BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 1, 2 January 1901, Page 4

BOWLING.

THE .INTER-CLUB CONTESTS. GISBORNE WINS THE BANNER. Glorious weather prevailed for the final match of the inter-ciub contests which was played between Gisborne and Kaiti on Monday afternoon, and was attended with considerable interest. Gisborne required to score 48 points in the two rinks to bring them to the aggregate score made by YVhataupoko, and Kaiti wanted 35 to put thetn-in a similar position. In the case of the former, it was the general opinion that they had a very poor chance of success, and the resuit of the match theretore came very much as a surprise, and altogether upset the calculations of those most competent to judge, Gisborne scoring 52 points in the two rinks, and winning with several points to spare. Ponsford’s team ran away from that skipped by the president ot the club, and although they were even on the fourth head, being four ail, by the time the sixteenth head was reached the Gisborne rink had 30 to their credit against their opponents' five. Kaiti then rallied, and the game finished 33 to 14. Coleman and Witty skipping, ttie other teams had a much more even game, and kept well together throughout. On the last head, when the score was Kaiti 18, Gisborne 16, it was still on the cards for the Eastern suburb to pull the match out of the fire. They only required four to make a draw of the game. The fortunes of war were not, however, in their favor, and with Gisborne lying two, the only course for Kaiti’s veteran skip was to make a dean head of it. This he endeavoured to, playing two remarkably fine, firm drawing shots, and going within an ace ot the object sought. The green was in capital order, and reflected the utmost credit upon Mr F. Tansley, the caretaker, who is working hard to get it into first-class condition far the tournament. The following are the details of the day’s.play— Gishop.s’e. Kaitl

M’Gowan Jaekson Nasmith Pettie Gaudin Dixon Ponsford (skip), 33’ Bright (skip), 14 Robertson Willoek Matthewson T. Witty Humphreys Davies Coleman (skip) 19 J.W.Witty (skip) 18 52 32 J. Rosie Quigley Johnson Parker Ferris Price Wallace (skip), 31 C. Rosie (skip), 21 Orr Nichols O’Meara Lewis Birss (skip), 14 Simson (skip), 25 [Notes bv “Toucher.”] In view of the approaching contest for the honors of the year, the Northern Bowling Association’s tournament, to be held this year in Gisborne, and in which our three local clubs are to take part, it would not be out of the way to offer a few remarks, first, as to the relative merits of the teams, and, secondly, as to the play generally which I have observed on the bowling green here. In the first place, thedournament is a series of rink matches, no club being able to enter more than one rink to compete, and the terms of the competition are a fight to a finish, the highest number of wins taking precedence, Beginning with the team representing Gisborne Club, as the senior club, I have been pleased to notice the very continuous play by the team against the best men that could be got together to meet them. This is as it should be, but I venture to think that it has been more play than practice for the tournament in the proper sense of the term. They have had good games, and have succeeded in the majority of their contests, but what is -wanted is a little more drill. I also notici; a tendency which should be restricted tU very young players —in this case I do not refer merely lo the Gisborne team, but to most of the Gisborne bowlers —of the different members of the team to go outside their own duties and take too active a part in the advising, and thus interfering -in the directing of the game. This should be studiously avoided. It is contrary to the etiquette of the game, as well as embarrassing to the person in charge. It must be admitted that the team selected for Gisborne could not very well have been improved. Ponsford can fairly lay claim to being the safest skip in the club, and his selection has given universal satisfaction. He is in a position to get plem of practice, and there is no doubt tf.at what he can he will do to secure the honor of the tournament for Gisborne. In the leading departments of the game, such as drawing, resting, driving, ana carrying he is very reliable,, whilst he is also a fairly good general.

Coleman as number three is in his right place. An experienced, steady, and cool player, he is just the man suited for this position, and I feel sure that he will bear the test. His tendency is rather to rely on firm shots when there is an open draw, but with a little caution in this respect his play could hardly be improved. Birss takes the place of Gaudin, who is unable to play. Birss,|one of the coolest players on the green and therefore one on whom one would soonest rely if in a tight corner.. The only fear that I have is that the very severe physical test of a week’s play such as the tournament involves may be rather too much for him, but with this reservation it would be hard to improve upon him. McGowan is an old and tried player, and is well suited to act as leader in the Gisborne rink. It is his right position, and although he did not shine in Auckland as number three, with his alter ego as skip he will probably do better, and this I quite anticipate. Speaking of the team generally its weakness perhaps is that all its members bowl with bowls on the narrow side, and as soon as an opposing skip sees this he may make a very .awkward game for them. There is another point I should have mentioned earlier and that is the want of variance in the length of the heads. This is one of the severest tests which the team can be put to, and unfortunately in the Gisborne Club sufficient attention does not appear to have been paid to it.