BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1919, Page 7

BOWLING.

NOTES. The 1919-20 season was successfully opened by the New Plymouth and West End Clubs on Thursday, and from appearances there is every reason to anticipate n most successful seasou That this outdoor sport has caught on is very apparent, and the speakers at the West End ceremony were very optimistic concerning the future of the game, ono of them, Mr. J. D. Sole, going so far to say that in ten years or so it will be the summer game for all. His reasons for this were that he found the rinlft were the means of bringing nil players to a level, whilst the social side was always uppermost. These sentiments must surely be the real cause for the great forward movement made, as although the three old clubs, Fitzroy, New Plymouth, and West End, are increasing the membership, a fourth club at Vogeltown, is now also established and it js anticipated that all these greens will be in full use at the height of summer, when Saturday play becomes universal. At the West End green it was very noticeable that many players were young men vhom a few yeaTS previously one would have expected to see engaged in cricket or iwtws, but arc now .13 keen as the veterans on the game. Despite the passing of years many enthusiasts find it bard to forsake the green, and in that connection it may be said that the youthful-looking skips, Lob?> and Honeyfleld, had two players in the rink who accomplished all required, and their ages were 82 nnd 80. while the New Plymouth Club had veterans of a more advanced age. One veteran ' at West End had. to admit that he felt a wee bit stiff, but what was that? A mere trifle to the pleasure of an afternoon's sport. He was hopeful of having many moro games, and there you have it. Young and old, the laborer and tTio employer, ail meet on common ground, and for two ot three hours all extract the keenest pleasure in each other's company. Whilst that comradeship continues i there will be no fear of bowling losing its grip on the people. West End and Fitzroy Clubs are very fortunate in having two greens—summer and winter, whilst the surroundings of the groups are all that ono could desire In the to*cki ground at West End the visitor can glimpse Mt. Egmont, and if he looks north there Is a fine view of tho ocean. Beautiful flowerbeds, close! to town, and next summer, wun trams Tunning, tho club enthusiasts have every reason to expect a largely-increased membership. . Unlike West. End and Fitzroy, the parent club. New Plymouth, did not anticipate r/wllng gaining such a hold on tho public, and the Inability of tho pioneers tc anticipate this progress has resulted in tho club finding i necessary to move to other quarters to It to accommodate players and visitors. incj new greens, however, will be available in i due Playing against -T. D. Sole, the Fitzroy skip on Thursday, Stan. Smith, had a ei 4 !f ! able triumph over his old antagonist. Assisted by his rink, Smith had a day out, anu i put up the good score of 42 points. ris tru ■ 1 Sole did occasionally score, but his total o ; 14 was insignificant, yet the skipper oMnw year's champion four does not mind a <«« : occasionally-provided it is not a compe.tt.jn. A real ding-dong battle was that <*ntcs.eci I hv .lury (Fitzroy) and lieal, and the final figures, 22 all, was satisfactory to & 11 con eaottfr