Buster Walsh Claims Open Singles

Buster Walsh, of the Maitai Club, won the Nelson Bowling Centre Open Singles by beating dual winner and defending champion John O'Kane, 18-13.

For O'Kane of Nelson, this loss added to his defeat in the final of the champion of champions' singles to Stoke's Bob Wadsworth, and ended a rather disappointing season for the skilful bowler.

Walsh is now also a dual winner of the title, having won it in 1967. In a semi-final, O'Kane won the right to meet Walsh in the final by beating Murray Vivian (United), 18-13, the same margin as he lost by in the final. The matches were played on the Nelson green.

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Umpire Karl Wilkens (left) and Murray Vivian study the head, during the O'Kane-Vivian match

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Open singles' champion Buster Walsh studies the form of Vivian and O'Kane during their semi-final. Sizing up the opposition

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O'Kane displays the form which has won him numerous championships

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Vivian about to release a winner