BOWLING TOURNAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1923, Page 4

BOWLING TOURNAMENT

A VISIT TO WESTPORT. EXPERIEXCES Oh' HOKITIKA TEAM. (Notes by the Drivel). The Hokitika Bowling Club’s team of two riilk's—-Messrs .J. S. Bain, A. li. Bovil, W. Wilson. I). Stevenson 1 , 0. ll.' Blank, A. li. Kino, H. A. Thompson si net A. K. Benjamin, sicenmpanied by Mesdamcs Blank, Stevenson, Thompson and Benjamin, who made the journey to Westport to the West Coast Bowline: tournament, left Hokitika on Sunday week by Clements Motors Ltd. Den by ear at it.lb a.in. The day was very fine, and a ideas,int run was made. Beefton was reaelied in time lut' Intteli and then the seeond st ape was eommeneed. It was a happy party and the time passed pleasantly. At the Inangaliim junction. many members ol the Westport Clnli tuul gathered to specialty welcome the New South Wales bowling party who were then due from Nelson.’hut our party enntinued on with a hearty greeting. The Bttller (forge looked its best, and the run proved a very enjoyable one. A puncture on the wav gave an opportunity to closely inspect the surrounding', and then the journey was completed. Westport being reached at fi o’clock, the Australian visitors arriving ball an hour later. Our party made Mrs Cox’s I’nion hotel their headijunrters. and very lucky were they in their selection. it being a home from home in the truest sense, our hostess leaving nothing undone that would add to the great pleasure we derived while inmales ol her hostel. tin Moiuln\ morning at !! o clock we raw the We-tport Bowling Club's green. I; ms an absolute picture. Set in very pretty surroundings, with an ornate Club bouse, and the whole ■ oiel ,'iire a brilliant mass of (lowers and greenery, the green itself at once attracted attention, li was ns near perfection us was possible. Closely cut. it had a complete covering of the little green "weed" that has made the green so lanious. Beautifully true and level, it looked like a billiard table, and the lolling given made the surface shine as if it hud been hot ironed. The New South Wales visilors who played the Westport Club, were of unanimous opinion that the green was absolutely the best in Australasia. and the caretaker. Mr Janies Mel.eod, bad a genial smile that snowed he was satisfied at the tribute paid to his efforts to make and keen the green in such perfect order. The play in this match was very in torestillg, but the t line allowed for the game (two hours) hardly gave the visitors full opportunity to get Die full strength of the surface, the keenness of the green while a delight, also proving a very difficult eoutrnet to guugc and as a result their plav suffered, Westport winning comfortably with three rinks out of four. There was a large assemblage present when an olbcial welcome was given the oversea visitor-. then toliowed die play. and after having morning tea. the viritoir left by ears for Js' . tlpo noil Drevmo'it b ■ n rente I ( ';i, i. I ' buret,, carry mg. vit b it” ' U well sulCed meiuoiu-s o! Wc-tp-uT. it'-' people, its wotimlet fill green and t’v' hen'll i"s of the Bttller Gorge. Our two rink' were allowed a couple of hours practice on the green that morning, and - the green was then closed ill noon to receive the filial touches for the tournament to commence the next day. During: the afternoon our pin t v were shown over a number of the principal features of the town. Councillor Cox. in the absence of the Mayor. kindly accompanied the party, visits being made to ihe wharf. Victoria Square, and the new Technical School'(a fine brick building recently erected at a cost of ahold (.‘20.0(10). Tim Superintendent Mr Brocket! i kindly gave the visitors every opportunity of viewing the interior, including the engined ing room, now having its mnehinerv nearing completion. Air Tomkies (Instructor) and a well-known bowler, gave a verv pleasant finish to ihe inspection by showing the workings of n couple of valuable patents made bv him. Tin* time soon passed ant! ill -n the new additions to the hospital were seen, a further stoppage being made at the public tennis and ere'ptct lawns, where a cordial welcome was extended by the ladies talcing part in the play. The party were plie-ed on the visitors list at the Westport Clnli, and during the stay many pleasant calls were made there and an euje.vnble hour or two spent. . THE TOURNAMENT.

On Tuesday morning was commenced thp AVest Const Centre’s Ijowlino- tournament, OS players taking part inclml im ic 1 1 hi r rinks from Canterbury. The given attain looked a picture ami rolled out absolutely true, but it was so keen that most of the players had the greatest difficulty in getting their Icngtli. the howls running on so sweetly that, it proved very disconcerting and trying. Withal it was a delight to plav on such a perleet ground. As the dav w<nv on and the hot sun did its

work I he preen pot faster and faster, lint gradually the players found their length «!iul stunc very jin*-’ wor“ played. The Hokitika rinks each suffered defeat in the first round. lienjamin being beaten h.v Ooodinp (Wostp;iit) bv 11 to 23. the winners having an advantape of the play throughout. Stevenson's team met Blair (Greymoutli) and also had their colors lowered by 15 to 10. after a good contest. In the second round, Benjamin met Pape (T.vttelton) who had beaten .Tones in the first round, and this proved a vorv fine contest, the Hokitika team u innilip by i’ll to I!', the issue being in doubt up to the finish. Both teams ..,.t i he feel of the preen, and some of the lies! rink play of the tournament was piven. Stevenson s rink al>o opened their winning score, defeatin'; Williams (Westport) somewhat easily h N 22 to 10, the winninp team slmwinp much improved play. In the third round Beniamin met Jones (Greymouth'i and again won. hy L’l to IS, tin- Hokitika third Thompson nbtviu ,r a remarkahlv fine panic. Stevenson was also successful defeating Harrison (Westport) by 21 to B 1 after a pood panic, in which both sides showed pood play. The results showed that in section A. Beniamin, Gooding and J’ape tied with two wills each, while in the other sections t’.ev were won by three wins, those successful heinp Section B. Blair : Section C. Blaxall : Section T>. Strutilers. The lixeeutive d sided that one tie in Section A should he placed off tyonce and a draw resulted in Benjamin getting the live. (Joodinp (Westu and Pape (Lytteltoni at 7 o’clock started to play seven heads. Before the panic was concluded it had become too dark to see tiro head, and an acetylene lamp was utilised. As a result the plav was somewhat of a farce.

and not fair to either rink, if resulted in a win for Gooding by 7 to 5. Thereby the whole of the Canterbury players were deleted from the sectional winners play. It was later decided that Gooding and Benjamin play off i heads at (5.30 a.in. on Thursday. „ SECOND DAY’S PLAY. j During Tuesday night there were some showers of rain, hut at sunrise i the weather cleared and the day was again beautifully fine. The green hail a little less of its fiery finish, but it rolled out beautifully. The Pairs Com- j petition was eommeneed at 8 o’clock and the green was fully occupied throughout the day, play lasting @ll 7 o’clock, and after that sectional ties were played, darkness again overlak- i mg the play before the seven heads were completed. In the first round the only Hokitika , pair engaged were Thompson and Bon- ; jamin who defeated Knight (Westport) j by 20 to 7.

In round two Bain anil Stevenson defeated .J. Blown (Lyttelton) hv 18 to 14, while Blank'was defeated l>v Sunley (Westport) by 10 to 11. In round three. Benjamin heat MeI ttdoe (Grey) by 13 to 10, five heads being burnt, before a second score was made anil W. Wilson lost to Jones by 0 to 12.

In round lour Stevenson defeated Tnlhieh (Westport) hv 17 to 11. while Harrison (Westport) defeated Blank hv Hi to 13.

In round live W. Wilson (loloated A. A. Wilson (Westport) by 17 to ID, while Beniamin defeated Page (Lyttelton) by 11 to 10. The latter game was one of the best pairs games of the day. the play being of a very high order. In round six. Buck (Grey) dofentod

Stevenson by 13 to 10. This was another splendid exhibition both teams showing splendid form, and in the lasi hall of the game. Buck by a splendid draw changed a losing position to one of victory. The winners of the Pairs Sections were : Section A, (tootling; Section B, Bing; Section C. Benjamin; Section D Jones: Section E. Blaxall : Section E. McKay; Section (!, Buck; Section H, Smiley. THIRD DAY’S PLAY. On Thursday morning in bright sunshine at (>.3(l o'clock Gooding anil Benjamin played oil their rink sectional tie. Benjamin winning b\ S to (i. alter interesting plav. At U o'clock' the play bv the Pairs seel ion winners a ils commenced. Bleyall boat McKay I A to 12: Gooding boni Bing 1(5 to 1(1; Buck beat Wood 22 to 3; .tones beat Beniamin I I to 7. In the afternoon there was a reemd at tendance, it. being estimated nearly T,)tt spectators were present ami standing room was at a discount., lint the

ing room was at a discount, tint the ladies bail made such ample preparations that afternoon tea was provided lor all l hat desired ii. In the semi-liual. Blaxall heal Buck, Is to II ; mid Jones heat Gooding by I t to 13, after a tie on the last head, the finish being verv exciting. PAULS FINAL. After a ten minutes spell the final for the Pairs Championship was played between E. B. Cameron and E .Blaxall ■Westport - ami W. Graham and T. ■ tones (Greyinnutht and after an intme'. "ii v •.•ante ill which D'e winners atv .-- h:e' ll . I d I'm KIM o! Iho id Blaxall a a - "tof-dul hv I I to !' RINK SEMI-FINAL. At 3. Id p.ni. the semi finals of the ■ links Mere commenced. Blair (Cre.iime.t:.) meeting Blaxall •• West port) and -druthers (Westport) playing Benjamin (Hokitika). The [day of each rink was closely followed and the applause meted out for specially good shots was very generous. The games resulted in iilaii defeating Blaxall by 30 to 11, while Benjamin defeated S! rut hers by 2! to 11. In this game Blaxall '.who had been .showing remarkably good form through' out the tournament) showed to far less advantage, the three previous games played that day in the Pairs tinaD Pa vino taken too much out ot him. CONG R ATt'I.ATOIi Y. 11. lore (lie assemblage departed Mr dames Bing Chairman of the Executive) took the opportunity on behalf of the Centre Executive, of expressing tll"ir pleasure at the success e| tlm tournament, and congratulated tl e players generally on their fine exhibition. A high tribute was made to the state of the green and lie expressed on behalf of visitors their keen appreciation of the very generous hospitality el the ladies of Westport who had done so splendidly for the players and oilier visitors. Mr Bing then made the presentation of the handsome cup to bo held by the winners of the Pairs Championship, Mr Cameron accepting it in the absence ol Mr Blaxall. Mr Bing then proceeded to make a presentation on behalf of the visitors to the greenkeeper (Mr James McLeod) stating it. had keen the greatest of pleasure t > plav on such a perfect surface. He lead had the pleasure the previous year of presenting the Pairs Cup to Mr McLeod and partner, hut he had imt keen so successful in his play this tournament. (No. said Mr Mol.end, he had been "capsized” this time). Laughter. A similar presentation lias also made to Mr Sanders (secretary to the tournament). Messrs Mel.eod and Sanders briefly acknowledged the presentations. ('beers for the pairs winners Mere given. Mr Bing announcing Hint Ihe fina l for the rinks championship would take place next morning. I! INK FINAL. Owing to the Creyrnonth team desiring to leave for Beettou at 11 a.m., it was arranged to play the rink final on Friday morning at 7.J0 o’clock. Dam ■ Nature, however, took a hand, heavy rain tailing during the night and at s a.m. the green was a sheet ol water. The veather ;vii' lifting, and the Executive derided that play take place at o ~’clock. ID that hour the day was beautifully fine, with a baffling gti'ty !:i-.ezc blowing down and across the green. There was another good ui tendance. when the two teams took : e field to decide the principal event of the tournament. They Mere—Greymouth: G. Moss. K. W. Wise. P. A. Pm k. W. Blair (s) and Hokitika: G. 11. Blank. A. B. King, H. A. Thompson. A. E. Benjamin is). In the opening stages Hokitika took the lead. coring a three, missing the next when Grey scored one. aud_ then adding 1. 2.1, the totals being 7to 1. Then ’Grey scored a four. Then alternately both sides scored two singles each.' Hokitika a three and Grey one. ti e totals on the !2th lead being lx’ to 7. Hokitika added two twos and then (•rev added two singles and two threes, the score on the 18th head being ](> li. ■ ,J o-| head was played, and Grey had lour shot' in hand when tne skips n out down. Blair's first ball did not niter the position. A drive by Benjamin broke the head anil took the kitty to the ditch. It hit the hank "outside Ike rink peg and came hack into ti e ditch about four inches inside the peg. The umpire ruled the kitty was alive, and Grev v.cre lying one shot some eight feet away. Blair drew his second ball a couple of feet inside and lay two. Then Beniamin with bis Lo‘t druv ol

the day drew within three feet i f tee ditch and scored one. Hokitika added two in the next head. Blank and King each pettinp in a counting shot that wore not moved, and the final head was commenced with Hokitika leading by three. Grey were lying two shots when Thompson played his first ball. He same through to kitty and earned the

white about six feet stopping right in front, about six feet from the ditch. The Grey skip put his third to drive it off but both missed. Hokitika’s skip played for safety, reaching the ditch side of the shot, while Blair driving unsuccessfully left the shot untouched, and Hokitika won the rink championship by 20 to 1(5. With the last shot played, there was a remarkable outburst, after a few minutes of tension, and the winners were heartily applauded, and congratulated on their success. A tew moments later Cap!. Tulloek (President of the Westport Club, and member of the Centre Executivei in the absence of Mr J. Bing (Chairman) complimented the winners on their success, expressing the pleasure it had given the Westport Club tr have welcomed the visitors to their green. Mrs Till loch then handed the U-lier

r U |, t.; Mr Benjamin, to hold lor the ensuing year. Hearty cheers were then given for the winners and also for the

runners-up. Mr Benjamin in accepting the Cup, on behalf of tile Hokitika visitors expressed the deepest thanks for the generous hospitality extended. He particularly referred to the kindness and the attention of the ladies who had so materially assisted to make the visit such a memorable one. Special relerenee was also made to the perfect green, and the popular caretaker "J imm v” .McLeod was congratulated „„ the splendid results achieved. He eonora! ulated the runners-up on the T,„h7 i Lev had put up, and mentioned until pleasure that this was the second time In- had skipped the winning learn, having been the holder for the prevent.year, When two others of Ihe present Pink\ Messrs Thompson and King) wore also winners, stating that this made the li lUi time Hokitika representatives had Mott the Cup in ten years, whili of the present rink Mr King had heel: a successful member four times. Mi Thompson and himscil three times am M, Blank once. Mr Benjamin concluded hv again thanking the \\ eslp r Club, ail’d their lady friends for Ihr very generous reception accorded the

visitor-'. | li-iii tv cheers were then piveii toi ill,' In, lies mill the Westport ( lull. (';• I>l :iin Tulloeh then formally handcl hark Ihe preen to the Westport ( ini, ~ii helm ll of the Centre, ami '('mi rim moot ol Ih'-’li was suecosslull.' oi the visitinp howlers left Wesiport on Kriilav, only the (treyMill learn left, in the linnl. aml tln jjoki'ika eontinwent remainin';. Thes> 101 lon Sal unlay mnrninp. the loon' parry iinvino a very pleasant run I'oiee in r',\ ini; at liokilika about 1> p-tti lii-yliU ,'loliolite,! with their sueress line ike thoroughly enjoyable nature of tin

moling of tin- We -1 Const linn I ing Association’s executive was held at the Kmpire Hotel. Westport on Wed m dav evening. Mr dames Bing ■ C hairman) presided, and there won present Messrs I-’. Iliaxall (Westport) A. K. Benjamin H lokit ikai, Hownei Bceflou), K. !!. Cameron and Cap! Tullueh (Westport), and !>. Mels' a.' (I 1011. Secretary). .Matters in connection with the tour uamcnl wore discussed and arrange' am! i In' draw made lor the rinks so.' 1 tieiial play. Appreciative referencewere made to the splendid condition the Westport preen and its surround j,j..s. and to the generous hospitality extended by the ladies, members voicing their deep appreciation in glowing terms. The President was requested to convey a public expression of appreciation when making the presentations In cup winners at the conclusion ol Lupin v. Mr H. J. Sanders (hen. secretary) m the tournament committee) presented an interim lialanee sheet wliieh was ap proved as highly satisfactory, and C'apt. erv of the statement, and complete same for the Centre. Mr Sanders be-

ing under orders to transfer from Westport- A. heart)' vote of appreciation was accorded Mr Sanders for his services. The ordinary Centre business was then dealt with, a large amount of

somewhat formal inward and outward correspondence being received and approved and action by Secretary endorsed.

The question of limiting entries for future tournaments was discussed and a suggestion that in future for a three days’ tournament the entries he limited to 1(5 rinks and 32 pairs. A suggestion for the manner in which entries should he dealt with m the event of over nomination was discussed and the several delegates were requested to bring the subject persona lily before l heir respective ( lulls, so as to enable a decision to l>« arrived at at the annual meeting. It was decided that the next tournament he held at Greymoulh about February, the actual date to he fixed at the annual meeting in July. Messrs McKay and King referred to till l closin'; of tin* preen the afternoon he fore the opening of the tournament, hut after discussion the matter was allowed to drop without any action being considered lteecs-

Several minor matters were discussed and the meeting terminated at II p.m. with a vote ol thanks to the Chairman.