BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1918, Page 5

BOWLING.

'J'AUAXAKI TOURNAMENT ABBOTT (FITZUOV) WINS SHIELD. SOLE (WEST END) RUNNER UP. In ideal bowling weather tbe last stages of the Taranaki tournament were readied and tbe final played oil' on the town green yesterday, in tbe presence of an unusually large crowd, who watched the proceedings with,,great interest right up to the last shot that was played. Throughout the tournament the arrangements were excellent, and the glorious weather enhanced the pleasure of the bowlers. The best and most interesting "iiini' yesterday was the semifinal between Abbott (I'itzroy) and London (Wanganui), the members of both teams giving a very fine exhibition of first-class bowling, the outstanding feature in this game, as well as in the final, being the remarkably fine form shown by Dingle (Fitzroy), who played the game of bis life, and to bis excellent play Abbott largely owes bis success, while j the consistently good leadiirg of Jury also contributed to the team's victories. PEAY OFF OF TIES. London v. Henefleld. In Section A London (Wanganui) and IVnclield (St. John's) had to play oil a tie. 'London scored seven at tho first five heads against BCnefield's two, and I lien the latter picked up, level terms at the ninth bead, when "the si-ore was 8 all. At the fifteenth head I he figures xvere again equal, but London reached '2O at the 10th head and Benelield was only able to get up to lfi, so a closely contested game ended iu favor '-' f Wanganui by 20 to )8. Abbott v. Carey; In Section D Abbott (Fitzroy) bad to plav ofi' with Carey (Patea), and secured an oasv victory. F.ac-b parted with ti single, then Abbott got 4 and Carey 2, but the latter did not again add to his record until the, 14th head, when the board showed Abbott 17, Carey 0. Carey only notched (i at tbe remaining heads, the game ending Abbott 22, Carey 11. SEMI-FINALS. Sole (West End) v. A. K. Smart (N.P.), The winners of Sections B and E (A. K. Smart and Sole) played the first game in the semi-finals, and the West End skip bad an easy victory, Smart's team going all to pieces after the lath head and the game ending: Sole 23, Smart 12. Sole v. Nixon (Gonville). This match proved a regular ding-dong go throughout, though towards the close Sole bad the best of the pla.v. At the fifth head the game was 5 all, and at the eighth 7 all, at the 16th Sole led by 2, and at tbe 19th had. increased his majority to fi (21-15), but Nixon got a 3 on the 20th bead and brought his score to IS, so that there was a chance of <hia winning, but Sole then scored 2 and the game ended: Sole 23, Nixon 18. Abbott v. London. 1 Th'hj wa? the most exciting contest of the day, the. skips and teams being about equally matched, and some excellent play was witnessed, well worthy of tournament, form. Abbott opened well by scoring ■_> and 3 at the first two heads, then London responded by .securing two singles and a 3, making the score It all at tbe fifth head. Each side then scored, and tbe 12th head Abbott led by 1 (13-12), getting 3 at the next bead; but London then made a 2 and a 4, giving bii:i a lead of a couple of points. Then Abbott caught up and passed his opponent, getting the lead at the 17th head and retaining it till the 21st head, whe.n London tied (21 all). Interest in the result was now raised to a 'high pitch, which was increased by London burning the extra head. In the last bead of tho game Abbott bad the advantage and London drove the jack, but still Abbott had two to the good, and the game ended: Abbott 23, London 21. The victory was well > deserved, and was ali the more creditable owing to the cleanness of the struggle. London put up a great performance, though he mi shh] victory by a hair's breadth THE FINAL. ABBOTT'S POPULAR VICTORY. After playir;- such a strenuous game against Wanganui it wns somewhat of an ordeal for Abbott's team to follow up with playing the West End team, skipped by -Sole, for the honor of the championship; but they came up looking fit for another bout. The game was played on a change of ground by half a rink, and Ibis, together with losing tho power of the sun on the ground, militated against accuracy of play for a few heads, but both sides had to put up with the drawback. The teams were as follow; I'itzroy Jury, Dingle, Rennel], Abbott (sk.)', West End-iPutt, Honoyfield, Lobb, Solo (sk.). On the first two heads Sole scored 4, fjnd then Abbott got a single, but did not score again until the t.-venth head, when' the board showed: Sole S, Abbott 2, which the latter increased to 4 at the next head Sole then scored k single, to which Abbott replied with 1 and 2, making his total 7 to his opponent's 9 at tie lltli head, but at the next head both Lobb and Sole bad hard luck in missing -'f*. * h . e rcs "'t fccing that Abboit stored J, g,vii:g him a lead of 1. At the following head (13th) Sole got 2, Abbott having promoted one of his opponent's bowl?. On the 14th head Abbott moved I the jack and lay 2 up, and his last bow) crept through, Sole being wide and iii" 1 ?! makin " «ie scoreAbbott 13, Sole 11. At the next head Abbott secured a single, Sole's last, delivery just failing to seore. On the Ifith head Abbott, carried tho jack and lav 3 Sole failing to sa- The next head was well contested. Abbott's play being very line, but Sole drew well and brought his score up to 13, From thence onward Sole failed to score, and tho aamo ended at tho 30th head, at which Abbott scored 3 the final figures being: Abbott 22, .Sole 13. The victory of Abbott was hailed with great applause and much hand-shakin® In recognition of his splendid performance Dingle was carried dionlder high down the green and received hearty congratulations 011 his excellent play in the matches of the day. PRESENTING THE TROPHIES. Tho president of the Centre, Mr. .Stanley Smith, said there had been no formal ceremony at the opening of the tournament, but he heartily welcomed the presence of the visiting bowlen sag hoped

tlicy had fx|u'iicnef>(] a pleasant time. The play that artei-noon had been good and exciting, and the victory of Fitaroy, was particularly pleasing to him as president of that club. [ll congratulating tli<" winners !»■ remarked that Abbott had for a time been knocking at the door of num>*« in tournaments, and it was gratifying that liis persistence had been rewarded. • The speaker aJi*» congratulsfed West End 011 their having had tile honor of being- runners-up at. the tournament, coiisolinjj them with the hope of success on another occasion. H» then presented Ihe trophies to Abbott and bis team (gold bowls on pendants), Sole and his team receiving similar trophies in silver. Tie also presented tbe Taranaki Shield to the skip of the winning team, and then called for three cheers for the ladies who bad assisted in promoting the success of tbe tournament by dispensing afternoon tea. Cheer* •were also given for the visiting howlers. Abbott and Role both replied, and after cheers for the losers and -Dingle tbe tournament proceedings came to an ens,