BOWLING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2644, 11 October 1923, Page 3

BOWLING.

OPENING OF LOCAL GREEN. The official opening of the Foxton Bowling Club’s green and ladies’ croquet courts took place yesterday afternoon in. favourable weather. The attendance of visiting bowlers, though not so large in numbers as has been the case in recent years, was, nevertheless, representative of the clubs within the Manawatn Centre, Levin (2 rinks), Bulls, Palmerston North and Terrace End favouring -the home 'club with their presence. The attendance of lady croquet players and visitors was very-satisfactory, and the accommodation provided was fully taxed. The. president (Mr Christie), in formally opening the bowling green, welcomed the visitors, and also extended a welcome to local members, and said it gave him pleasure to see them once again assembled to enjoy the good old game. He wished to make special mention of the presence of two club members, Messrs D. Whibley and C. Spring, whose membership dated back to the foundation of the club. The speaker said that a good deal of effort had been expended this year in the preparation of the green, but despite this the turf was not as good as it, should be; no matter how well it was treated, the green was not altogether satisfactory (Voices: Tt.’s all right!). The President touched on the membership and financial position of the club, saying that the combined bowling and croquet membership this year was 77, as against 70 last season, and the finances had been improved to the extent of £25. The cluh had been unfortunate this season in not being more extensively represented at the openings of adjacent greens, but he assured the visitors that this was due to the fact of Saturday having been almost universally chosen as opening day, which was not convenient for Foxton bowlers. An endeavour would be made during the current season to arrange, in ter-club

visits to offset this. In presenting to Mr A. N, Smith, last season’s winner, the handsome Wilford cup, the speaker extended his congratula- , tions, and humourously added that , he hoped the recipient would have it won from him during the current year,.to which Mr Smith retaliated i that he trusted Mr President would not be the member who would do so. • The President concluded the joke by saying unfortunately lie was not the handicapper or otherwise he would stand a good chance. Telegrams were received from Marton Club regretting inability to be represented and from Mr F. Whibley, of Greymouth, wishing the club a suc- ■ cessful season. The was then declared open for play, Mrs r Christie delivering the first bowl amid applause. Mi' Christie also formally opened the croquet court, extending a welcome to visitors, and expressing the hope that the season would be an enjoyable and successful one. He would like to see more visits arranged with neighbouring clubs, which stimulated • interest beyond their own little sphere. He suggested that a competition something along the lines of the bowling Triangular Shield contest should be arranged which would create inter-club play. The presentation of trophies won last season by Mesdames Perreau and Owen was made, the speaker congratulating these two players on their success. The particulars are as f'^lows: A Grade singles handicap tournament, Mrs Perreau, handsome bronze ornament; Wednesday twenty-minutes points games, Mrs Perreau, Mr Christie’s trophy; B. Grade singles handicap tournament and B Grade twenty minutes games, Mrs Owen, combined trophy, handsome silver teapot. A very enjoyable afternoon was spent on both greens, despite the cold breeze. The following are the details of the games played on the bowling green, Foxton rinks being mentioned first: — Spring, Thomson, Ball, Christie (s) 14; Watterston, Fargher, Murphy, Murray (s), Shannon, 19, Howe, Simpson, Huntley, Smith (s) 21; Burns, Clayton, Davidson, McKegg (s) Shannon, 14. Swauey, Downes, Stohr, Pearson (s) 22; Pritley, Rowe, Milsom, Bull (s), Levin, 11, Trueman, Ellis, McMurray, Jas. Ross (s), 23; Pink, Gibson, Stephenson, Suhan (s), Levin, 24, Fogden, Healey, Walker, Roore (s)., 21; Walker, Ellis, G. Wilson, Nicholson (s), Bulls, 14Winstanley, Heasman, Jno. Ros Admore (s), 22; Skinner, Snell, Wallis, Davidson (s), Terrace End, 24, Whibley, Barr, Bryant, Nye (s), 15; Bowden, Waters, Collins, Morsbead (s), Palmerston North, 18. scores on the afternoon’s play leaves the home rinks with a margin of 14 points (Foxton 138, Visitors 124). The games taken on the whole, were characterised by even scoring, only one or twjL sensations being caused by unexpected incidents. In the game Admore v. Davidson on the 20th head the scores stood 22 —l6 in favour of Admore, but on the last head Davidson scooped a possible, thus increasing his total by eight points. This game was responsible for three fours, one five and an eight. The card handed in from Smith and McKegg shows a six on the Shannon side. In the Nye-Morshead game the visitors’ total stood at ten on the sixth head with no score against them, but the home rink from thereon made a good recovery and was only three behind at the completion of the game. A seven on the eighth head put Suhan’s rink in the lead against Jas. Ross.

The afternoon on the croquet lawn was spent in a golf croquet tournament, won by Mrs Barr, and a layout. break competition in which Mrs Perreau was successful. A tasty afternoon tea was dispensed by (lie ladies; all those present partaking of the good things provided.