BOWLING AND CROQUET SEASON OPENS.

Shannon News, 25 October 1927, Page 3

BOWLING AND CROQUET SEASON OPENS.

The weather was dull and a strong wind prevailed for the official opening of the Shannon Bowling and Croquet season on Saturday afternoon, lhcre was a good attendance of bowleis, cioquet players and their fviends. The Terrace End and Levin , Clubs> were each represented by two rinks of bottlers, and the Northern and Foxton Clubs by one rink each. RepresentaSves from the Levin and Manakau Croquet Clubs were present, also Mib Gambrill, of the Northern Croquet Club, who is also a member ot the Manawatu Croquet Association, and Mrs Capes, of Lower Hutt, who was one of the foundation members of the local Club. The greens were m very good order considering the adverse weather conditions of the past fortnight, while they were being prepared. A most enjoyable arternoon's sport was indulged in. - During the afternoon the ladies provided refreshments which were much appreciated-. The president of the Bowling Club, Mr B Brann, on behalf of the Club, gave a hearty welcome to the visitors, expressing the wish that they would spend a pleasant afternoon ; He referred to the great help rendered by the Grounds Committee in preparing the greens, stating their efforts were a credit to any club, although their work had been hampered by the adverse weather conditions, of the past week. He pointed out that new members, who would receive a hearty welcome, were badly needed by the Club, stating that the success of a country club depended largelv on its strength. Bowling, he said, was designed for the benefit of business men who wanted respite from business worries. After extending a, hearty welcome to the visitors he called on Mrs Brann to roll up the "kitty and play the first bowl, then declaring the season open. Following this, with a few remarks, he called, on the President of the Croquet Club, Mrs A. Mason to drive the first ball. Play on both greens was then commenced, there being ten bowling rinks engaged, while the croquet green was fully occupied with competitions; the latter being won as follows:—Target and peg competitions, Mrs C. C. Franks; golf croquet, Mrs Clayton; breaks, Mrs Harding. A progressive pairs tourney was held on the local green yesterday. , The green was very heavy after the ram of the previous night and a cold snap prevailing all day, conditions -were far from ideal for bowliug. Nevertheless, the games-were keenly contested and members spent an enjoyable day. In the section for skips if was found at the conclusion of the day's play that T. Shannon and A. Mason had tied. This pair played a further six heads to decide the winner, the former securing :he trophy. T. Watterston was the winner among the leads. The president (Mr Brann) handed ■ the trophies fo the respective winners, amidst applause.