BOWLS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 480, 13 April 1909, Page 4

BOWLS.

WEUINCTON CENTRE'S EASTER TOURNAMENT. FINE WEATHER AT LAST. Tho bowling fraternity interested in the Wellington Centre's Easter tournament, which commenced in a howling gale on Friday, had adequate cause to despair on Saturday, when thcro was a copious downfall of rain. On Sunday—when no bowling is— the wind veered round to the south, and tho rain continued to fall with added bitterness. There seemed no hopo at all for tho morrow, and bowlers forced tc inactivity began to search out their favourite authors in anticipation of a seat by the fireside. Early yesterday morning, however, the packed clouds rolled away, and trio sun shone out gloriously. Tho books and magazines that were to linvo been read were stowed awny snugly in the bcokea.se, and the fire that was to have been remained unlit, for tko green called. Of all the preens that were being used for the purpose of tho tournament, New-town suffered most by tho rain, and was voted unplayable, but tho Kelbumo Club came to tho relief of the centre with an ofTer of all its rinks (as did Thorndon), so that those games set down to be played at Newtown could go on simultaneously with tho others, and this arrangement was carried, out to tho general satisfaction of players. The greens were naturally very heavy at tho outset, but under the influence of a genial sun and a light breeze they improved greatly as the day wore on. At the conclusion of the first day (when three rounds had boon played) four skips had gono through without a loss—Dall (Wellington), DlancTiard and Williamson (Kolburno), and Price (Newtown). Of these, Blanchard, Dall, and Price were again winners in tho fourth round, but Williamson went down badly to Cooper (of Karori). The' fifth round saw tho undefeated skips narrowed down to two—Dall and Blaiiehard, Price being defeated by Wilson (Thorndon) on tho latter's green. FOURTH ROUND. At Thorndon Green, Wilson (T.) beat Ballinger (W.), 15—i4i Roberts (K.) beat Nicholson' (T.), 17—9; Price (N.) beat Norwood (V.), 16—10: Henry (P.) beat Barlow (H.), 15—14; Laurenson (W,), boat Diuuio (Kel.), 28—12. On Victoria Green. Loighton (T.) beat Gibbes (W.), 18—14j Magnus (K.) beat Hrightwcll (T.), 15—16;' Varcoo (V.) boat G. Hendry (N.), 25—11 Routley (Kol.). beat Pauling (N.), 20—10; Blancbard (Kel.) beat W. Hendry (H.), 16—15. On Kolburno Green. , 'Itoy (V.) beat King (T.), 21-12; Brico \l.), beat Brackcnridge, jun. (N.), 21— 11 • Cooper (K.) beat Williamson (Kel.). 15—6; Brackenridge, sen. (V.), beatVNathan (T.) 18-8; J. Roberts (N.) beat Munro T. 23-17; Dall (W.) beat Wobb (T.), 21-8 Knowlos (Kel.) beat Lewer (K.), 20—10. FIFTH ROUND. On Thorndon Green. Wilson.(T.) boat Price (N.), 18-11; Barlow (H.) beat Nicholson (T.), 17—10; Dinnio (Kel.) beat Henry (P.), 2fi-5; Ballingor (W.) beat Norwood (V. , 28-18; Laurouson (W.) beat Roberts (N.), 15—12. . On Victoria Green. Magnus (K.) beat Lighten (T.), 19—12; Bnghtwell (T.) boat Varcoe (V.), 10—11; G. Hendry (N.) boijt Pauling (N.), 13—8; Blanchard (Kel.) beat Routley (Kel.), • 17—12; Gibbos (W.) beat Hendry (H.), 23—13, ■ On Kelbunie Green. ■ Brackenridge, jun. (N.), beat Kins (T ) 20-14; Princo (N.) beat Brice (T.), 16—8; Bary (V.) boat Williamson (Kel.), 16—12Roberts (N.) beat Nathan (T.), 20-13 Webb (N.)" beat Munro (T.), 18—11; Knowles (Kel.) beat Brackenridgo, sen. (V.). 12-10; Dall (W:) boat Lower (K.), 21—6. SIXTH ROUND. On Thorndon Green, Norwood (V.) beat Wilson (T.), 15—10; Henry (P.) beat Nicholson (T.), 26—8; Price N.) beat Laurenson (W.), 15-14: Roberts (K) beat Barlow (H.), 19-11; ■Ballinger (W.) beat Dmnio (Kel.), 1'4—12. On Victoria Green. Loighton (T.) beat Varcoo, 20-15; Bnghtwell (T.) boat Pauling (N.), 16—13 W. Hendry (H.) beat G. Hondry (N.) 1/—l2; Routley (Kel.) beat Magnus (K 27—17; Gibbes (W.) beat Blanchard (Kol.), On Kelburno Green. King (T.) beat Prince (N.),. 22-15; Brice (T.) beat Williamson/ (K«l.j, 23-16; Brackenridge, jun. (N.) boat Cooper,'(K.), 23—14; Webb (N.) beat Nathan (f.), 27-6; Munro T.) beat Knowles (Kel.), 23-rIG: J. Roberts (N.) boat Lewer (K.), 21-8;'Dall (W.) boat Brackenridge, sen. (V.), 18—9. SECTION WINNERS. Section I,—Blanchard (Kolburue), 5 wine, 1 loss. ' Section 2.—Price (Newtown), 5 wins, 1 loss Section 3.—Bary (Victoria), 5 wins, 1 loss. Section 4.'—Dall (Wellington), 6 wins. Tho semi-finals will bo played on the Thorndon green at 1 p.m. on' Saturday (IGbead Ramos), and tbo final (21 heads) on tho samo green at 3 p.m. NOTES ON THE PLAY. Of tho games in tho fourth round, the one between Wilson (T.) and Bailing (W.) was finely contested, tho former, -winning by a point on tbo last head. Blanchard (Kol) had a tough battlo with W.'Hendry (H'utt) • maintain his unbeaten reeon), only squeezing through with a oiie-pumt'win." In round six ILaurcnson (W.) was beaten by ono point only by Price (X,). Those who saw tho conclusion of the gamo state that Laurenson pr.icticall.v threw thb name away. That ho was able to do so vtfH "throughout the tournament stamps the Wellington player as a coming skip. '; The most ri*marl;ablo game.*-in the sixth round was the defeat of Blancliard (Kol.) bv Gibbes (Wellington). The foiiicr. who na's gono through without a loss, "simply could not secure the points, whilst Siii, Edward, who had experienced a lot of ill-luck in previous games, piled in t-he shots in great stylo, seem-, ing 2G points (in a IG-head game) against the koiburim skip's 4. it is satisfactory to note- that Blanchard came out ■ a scc't'on winner. Only one team went through without a Joss-Lodger, Baird, Brown, Wall (s.). Of this Wellington Club team throe members aro officials «f the Post and Telegraph Dcpartmont, tho skip being tho popillar Inspector of Post Offices.