“GREENS BEAT US"

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 254, 17 January 1928, Page 13

“GREENS BEAT US"

DOMINION BOWLERS RETURN AUSTRALIAN HOSPITALITY T-EN of the New Zealand bowlers ii- W w . rec f" tl >' toured New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, returned to-day full of enthusiasm for the treatment they had received. From what the bowlers said it was a triumphal march, for the Dominion tourists. Those who returned to-day were Messrs. R. Eagleton, president of the Rocky Nook Club; R. Drummond, president of the' Ponsonby Club; E Thomas, Mount Albert; W. Short Taranaki; E. Rowe, Mount Albert; A*. Gold water. Devonport; J. Hipkins Takapuna; J. McGregor, Devonport; G. Clarke, Mount Albert, and J. Watson, Papatoetoe. “It was the most colossal tournament ever staged,” said Mr. Eagleton, who acted as spokesman for the party. “There were 1,170 entries in the singles and 314 in the State fours. The whole tournament was so splendidly organised that it finished within 10 minutes of the scheduled time.” Mr. Eagleton paid a special tribute to Mr. Grute, president of the Victorian .Bowling Council, who, he said, was a host in himself. “The Australian greens are won- i derful,” continued Mr. Eagleton, | “and were quite a revelation to us. If anything beat us during our tour it was the greens—they were too good. During the whole of the time we never came across a bad green or anything to cavil at.” Everything possible was done to make the New Zealanders feel at home and everything was given freely. Waiting cars carried the visitors tc and from the greens and if anyone happened to be late there was always an extra car waiting. “The loyalty of the Australian clubs to their association is remarkable,” said Mr. Eagleton. He went on to say that the greens are ail lighted at night when friendly games are played. “We took the Australians by storm with our Maori songs and dances,” he said with a smile, “and they were greatly enjoyed. We translated some of their songs into Maori and this amused them.” Mr. Eagleton said that after this year Australian and New Zealand bowlers will visit each other alternately. The New Zealand team this time was on a mission which has been a great success and which has created | a deep bond of feeling between the two I countries. ! Each club which the New Zealanders ! visited presented them with a souvenir badge. Mr. Eagleton has a coat covered with them and it is his proudest possession. The camaraderie among Australians and New Zealanders is , splendid, he concluded.