BOWLING.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1925, Page 3

BOWLING.

i.BY TELEGRAPH— PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WESTPORT GAMES. Wjs&i Pom i', Jteb. 12. Yesterday afternoon Ledgers rink (\\ eliington) defeated Williams’ (Westport) by 23—1/, Craig's (Westport) defeated Alcntiplay’s 10—16, Wellington winning the aggregate oy 38— -i'6, and oil the day scoring 80 to 70. Ti.e team were entertained at a smoko in the pavilion m the evening. The visitors leave lor Reefton to-dav.

WEST COAST TOURNAMENT

THIRD DAY’S PLAY

'I he third day of the tournament was continued in perfect weather. The green was again very fast and there was a large attendance. 'The players who had been playing on tho Grevmoutli green for the past two days came down on Tuesday night, having reached the section winners. These, the section winners here played out the semi-finals yesterday. There were some capital exhibitions throughout the day, and good shots were recognised with repeated bursts of applause. Tlic winner of Section H of the pairs, in which a tie had resulted, gave Whibley a win. Da un being the runner up. while in the rink tie Stevenson heat Wise. The first round of the rinks semi-final saw Kirkor defeat Firman by four points, while Oakley cleleated McKay, who had won at Greymouth by 24 to 13, after an even go to half-way.

Play in the pairs semi-finals saw souk good games. Benjamin defeated Blaxall by six, Cliegwin won from Hark lies; b.v two on the last bead. Page won from J. \\ ilsan, and the Hokitika colts (Breeze and Conning) had a very meritorious win against Whibley. The second round of the finals saw Hollis lower his colors to Page by five, while ,Benjamin went down to Smith by one bare point. Conning being also beaten by Brass by three, while Harrison (lilted Cliegwin by one. In Lhe third semi-final Harrison had all the best of the play mid easily defeated Brass, while Page defeated Smith by two points after a very fine exhibition, all four players engaged giving some very superior bowls. In the final of the pairs between Page and Harrison a line contest ensued. Page got an early lead and was four up with five heads gone. At I,he ninth the score was 9 to 8. Then Harrison got even till on the 14th. head the score was 14 all. ’ll it’ll Harrison continued to score steadily with the heads changing with ball after ball. This game held the crowd in close attention for nearly three hours. It was a very line showing of pairs play and though Page and bis partner (Taylor) went down at the finish by four points their play was worthy of the special occasion, and though the honors went to Harrison and Rose the losers equally des»rve congratulations. With Smith and Oakley oulcd in the pairs, the semi-finals of the rinks went on. Oakley bail a runaway victory at the expense of Gugliardi running up 1-5 to 1 ill five beads, and steadily increasing the score to 2-5 to 8 when the 20th. head was reached and.tin- losers retired. In the game between Kirkor and Stevenson the latter got a lead of

9 to 1 in tin- first live-, heads, and though on the 18th head Kirkcr was II to 1.5. lie did not score again and Stevenson won by 21 to 11. The tournament has proved a vcr.v decided success I'r.nn every point of view. The fine weather was the main factor, and this was greatly added to l-y the fine work of the Ladies' Committee. Too much praise cannot be given them for their splendid cooperation. It was a work well done in every respect, and the visitors were loud in their recognition of Lhe very fine spirit of hospiality and good fellowship extended. The ladies excelled themselves and every possible atten-tion’-was given with a good will that had a charm all its own. The Tournament Committee and Hokitika Club are deeply indebted to their lady supporters. and this includes all the many kind friends who so freely assisted in t lasupply of the dainty eatables that wen- so generously provided. This kind assistance enabled Hie Club to continue its reputation of generous hospitality to all visitors.

additional scores. PURS SlOir-FfN AL. Page 12. Smith 10. Harrison 29, Brass 12. FINAL. Harrison, AVestport—-J. Rose, If. Harrison (s.) 21—defeated Page. Lyttelton,—W. Taylor. 1). Page (s.) 17. The winners hold the silver cup trophy for the year. l.asL year’s winners were Messrs Horne and Qticrce (St. Alban's Club).

IUNKS S KMT-FINAL. Stevenson 21, Kicker 12. Oakley 21, Gagliardi 8. FINAL DAY’S PLAY. To-day the final <4 the Rinks Championship was played bv Oakey and .'.tevenson. The day was again fine, and the green fast and true. The play generally was of a good class, hut the St. Albans team after the first three heads took the lead and steadily imnwived their advantage. At the fifth head the s. ore was 2 to '3 against Oakey. From thence on his rink scored steadily until on the 16th. head the score was Oakey 17, Stevenson 4. Then the latter got one and then a live and a two, then Oakey got one. and Stevenson two, on the last heatt the score being 19 to 14.

RINKS FINAL. W. G. Brass, K. C'. Malpa.ss, E- A. Smith, 11. .15. Oakey (s) (St. Albans) ill, heat G. 11. Blank, W. Wilson, J. Bain, 1). Stevenson (s.) (Hokitika) 14. The winners become Rink champions 111' the West Coast for the year and hold the Usher Cup for the same period. There was a fair number ol interested spe-tators who watched the play with interest. 'The ladies again provided refreshments during the morning. .

CONGRATULATORY. Mr James King (Chairman of the Centre) addressing the gathering present at the conclusion of the phtv said the tournament had come to a happy ending. There had been delightful weather and some beautiful play. Lu=t year it had been good, hut this year he thought was better and it had excelled,. 1.u.-.t night’s ,-airs filial by Harrison and Page had been a delightful exhibition, while the morning’s filial had also been a good game, lie was proud of Stevenson’s play as he had .shown up s.i well in previous years and there was no need to refer to Mr Oakey. his success spoke tor itself. They had heard of Mr Oakey’s reputation, and his play haul home it out as a good example of team work. He was delighted to see the visitors and hoped their stay laid been a pleasant one. As President of the Centre lie wished to present the Usher Cup to the winners rf the Riiik Championship to hold for the vear (Applause). Mr Oakey (skip of the winning rink) said lie was proud to accept the cup. He specially wished to thank the Indies for their very generous hospitality. Never before had they been -o well treated at any tournament and he wished to think them one and all. The weather had heen delightful and the green had played well and was faster Ginn Canterbury greens, and that was how he liked it. He tlinked them all ; once again. Mr Ring then presented the silver | cup to the winners of the Pairs Cliam- | pinnship (Mr Harrison. Westport), and congratulated him on Ids sterling play. Mr Harrison briefly acknowledged the good wishes. Mr Ring then made a presentation tr. the Caretaker in appreciation of his work. _ Mr Brass (St. Albans) said he wished to voice the appreciation of the‘ Visitors for the ladies’ hospitality. Hokitika had got as fine a body of ladies as lie had ever met. The hospitality extended had been simply magnificent. He thanked them very heartily for their kind attention, and would always rememjier ihe visit with the kindest recollections. Mr Bruce tribute'! a sportsmanlike

action of Air Page the previous day in not taking advantage of a lost shot. Afr Blank returned thanks on behalf

J of the ladies, expressing the pleasure they had themselves personally itt extending hospitality to the visitors, and they were glad to know their efforts - had been appreciated. Sergt. Ryan (President of the Westport Club) returned thanks for the hos- - pi tali ty extended and hoped to be able to return the compliment next year at AVestport. Air Oakey congratulated the President and Exoeutivp on the- splendid manner the tournament had l>cen carried through. Afr Ring said as Chairman he was a I deadhead, the work falling on Air Benjamin (Secretary), and the other members of the Hokitika Club. Air Benjamin briefly acknowledged the refereitee. Cheers for the winners of the Rinks and Pairs, the runners up, and the ladies were heartily given. The singing of the National Anthem was followed by the handing over of the green back to the Hokitika Club and the 1924-25 tournament ended. PREVIOUS AYINNERS. The following are the winners of the Rink Championship, and holders of the Usher Cup, at the West Coast Tournaments of the oust twelve years:— 1913- I Hokitika—l. Alaunder, A. B. King, J. N. Nalder, D. Stevenson (s). 1914- Hokitika—lT. A. Thompson. A. E. Benjamin, A. B. King. J. IT. Wilson (s). 1915- Greymouth—AY. Fletcher, Rcnai, Reynolds. Buck (s). 1910-17 Hokitika—G. Anderson, A. ill. Bovd. J. N. Nalder. AY. Wilson Is). 1917- Greymouth—W. Blair, T. I Baxter. T. Jones. Soiller (s). 1 1918- United, Christchurch—Hall. ] Brown, Lillington, J. Brown (s). 1919- AVestport-—Tngleton. J. Ale- ( Lend. P. Strothers. AV. Panckhnrst (s). 1920- AVestport—Harkness. J. Rose. E. C. Cameron. F. Blaxall (s). 1921- Hokitika A. B. King. J. AVil-smi. A. K. Benia- - min (s). 1922- Hokitika—G. If. Blank. A. B. King. 11. A. Thompson, A. E. Benjamin (s). 1923- Hokitika—L. Aldridge, W. , AYilson, J. Bain. D. Stevenson (s). 1924- St. Albans—AY. G. Brass, F. •* C. Alalpas. E. A. Smith, 11. B. Oakcv (s). Hokitika has won the Rink Cham- <• pionship 0 times. Greymouth 2, AA’estport 2, United (Christchurch) 1, St. Albans (Christchurch) 1. out of the 12 years that the Championship has been played for.