BOWLS TOURNEY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 88, 8 January 1935, Page 10

BOWLS TOURNEY

Championship Meeting Opens

PLAY AT AUCKLAND

Record Entries Received

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Auckland, January 7.

The annual New Zealand bowling tournament commenced this morning with section play in the championship singles. Mr. Raymond Sheath, president of the New Zealand Association, opened the tourney at the Carlton ■ green, which is the headquarters. He emphasised the fact that the event marked the largest bowling tournament yet held in the Dominion. Entries had come from no fewer than 18 centres of the association, and one from Australia. The day proved ideal for play, being bright, clear and warm, with a light breeze, which did not affect to any extent the true course of bowls. The 314 competitors divided into 52 sections, and five games of 21 heads were completed. There were the usual misunderstandings as regards conditions. Two contestants on the Carlton green played the whole of the first game with three bowls apiece instead of the specified four. Strangely enough, the umpire took it for granted that the championship was played with three bowls. The game was completed before the mistake was discovered. Posting of Results. At the end'of the day 77 section winners were found, and 52 separate competitions had been played, and the results duly posted on huge boards which extended in double file from one end of the pavilion. As results came in enthusiasts crowded round to see the figures posted. It reminded one of an election board. The greens were somewhat heavy after the recent rains, and did not ruil with the keenness which so delights tournament competitors. Many past Dominion champion's, after coming from their lespective fiery greens, could not judge the weight and looked hopelessly incompetent. Under the conditions no surprises were recorded, and all the 17 who had gone forward for intersection play considered themselves experienced tournament players. Inter-section play will commence tomorrow, morning piny being on the two-life system. A start will be made with the pairs on Wednesday. Slower Greens. ’The first day’s play in the tournament illustrated that southern visitors were not at home on slower greens than those to which they had been accustomed. The recent heavy rains experienced in Auckland had had the effect of perceptibly reducing tlie pace of all city and suburban greens. Matches went much as generally expected, and there were very few surprises. The standard of play on the day was perhaps below expectations for such an important event. Drawing, except in isolated instances, was not close, there being occasionally a margin of from three to four feet between bowl and jack. Much interest centred around the only Australian contender to the New Zealand title, R. T. Harrison, and the bank was not disappointed. Harrison held attention very effectively, and at the end of nine hours’ bowling he had a maximum of wins, five, for the result of his splendid bowling. In his wake he left a trail of scalps: Brackenridge, 19-14; Mclnnes (Te Awannitu), 25-13; Foster, 19-14; Farland, 19-17; Allely, 23-13. Much Driving. Only in one game, that against the Epsom champion, Farland, was Harrison fully extended, and in this there were numerous changes on successive heads. His opening game was against Brackenridge, in which he staged fireworks with much driving, which the bank had clamoured .to see. In this department of the game the Australian is very clever. Shots were cleanly picked off the jack and heads surreptitiously burned when the "lie’’ was against him. This compared vividly with the New Zealand champion, Carswell, of Dunedin, who played careful drawing and yard-fore shots with much grace. One bank had before them two distinct interpreters of the singles game. POST-SECTION PLAYERS The following 77 players qualified for post-seetiou play, which will be commenced to-morrow on the two-life system: .Somervell (Ponsonby), Muston iCnrlton), Grant (Dunedin), Wyatt (Pukekohe), Herd (St. John’s), Prangley (Mangere). Dowland (Bt. Kilda). Mingins (Epsom), Squire (Hawera), Harrison (Auckland), Keatley (Rocky Nook), Clarke (Carlton), Waterman (Takapuna) Carswell (Taieri), Kelly (Balmoral). Wright (St. Heliers), North (Te Awamutu). Kent (Carlton), Richards I Devonport), Lett (Park. Masterton), Kerr (Onehunga). Bish (Pukekohe). Bennett (Thames), Donald (Auckland). Oakes (Mataniata). WelImgii (Hataitai), Coburn (Ponsonby), Leach (Manurewa), Stewart (West End, Timaru), Foy (Hawera) Dunstan (Wail;i), Gordon (Carlton). Whittaker (Carlton). Peterson (Balmoral). Luscombo (West End, New Plymouth), Hig■ginbotham (Henderson). .Livingstone tOnehunga). Lawrence (Remuera), Jury (Ponsonby). Buxton (Carlton). H : ll (Rocky Nook), Engebretsen (Napier). McFarlane (Ngnruawahia), Evans (Whitiora). McMaster (Stanley). Hutchison (Dunedin), Leather Mount Albert). Bennett (Auck-' land). Dmcan (Carlton). Rosieh (Walin). Gladding (St. Kilda). Robertson (Waitonmta). Bremner (West End. Auckland). McConnell (Devonport), Newman (Thames). Lancaster (Carlton). Thomason (Hillsborough), McWhannell (Hataitai). Robertson (Onelinjign), Bonrke (Hawera). Routloy iKelhnrn), Lloyd (Caledonian). Gee (Te Awannitn). Chanpell (Balmoral). Sunde (Glen Eden). Henderson (Paeron). De Launay (Carlton), Letlnun (Ponsonby),' Benefield (St. John's). Robinson (Ham’l(on). Smith (Elmwood), Wakerlev ‘Rocky Nook). B’nckham (West End, R'iniaru). Andley (Takapuna). Hutchins (Wnnganui East). Brnco (West End, New Plymouth). Russell (St. Heliers).

NOTES ON THE GAMES

Greens Puzzle Players

Dominion Special Service.

, Auckland, January 7. The greens puzzled many bowlers when tlie Dominion singles content opened to-day. Even 'lie present holder, W. Carswell, of Dunedin, did not look at ail at home and to lie p'ajing his best. His shots lacked the closely-drawn timbers to the jack expected by enthusiasts who lined the bank in anticipation of a real

bowling treat. Wonderful “yard-gone” shots which made him so famous were not there. Nevertheless, the veteran champion, with his calm, unruffled manner, gave a studious interpretation of the game. He succeeded in winning four out of the five games played, with a total of lOS points against S 8 on the day. Carswell’s only defeat was at the hands of the prominent Grey Lynn, skip H. Whittle. In this game disaster met the champion when Whittle drove three well-drawn shots out with his last, leaving the veteran four shots down. On another head Carswell drove and cleaned his only shot off the head for three down. In no other game did the champion look like being defeated. . , Of other successful competitors of the day some are well known. Squire (Hawera), who came through with five wins, won the pairs championship in 1934. Henderson (Paeroa) came to Auckland front Lyttelton with a fine reputation. He won the champion of champions title here, and followed that with runner-up for filiat title in South Auckland, only being defeated by Hollard (Putaruru). Englebertson (Napier) is well known as a fine exponent of the game in that city, having won the champion rink competition there. Also in Gisborne he has much to his credit. Routly, of Wellington, has been for many years prominent in big bowling in 'that city. , . . Hutchins (Wanganui East) is new to Auckland. ___________