BOWLING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2104, 1 February 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

BOWLING

(By “Toucher.”) Tilings have again assumed their normal aspect on both the local greens since the return of the tournament players. Competitions are being held and keen interest is being evinced. On the Turaiiganui rinks all interest is being centred in the Bennett Gup and gold medal championship. In this competition interest is keener this year than last, owing to -a gold medal being awarded to the holder of the Cup. Last- year the Gup was won by J. J Martin, and 1 consider tlio championship is very open this year, and would not be surprised if TV. Ratcliffo appropriated it, Tho first game in the competition took place between H. Hird and D. Hepburn. It was expected that the tournament leader would just about vanquish the older gentleman, but Hepburn upset calculations by winning by 17 to 14. The game was anyone’s, all through, and Hepburn was congratulated on.liis victory. The contest between A. Sawyer and M. Neikl was expected to be close, and so it was to a certain point—about the 13th head—when Neill seemed to fall away completely, and Sawyer romped homo by 25 to 15. Neill bail of late been playing a splendid and consistent game, but- ho suffers from over excitement, and in liis “go” with Sawyer, when the game was drawing to a finish, liis excitement got the better of him -and favored his opponent. A willing “go” was witnessed between AY. Rateliffe and M. G. Nasmith, jnr. Expectations were that Nasmith would win, hut llateliffecamo out on top by 21 to 13. Both howlers played well, and were evenly matched. Rateliffe played Ills game of the season. hut- his opponent- would have secured victory had he not allowed Ratcliffe to obtain 7 on tho first two heads. Nasmith played a fine uphill game to the I6t-h head, when he was 12 to 13. Rateliffe with liis last bowl on tlm following head wrested out Nasmith’s shot and lay 3. Tlio next bead saw Nasmith drive out Ratcliffo’s shot, hut- unluckily for him he “cannoned"” out liis own second and left Rateliffe with 3. This put the issue beyond doubt.

T. McConnell and C. J. Bennett had a keen contest. BotlL howlers drew splendidly, touches being the rule. There was nothing between the players right through, and much interest was evinced by spectators, when Bennett, .requiring one to tie on the last head, obtained his desire. In the play-off the head was a poor one, with McConnell lying the shot, when Bennett with his last bowl drew on the jack McConnell made a poor shot in reply, his bowl being narrow, but luckily for him it hit a howl and ran on to' the jack, giving him the victory. A good game ensued between M. Neill and 13. Bird. Bird played the better game, though his opponent put up a great tight, and the result was a second defeat for Neill. . W. Ratcliffe showed Ins superiority over D. Hepburn in a marked degree. Neither player was at his best, though Ratcliffe’s drawing at times was splendid. . W. J. 15. (laiulin had the best ol \Y. 0. Sheet throughout. On short heads Gaudin drew splendidly, and time and again cut out Sheet’s shot with splendid drives. It was Ganelin’s day out, though Sheet played a good game. , , A close contest was expected between A. Sawyer and M. G, Nasmith, jnr., hut it proved otherwise, Nasmith having it practically all Ins own wav, except when Sawyer got within sof him I have seen Sawyer play a better game, but Nasmith was solid, his drawing and driving being excellent. , J. J. Martin and P. Hallam mado an interesting finish in their game, Martin at one time having a strong lead, which was reduced to 3 at the terminus. Neither was at lus best, though good play was exhibited at times. , , . . , D. Hepburn suffered his second defeat when he met Nasmith, jnr. The latter drew splendidly, necessitating his opponent driving, and the drives iuvariablv came off. Hepburn played a. fine uphill game, and when witlmi one of Nasmith, the latter put «m * four, putting Hepburn practically out of the running . M Neill secured las first victory M\ meeting Bennett. There was nothing between the scores all through, nip H on the 16th head when Bennett unluckily carried the jack and gave lus opponent four. The carry practically lost Bennett the game. Both howlers played well, and there was nothing to choose between them. An exciting finish was witnessed between J. J. Martin and B*H»d. At one point in the game Martin was 18 to 7, with the gatno practica l A won he was rather careless, ol which Bird took full advantage, and before Martin could recover the pick Bird was '2O to Martins 18, on the 20th head Requiring 3 to wm -".utiu obtained his desires, Bird pract - cnllv falling to pieces. Hus was one of the closest and the most exciting finish so far in the tournament-. A. Sawyer accounted tor P. Haflain’s second defeat. The latter pla.yer had a good lead at one part oj td° name, but Sawyer, pulling himself together overtook his opponent, and won by 21 to 16 at the finish. Both players showed in-and-out lorni. The following is the position of the various players at the conclusion of

tlie first week’s play:— Placed. AY on. Lost W. llateliffe 0 0 0 J. J. Martin 2 o 0 Nasmith, jnr. ft 2 l A. Sawver a. M i 0 AV.J. P. Giun.lin 1 l T. McConnell 1 t tl I). Hepburn a i 0 15. Hirrl a 1 2 M. Neill. 3 :i 0 2 W. 0. Sheet 1 1 P. Hal lam 2 0 2 C. J. Bennett 2 n 0 M. Cl. Nasmith n 0 0 J. Colley 0 0 0