BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 349, 25 February 1902, Page 3

BOWLING.

[By Touchkk.]

The attendance at the bowling greon during tho past month has been much below tho average, owing no doubt to the fact that there have been strong counter attractions on each Thursday and Saturday. In view of the visit from tho Napier, Bluff Hill, and Hastings Clubs, things are likely to become moro lively. A number of matches are also being arranged by tbe committee, including a champion single and full-rink competitions.

Tho following games were played on Saturday last : Willock, Callender, Witty, Bright 10, v. Harris, Quigley, McGowan, Dixon, 28 ; Gaudin and Humphreys 16 (15 heads), v. Massey and Martin 8; Cussen, Lewis, Sidebottom, Ponsford 27, v. Ferris, Matthewson, Simson, Buttle 17; Orr 15, v. Score 17 ; Humphreys and Gaudin 15, v. Martin and Massey 12. In the latter game on the fifteenth head the score was 12 all, but in tho deciding head Humphreys and Gaudin scored 3.

Ponsford has not been displaying his best form since his visit to Wellington. Skipping in a full rink game last evening he was badly beaten by Massey, and received similar treatment in a few heads of

singles. However, I think tho veteran skip will redeem himself when it comes to the real business of the championship, and whoever beats him should win.

Humphreys has the reputation of being one of the soundest and most consistent players in the club, and his victory over Martin orr Saturday confirms this opinion of him. Humphreys must on present form be well to the front for the championship. Dixon caught Bright on tho weak sido on Saturday last, and recorded 28 to his opponent’s 10. He is waiting for some one else to come along. Nicholas has been putting up some fine performances as a leader during tho past month, and with a little more practice he will prove a hard nut to crack. Massey and Heunessy will require to look to their laurels.

Massey lias skipped on eight or nine occasions since he returned from Wellington, and has only been twice defeated.

Of the new members of the club Score and Harris are showing the best form, and I expect to see both thoso players included in the teams selected to play against the Napier contingent at Easter. McGowan has not been showing his true form since he returned from the tournament. The festivities wore evidently too much for him, or else ho is holding back for tbe championship. Martin has been shewing excellent form in leading during the past fortnight, and there are very few in the club that can equal him. He is considered by many as “ a dark horse ” for the championship. Quigloy is fast qualifying for tho position of No. 3, and call draw the shot with tho best of them.

Sidcbottom is spoken of as likely to skip one of the suburban teams at the Easter tournament. On a fast green ho should do good work. Visiting bowlers at tho Wellington tournament were greatly amused to see several, skips after delivering their bowls follow them up tho green. Two of the Wellington skips were the chief offenders in this respect. Excuse was made for them ou__the„ground that they were carried away with HurexeiteTncnrut-cticr gatno. A canny Scotchman who was looking on gave me another roason for tho practice being adopted. Ho contended that in windy weather such as prevailed during the tournament, a player by closely following his bowl up the green prevented the wind from unduly carrying it out of its usual course. There is no doubt a good deal to be said in support of this view, for on several occasions the gale that was raging was sufficiently strong to shift the jack. But what about tho

damage done to the green by running up and down ?