BOWLING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 138, 28 February 1918, Page 3

BOWLING

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS SINGLES

WON BY H. -MAYER OF EASTBOURNE

The Champion of Champion Singles Tournament was continued on the Hataitai Club's green yesterday in perfect weathe». The furious gale which made the going so erratic on Tuesday blew itself completely out during the night, and tlio weather in the forenoon of yesterday wna as fair as one could look for in the Bummer calendar. What wae perhaps just as important, the green waa in fino trim, fairly keen, with just enough erip in it "to make the bowla stay where they stop," and the bowler that could not do himself justice on such a green under the perfect weather conditions prevailing only had himself to blame—the copular excuse of blaming the green would not pass,. The strong southerly breeze in the afternoon made accurate play more difficult. The first round, played on Tuesday afternoon, resulted in a win for Young (Hataitai) against Paul (Soatonn), whilst Tom Gray (Kelburn) won,by default against Te Kiwi. The second round saw the representatives of the city clubs knocked out save Tamblyn (Wellington). Tn that round Tamblyn walked (ill over Chapman (Vie), and Bright (Otaki) effected a surprise by heating Drackenridge (Newtown). Harry Jlayer (Eastbourne) had a ridiculously easy win over Ross (Thorndon), winning all the way." Robertson (Pctone), who beat Youdb (Hataitai), is a heady singles player, who can drive with accuracy in the right place. An unlooked for result was Cooper's 'Karoril defeat by Young (Lower Itutt). Ctooper hung behind through the game, but came along with a rush.at the finish, and the last head saw the scores even at 20. In the play-on Young scored a. point. Gray (Kelburn) vent down to the Uer. Mr. Oastle (Island 'Bay). Irving (Tjyall Bav) hail a) three-point win over Harrison (Upper Hutt), and Mills (Johnsonvillc) won his game against Khandallah by the latter's default,

The third round, also played before lunch, saw Tamblyn (Wellington) downed in the extra head by Milk Wobneonville) after a very even game. The Wellington man happened to get two (hots in on the twenty-first head, making the scores even at 17. On «he nlny-off Mills drew eoort shots on either side of tlie lack. Tamblyn disnlaced one with a running shot, niul 'tills .placed another ehot in its place. Tamblyn then seemed to lose his nerve, as the two final sh'ofs lie played were , entirely nnservWnMe to him in his emergency. Brip-ht (Otali) vrnn «gain handsomely from Young (Hutt): Ifayer (Eastbourne) gave Castle (Island Bay) a solid touch of his drawing quality, the game ending 32-11.. Perhaps the most, interestdig game in this round vas that between Irving 'Lynll Bay) and Kobertson (Petone). The ficoro was 17 all on the last head. On tho extra head Irnng fofund the length and green •» a nicety, "nd lay three shots wVrnn Itobertson had to play his last bowl. There was only one thing to doto make a dead head. Ho plaved a beautiful drive, hit the lank fairly full, apd burnt the head. The drawing on the second extra head was not nearly so good, both players being inclined to be strong. It was all plain open drawing on the fore band and at the finish Jiobcrtson lay tho ehot and the game.

The Seml-Flnal. In the semi-final Harry Mayer was pitted against Bobertson. and for the whole distance tho play wa3 interesting, though tho tncky southerly wind, which came in rudo W s , from all pc<nM - mfl(l0 il extremely difficult for tho players to accurately gauge the green. The score was even— 16 all-on ths sixteenth head, hut from that out Mayer held the lead, winning by the narrow jjiargln of two points'. The other game was between Mille, a lengthy young colt, who is the makings of a flue bowler, and Bright. Up to the thirteenth head the players lept togethor, then Mills, drawing with great steadiness, drew slowly ahead a point at a time, getting in a ihree cm the twentieth as a finisher for the Otaki man. It was not necessary to nhiy. the last head. The Final-Mayer Wins. .By the time the final was due the southerly breeze had relented a little, and the conditions generally had improved on what they were directly after lunch. Tho game was a good one, but was entirely devoid of fireworks. Both players drew surprisingly well, but tho rersistunt accuracy of Mayer's play wore his less experienced opponent down. On the sixteenth, head Mills was inly three behind (10-13), but on the next four heads Mayer clapped on seven points (including a'four), rendering it unnecessary to play the last head. Cheers were given for th£ winner and runner-up at the conclusion of tho gaino. The Scores. The results are as follow:— Second Bound. Tamblyn (Wellington) beat Chapman (Victoria), 24-5; Bright (Otaki; beat. Brackeuridge (Newtown), 19-16; H. Mayer (Dastbourne) beat Koss (Thorndon), 23—7; Robertson (Petono) beat Young (Hataitai), 19 —14; Young (Lower Hntt) beat Cooper! (Karori), 21-20; Oastlo (Island Bay) beat Gray (Kelburn), 20—14; Irving (Lyall Bay) beat Harrison (Upper Hutt), 19-16; Hills (Johnsonville) won by default from Kiiandalluh. Third Round. - Mills (Johnsonville) beat Tamblyn (Wellington), 19-17; Bright .Otaki) beat Young (Lower Hutt), 23-14; Mayer iEaotbourno) beat Castle (Island Bay), 32 —11; Robertson (Petone) beat Irving (Lyall Bay), 17-16. ~ The Semi-Final. Mayer (Eaßtbourne) boat Robertson (Petone), 21-19. Mills (Johnsonville) beat Bright (Otaki), Final. Mayer (Eastbourne) beat Mills (Johnson, ville), 2fl—ll. . The Eaelbourno Club is to be congratulated on its win. On one former occasion Powell (of Eastbourne) was the runner-up, but this is the first occanion on which the trans-harbour club has won a district championship.. Harry Mayer (formerly of the Wellington Ohib) is a brother of Thomas Mayer (who won the Singles Championship three years in succession). HILL PINS. The result of the game" yesterday between Seatoun and Khandallah for the Hill Pins was:— Seatoun (holders): Mac Gill, North, ll'iiennan, M'Girr (s.), 28. Khandallah (challengers): Vincent, Cowles, Manefield. Hogben (s.'i, 17. Johneonvjlle will be the challengers on Wednesday next.

. The following will represent Kelburn in the pennant match a»ninst. Lyall Bay.— At Kclburn: Mat, M'llraith. Bray. Meadowcroft (s.); Miller. Goodall. M'Callum, M'Call (a.). At Lyall Bay: Haincrton, Batten, Caughloy, Kontley (n.); Duff, Nicholls, M'Arthur, B. 0. Gannaway (s.). The following will represent Kbandallah in the pennant match against Lyall Bay:— Away: Mansfield. Jones, Bourse, M'Arthur (e.). At home: Vincent, Living, B. Plimmnr, Dumhell (a.). The followine: will represent Te Tlivi on Saturday at Newtown, agai'iet Kcwfown:— Moss, Roberts, Fountain, ft J. Hill (s.); Oohen, Innes, Shallerasß, Ho.rner (s.).