TARANAKI BOWLERS BEATEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 920, 13 March 1930, Page 15

TARANAKI BOWLERS BEATEN

AUCKLAND WINS TESTS 43 YEARS OF VISITS i Bowlers are wonderful people. As participants in a sport, they may be said to be in a class by themselves, for in their interpretation of the game on the green they link inseparably the playing of the game on the green with convivial times. When they foregather, the occasion seems to arise naturally for the staging of the two phases. Indeed, bowlers are linked in one bond throughout the Empire for this purpose, and the “sign' of the 1 chalk” is sufficient for warm handj clasps and hearty invitations to well--1 arranged games. Thus, when it was announced that a party of Taranaki bowlers was visiting Auckland, it was the signal for bowlers of this city to arrange the fullest itinerary, taking in visits to as many clubs as could possibly be scheduled in the time available for the meeting of many players from th© respective clubs here, and the staging of a test match with the selected players in the centre against th© best of the Taranaki visitors. The interchange of these visits are long-dated. Away back in 18S4, the lat© Mr. William Culpan, of the Auckland Club, met Mr. James Paul, of Taranaki, at th© Gentlemen’s Club at the top of Shorthand Street, now occupied as the Waikato boardinghouse, and invited th© visitor to a game of bowls. Mr. Paul was so delighted with the attractions of the game that when he returned to his home town he immediately set about the formation of a club there, and the outcome was that the Taranaki Bowling Club was formed the following year.

In 1886 the Auckland Club members celebrated th© introduction of the game to that province, when they were defeated hy 114 to 112.

The following year the Taranaki bowlers returned the visit by coming to the Auckland Club, winning again by 88 to 7’9, and from that time, at short intervals, an interchange of visits has been made, until of recent years they have been made annually. Every other year members from the now-two great bowling centres of the Dominion visit qach other as a fixed event. Thus the closest friendship has been established, having for its deep roots a 43-years’ life.

It was the Taranaki bowlers’ turn to visit Auckland this season, and the test match staged s'esterday was the major event of the visit. In the selection of Auckland players there was no mistaking the splendid calibre of those who took part in the tussle for the honours. Indeed, the rank-and-file of bowlers in the city who know the records of the participants so intimately fairly gasped with astonishment and wonder at the construction of the rinks. Few teams have been formed with such strength. While wonder was thus widely expressed, the opinion was generally held that the Taranaki selection would not win a game.

However, the Taranaki men proved splendid players, and, despite the strong opposition, won three games out of the six played.

Following are the results, Taranaki players being mentioned first: —Cook, Smart, Hill, Higgs, G, v. C. Hardley, C. Muston Ivilgour Truscot, 33; Hawkins, Hotter, Bartlett, Petty, 20, v. Bayliss, Gardiner, H. Jenkin, Walker, 24; Tomlins, Corkill, Luscombe, Christoffel, 20, V. Benson, Brookfield, A. R. Graham, Bremner, 22; Coleman, Pavitt, Dingle, Abbott, 23, v. H. Woolley, Fraser, Hosking, de Launay, 22; Wills, Rowe, Ford, Harrison, 22, v. IT. Clarke, Gladding, Robertson, Parsons, 20; Hamblyn, Johnson Horton, Lobb, 21, v. Gribble, I. Clarke, Keatley, E. B. Wright, 29. Totals: Taranaki, 112; Auckland, 150.

In the game between Truscott and Higgs, the visitors were easily outclassed. All members of the home team playing up to top form. This was certainly the poorest exhibition ot th© game on the green shown by the visitors.

In the gam© between Parsons and Harrison, the play was full of interest. H. Clarke was seen drawing splendidly on a fiery green, with a tricky 'sweeping wind. Gladding gave a great exhibition of steady bowling. Robertson, who has played splendidly this season, was seen at his best in fast driving and good drawing. While Parsons was not quite up to his usual form. The visitors kept the opposition well on the defensive right up to th© conclusion of the game. On the twenty-fourth head the scores were 21—20 in favour of Taranaki. The final head was well contested. Auckland lay a tie until* Ford got the kitty back to the edge of the rink, where Robertson drew the shot. Parsons drew another but Harrison beat both. Parsons endeavoured to press the winning shot out but failed. Harrison is a wonderfully graceful player, and it was an extreme pleasure to watch his bowling.

The game between de Launay and J. Abbot also proved a sterling fight throughout. Auckland got away in the early stages, but remained on 13 points for seven heads. The closing head was equally interesting. E. B. Wright and J. Lobb had teams that gave a great display of bowling. All members supported the play with a high quality of bowling.

The Bremner and Christoffel game was a fine tussle. On the fifteenth head the scores were 14 all, and again on the twenty-second head they were 19 all, Auckland winning by two points.

In the Walker and Petty game, Walker was seen back to his old-time form again, drawing the shot to bare inches. Auckland got away in the early stages, and on the fifth head the scores were 9—l, but the Taranaki men caught up the deficiency, and were 18—18 on the twenty-first head. The home team was superior on the concluding heads, and ran out winners by four point®. In the evening a smoke concert was held in the Auckland pavilion, at which some excellent musical items were given. Mr. H. W. Frost, the Carlton bowler, gave a very fine exhibition of moving pictures' showing many of the well-known Auckland bowlers fighting out games in recent tournaments. Items were given bv the Lyric Four, and Messrs. Dan. Flood, R. R. Muston, while Mr. Harry Woolley ably assisted at the piano.