BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 198, 30 January 1915, Page 7

BOWLING.

TARANAKI TOURNAMENT. HAWERA WINS THE SHIELD. NEW PLYMOUTH RUNNKRS-UP. Yesterday saw the conclusion of the Taranaki Bowling Tournament, tin: final rounds of inter-sectional play taking place on the New Plymouth green. There was a very large attendance in the afternoon to watch the final between New Plymouth (A. K. Smart's team) and llawera (C. E. Hollard's team), a number of ladies being present. The play in thin match was, on the whole, of a high order, though 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, 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 was in doubt up to the last delivery by Smart, for, had lie 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 total wins and losses, as both he and Hollard scored ten wins, with only one loss. Such a performance reflects the highest credit on both the leading teams. Thanks to the ideal weather conditions .and the good management of the officials, the tournament was a perfect success, and afforded much enjoyment to the visitors, most of whom are looking forward with pleasure to next year's gathering. INTER-SECTIONAL PLAY. —W The final games between the section leaders resulted as fojlow:— Hollard (llawera) beat O'Brien (Waverley), 22—18. Hicks (Hawera) beat Newell (West End). 21-19. Sutherland (Inglewood) beat Abbott (Fitzroy). 24—12. A. K. Smart (New Plvmouth) beat Beal (West End). 24—14. | The position of the inter-sectional j teams at the close of the third round was:— Wins. Losses. Hollard 3 .. 0 Smart 3 .. 0 j Sutherland 2 .. 1 I O'Brien 1 .. 2 Hicks 1 .. 2 Newell 1 ..2 Beal 1 ..2 Abbott .. .. 0 .. 3 I The final had, therefore, to be played by Smart and Hollard. THE FINAL. One of the most interesting and exciting games took place in the final between Hollard and Smart, the teams being:— Hawera. —Maslin, Parkinson, Henson, and Hollard (s.). New Plymouth.—McLcod, Morcy, Bary, and IA. K. Smart (s.). For the first few heads play favored Smart, who, on the sixth head, was 0 up to 3. but in the next head Hollard evened the score. Parkinson drew the shot, only to he ousted by Morey. who, in turn, was rested out by Parkinson's second bowl, and Henson drew on to the jack. Smart essayed a running shot, but failed, and the head finished 6 all. At the following head Hollard put in a drive, taking out two howls, and adding one to his score, making the game: Hollard 7. Smart 0. When the skills went down at the ninth head the jack was in the centre of a half-moon. ■Hollard put in a running shot, which went right through, Smart scoring a point, and the board showing 7 all. The tenth head produced some I'm* play all round, Smart's last delivery creeping in to first position, and giving him 2. Smart 9, Hollard 7. The eleventh head was also well eontested, but Bary and Smart proved too good for their opponents, and in the end added two more points, making the score: Smart 11. Hollard 7.

The opennig play of the twelfth head, with the exception of a well-judged shot by MeLcod, was not up to previous form. Bary promoted and {rot one in, but Henson, with a firm shot, secured pride of place. ITollard played excellently, and the head ended in his favor bv 3, making the score: Smart 11, Hollard 10.

On the thirteenth head Morey played two pood howls, which TTollard displaced, but Smart carried the jack twice, the second time petting two up. The score read: Smart. 13, Hollard 10. The next (fourteenth) head saw the score evened, Henson playing well, and •Smart just failing to get advantage of a wick. The score was 13 all. In the fifteenth head Smart obtained a single, the play on this head being remarkably close, but neither of the skips got within scoring distance. Smart 14, Hollard 13, In the following head Hollard, with his last bowl, carried the jack back and evened the score—l 4 all. The seventeenth head resulted in favor of Hollard by one. Parkinson, after sending down a very feeble delivery, redeemed his reputation by putting in the best shot he had made during the game, and was so carried away with delight that he joined in the applause with which the performance was greeted. The skips failed to improve their respective positions, and the board showed: Hollard 15, Smart 14. The eighteenth head also added a single to Hollard's score, the plav being on the slack side, only redeemed bv Smart's last bowl. Hollard 16, Smart 14. The following head saw a further single added to Hollard's score, as did the twentieth head. The twenty-first head was the most interesting of the game, every bowl being keenly watched by the spectators. Haslam's first bowl was strong and narrow, McLcod's being wide and pacey. Haslam then got into a good position, and McLcod ran through. Parkinson put up a good one, which Morey just failed to displace. Smart had several bowls laying on the left of Hi" jack, and Bary, by a magnificent 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-judged shot, which took third place. Smart was unable to take out 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 10. 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 Hi .. 1 : nicks 8 .. 2 Sutherland 8 .. 2 O'Brien 7 .. 3 Newell 7 .. 3 Beal 7 .. 3 Abbolt 0 .. 4 The president of the Taranaki Howling Centre, "Mr. "W. T. P?nu, congratulated the winners and the runners-np, mentioning that list year Mr. Smart occupied the same position as ho did. that

day. lie eulogised the play, and expressed the hope that the visitors had enjoyed their stay in the town. - Mrs Penn then distributed the trophies to the winners and runners-up, hearty cheers being given. The services of the readies and of the executive were recognised with hearty cheers, and a most successful and enjoyable tournament j -« as brought to a fitting c!ose.