BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 257, 9 April 1915, Page 7

BOWLING.

TARANAKI CHAMPION SINGLES. COMPETITIONS AT STRATFORD. At Stratford yesterday the champions of the various Taranaki howling clubs met in a champion of champions competition for a gold medal presented by the Westport Coal Company through their New Plymouth representative, Mr. 0. N. Firth. The day was perfect, bright and without wind. The green played keen and true—a credit to the warden and custodian of the Stratford Club. One of the competitors expressed the opinion during thee aftrnoon that it was the best green he had played on this year. There was quite a muster of spectators, including club supporters of the various bowlers engaged, and several enjoyable rink games were played. All were treated most hospitably by the home club, whose lady supporters were in evidence at the dispensing of light refreshments. For all these good things the Stratford Club was, at the conclusion of the day's play, cordially thanked by Mr. W. A. Parkinson, of Hawera, en behalf of the Taranaki Centre. Mr. Parkinson was particularly complimentary concerning the state of the green, saying that if any man failed to get the shot he played for ho had to blame himself, and not the green. Mr. G. Smart, president of the local club, acknowledged the compliment and the thanks of the centre, and cheers were exchanged. The matches were not completed, but still excellent progress was made, and there remains only the final to plav between V. Beale, of the West End Club,

New Plymouth, and <W. Lambie, of the Pihama Club. The latter secured a win in each of the four matches played, and Beale won three out of four. It wasonly to be expected that some good bowling would be witnessed, and the matches were watched with the keenest interest. In the fifth round of section 1, between Sutherland and lambie, the former went away with the lead, and at the fifth head the score was 9—o. Lambie

led at IS—ll, and kept ahead to 21— 10: There was a remarkable run of figures in the. fifth round match between Beale and McDonald. The West Ender went away to 11—4, and stuck at 11 for nine heads until his opponent reach-

Ed 20—11. McDonald wanted only one point to win, but Bealegot down to it, and, playing with unerring judgment, kept his man on the "ail-but" line until he ran out 22 — 20, getting all four bowls in on the last head. The match between Price (Fitzroy) and Foy (Hawera) was watched with interest. Had Foy won, he would have tied with Beale, rendering another match necessary before the final. Price showed superior skill and judgment, playing steadily throughout, and won. The following were the scores in the various matches:—■

SECTION I.

First Round. —Lambie, 21, v. G. Smart, 13; McKay, 21, v. Burton, 11. Second Round. —Lambie. 21, v. Burton, 15; Sutherland, 21, v. G. Smart, 12. Third Round—Sutherland, 21, v. Burton, 15; Lambie, 21, v. McKay, 20. Fourth Round.—Burton, 22, v. Smart, 11; Sutherland, 22, v. McKay, 8.

Firth Round.—Lambie, 21, v. Sutherland, 16; G. Smart, 23, v. McKay, 15,

SECTION 11.

First Round.—Foy, 22, v. Firth, 19; Price, 21, v. Beale, 'IC. Second Round. —McDonald, 21, v. Price, 16; Beale, 21, v. Firth, 12.

Third Round—Beale,• 24 v. Foy, 7; McDonald, 21, v. Firth, 19. ' Fourth Round. —Fov, 22, v. McDonald, 9; Firth, 21, v. 'Price', 18. Fifth Round.—Beale, 22, v. McDonald, 20; Price, 22, v. Foy, 14. The positions of the players at the end of the day's play were:—

SECTION I. Wins. Losses. Lambie (Pihama) 4 0 Sutherland (Tnglewood) ... 3 1 McDonald (Manaia) 1 3 Burton (Opunake) 1 3 G. Smart (Stratford) 1 3 SECTION' 11. Wins. Losses, Beale (West End) 3 1 Price (Fitzroy) 22 McDonald (Manaia) 22 Foy 22 Firth (New Plymouth) .... 1 3

THE FINAL.

The section winners will meet in the final this morning at ten o'clock on the Stratford green.