BOWLING

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1921, Page 3

BOWLING

TARANAKI v. AUCKLAND. THE FIRST TEST. WON BY VISITORS. / <9 | Although the Auckland Bowling Club have visited Taranaki, the present is the first occasion on which representative interprovincial Icontests have taken place. In speaking at the reception accorded to the Auckland players at Hawera yesterday, Mr. Coltman, tte manager, who is president of the Auckland Bowling Centre, claimed that the team was rather a touring than a representative one, but nevertheless, they were prepared to stand on their merits—win or lose. The visitors arrived at Hawera by the midday train, and were met by the president of the Taranaki Centre- (Mr. J. D. Sole), members of the executive, and Taranaki bowlers, being accorded hearty cheers, a compliment they returned in kind. At 1.45 pum., after both teams had .been photographed, the visitors were officially welcomed by Mr. Sole on behalf of the Centre, and Mr. Foy, on behalf of the local bowlers. Mr. Sole stressed the Importance of interprovincial matches, and hoped that day’s inauguration would be the forerunner of many enjoyable contests between Auckland and Taranaki. If the visitors only obtained one half of the enjoyment that Taranaki players experienced when last in Auckland i?e felt sure they would be satisfied with their trip, which was also a source of much pleasure to Taranaki bowlers. After Mr. Foy had expressed the wish that the visitors would enjoy Hawera hospitality, three cheers were given lustily. In his reply, Mr. Coltman voiced the liigh appreciation of his team for ti?e heartiness of the welcome received. He Intimated it had been decided that only five teams would take part in the test matches, but so as to prevent disappointment, the whole eight teams would play’ in the first test and put up as good a fight as they could. Cheers were given by the visitors for Taranaki bowlers, and play then commenced. The Hawera Club had spared no efforts to bring their green as near perfection as possible. It was like a billiaid table, so true was the surface, besides being exceptionally keen. During the earlier stages of the game the wind affected play, but toward the end died down. At the start Auckland forged ahead, ►having the major points at 6 out of the 8 rinks, McNeill dnd SpurdYe being the only Taranaki skips to forge ahead, and this they kept up throughout the afternoon. Before tea Auckland Lad a lead of 26, but this gradually feL until the aggregate scores were equa.. Then the game fluctuated, but Auckland, towards the close, increased their advantage until finally they won by 16 points, equivalent to two points at each rink. The quality of the play was on the whole very creditable considering the exceptional skill required on such a fast green to draw the shot. The visitors all acquitted themselves creditably, and but for the brilliant play of McNeill and Spurdie, together with the gcod recovery made by A. K. Smart and Lobb, would hare inflicted a far more deo’sive defeat on Taranaki. It was an exhibition of good bowling on a perfect green, and gave pleasure to the large assembly round the green. Details of the scores are as follow, the Auckland names being mentioned first at each rink:—

Macey, Mellers, Coltman, Mcßobie (s) 14; v. Corklll (Hawera), Julian (Pihama), Sole (West End), McNeill (Fitzroy) (s) 35. May, Hardy, Spooner, Kilgour (s) 24; v, Adamson (Hawera), Leslie (Inglewood), Cresswell (New Plymouth), Beale (West End) (s) 14. Brown, Wright, Arey, Tonkin (s) 22; v. Robertson (Hawera), Grant (Hawera), Telfar (Waitara), A. K. Smart (New Plymouth) (s) 23. Crowe, Reid, Gatland, Vincent, (s) 23; v. North (Avon), Judd (Eltkam), Lambie (Pihama), H. Smart (New Plymouth) (s) 17. Fraser, Hewltson, Thomson, Casey (s) 25; v. Morton (Inglewood), Robertson (Hawera), Dingle (Fitzroy), Foy (Hawera) (s) 19. Headdey, Dimery, C|prkson, Parker (s) 30; v. Goldwater (New Plymouth), Bennett (Fitzroy), Robb (Hawera), |obb (West End) (s) Marshall, Clayton, Lowe, Gladding (s) 29; v. George (Waitara), A. H. Christie (Manaia), Price (Fitzroy), Smith (Fitzroy) (s) 13. Williams, Mclntosh, Randell, Tutt (s) 26; v. Fred Newell (West End), Hodge (Hawera), Champion (Hawera), Spurdie (Inglewood) '(s) 32. Totals.—Auckland 193; Taranaki 177. In the evening the visitors were entertained by the Hawera Club at an enjoyable social function. TO-DAY'S PLAY. This morning the visiting team divide as follows: Three rinks play inter-club match against Hawera at Hawera; rinks play inter-club match against Eltham, at Eltham; three rinks play combined Manaia and Auroa Clubs, at Manaia. Afternoon: Five rinks which play Hawera and Eltham during the morning proceed to Stratford and play three rinks from Stratford Club and two rinks from the Avon Club, all on the Stratford green. Three rinks which play at Manaia during the morning proceed in the afternoon, one rink to Pihama and play inter-club match against Pihama, two rinks proceed to Opunake and play inter-club match against Opunake. All rinks arrive at New Plymouth to-night. , Five rinks from the Auckland Centre will visit Stratford to-day at the guests of the Stratford Bowling Club. The following players will represent the Stratford Club against the visitors: Boyd, Young, Jackson, Skoglund (s) ; Porritt, Curtis % W. McDonald, Harris (s) ; Butcher, Walsh, Sangster, J. S. McDonald (s) ; Robbins, Fookes, Lightband, McMillan (s) ; Davey, Patterson, Sanderson, Smart (s). Play will commence at 2 p.m., and the pub. lie are 'invited to be present.* PUBLIC WORKS MATCH. Two rinks from the Public Works Department, representing the draughting and clerical departments, met on the Stratford Club’s green on Wednesday evening. The game resulted in a vyin for the clerical rink by 24 points to 15, scores being as.follows, the clerical rink being mentioned first:—

Jackson, Ryan, Jamieson, Carman (s) 24 v. Fookes, Keeble; Code, North (s) 15.