in the fifth round:—Leather, Higginbotham. Mount Eden green: Wellings, 20: Kerr, 11. Richards, 23; Stewart, ,13...Coburn (two lives) was competing at the Carlton green. The following were eliminated in the fifth round: —Kerr, Stewart. At the conclusion of the fourth round all two-lifers were concentrated at the Carlton green to facilitate the completion of the competition. Somervell, from the Onehunga green, Engebretsen, from the Epsom green, and Coburn, from the Mount Eden green, who were the only two-lifers left on their respective greens, went to the Carlton green. The following; players are left in with two lives:—Bourke (Hawera), Engebretsen (Napier), Russell (St. Heliers). The following have One life: —Routley (Kelburn), Sunde (Glen Eden), A. Letham (Ponsonby), Somervell (Ponsonhy), Coburn (Ponsonby), McConnell (Devonport), Keatley (Rocky Nook), Squire (Hawera), Luscombe (West End, New Livingstone (Onehunga), Wellings (Hataitai), 11. Richards (Devonport). NOTES ON THE GAMES Routley and Wellings Still in Singles

Dominion Special Service.' Auckland, January 8.

Wellington still has two representatives in the Dominion singles contest, M. Rou;ley (Kelburn) and Welling’s (Hataitai), each with one life. Wellings played or the Mount Eden green and lost his first game to Oates (Matamata), 12-22. He then had an easy win again Leach (Matnirewa), 25-11, and followed this by completely. outclassing Gordon (farltonj, 21-G. The Hataitai player retained his form until the end of the day, defeating North (Te Awamutu) in the fourth round, 11-10, after an exciting contest, and Kerr (Onehunga), 20-11.

Routley started the day well by defeating Lloyd (Caledonian), a strong opponent, 10-10. He went under to the Hawera player, Bourke, in the second round, 10-25. Bourke was right on his game throughout the day, and had some sensational wins to his credit. Routley beat Newman (Thames) very easily, 25-7, and then accounted for a strong opponent in Bruce (West End, New Plymouth;, 17-15. If ivas a narrow victory. The Wellingtonian kept his place by defeating Henderson (I’aeroa), 20-17, in the fifth round.

There was a good deal of speculation yesterday as to how many would qualify in the five rounds to entitle them to continue to-day, as the number o£ section winners and section ties in similar pairs competitions have varied considerably in recent years. However, a total of 77 players did not present any difficulty, and it was at once decided to put 16 each on three different greens to-day, and play the remaining 29 at Carlton. The day was full of surprises. There was a great gallery at the Onehunga green to see the Australian, Harrison, in action. Many considered Harrison would win the Championship. However, he was eliminated early, being defeated by M. J. Squire, of Hawera. Squire had a great day to-day, and so did several other Taranaki players. Harrison met his second defeat at the hands of Harry Clarke, by a margin of five pointe. Still another surprise was the victory of Erie Bennett, former Takapuna champion, now playing for Auckland, over the present champion of champions of tin 1 centre, 'Roy McMaster, who is also eliminated from the competition. The winner of the title last year, the veteran, Carswell, of Taieri, was eliminmated by defeats at the hands of younger players. The day was hot and sultry, and many other veterans were unable to keep up the pace.