BOWLING NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1050, 18 November 1903, Page 3

BOWLING NOTES.

So far this season tho amount of enthusiasm that prevailed amongst local players lust year has not shown itself, but now that the Gisborne representatives have been selected ior the January tournament increased interest may bo looked for. What the Gisborne Ciub suffers chieily from is the want oi players. Although the Ciub has a membership of over a hundred it i 3 seldom that over thirty are to bo seen on the green on a Thursday afternoon. As a number of newcomers have just been received into the Club it is incumbent upon somo of the older hands to see that every encouragement is given them to practise and become profieent at the game. Thus the Free Lance, on one of Wellington’s best players Ballinger’s ambition to skip one of tbo Wellington Club’s rinks, at tho Auckland tournament, is likely to prove a costiy experiment if it comes off. Ho had an opportunity of measuring his strength in full rink against Noil McLean recently, and was completely out-classed at all points of the gome. His score, three-parts through, stood at 6 to 24, aud finished 13 to 30. A single example of form will suffice. In one head McLean's last bowl skidded the jack to the sido, and Ballinger had from fifteen to twenty feet in which to draw the shot. But ho was too short to got within that easy distance. Bell, as third man, is simply thrown away. He is not a back number.

Ballinger’s team of Auckland tournamont champions has burst up (says the Free Lance). Nome Bell has formed another combination with himsbif as skip, Gooder as third man, Ted Hill as leader, and Btunskiil as No. 2. Meanwhile, Bal-

linger is chasing round for a fresh team. in his opening remarks at tho Auckland Club’s green the President (Mr Will Lambert) inudo mention of the approaching tournament under the auspices of the Northern Bowling Association, and urged playors to devote all their spare time to practising. Ho pointed out that the Northerners would he called upon to meet some fine exponents of tho game in January, and would need to be at their best if they were going to hold their own against

tho visitors. Several of the Auckland teams for tho forthcoming tournament havo been steadily practising since September, and aro showing excellent form. Tho matches arranged by the Gisborne Club for the King's Birthday were of a most iuterostiDg character, and somo fino play was witnessed. Massey was in great form, and with the assistance of T. Adair, Eure, and Williams wero successful in carrying off tho trophies. All tho team played well. McGowan’s rink camo in for second honors, much to tho satisfaction of the genial Mae, who was kopt well in hand by Henssey. Tho latter howled in his usually consistent stylo.

Coleman and G-Uidin wero not seen at their best in the Birthday Cup. Martin is in good form, and promises to make a name for himself at the forthcoming tournament. He is always about tho jack. Witty is showing good form this season, and is generally successful in his matches, Tho inclusion of Seymour in tho tcurn for Auckland camo as a surprise to many, hut he is considered by tho selectors as worthy of his place, and certainly his play so far this season lias justified his selection. Ho has a vory ploasing style, and howls a good length bowl. Craig is tho most enthusiastic of the new playors, and is the makings of a bowior. Craig and another dovotoo to the gamo, Julius Caesar, have had several single matches, in which some good drawing and firm shots wore noticed.

Hr Scott is another now member whose style has been admired by old players, and with a little steady practice he should be well to tho fore.