BOWLING.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16157, 11 March 1918, Page 5

BOWLING.

CENTRE CHAMPIONSHIPS. RINKS AND DOUBLES. FIRST DAY. The annual Centre matches for the Champion of Champion Rinks and Doubles was started on tho United Green at noon on Saturday. The weather, which had appeared doubtful during the morning, brightened up soon after play started, and the afternoon proved all that could be desired for good bowling. Tho green, which was on the heavy side at the starts got tuned up as play progressed, and generally gave satisfaction. Some splendid play was witnessed, and some good and exciting finishes resulted. A large number of spectators were present, and their appreciation was frequently shown by their hearty applause. The following are the results:— CHAMPION RINKS. First Round.

United —A. Oliver, F. M. Brown, J. Brackenridge, and J. Brown, jun. (e) 28 v. Opawa —R. Wilson, Talbot, West, E. W. Taylor (s) 17. Rangiora—McKenzie, Jennings, McKay, W. Efford (s) 21 v. Ashburton—Gaibraith, Higgins, Angus, J._ Burgess (s) 19. New Brighton—C. McCree, F. Kibblewhite, J Rogers, P. Beaumont (s) 19 v. Edgeware —Horton, R. Wallace, P. L. Davies, J. Herd (s) 16. Sumner—Mitchell, Partridge,. Raphael, H. Barlow (s) 39 v. Lyttelton—W. Taylor, D. Page, S. Sinclair, E. H. Henderson (s) 17. Linwood —H. Read, E. Healey, G. Cooper, R. Haworth (s) 22 v. St. Albans —Angus, H. Oakey, H. Wilson, P. Dobbs (s) 17. Sydenham—S. Duffy. Robertson, E. C. Chegwin, J. Scott (s) 17 v. Cbristchurch — H. Wyatt, C. H. Ridley, W. H. Helliwoll, A. J. Benzie (s) 16. Kaiapoi—Mealings, Hall, Monk, R. Wylie (s) 27 v. Canterbury—Lowry, Summers, Finnigan, Smith (s) 15. Papanui—A. Banks, McNeilage, W. Banks, H. Samuels (s) a bye. Second Round. Sydenham (J. Scott) 23 v. Linwood (R. Haworth) 18. . . . United (J. Brown, Jun.) 30 v. Papanui (H. Samuels) 13. „ Kaiapoi (R. Wylie) 19 v. Stunner (H. Barlow) 18. • New Brighton (P. Beaumont) 21 v. Bangiora (W. Efford) 19. Tho following is a resume of tho play:—

First Round. United v. Opawa.—Possibly owing to the fact to it being their homo green, United quickly got the strength of the green, scoring 10 points in the first three heads. Taylor then got busy, and was successful on two heads, scoring 5. A four to United and a single to Opawa, the board read 14 to 6at 7 lieade. During the next 7 heads Opawa got a move on, scoring' 9 in four heads to sby Wylie. The scores on the 14th head reading 19 to 15 in Brown's favour. A single and two fours to United, to 2 singles, left United a good "winner, tho last two heads not being played. Rangiora v. Ashburton. —During tho first 7 hearts Rangiora scored 7 in 5 iicads to 2 in 2 lisadfl by Ashburton. At 14 heads the scares read 14 to 7 in EHord'e favour. Burgess then held kitty for 3 heads, scoring 6 points, 14 to 13 Rangiora, however, were too to be denied, and by some good play placed to their credit two singies ana a 5, and the match closed 21 to 13, with one head to play. New Brigiito: v. Edgeware.—This match was closely and keenly contested right through. Jn tho first 7 heads New Brighton scored on 4 heads for 7, to 3 heads lor 6 points by Edgeware, The next 7 heads saw the position reversed, Herd scoring 011 4 heads for 7 points to 6 in three heads by Beaumont. On the 15th head the scores ware equal, 13 all, another tie occurring on the 20th head, when the scores read 16 all. Tho final head was well contested, but the Brighton_ekip put in two fine shots, and he notched 3 points and the game. Sumner v. Jjyctelton.—'i'He lecture about this match was the very hno play 01 the

bumueiites during the nrst 14 heads, and tae gooi recovery of the Lytteitonians auring uio last 7 heads. At 7 ticada the scores read 9 to 3, and at 14 heads 16 to 8 in biunnor's favour, Barlow having scored on 10 .heads to Henderson's 4. Lyttelton then got busy, and in 5 head*, put on a points to 3, scored by fcuinner in i J, but the effort came too late, and Bariow linishcd two up.

i/inwood v. St. Albans. —This match was well contested right through, but Lmwood generally had the best of tho argument. At 7 heads tho scores were 8 to 5 in Linwood's favour, and at 14 heads 11 to 11, and at 21 heads 22 to 17. Twice during the game the ecorca wore equal, that being on the12th. and 16th heads, but in the lutter part of tho match Linwood were playing exceedingly well, and won by 5 points.

Sydenham v. Christchuich. —This match caused considerable interest, and the play was closely watched. In the first 7 heads Clirßtchurcli scored on 4 heads for C points, to 3 heads by Sydenham tor 5 points. During the next 7 heads Sydenham reversed the older and in 4 heads' play placcd 6 to their credit to 4 by Christchuich in 3 heads, the scores reading 11 to 10 in Scott's favour. Some very fine I J lnv was shown by boi.ii sides during the subsequent heads, Sydenham scoring 1 and 2, Benzie responding with 3 and 1, the board showing- 1-1 all on the ISth head. Two more singles to Scott and a 2 to Benzie made the scorca ©tjual, 10 all, 011 the 21st head. This required another head to decide. Duffy, for Sydenham, got a bowl close alongside kitty, and wo&\6tili there when the skips went down to piay, Hclliwoll having got in a good gccond shot. Bsniie's only hope vree to displace the Sydenham bowl. He sent down a fast one, which just shaved the scoring bowl. Scott at!*mpted to put in a block. Benzie's second attempt was a replica of the first try, passing through a port, and again just missing tho offending bowl by a small margin, acccmoanicd on each occasion by the "Oil's" of the spectators.

Kaiapoi v. Canterbury.—Willi the game half gone, this match looked a good tiling for Canterbury. Tee board read 9to 4 at 7 heads, and at 11 heads 14 to 8 sti.l in Canterbury's favour; but a slump set in, and Kaiapoi held sway for seven heads, in which, they put on 16 points. Canterbury came again for a single on the 19th head, but another 3 going to Wj'lie on the next head, th© game closed with Kaiapoi 12 up.

Second Bound. Sydenham v. Linwood.—For two-thirds of this game the play of both teams w a6 well worth watching, either side at no time having much the advantage, the small margin, however, being with Sydenham. At 7 heads the scores read C to 5, at 14 heads 12 to 11. Linwood equalled matters on the lath head. From this out Sydenham proved their superiority, and won. with some point 3 to spare. Papanui v. United.—This match proved a very one-aided one. Samuels started off with a single, ar.d followed with :i Brown then notched a five, and held possession for 7 heads, when th© ecorcs read 15 to 3. Some good competition play was then indulged in,

both sides ecoriug three singles alternately— 17—7. A 2 and a 5 to United lot't the issue without doubt. Papamii scored a lour a-nd two singles, • United finishing with two threes and the match closed 30 to 13. Sumner v. Kaiupoi.—This was a well-con-toated game, although the scoring was somewhat uneven. At 7 heads Kaiupoi had the advantage by 5 to 3. At 1-1 heads Sumner had improved their position considerably, having scored on 5 heads' out of the 7, adding 10 points to Kaiapoi's 4. 13-9. Wy lie's men then got busy, and ecoTod 9 points in o heads to 5 put on by Sumner, tho game finishing 18 all. An extra head was played. It required a close draw by the skip with his lest bowl. This he successfully accomplished, and won the game for Kaiapoi. Rangiora v. New Brighton.—This was another well-contested, game. Brighton had an advantage of 4 points when 7 heads tad been played and 3 points at 14 heade. Rangiora then set to work, scoring two singles and • a 7, which placed them in the lead for the first time. 19-13. Brighton, however, were out to win, and thoy stuck to .their opponents well, scoring a- 2 and 4, making the game even on the 19th head. Another single to Beaumont'gave them an advantage of 1 for the final head. - When the Brighton Bkip went down Bangiora were lying 1, making the scores equal again. With his last Beaumont waa • successful in drawing the shot. Efford tried to run the bowl out,' but just failed, and Brighton were left the winners.

CHAMPION PAIRS. 1 First Bound. Lyttelton—E. H. Henderson and S. Sinclair (a) 29 v. Christchurch W. Minson and M. Orchard (s) 10. Ashburton —Higgins and Burgess (s) 21 v. Edgeware—Cherry and Wilson (s) 9. The following is a resume of the play: — Ashburton v. Edgowaie.—This game proved an easy win for the southern pair, who gave b- very fine exhibition, scoring 13 heads to 7 by Edgcware ana winning by 12 points. " Lyttelton v. Christchurch.—Sinclair led off strongly, 8 to 3 appearing on tho board at 7 heads. Orchard's turn now came, and he held sway for 5 heads, scoring 7 points, Henderson and Minson. both giving a. "very fine exhibition of keen drawing. Lyttelton_ then got in - a 2, followed, by a 6, and Christchurch never had another look ill, the match closing. jit 18 heads, Lyttelton winning by 19 points. The matches will be resumed next Saturday!