BOWLING.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1928, Page 1

BOWLING.

N.Z. TOURNAMENT. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 19. The Bowling Tournament was continued to-day in fine but windy weather. Only three rinks are left in the championship—those, skipped by A\ r . Foster (Caledonian), Al. AA’alkei (Auckland), and T. Edwards (Temuka). Walker lias only one life, and tin. others two. It is not .expected that finality will be reached till Saturday. The singles have been narrowed down to the following:—Scott (Caledonian), Reid (Lyall Bay), Ferguson (Balmacewan), Aluston (Carlton). In the pairs, Smith (St. Albans), Menzies (Ashbury), Brightling (Hataitai), Logan (Alaitai), Fielding (Hntnitai), Clarke (Carlton), Chambers (Sumner), remain in. In the North v. South match, the former won by six games to throe, scoring 192 points to 157. AVEST COAST GAMES. The results of tho fifth round of the pairs (including AA'est Coast players), resulted:—

Runanga (Munson) 28 v. Christchure (Afazey) 20.

Greymouth (AY bib ley) 17 v. Unitor (Watson) I t. St. Albans (Oakley) 18 v. Hokitik: (Hayward) 15. Alt. Eden (Traycs) 24 v. Greymoutl (AloKay) 23. Runanga (Brown) 18 v. C'aledoniai (Foster) 17.

Carlton (Clarke) 22 v. Greymoutli (Fletcher) 17. Alaitai (Logan) 21 v. Runanga (Rue) 10. Greymouth (Carey) 25 v. Lyall Bay (Flack) 21.

THE N.Z. TOURNAMENT. The Hokitika howlers who returned last night from Christchurch speak in high terms of tho excellence of the arrangements in carrying out the Dominion Tournament. For everything to work smoothly in regard to greens, times, umpires, refreshments, etc. where about 600 howlers are concerned speaks volumes for the arrangements committee. The weather was fine throughout, and the greens were fn good order, the palm being given to Sydenham, with Edgwarc, St. Albans, and Lin wood close up. Though the Hokitika l ink (.Messrs Sherman, Breeze, Stevenson and Hayward) did not gain the success achieved last year at Nelson, some very fine games were played, and a very enjoyable time spent. The rink had lost the services of two very fine bowlers—the late AL IT. A. Thompson and AL A\ r . AA’ilson; and in addition to this stronger rinks were met than at Nelson. Benfield.s Dominion Champion rink from AA’anganui provided a tough proposition (though 20 points were scored against them) and so did Try roll's team from Dunedin. Then Edward’s rink had to he played, skipped by one of the best howlers in the Dominion. Except in the case of Tyrell, who gave Hokitika a sound thrashing, the games were very evenly

contested. Messrs W. Sherman and J. Breeze played well as lead and No. 2 respectively, and showed line sportsmanship throughout. Mr Breeze was sometimes handicapped on the fast greens by his wide drawing howls and he has wisely decided to get thcri bias reduced. .Mi I). Stevenson as No. J and Kev Hayward as skip kept their end up, except in one match where they were both caught off their game and found il iliflicuft lo score, at all. In the Pail'S championship Stevenson and Hayward won 3 games out of 5, and only lost the section tie- by a narrow margin on the last head. In the match against Horne and Oakov (St. Albans) the game was fairly even right through. On the 18th head when Hayward had his last shot to play, Oakey was lying a comfortable 4 covered up and hidden. Hayward played a firm shot on to side wood and carried the jack across to two of Steven soil's lying 3, which put them one up. The next head Stevenson had played good shots and Hayward was lying 3 apparently quite safe, when Oakey played a good speculator, pushing a lot of howls about and fin fishing up with 2 shots, putting him one up with the last head to play. In the last head Horne played 2 short howls ami a wide one, hilt drew and scored with his last howl. Stevenson put one near the jack and two behind the jack near the ditch. When the skips cluing ed ends Stevenson was lying one wit' Horne a good second. With his first howl Oakey rested out Stevenson’s shot and lay 2. Hayward drove for the jack, carrying it. to the side ot the rink, still leaving Oakey one. Oakcv’s next shot was unfortunate and turned the kitty in giving Hayward 2, which looked like a certain win for Hokitika, llavward tried to protect it hut ran a bit narrow and then Oakey played a beauty and lay one. The only thing left to Hayward was to drive, and his drive Che full length of the green, just caught a howl m the line of lire and left Oakey the winner. Great interest was shown by enquiries made about the West Coast Tournament and disappointment expressed by many that room was found

for only 2(1 rinks. The West Coast Tournament is a very popular one with Christchurch bowlers and they are looking forward to it with great pleasure.