BOWLING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 25, 30 January 1915, Page 3

BOWLING.

TARANAKI TOURNAMENT. A WIN FOR HAWERA. The Taranaki Bowling Tournament concluded yesterday. There was a very large attendance In the afternoon to watch the final betwfeert New Plymouth (A. K. Smart's team) and Hawera (C, E. Hollard's team). The play in this match was, on the whole, of a high order, though (reports the News) there were occasions on which it fell short of championship form, one player delivering a bowl with the wrong bias. Against this, however, may be placed some superb play by both skips, and by Bary (third for Smart), whose final shot at the last head was absolutely perfect, and, as the president aptly remarked subsequently, really deserved a win for his side. The issue mas in doubt up to the last delivery by Smart, for, had he taken out one of Hollard's bowls, he might have won. As it was, the Fates were against him, but he can claim a tie as regards the totaPwins and losses, as both die and Hollard scored ten wins, with only one loss. The teams to fight out the final were comprised as follows: — Hawera.—Maslin, Parkinson, Henson, 'and Hollard (a.).

New Plymouth.—McLeod, Morey, Bary, and A. K. Smart (a.). The score at the twentieth head was 18—14 in favor of 'Hollard. On the twenty-first head every bowl was keenly watched by the spectators. Ha'slam's first bowl Was strong and narrow, McLeod's being wide and pacey. Haslam then got into a good position, and McLeod ran through. Parkinson put up a good one, which Morey just failed to displace. Smart had several bowls lying on the left of the jack, and Bary, by a. magnificient shot, carried the jack towards the cluster, with the result that Smart lay 5 to the good—just the number he required to win—but the game was not over by any means, for Hollard sent a well-judge shot, which took third place. Smart was unable to take but his opponent's bowl, so only obtained 2, the game ending in favor of Hollard, who also annexed the championship. The final scores were: Hollard 18, Smart 16. The win was a very popular one, and was greeted with hearty cheers for the victors and their opponents.

The position of the leading teams at the conclusion of the tournament was as under: —

Wins. Losses. Hollard ... ... 10 1 Smart ... 10 1 ; Hicks ... 8 2 Southerland ... 8 2 O’Brien ... ..V ' 7 3 Newell ... 7 3 Beal ... 7 3 Nbbott .'.. ... 6 4