ON THE GREEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 310, 22 March 1928, Page 10

ON THE GREEN

Bowls and Bowlers

It has been pointed out that in the entertainment of visitors to the Queen City of the North a bigger responsibility has devolved upon the Auckland bowling centre besides the mere playing of a full series of games on the various greens. Last week a party of 70 bowlers and their ladies came to this city from Taranaki at the invitation of the local executive. A most pleasurable and crowded programme of games was arranged w T ith as many clubs as the visitors could be spread over, as well as two test matches against the selected players of the centre. On Thursday evening, at a very fine social marking the official farewell of the party, Mr. E. Dingle, president of the Taranaki Centre, who accompanied the party, had much to say on the enjoyable features of the trip. The party had thoroughly enjoyed every minute of their stay, but he pointed out that it would have been better policy had time been allowed to see more thoroughly the beauties of the city its marine surroundings, and the garden suburbs. Instead of staying a few days, at least two weeks could be comfortably spent viewing these sights and playing bowls. They were going away from Auckland feeling that much more time could have been spent and that many of the beauty spots had been left unvisited. In these omissions, Mr. Dingle remarked that the Taranaki bowlers themselves were solely to blame. They had themselves suggested and actually approved of the programme submitted, but experience showed that they would have enjoyed themselves more freely if they had not been kept so hard at bowls. It may be said that it was never contemplated that the Auckland Centre should act in the capacity of conducting sightseeing tours for bowling vistors. However, whenever visitors have arrived this energetic body has always shown a ready willingness to show them the sights of the city. Both the Australian and Taranaki bowlers were given heavy programmes of bowling fixtures, and it is clear that the lesson is to avoid giving visitors too full a programme of games. On Tuesday the annual champion of champions tournament conducted by the Auckland Bowling Centre began on the Carlton green. The present holder of the title is O. Gallaher, of the Grey Lynn Club. He was, however, not represented this year, as W. Minchin succeeded in annexing the championship of his club. All are now eliminated with the exception of H. C. Clarke (Carlton), and M. Walker (Auckland). It was to be expected that both these players would be found somewhere in the final rounds if they were in form. Both have held the distinguished position of champion of champions for the Auckland Centre, besides being Dominion champion bowlers. The final takes place on the Carlton green this afternoon, starting at 1,30. It should be an exposition of the singles game really worth watching. Walker has already given Clarke his first loss, though only by 17 —1 &• INTER-CLUB PENNANT CONTEST In the contest to find the winner of the B section of the inter-club pennant contest .between the Ponsonby and West End Clubs, the Ponsonby Club proved the winners on Saturday last. Seven games were won out of twelve. If there had been a tie in the games, aggregate points would have been requisitioned to decide the victor* but the points were: Ponsonoy 241 and West End 226. Hence there were 15 points still in Ponsonby s favour to decide the ultimate winner of the further tie. From the start of the competition, on November 12, the Ponsonby Club has displayed a steady improvement in form. Hence the turning of the section tie against West End is entirely consistent with the improvement shown in the earlier rounds. The club is to be congratulated on its performance, which, it is hoped, will be maintained in the deciding round for the competition against the Carlton Club. The members of the latter club are excellent exponents of the game, and the meeting of these section winners will prove of exceptional interest. THE EASTER TOURNAMENT Entries for the Easter tournament close to-day. It is expected that a record will be established this year. If the "weather holds good the tournament should be thoroughly enjoyed by all the participants. The fixture is most .popular and comes when the swelter of summer days have passed into cool, refreshing weather. The Easter fours was won last year by Lamb, Gratton, Wilkinson, de Launay. The first year tournament was won by the Devonport Club with the baby club, Mangere, as runnersup. Probably there is no more popular event on the list of fixtures of the Auckland Bowling Centre than this contest, where the young bloods in bowling try themselves out on this first occasion. To the older players it brings back pleasant memories of by-gone days. Another prominent feature of the Easter tournament is the executive fours competition. This embodies all the best features of local bowling with the pleasurable element of competitive play. It provides an opportunity for club officials to come together in a friendly game. Many interchanges of ideas for bowling advancement and respective club’s achievements are disseminated thereby. It is the only event of its kind that is indulged in during the season and is a source of singular enjoyment to the participants. Last year the Carlton Club was the winner with Remuera as runner-up. THE PAIRS TOURNAMENT The annual pairs tournament conducted by the Auckland Bowling Centre, which was postponed, is to commence on Monday next. Some sixty entries have been received, which makes this popular fixture equal to last year. Kissling and Ryan, and Casey and Kilgour fought out the final last year, which was one of the best expositions of the pairs game that had been witnessed in Auckland for quite some time. The game was a masterly struggle throughout. The Carlton men were in an almost hopeless position in the earlier portion of the game, and succeeded in giving the victors a very close call for final honours in the last head. The entries this season disclose some very hard sections. Wakerley and de Launay are probably the best exponents in the A section. Kilgour, Bremner, Proctor and Hayden present formidable opposition in the B section, while Hosking (West End), Pearce and Gatland should prove worthy of the contest in C section. The D section is fairly light, but Mantell and Wright (St. lieliers) always give wellcontested games. If Clarke (Carlton) is at all in form he should prove the victor in the D section. The F section presents an even entry, which also applies to G section. Hosking (Carlton), and that hard fighter Torrance should prove the strongest in the H section, if the latter is in good health. Parsons. Ryan and Thomas should fight out the I section. Parsons played excellently in the inter-club pennant competition for his club last Saturday. It is evident that this erstwhile brilliant bowler has struck form again after a lengthy period of- indifferent play. He should give the last j'ear’s winner, Ryan, a sterling battle for the sectional honours, mci=

dentally Parsons won this event some three years ago. The J section has some good players in Jenkin (Rocky Nook). M. Mingin. Keys, who played so well for M. Walker at the recent Dominion tournament, and that brilliant young player, Gordon. These four bowlers are players of prominence. The four-bowl game is not extremely popular in this city, and does not appeal to the average player as much as rink play. Nevertheless it has its attractive features, and the entries prove this year that the contest will prove no mean one to win. The finals of this annual event will be really worth watching to those enthusiasts who can spare the time to watch them fought out. A VETERAN BOWLER A veteran bowler passed away on Monday last in the person of Mr. J. L. Scott, of the Auckland Club. Mr. Scott had the lengthy term of 33 i years membership with the' parent club. Alhougli 81 years of age, he thoroughly enjoyed a “roll-up” on the green, and his genial personality will be greatly missed by those who had the pleasure of close association. Although he retired from his profession for some years, some of the Auckland men will remember Mr. Scott as headmaster of the Parnell School. THE PUBLIC SERVICE TOURNAMENT The largest bowling tournament conducted independently* of the Auckland Bowling Centre is played annually by the Public Service Association. No fewer than 120 players participated this year. No difficulty is provided in obtaining such a heavy entry. The Public Service literally teems with devotees of the game on the green. This year the fixture was held on Monday on the Epsom green. It was a pleasurable day’s outing for all the entrants. The Epsom green is running excellently at the present time. Smith, Bourke, Green, Fletcher (Postal) and Joyce, Smith, Johnson. Maher (Lands and Survey) are left in to contest the final honours. Fletcher is the retired chief of the messengers’ department. In this position he was an extremely popular officer, while his ability on the green on this occasion proves that with the passing of years his hand and eye have not lost their steadiness. Some years ago this player won the championship singles of the parent club, and at the skipper’s end he is always a formidable factor to be reckoned with. C. Maher is also a sterling player. His association with the sport has frequently disclosed that this West Ender can be reckoned as a front-rank player. Maher has frequently won the championship singles of the West End Club. SINGLES CHAMPIONS MEET It is no mean accomplishment to win the championship singles competition in any club in Auckland. Indeed the larger clubs present a proposition that taxes the ability of the most tried player. The long fight to come out victorious through the varying conditions of greens—fast, slow, heavy, sluggish and fiery surfaces—make this accomplishment one that places the winner in the front rank of the sport. Moreover, the singles game is a true test of bowling strength, and has its great tax on skill in excellent drawing.

This season many new winners are found. Mingins, the young Epsom player who displayed remarkable form in his first year, is now the champion of that club. Hollier (Mangere) is also a new champion. Taylor (Avondale), ranks similarly. Torrance (Ponsonby), though an old player, is now champion. Morgan (Devonport) did excellently by winning in his club. Macpherson (Rawhiti) is a newcomer. Mincham (Grey Lynn), though an experienced player, is new to this honour.

TARANAKI BOWLERS

SOUTH AUCKLAND BEATEN GAMES IN THE WAIKATO (From Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON. To-day. Games against South Auckland rinks were played by the Taranaki bowlers yesterday. Eight test games were played against the South Auckland Centre’s team on the Hamilton green in the afternoon, and resulted in the Taranaki bowlers winning 175 to 154. In the friendly inter-centre games. South Auckland (86) beat Taranaki (69). Games against club teams resulted in Taranaki (114) beating Hamilton clubs (94). Against Ngaruawahia Huntly and Glen Massey_ Clubs, at Ngaruawahia, Taranaki (185) beat the combined clubs (141). A cup inlaid in New Zealand wood was handed over to the Hamilton Club to be held by the Hamilton Club until its teams visited Taranaki.

THE DENISON PINS

WEST END RETAINS TROPHY The West End Bowling Club, holders of the Denison Pins, withstood a challenge from the Dominion Road Club yesterday. The result of the game, which was played on the AVest End green, was West End 26, Domin-ion-Road 13.

TE AWAMUTU BOWLERS WIN KING COUNTRY CUP (From Our Own. Correspondent.) TE AWAMUTU, Wed. The Te Awamutu bowlers won the King Country Cup to-day by defeating Taumarunui, 66 to 49. A return match will be played at Taumarunui. probably on April 11.

PLAY ON SATURDAY

MT. EDEN TEAMS The inter-club matches between teams from Mount Eden and St. Heliers, to be played at Mount Eden and St. Heiiers. have every promise of providing keen contests. The Mount Eden team to play at St. Heiiers is as follows: Burney, Sissons, Gribble Martin; I>oull, McKenzie, Serjeant, Bigelow; Chambers," Moore, Hull, Joll: Mueller Barry, James, Middleton. At Mount Eden the teams will comprise: Rudman, White, J. B. Robertson. ‘Paisley; Hughes. Wright, Elliott, Gatenby; Spence, Dignan, R. Robertson, Battersby: Douglas, Rintoul, D. Nairn, Tutt. The team to play against St. Heiiers first year men at Mount Eden is as_follows: Alexander, ceere. Watscr. Shirriffs,