NEW YEAR PAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 3, 5 January 1939, Page 7

NEW YEAR PAIRS

KARORI TEAM WINS

Karori came out on top yesterday when the final of the Wellington Bowling Centre's New Year pairs tournament was played on the Thorndon green. Two Karori pairs played in the semi-finals, but Pinnock and Wellings (Hataitai) eliminated one and met Dyett and Gilbert (Karori) in the final. Both of the pairs in the final had been playing good bowls, but Gilbert was at the top of his form and had the full support of Dyett. Consequently, the result of the final was not long in doubt, but the game was always interesting and there was a large attendance of spectators from start to finish. The Thorndon green is probably the best in Wellington at the present time and weather conditions were perfect. The results of the games played during the afternoon were as follows:— Semi-finals.—H. L. P. Dyett, W. Gilbert (Karori) 23, D. McDonald, V. Recce (Island Bay) 7; C. Pinnock, W. A. Wellings (Hataitai) 26, J. Wyatt, T. Adams (Karori) 16.

Final.—Dyett, Gilbert 20, Pinnock, Wellings 11. PLAY IN SEMI-FINALS.

Adams and his partner opened well against the Hataitai- pair, scoring on six of the first nine ends to lead 12-4. Wellings then took the lead by scoring a single and three fours. Adams scored two pairs to make* his score 16, but Wellings had the rest of the counting and increased his total to 26 to win by 10 points. Dyett and Gilbert scored a signal victory over McDonald and Recce by playing good bowls throughout, but the losers put up- a good fight. On the majority of the heads Dyett had the advantage of McDonald* only to have Recce draw the shot. However Gilbert was drawing even better and scored on thirteen of the nineteen ends played. The final score, 23-7, did not indicate the true state of play, both pairs playing splendid bowls, although the winners were definitely superior. THE FINAL. The sky was overcast when the final commenced, but the light was good and play was interesting from the outset. The leading was good and both Gilbert and Wellings were drawing well. Wellings made a single on the first end and drew the shot to make two counters on the next. Gilbert! played a good bowl and cut one shot out. but his bowl went through and Wellings drew with his last to claim two. Wellings got both his bowls in and Gilbert burned the head and then burned the first replay. Fortunes varied on the next replay, but Gilbert opened his score with his last bowl. Wellings 3, Gilbert 1. Pinnock was leading with precision, but Dyett was also well on to the jack and held another single. The next end was a good one, the head being closely grouped. The Karori pair claimed two to make the score: -Gilbert 4, Wellings 3.

The sixth end was a good one and Gilbert looked like scoring until Wellings brought the score to 4-all with his- last bowl. Dyett was outleading Pinnpck and was responsible for two singles. On the ninth He and Gilbert had four or five in but Wellings drew the shot with his last to ..reduce Gilbert's lead to 6-5. :

"From-this-stage, of the game the Karori pair took' charge and the Hataitai players never looked like winning. The score went to 9.-5 in Gilbert's favour and then Wellings scored a singleV Gilbert scored 2, 3, 4, 2, and led 20-6. On the last end Wettings put the jack in the ditch for five and the game ended 20-11. . , At the conclusion of play the president of the Wellington Bowling Centre (Mr. M. J. Casey) congratulated the winners and thanked the clubs that had provided greens for the tournament. Mr. Gilbert.replied, and the president of the Thorndon Bowling Club (Mr. H. J. Wynne) conveyed the good wishes of the club. to the players. j