BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1921, Page 8

BOWLING.

THE SECOND TEST. TARANAKI DEFEATS AUCKLAND. There was a large attendance at the Fitzroy green on Saturday to witness the second test match between Auckland and Taranaki, and the play throughout was watched with the keenest interest, which became very acute at the closing Iliads of the game. That the players on both sides were fairly evfenly matched ‘ was proved at Hawera on Thursday when the visitors won the first test by sixteen points in the ag.gregate for the eight rinks. The green was in excellent condition, though not as fast as at Hawera. During the earlier of the afternoon the wind was tricky, the worst effect being ffelt at thq northern end, but this did not prevent the average play by both ends being of a high standard, arid frequently evoking warm applause, while the driving was exceptionally accurate and “clean.

Taranaki practically led throughout, though at one time Auckland had a bare advantage. It was anybody’s game right up to the last two or three heads, for with three rinks to finish Taranaki was only seven up, but eventually- got home with eleven to spare, after a keen and enjoyable struggle. The accurate work of the leads in both teams was a noticeable feature, and most heads were frequently altered by successive play. Foy made a great recovery, being 6 to 16 at the twelfth head, but putting on a four and a three drew level at the sixteenth head, when the board showed 16 all. S. J. Smith also pulled up well. Up to the fifteenth head he had scored only five singles, but he then went ahead well. Possibly the most sensational finish was that made by Tutt (Auckland), who broke up the* timber with his last delivery and scored six. The composition of the Taranaki -tfams was considerably altered, a notabld absence being that of McNeill, who played so brilliantly at Hawera. Altogether some fifteen players were substituted for men who took part in the first test, in order to give as many players as possible the privilege of taking part in the test matches. Even so, out of the 32 players, 21 were members of either the New Plymouth, Fitzroy or West .End clubs. The visitors were entertained to a plain afternoon tes, in marked contrast to the splendid hospitality dispensed Jjy the Hawera ladies. As the Citizens' Band was playing in the Girls’ 5 Higli School grounds near at hand, the music gave pleasure to those on the bowling green and added to the enjoyment of the afternoon. Detais of scores are as follow, Auckland players being mentioned first:—

Williams, Mclntosh, Clarkson, G. Tutt (s.) 24 v. Rolston (New Plymouth), Bungay (Inglewood), ABbott (Fitzroy), A. K. Smart(s ) (New Plymouth), 28. Brown, Wright, Arey, Tonkin (s.) 22 v Honeyfield (West End), Fookes (New Plymouth), J. D. Sole (West End), Bary (s.) (Eltham), 19. Marshall, Clayton, Lowe, Gladding (s.) 20 v. Brooker (Fitzroy), Carter (Eltham), Telfar (Waitara), Billing (s.) (West End), 22. Hedley, Dimery, Randall, A. Parker 25 V. Pohi (Pibama), Oliveri-IWest End), Lambie (Pihama), H. Smart fe.) (New Plymouth), 26. Mdcey, Hewitson, Coltman, Mcßobie (s ) 24* v Morton (Inglewood), Castles (Eltham),' Higgs (Fitzroy), Price (s.) (Fitzroy), 23. May, Hardt', Spooner, Kilgonr Js.) Io v Morev (Fitzroy), Julian (Pihama), Allen (Fitzroy), Lobb (s.) (West End),

Crowe, Reid, Gatland, Vincent (s.) 25 v Roberts (New Plymouth), McAllum (West End), Dingle (Fitzroy), Foy (s.) (Hawera), 20. , . Fraser. Mellare, Thomson, Casey (s.) 15 v Sampson (Waitara), S Rundle (New Plvmouth), Cresswell (New Ply£ouTh) S. J. Smith (s.) (Fitzroy), 20. Totals—Taranaki 180, Auckland 169.