BOWLING

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1933, Page 2

BOWLING

WEST COAST TOURNAMENT.

PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES

Following the conclusion of the final of the pairs competition on Saturday at' midday, those present gathered in front of the pavilion, for the presentation of the prizes.

Mr James lling, chairman of the centre, in opening the proceeding, said the past week had been an extraordinary one. They had never, in the history of the centre had the. rain fallen so continuously as it had done. In spite of the large amount of rain that had fallen, they had been able to get their, programme through. He was pleased to see all in such good humour. Those who had lost had taken their defeat in.the best sporting spirit. There had been some splendid contests and the bowling had been of a. very high standard. He trusted that next year they would all meet again at Runanga, and that there would be even a larger gathering on that occasion. On this occasion they had been most unfortunate with the weather, the ‘.worst for twenty years. The greens', had been an eye-opener. They had both been in splendid order reflecting credit on all concerned, they

'had been wonderful in spite of the constant rain at night and occasionally in the days. The green before them Was still in perfect order nnd worked 'beautifully, it did not .appear to have been used for a week, instead of having had a week’s hard play on it. The success of the tournament was due in great measure to the Club having had the use of the Mental Hospital green. Too much credit could not $e paid to T)r. Childs, the superintendent of, the Mental Hospital and his 'staff for the provision of such a fine

1 green and a credit to all concerned. $He would ask the secretary of the "tournament committee to convey to Di Childs their-heartiest thanks for the very generous assistance rendered tc

t’lie tournament, committee. On calling on Mr .Mercer, skip of the winning rink team, Mr Ring congratulated them on their success, stating in the final game lie had never seen anywhere finer team play. He had pleasure in presenting the trophy together with the Usher Cup to hold for another year.

Mr L. G. Mercer, winning skip, expressed ' his pleasure at again being

successful,:, .stating that it was due entirely to the splendid support he had received from his team. He thanked them for the reception given. The presentation of the pairs competition trophy was then made by Mr Ring, who congratulated the winners on their success and .expressed his appreciation of tlm ; . fine fighting displaygiven by the runners up. He\ had pleasure in presenting the cup and trophy to Mr W. G. Scott to hold for tlie year. Mr W, G. Scott said be .accepted

the? cup with pleasure, Much of the success of the win was due to Mr D. Stevenson, who had so . ably skipped most of the games, Mr T. Bowe3 (Runanga Club) expressed on belulf of the visitors, appreciation of the fine manner in whicl the. tourney had been carried out. The greatest praise was due to tin, ladies who had looked after the play

ears admirable manner. He conic

not say enough to express then* ap | precaution of the generous hospitality i In spite of the weather thq tourney

' had been highly successful -and ver;> i enjoyable. They had to thank Mi

Benjamin, their able secretary for the very complete arrangements made. \ He again expressed their appreciation j of the generous hospitality extended

The Rev. J. W. Hayward as an Fast L'cust visitor stated fie had been greatly impressed with the standard? ol the play. It was of a first class nature, and would compare favourably with the play in larger centres. The greens were excellent and a delight to an outsider who marvelled at the manner in which, playtwas carried on immediately the rain stopped. Mr J. li. Price (Runanga) congratulated the centre on the management of the tournament, which had proved a wonderful success in spite of the weather conditions.

Mr Eric Moss (Greymouth) expressed the- appreciation of Greymouth bowlers for the hospitality extended, and at the wonderful condition of the greens in spite of the rough treatment given. All had a good time and thoroughly enjoyed the tourney. Mr F. Knight (Westport) congratulated the centre on the success of the tournament and expressed the ,warmest of thanks to the ladies for the splendid •hospitality which they deeply appieoiated.

Mr A. E. Benjamin, (secretary) in thanking the speakers for complimentary references expressed his pleasure that the tourney had passed off successfully in spite of the weather. He had received a letter of appreciation from Mr W. Taylor of Lyttelton, on behalf of the visiting East Coast plajers. Personally he wished to thank Mr Mercer for a sporting offer he had made which had solved a difficult question. He congratulated players on their good play, and hoped they would «U meet again next year on Runanga green/ He also stated that a presentation would be made to the greenkeepers from the players in approbation of their good work.

THE SINGLES PRAY,

In the tie between Breeze and Whibley, an extra head was played, Wliibley securing a two and the win. An adjournment was then- made till 2 p.m., when a further round of play took' place, but as each-player secured only a win .a. stalemate again occuiied. It was then decided to'pfajr.the next round onf the- sudden death system and the draw resulted in Breeze and Wliibley meeting. In this'Breeze'was successful, and he met Leach, the latter ' then proving the winner • and becoming singles champion for the year. Play extended until nearly 8 p.m.. At the conclusion of the play, Mr A. E. Benjamin (member of the centre) on behalf of the chairman, who had returned earlier to Greymouth, congratulated the players on their very fine play. He specially complimented Mr N Leach who had been a contestant on many former occasions, and who strived hard for the coveted honour. The play had been of a high quality and well worthy of the occasion. He had pleasure in presenting the cupf to the singles champion, Mr Leach.

Mr Leach said he was a proud wan that day, lie had fought hard to win the trophy on many occasions and was glad that he had been at last successfull.

The following are the details: —

FIRST ROUND

Whibley 16, Breeze 14 Breeze 22, Leach 15. Leach 17, Whibley 10.

SECOND ROUND, Leach 22, Breeze 15. Breeze 17, Whibley 14. Whibley 22, Leach 20.

FINAL ROUND Breeze 19, Whibley 15. Leach 20, Breeze 7.

PAST WINNERS

RINKS CHAMPIONSHIP

1913- Hokitika. (J. Maunder, A. B. King, J. N. Nalder, D. Stevenson, s). 1914- —Hokitika (H. A. Thompson, A. B. King, A'. E. Benjamin, J. H. Wilson, s). 1915- —Greymouth (W. Fletcher, Ileimi, Reynolds, P. Buck, s). 1916- Hokitika (G. Anderson, A. B. Boyd, J. N. Nialder, W. Wilson, s). 1917- —Groymoifj.h (Wi. Blair, T. Baxter, J. Jones, Spiller, s). 1918- —United, Christchurch ‘(Hall, Brown, Lillington, J. Brown, s). 1919- Westport (Ingleton, J. McLeod, P. Struthers, W. Paiickhurst, s).

1920- Westport, (Harkness J. Rose, E. C. Cameron., F‘. Blaxall, s). 1921- Hokitika, (H. A. Thompson, A. B. King, J. H. Wilson, A. E. Benjamin, s). 1922- Hokitika (G. H. Blank, A. B. King, H. A. Thompson, A. E. Benjamin, s). 1923- Hokitika (L. Aldridge, W. Wilson, J. Bain, D. Stevenson s). 1924- St. Albans (W. G. Rogers, F. O. Malpas, E. A. Smith, H. B. Oiakey, s) 1925- St. Albans (P. Buck, F. Malpas, E. H. Smith, H. B. Oakey, s). 1.826-27 —West-port (Sara, J. Green, H. Levy, F. Blaxall). 1927-28—Westport (Curtis, Powell, P. McKinlay, J. Rose, s). 1923-29—Hokitika, (J. J. Breeze, J. G. Lakm, W. Wilson, D. Stevenson, a). 1929-30 —Westport (~ — , J* Green, F, Blaxall,, s). 193C(-31 —RunnngU (J. Unwin, T. Bowes, Chambers, N. Leach s), 1931- Greymouth '(D. Stevenson, F. G Davies, W. 'G. Scott, L. G. Mercer, s). 1932- Greymouth W. G. Scott, 1. Davies, D. Stevenson, L. G. Mercer, s).

PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP

1917- —Greymouth (W. LI. Bishop, L. Campbell, s). 1918- Hokitika (W. Braddon D. Stevenson, s). 1919- Christchurch (D. Sinclair, W. Henderson, s). 1920- Greymouth (E. Christie, W. Blackwood, s). 1921- Westport (J. Rose, W. McLeod, s). 1922- Pairs not competed for. 1923- Christchurch . (G. Horn, C. Queree, s) 1924- s—Westport (J. Rose, LI. Harrison, s)1925- No pail’s competition. 1,625-27— Westport (F. Blaxall, H. Levy, s). 19 27- Hokitika (D. Stevenson, A. E. Benjamin, s). • 1928- Greymouth, (E. Moss, F. B. Whibley, s). 1929- Westport (Cox, Ryan, s*). 1930- —Westport (J. Gireen, F. Blaxall, s). 1931- —Greymouth (W. Fletcher, W. Blair, b). ~ „ 1932- Grey month \'W. G. Scott, D, Stevenson, s),

SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP

The last four winners were:— 1929-30—J. 'Sara, Westport. 193-0-31—P. McKinlay, 'Westport. 1931- J. >T. Breeze, Hokitika 1932- N. Leach, Runanga.

TRY IT,