BOWLING.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1927, Page 2

BOWLING.

ANN UAL TOURNAMENT

The finals of the Tournament were played yesterday at Runanga. The weather and greens were again perfect ami a large attendance ioilo"ed the plav throughout with great interest. RINKS. In tho semi-final fjtruthcrs (VA-cst-port) met Page (Lyttelton) ami a fine game saw Page have a somewhat cosy success at the end.

The final was then played between Page and Bhixall (Westport) \Qio had secured a live. There was some splendid play, the two skips excelling, but tiie general play of Blaxall s team was slightly the hotter and Blaxall secured a win ami the rink chanipion/'iip by 1!)—1 1. The team consisted of Messrs Sara. Green. Lew and Blaxall.

At Westport last year Page readied the semi-final, while Blaxall was beaten in tiie final of the same tournament when Oakoy won after a sensational finish. THE PAIRS.

The members of the six sections of tiie pairs also played off.

In the semi-final West 15 beat Green 15. the game being won on tiie last howl, while Levy 23 beat Fletcher 19 after a very fine exhibition. Owing to J. Wilson having been engaged in the rink play of Struthevs’ team, his game with Hayward did not take place till the second round commencing at noon, and lasting until 3.-15 p.m. Ti. was a great game. Thompson was leading perfectly, while Hayward also showed great form, hut the Westport skip got in some marvellous shots and continually changed tiie position. Hayward had to drive often and burnt nine heads during the game. On the last head Wilson was one up and four times in succession Westport had the advantage till Hayward drove and burnt it. Then Hokitika players lay two and AVils m failed alter making a fine effort- and Hokitika won by 18 to 17.

Alter a short rest the semi-final was begun between Levy (Westport) and Hayward (Hokitika), West (Edgerare) securing a hve. Hayward secured a steady lead till tiie 16th. head when the score was 16 to 8 in his favour. Then the game changed entirely, Levy securing a four and a five and bringing the score to 17 to 16 in Levy’s favour. Two singles to Hayward brought the score to 18 and then Levy scored one r.n the 21st. head, making the total 18 all, after some of tiie finest play of the tournament-, Levy equalisng tiie score with a beautiful draw oil to kitty, when Hokitika apparently had the game won. An extra bead was played and when the last liow) was being played by Hayward, Westport lay three right on tiie iack. A fine drive saw the head broken, but-' Levy lay one and so won the game by 19 to 18. after a very line exhibition marked by appreciative applause by the interested onlookers. ‘ THE FINAL

LEVY v. WEST. At 6.30 tiie final game was begun, it having been decided to play 7 heads and then finish the game in tiie morning on tiie Grey Green at 8 o’clock so as to conclude in time to allow Air West’s team to leave by tiie express for Christchurch. At the end of tiie seven heads Levy had an advantage of four points., the score being 11 to 7. CONGRATULATORY.

The tournament was a great success from every unint of view. The perfect weather that' prevailed, of course, was the main feature. The greens were fast and the general plav excellent. The lady supporters of the Runanga Club 'worked wonderfully and their hospitality was ‘nnhonl'ided. Their efforts made the crowning success of the tournament, and the visitors could not find words to adequately express their pleasure at the treatment extended. it was a lutppy gathering day I y day and the East- Coast visitors especially termed the outing as the holiday of a lifetime. Very graceful (references made yesterday at various happy little functions that took place in the pavilion and on one occasion there was a half-hour scream there when some comedy persentations wore being made. At the end of the day Air .T. Ring (President of the Centre) in presenting the rinks tropliv to Blaxail’s Westport quartette, remarked on the excellent weather gracing the whole tourney, and proving the West Coast climate second to none. They were pleased to know the visitors were well satisfied with the local greens, which certainly behaved well, being faster than had been anticipated. Several visitors had been complimentary in their references to the greens. lie complimented tiie various clubs on the plav of their representatives, remarking on the .success of the A Vest port howlers, who had won the rinks and oraehed (lie pairs final, yet to lie finished. Air Levy, responding, on behalf of Westport Club, said Runanga green was surprisingly good, and in a few years would be a good second to the finest green in the world—that, at If.’estprii't. He thanked tire Centre, on .behalf of the visitors, for the hospitality extended, and especially the Greymouth and Runanga Clubs. This tournament had been one of the most enjoyable and successful ever bold on the Coast, and all were now looking forward to the next annual fixture.

UKVY AND PLAN ALL WIN PAIRS G PLYMOUTH, February 12.

Ihe piiirs final was eonclnded on the Grovmoulh green this morning when Blnxall and Levy (Westport) defeated Most (E-lgeware) hv 2! to 12.

The Westport pair were also playing in the rink that won the rink t-liam-pionshu) S-) that thev have nut up ;• wonderful record, the same team winning the two cups. They have played fine bowls dining the tournament, the rink meeting with only one defeat at the tournament at the hands of Hayward on the first game of the day on Hondav. when they went- down hy the narrow margin of 11 to 13. WEST COAST CENTRK. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 11th. The Committee met at Rnnanpjt at 4 n.m. Present: Messrs J. Ring (Chairman). T. Bowes. P. Strothers. Benjamin and I). McKay (Hon. Sec.) An apology for absence was receiver from the Millerton Club. The minutes were eon firmed and [ outward correspondence npnrovecl. The affiliation of the Millerton Club a.s a member of the Centre was approved by the New Zealand Association, some required alterations to the rules Riving been effected. The Secretary reported receipt of badges from the visiting English Club for the President and Seeretarv of each club as a memento of their visit.—Received and distributed. The Dominion Association notified that any bowl tlfit did not bear the stamp of '■ ILN.Z.B.A. 1925" or later date would be ineligible for use at any tournament after April 39th. 1927. — Received, club members to be notified by their delegates. Tt was resolved that the next tournament be held on the Greymouth Club’s green, in February of next year, and the champion of champion singles at Hokitika during the same week, the day to be fixed by the Tournjunent Committee. Air Benjamin moved that the thanks of the Touranment Committee be extended to the Runanga Club for the excellent green provided and the verycomplete arrangements made for the (nrrying out of the tournament: that a .special vote be passed to the ladies I

for their generous hospitality and complete arrangements which were deeply appreciated by the Committee and plovers alike; that the Greymouth Chib and the lady supporters be also thanked for their similar successful . arrangements. Seconded by Mr Strutiiers who heartily endorsed tiie sentiments expressed. The Chairman also supported ,:md tiie motion was agreed to, the Chairman to express these sentiments at the concluding ceremony when the presentation of the Usher Cup was being made, Air Ring being deputed to make tiie presentation of the pairs trophy at the conclusion of the play on the Giey green. . f The meeting then terminated.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS. The champion singles ot the Coast is being played at 'Greymouth this afternoon. the contestants being Messrs W. Wilson (Hokitika), Mercer (Grey), Hhirrison (Westport), and Leach <R»nanga). »