NOTES ON THE PLAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1333, 10 January 1912, Page 3

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

Churchward (Wellington) sustained his first defeat yesterday rnornim* at the hands of Kiigour (Carlton). The game was 17—22 on the nineteenth head, Kilgour up. Churchward got ono on the twentieth, but was, out-drawn by the Carlton skip, on the last head, which was watched by an interested crowd of bowlers. That sound player Baildon (Grey Lynn) is not doing so well as was expected; by those acquainted with the "strength" of tho Auckland rinks. He went down to Wakenian (Pahiatua) on Monday, and yesterday morning was beaten by Wrightson (Napier). Wakeman is doing very well indeed. Sollitt (Terrace End) had his first win yesterday morning, when he beat Beatson (Hastings) very soundly. "Bill" Hendry (Hutt), who was at one time a formidable skip, has disappointed the Valley bowlers in tho tournament. He suffered his fourth defeat vesterdav morning. . The scene on-the various greens immediately after luncheon was unique. The fifth round had started when the drizzling rain thickened up, and bowlers made tracks for the pavilions to get coats, umbrellas, and mufflers—anything, indeed, that would help to mitigato tho weather conditions. Under t influence of the southerly breeze tho temperature went down appreciably, and somo of the players stuck to their overcoats throughout tho game, whilst others sauntered about, the. green protected by umbrellas. Popular Charlie Payne (Caledonians), who had a couple of wins on Mondav, went down yesterday morning to Nasmith (luransanui), who puts up a good fight .every time. Say well (Feilding) is fighting his wav through m a manner which gives promise of his being somewhere near tho top oi his (1) section. At noon yesterday ho had not sustained a loss. Macdougall (Christchurch) is making a good showing in the tournament. He had two wins on Monday and yesterday morning , he lowered the colours of Sievwright in good style.. ■Shallcmss, who formerly played for monition is skipping a Greenmeadows team in the tournament. So far he has not been prominent among the winners, ii na -j,, teen Playing with a lot. of hard uclt. I his was the case yesterday when he was signally defeated by Cooper (Ka- . rori) 28—7. Time after time Shallcrass and Ins men played .fair shots, but invariably they pushed their opponents' bowls into the jack—hence the big margin. The fifth round played after lunch yesterday yielded a fo-.v surprises. The chief of tlipre irn? the rlrubliincr administered ■i' -kilgour (Carlton). by Knowles (Kelbiirne). Kilgour's men seemed to be quite at a loss on the damp green, whilst the hclbunw men played a good steady gair.c throughout. With the score at 22— 1H on tin; twentieth head, -Kilgour gave it test. Another impeded win was that of Remington's (To Hiwi) over Churchward (W'pllmgtcn). Churchward played with much of his old skill, but was not. given piioush support by his rink which on pnprr, is n strong one. The (cams lied on tho last head, and in the play-off Kpiiiin«ton got two in, which Churchward failed to mow. To everyone's astonishment Dall (Wellington) went kidly down in the fifth round to Masson (Carterlon). and just us much surprise was occasioned by Dudley (Opunake) downing M'lntosh, the champion Oiiphungu skip. It was Dudley's first win in tho tournament. Tho most exciting finish on the Wellington green yesterday was in the match between Cooper (ICarori) and Jl'Greeor (Carlton). Cooper drew , even with .M'Gregor on the last head, and then ensued a great tug-cif-war. Carlton lay the shot when tho skips wont down, and Coop?r with his second shot managed to drive it out. giving him (he , shot. M'Grcgor, amidst great pxcitement, played a drawing shot, and lay a b?auty. The shot was the signal for a rear of applause. There were lamentations at the Wellington Club's pavilion when the news came through that Dall, the popular Wellington skip, had gone down in the tilth round, ami that he had onco more suffered defeat at the hands of Gordon (St. John's). The Wellington Club plnced a good deal of relinneo in T) a ll; now they must transfer tlmir hopes to liallingcr and Bell, who have gone through thnir sections without a loss. There is still a chance for the local mighty to fall, but it is anticipated that both these skips will he in the final games. Two Commanders of St. Michael "and St. George were - present at the bowling tournament at the Wellington Club's green yesterday afternoon. These were: Colonel 1!. .1. Collins, V.D., C.M.G., and Colonel A. W. Robin, C.M.G. The latter officer, who was mentioned in New Year honours, wn.s the recipient of hwrly congratulations from the jack-seekers. Among the "unexpected.-;" in the. sixth round was the defeat of Nash (I'almerstou North) by Waddell (Wellington), aoid

the soiukl beating administered to AVylio (Newtown) by Tom Lock (To Iliwi). In iliis section also Dnll went down once more to Gordon (St. John's), who is ul: tho top of his section with mi unbeaten record. Those who hnvc gone through so far with/mil ;i lo.« nro:-Cordon (St. .lohnV). Bell (Wclliiitf.on), Ballingor (Wellington), Siij-well (I'Vilding), T.ock (Tu lliwi), and i.rniff (OiVborm , ). I'hurchwnrd (Wellington), win) had three wins to his credit on Alondny. did nut do nrarly to uo'J yrster•ln.v. Thp urll-kmivn .skip did not bowl up to form liinif-eir, mid his. rink ruvo him little real assistance. He was beaten by Jvilcour K'iirlton), liemiußton (To Hiwi), and Wilson (Hamilton) yesterday. I his is the first occasion on which the hdgewnre Club (Christchurch) has been represented at a X.B.A. tournament. So far.their luck has bean right out—thev have six losses to their debit.