BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIP

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 144, 14 March 1939, Page 3

BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIP

Hataitai Win Fours Final

WELLINGTON RUNNERS-UP

Hataitai defeated Wellington 2u44 in the final of the Wellington champion of champions fours, which was played on the Wellington Bowling Club e green yesterday afternoon. The champion lour ia J. Donald, R. Cometti, P. McWhannell and W. Wellings (s.), aud tpe run-ners-up C. Hoffeius, D. Christie, D. J. O’Neill, and F. Ross (s.). Addressing the players and spectators at the conclusion of the game, Mr. M. J. Casey, president of the Wellington Bowlinl' Centre, congratulated the finalists and pointed out that Hataitai had . won the fours championship eight times since 1913. Cometti will become the holder of ten certificates indicating he has been the winner or member of the winning team m that number of centre competitions. The game was played in ideal weather, but the recent rain had made the green slow, and short bowls were frequent. Ihe scoring was even over the first three-quar-ters of the game, though a three on the third end enabled Hataitai to keep in frout till the twelfth, at which point Wellington also got a three and the score was 11-all. Next end Cometti took the kitty into the ditch and McWhauuell drew to the very brink of the ditch to lay shot. Ross, presented with a most difficult task, was unable to draw closer than third shot. Another point to Hataitai from the 14th end and they were three up again, but Wellington got one from the 15th. Haffiitai added three to their total on the 16th end, only a measure showing that it was not four.

Wellington apparently lay two on the seventeenth head till McWhannell drew the shot, but O’Neill took it out. After prolonged measuring it was decided that Wellington had only one. Next end the leads distinguished themselves by drawing a toucher each. Hataitai held the shot till O'Neill sprang the jack across to a Wellington wood. McWhannell trailed but left the jack open without any distinct shot and Ross pushed a Wellington bowl into shot position. Another measure showed that Wellington had one. Hataitai was still three up. It was clear that Wellington would have to do better if they were to pull the game out. of the fire, and when Hataitai won the ninteenth head, hopes for Wellington's success began to fade. Donald, the Hataitai lead, was on the jack but the Wellington lead was shot. Christie, the Wellington No. 2, rested Donald’s bowl out, but. Cometti rested Christie’s out. Wellings drew another, the shot, but Ross ran one of them off and Hataitai was left with one. The Hataitai lead materially assisted Hataitai to win the twentieth end also, a less interesting head than the previous one. Wellington required six from the last end to tie. and interest in the game was gone. Hataitai got fivejn and the game ended with the scores 25-14 in Hataitai’s favour.

WELLINGTON v. COMBINED CLUBS

The following players will represent the Wellington elub in iis annual match against the combined clubs on the Wellington club's greens on Saturday at 2 p.m.: Ballinger, Faulknor, Davies, McKenzie (s.) ; Davison. C. J. Cooper, Waddel, Fairway (s.) ; Wilson, Gibb, Jacobs, A. B. Duff (s.) 1 Kennedy, Robson. Liddle, McKelvie (s.) ; Mouraut, Bedford, I’enlingtou, Ingram (s.) ; Taylor, Simpson. Brown, McArthur (s.) ; Holeroft, B. Thomson, Wilmot, Porteous (s.) ; Reynolds. R. J. Thompson, W. J. Thompson, Peterson (e.) ; Brice, W. Warner, Parton, 11. E. Duff (s.) ; Newall, Lamason, Innes, Mayer (s.) ; Furkett. Farrant, McCorkindale, F. Ross (s.) ; Christenson, J. Turner, Wood, Stonebanks (s.) ; Harris, Hildreth, Berry. Jennings (s.) ; Jolly. Hamilton, London, Meadows (s.) ; Marks, Fletcher, Hill, O’Donnell (s.); Evatt, Swiney, Palmer, Potter (s.).