BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2445, 9 March 1909, Page 2

BOWLING.

(By “Toucher.”) It has been left to the Turangan.ui Club to introduce the game of points in this district. The game, though entirely new to us locally, is several years old. The only drawback to the game, in my opinion, is that it occupies four rinks, though, on tlie other hand, the competition takes up very little time. The competition held on Thursday last seemed to me to bo rushed through too hurriedly, nearly all the competitors seeming anxious to get through and play full rink games. This was rather to be ,regretted and the small scoring was due to this fault. Trial shots on either hand were to be allowed ajl players, but it was agreed to expediate tho game by discarding trial shots, thus all'players were expected to get the strength of the green right away, a thing almost impossible. The winner of the competition turned, up in B. Hird, whose driving won him the trophy.- >He failed-completely at the drawing rink, -and did little, better with guarding, scoring one point.. In trailing he also' failed, hat in driving ho took the jack clean through with three, out of four shots, scoring nine out of a possible twelve. His. total score was thus 10 out of a possible of 48. Bennett held the next position wi,th 7 points, three of which lie obtained at driving. Nasmith led off well, scoring five in the drawing rink, but failed at all the other rinks. Amongst the other players a lot of ill-luck occurred, shots being missed by the narrowest -of margins time after time. In winning the competition. .Hird becomes the possessor of a fine walking-stick, presented by Mr C. Morse. Hird has my congratulations, it being his first trophy since he took on the game. A great deal of interest centred on tho Turanganui green on Thursday last, when W. McPherson and W.

Ratclilfe met W. li. Douglas and J. J. Martin in the finals for the Handicap Pairs. On the result depended whether the former pair .would win the competition' or whether these two pairs and Somervell and Sawyer would ue,even with one loss each. As it turned out victory rested with Ratcliffe and his mate, and thus the competition ended. Martin..and his partner had to concede Ratcliffe anil his mate nine points. When this handicap was made two months ago, the points were none too many, bub since then McPherson’s play had so improved that Martin ? s chance was none too rosy. From the start the handicap stood Ratcliffe in good stead, Martin being unable to reduce it, and at the finish Ratcliffe and his mate were exactly their handicap to the good. Vs. lead McPherson played _well, but Douglas' proved liis superior. Rat- : liffo was the hero of the game, his drawing being.superb, time and again defeating Martin at his own game. By their win MoPherson and Ratcliffe -vjeiire .possession of a splendid pair of bowling ba'gs, presented by Messrs J. Colley and W. IT. Clayton. The bags were made by Mr Buttimore, and have locks*affixed. I have great pleasure in congratulating the winners on their reward. W. Ratcliffe’s win is the first 'achieved since he joined the ranks’of bowlerdom, and AV. McPherson, as a first-year player, is t.-j be complimented on securing suou a useful trophy on his entry into the arena of bowls. Only one game in the Bennet Cup Singles has been played on the Turanganui green during the past week, that between P. Rallam and J. J. -Martin. A good game was witnessed, but Martin proved superior by a few points. By this win Martin gets into second position in the competit:on, and bids fair to again secure the Cup. The position of tho various players is as follows: Wins Losses B. Hird .15 3 J. J. Martin 12 1 A. Sawyer -. 12 4 J. Stormont 9 3 M. G. Nasmith, junr. ... 7 7 M. G. Nasmith, senr. ... 5 4 .M. A. Neill 5 5 P. Hal]am 4 4 W. J. P. Gaudin 4 .4 J. Somervell . 4 5 C. J. Bennett. ............ 4 5 W. Hay 4 5 W. Ratcliffe 4 6 .J/ Colley d... 3 4 A. Zachariali 3 5 W. H. Douglas 3 12 J. P. Williams 2 3 C. F. Lewis 1 1 “Look here, old man, yon go in for too much driving,” was tho admonition given to a comparatively young bowler by a veteran tho other day. “It spoils you for drawing,” he added. Next day, or the next, I saw him driving as if his life depended on- it-. Every second head (was it every second" or third?) was a “burnt” one. Like many experienced players, he has evidently one rule for himself and another for the other fellow. But there is no doubt that too much driving is a mistake, and it is pleasant to 'jiotc that it is not practised nearly so much as it used to be.

The late Mr Underwood, who was one of tho victims of the 'Penguin disaster, was a valued member of the Newtown Club. He was an excellent player, a skilful skip, and a man wlio iv-as very much liked on the green as v eil as in private i'fo The Rotorua tournament, just concluded, ivas voted to nave been a! out the most successful bowling funetioi ever held in the thermal toAvnship, and visiting brethren of the “vood” one -and all spent a right royal time on and off tlie green. The Remuera team of “colts” that pulled off the pennant, by the way, totalled the modest age score of 271 years, I am credibly informed, which it must be admitted, “is coming ,it strong” against the youngsters, as Bret Harte might remark. There ivas ; also another variety of record in the : tourney which gives a good old-fash- , ioned 'bowling tivang to the gatheri ing. One rink of braw and lusty ' champions turned the scale -at veil over 16st per man —a right Avortliy team of bowling giants indeed, i At the opening of the Rotorua bowling tournament the Premier re- . marked that mention had been made to him of the general desirableness of extending the capacity of the green. And be imparted in confidence to those assembled that this extra green room Avould be furnished so soon as it Avas shown that space Avas cramped. The gathering itself went far by ryay of a voucher, admitted the Premier. The Rotorua bowlers are ambitious to see a Northern Association toiirnament iplayed on their green in the near future, claiming that tho attractions tlley can advance to woo such a consummation ar© many and varied. In short, they .argue that Rotorua is central, interesting, .and generally ideal for such a gathering, and offers more inducements to boAvlers on a holiday than can most other spots. Certainly such a proposal would doubtless find favor with-many bowlers, but at present the lack of green room seems to be a serious detriment. Doubtless, however, the Premier’s experience of Rotorua bowling and consequent benevolent attitude towards the scheme would go fa.r to see this lack remedied.

Mr F. !W. Haybittle, who is returning from .a -visit to Great Britain, chatting with a press representative in Melbourne some days ago, said: “The want of a recognised callingplace for colonial boAvlers on their annual pleasure visits to Great Britain has been for some time -engaging the

attention of Mr Fortescue and also of Mr Fashom, the bowling;' correspondent of tho-London “Daily Telegraph” and “Scotsman,” and the outcome of. their energetic and entirely spontaneous investigations' resulted in a meeting being called on 20th November, just prior to my departure, and which I wais able to attend. There was a. strong gathering present, including representatives from the Commonwealth and New Zealand High Commissioner’s offices, resident and visiting Australians and Now Zealanders; It Was resolved to form an association, to bo called “The AngloColonial Bowling Club,” with headquarters «.t Andorton’s Hotel, Fleestreet. Those eligible for membership embrace resident colonial bowlers and visiting bowlers for the season in which they, remain in Great Britain. The object is self-evident—‘To make a home-centre for ' colonial bowlers visiting the Old Country, whereby they may get into touch with brother, bowlers.’ During the season,.say from May to October, it is proposed to have an official of tfie club con stantly in touch with the club room to meet and welcome visitors and arrange friendly tournaments and games. It is proposed to ask the Bowling Associations of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa to notify the clubs under their respective jurisdictions of this convenient addition to tho pleasures of tho bowler on tour.”