Pairs Provide Exciting Finish

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 319, 2 April 1928, Page 7

Pairs Provide Exciting Finish

WIN FOR WEST END

One of the most interesting games of bowls that has been played lor some time was witnessed in the final round of the Auckland Bowling Centre’s pairs tournament on the Mt. Eden green on Saturday afternoon. The day was ideal for this concluding round of a most successful and enjoyable tournament. Bright sunshine made the green all that could be desired, the surface being exceedingly fast, and the bowls running sweetly and smoothly.

The contestants were I. Clarke and W. Bremner (West End) and W. J. Johnson and D. M. Jones, of Stanley. Both teams arrived in the concluding round after playing some sterling games in the section and post-sectional games. They were well tried, and therefore well worth watching in this concluding round of a big bowling tournament. The first few heads found the Stanley men completely out of form and the AVest Enders drawing well, hence the latter scored seven before the former settled down to the game. This lead was steadily increased to 14—2 on the sixth head, giving the West End pair a wonderful advantage to collect the final honours. However, the Stanley men rallied their forces and pressed their opponents to the very utmost. Their play .was magnificent and their scores gradually mounted up on the board to 14—16 on the 14th head and 21 —16 on the 16tli. It was a most creditable recovery from an unfortunate commencement, and probably one of the best up-hill fights that has been witnessed in the game on the green for many a long day. The West Enders rallied here and on the 20th head the scores were 22—22. They then scored a single on this last head, thus becoming the pairs champions for the season 1927-28. TABULATED SCORES The following table shows the position of the teams at each head: —

SOME EXCITING HEADS On the 17th head, when the scores were 19 21 against Bremner, he did some excellent work. Johnson had drawn a toucher, which Bremner drove, carrying the kitty to the ditch. He then drew the shot to -within a few inches. The 20th head presented wonderful possibilities for the Stanley pair. A second shot out of their opponents, meant winning five at this critical period of the game. Jones attempted the shot. He attained his objective. Unfortunately the opposing bow-1 jammed, and instead of getting five points he only scored the singleton. Had he not got the bowl so full, he would have scored the five and placed the honours in possession of the Stanley Club. ...... The 21st head was a model exhibition of leading. On an almost full length head, and with the green running exceedingly fast, both Clarke and Johnson drew bowls to about 12 inches. Johnson drew the absolute shot, and Clarke was successful in pressing this back and lay one up when the skips changed over. Jones attempted to draw with the first and Dress with his second bowls. Bremner was content to play position woods and block the head. Jones was therefore faced w-ith the proposition of drawing on

the full length head to about 10 inches or run at the head. He elected the latter proposition and missed, leaving the West Enders the victory by one point. Air. James Pascoe, when presenting the prizes to the winners and runners-up, congratulated them upon their excellent exhibition of bowling in the game played. He also commended the Stanley team on their wonderful attempt to rake the game out of the fire. NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “Jack High’’) Bremner may be classed as one of New Zealand’s best bowlers. Four years ago he skipped a championship rink in the Dominion tournament, and succeeded in being the runner-up for the championship singles the same year. Fast work is a great feature of his play. Clarke, his partner on this occasion, is a player who has many' wins of note to his credit, principally of recent date the record that he established in the Denison Pins competition last winter. Johnson, of Stanley, has won the championship singles of his club on more than one occasion, and is the present holder of the title in the marine club. Jones, his partner, is one of the recognised skips at Stanley, hut has not until this occasion shown outstanding qualities in the game on the green. However, his performance in this tournament has conclusively demonstrated that Auckland can claim a new star who will be heard of in future events. With these players fighting out one of Auckland’s classic tournaments, it was to be expected that a sterling exposition of bowling would result, hence quite a gallery of enthusiasts journey'ed out to the Mt. Eden green to view the contest, despite a very full programme of coun-ter-attractions. Both Johnson and Clarke as leads are wonderfully graceful players. Clarke was superior on the day by six points. Johnson frequently playing short bowls, making the heads difficult for manipulation by' the skips. Clarke, on the other hand, could always be relied upon in being ‘•well-up,’’ thus giving his skip good position bowls in addition to good shots up. Both Bremner and Jones are great forcing players. The former was frequently called upon to drive, while the latter did both fine driving and drawing, ofttimes, to bare inches.

Heads. Clarke. Bremner. Total. 3 ±2 + 2 s \ ti tf S —l ±1 ;U 10 11 —i -f 1 —2 1B„ 12 13 -M + 2 + 1 }S=i§ 15 16 =i 3 lbs 17 IS 19 —1 + 2 K “oZii 22—21 20 21 —1 + 1 -4-1 4-1 11=11