BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2459, 25 March 1909, Page 6

BOWLING.

(By “Toucher.”)

Great was the disappointment felt by the members of the local clnbs at the inclemency of the weather on Thursday last, and the consequent, prevention of all bowling. However, the local adherents of the pastime have no cause of complaint as regard to the weather,, for so far during the season rain has hardly interfered at all with play on the half-holiday. In fact, I think play has been less interfered with by the weather during this season than in any former season. , ,

The return match between the two clubs is to take place this afternoon oh the Turanganui green. I expect a keen contest, for on their own green the Turanganui men are “at home/' and play very deadly on their keen sward. I should not be at all surprised to see the Turanganui men obtain a substantial lead in the first few heads, when the Gisborne men have not got the “strength,” but when the Gisbornites “pick up the green”-a hard' battle should ensue. May- the... best teams win ! I am informed that Mr J. M. Lennon has presented a second prize for the Handicap Singles now being played on the Turanganui green. This appears to .me to be a very wise move—the giving of a-second prize—for it allows the run-ner-up a chance, of securing a trophy. A new competition, I understand, is likely to- be put on the programme,.of the Turanganui Club -shortly. It will be for the Douglas Feathers.. The com-’ petition, as far as i have been able to ascertain, will be for pairs for feathers presented by Mr W. tl. Douglas. Entries will be taken, pairs arranged, and “knock-out” "games played. The winning pair will then bold the feathers, but they will be open to a challenge from any pair at any time for the honors.' , Tire feathers would thus never be won outright—a similar condition as is made with regard to the Bennett Gup. The Handicap Singles of the Turanganui'Club have been commenced during the past week, “"tommy” McConnell and “Jack” Williams opened the competition. The -green was in a very bad condition after the rain, heavy and with very small draw, -and was entirely unfit for match play. McConnell got the lead, and kept it half-way through, but Williams obtained the jack and, putting up short heads, drew steadily away from his opponent, and- secured victory. Keen disappointment was felt by both players at times when a bowl would run straight instead of drawing, and made the game contain a very large element of luck. McConnell played . a very good game, as he likes a heavy sward, but Williams did not play as well as I have seen him, though at times he put up some splendid shots. He will be dangerous to'meet on a keen sward. There were two surprises on the green when Hepburn defeated Nasmith, junr., and Douglas vanquished Bennett. lu the- Hepburn-Nasmith contest neither playe* was in his best form,the latter being especially 'off. Beth at times got in some good shots hut the green was against -first-elass play, being erratic for drawing. Hepburn,, however, triumphed by 5 prints. It was expected that Bennett would settle Douglas in his game, but the unexpected happened. At one st n gc of the game, when Douglas reached the “'devil’s number,” —the unlucky thirteen, he remained there for a good half-dozen heads while Bennett cr- tight him. However, lie again gut av. ay. and obtained victory. In this game also an erratic green interfered with play, and the lucky man won. The first -round will be continued during this, week, and some good “goes” are expected.

_ One of the best contests I bare wit- . riessed for many a long clay was the fight between.a representative '‘Press’’ team and a chosen four of the Gisborne Bowling. Club, skipped by T. w. C-aw-ford. The convincing ground iva? the •rinks of the Gisborne Club. Prior to play, the pressmen were having a “rollup,” and their good exhibition brought forth the exclamation from a genial r Gisbornite, “We have got -ome solid stuff to meet.” , And so it r,roved. I The teams were:—Gisborne: W. Pettie, R. W. Kyme, H. Mackintosh, T. A. Crawford (skip); Press: F. Farrell, T. Clarkson, A. J. Benzie, M. G. Na.smith, junr. (skip). The first head saw Benzie get the shot on a “run through.” This was not altered, and the pressmen drew " first blood. The • next head saw the “newsvendors” ly- * ing one, but Crawford : n essaying to alter the head gave his opponents 3. Then Gisborne get a look in with 2 the next head. Thus the game went or.. r : 'Pressmen 4 —2, 7 —2, 7 — 5. B—-5,8 —-5, 3-—B. On the Bth head "the press got a brace, and then gradually drew -away, until on the 14th head they were 16 to 9. On the 11th head I saw the press skip put down the unlucky 13. in Boman_numerals, and the charm worked. Tire 18th head was a splendid one, and when the skips went down Gisborne were lyingtwo. Nasmith with liis first took out one, and with his last trailed the jack. / and obtained the shot, Crawford failing. The 20th head provided a picture, and all spectators assembled . to see the head completed. Five bowls lay round the jack, , the farthest of which was only a foot away. Gisborne lay one on the jack, just in front. The pressmen had three seconds, one being jack high, and also had the back timber. Crawford .was unable, to do anything with hits position, it being too ticklish. He played cautious. Nasmith failed to draw eff the shot bowl v>itli his first, but came a “yard, gone” with his second, opened up the head, „ and took the jack back, lying two. thus 'shattering Gisborne’s hope of victory. Eight points to the good -did the pressmen finish. Farrell played a splendid lead, putting -up hir> best performance ; so far this season. Clarkson as No. .1 ivns in an excellent position, doing good •work for his side. Benzie was the thorn in Gisborne’s side,- for it' was ■-■lndeed seldom that- lie failed to carry I out the skip’s wishes, lus play being \ excellent throughout. Nasmith p.aycd i a «ood game,and so built up the petition | hi-iviih his team that Crawford uad to r* * -wear his considering cap tight through- ;] fgjrViijy the dame. He relied mainly on.-his 1: SumHi %vin the game. Pettie played j a fine lead for Crawford,' doing lmnself I -eveiT justice as a North Island cham[r -plonjead. Jvvme showed up well as 't No ; 2, litis drawing .being excellent, Pllut at- times he was inclined to be on l| the str'ong side. Mackintosh played•l well/ but "l have seen him in . better -A form. Crawford showed up u ell -,V throughout as skip. He had a hard p: game, to play, as the position generally, was -against ■ him. .Taken - ■‘together, a'the plav of .both 'teams was fn - and away above the average, a'nd I congrathe' pressmen on ,their : men toriTjcUry, - , : ■

In view of the fact that all over Australia just now a fast-growing desire to have bowling greens on the public parks is being exhibited, the “Sydney Morning Herald” had a. leader ! last week on the.subject'of greens for public parks, and urged their establishment as early as possible. . The bowling writer of the “Cumberland Mercury,” Darramatta, writes as follows to “Toucher,” of the “Arrow,” and his remarks will be of interest to many howlers resident in all parts: “We want to ask ‘Toucher’ a question: When you tare lying a few, and the- opposing captain is about to begin his attack, should you first block the draw or put one behind, in case of a drive?

“Of course, everybody at once eays: ‘All depends on circs., my boy.’ “But that doesn’t get over it. “Now, we were lying six good ones hast Saturday, and our third instructed his shipper to put one behind. “ ‘Why not block the draw ’ said we.

“The opposisg skip went for the open draw, .and saved four or five. “Our knowledgable third man seemed to be glad to get out of it so ‘cheaply,’ .and fie-is one of the best tacticians we have seen on the green. “.We -are a novice. Still, holding an opinion, belie that the game was to block the draw and chance the drive.

“It was a long head, and two at least of our .wood were as safe as churches, bar accidents.

“Some say also it depends upon the driver —what sort he is.

“We reckon we might have scored six by -liis drive, with a certainty of two; but with ail effective draw we might have been blown out for none.” “A dastardly act was perpetrated at S.M.C.C. last week” (reports Melbourne “Punch”), “when one of the lockers was forced open, -and one of W. 11. Cooper’s bowls gourged all round the running surface with a chisel or other instrument of destruction. The looker where the particular bowl was kept had about d dozen bowls in it, but none of the others were touched. The South Melbourne Cricket Club promptly offered a reward of £5 for the offender, dead or alive, and we hope they get him, for this is ‘getting even’ with a vengeance.” All bowlers will echo the hope. Here is something from an English paper that will probably open the eyes of Australian bowler readers, and possibly encourage them to give indoorbowls a show during the winter months. It is one of London bowlers’ favorite pastimes throughout the period when their greens are coated with ice:— “The indoor bowls demonstration at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, 'Wimbledon, proved an all-round success. The reduced size woods not simply did their work, but proved that the felt rink brings out the bias to a far greater degree than the actual green. All who have taken piart in indoor bowls certainly agree that this novel innovation is positively more fascinating than the ordinary form of .the game. One thing, the cautious delivery essential to the smaller bowl must result in an improved greening in the ease of many a player on outdoor rinks. To the licensed victuallers indoor bowling offers facilities for popularising an establishment as the headquarters of a highly engaging form of recreation.” At the opening of the new bowling green at Glenferrie (Vic.), Chief Justice Madden said: “In regard to bowls, he would ask the young contestants why they did not leave the game to their elders, .and go is for another game of a pleasant character—that of love-mak-ing? Their ground would, no doubt, be the convincing place, of many happy recreations fhat would be life-long. He would be delighted to find the younger ones picking out the plums, leaving the pudding of bowls to the old Adamsthose to whom nothing but bowling was left.”—Melbourne Press Item.

Away, young man! your time has not

yet come To swish the frisky bowl along the lawn, Your joints .are not yet growing stiff - and numb— You -still retain your muscle and your brawn. Away! away! to some more healthy clime— - Fly swiftly from these antiquated souls Who while away the best part of their

time At the immortal, lioary game o bowls. •

’Tis. for- you to bit the blessed “jack,” And say “Hooray!” and “Come and have a nip!” The ancients give you evil looks and black, j And, -all in silence, hand you straight the tip ' - To “do .a .get” to where the children play" - And nurse-girls lure with sly, inviting glances— To where the nymph, m bathing dress so gay, In wild abandon through .the white surf prances;

And there to try the dear old game—sweethearting—- / With all its sorrows and its little Blisses,- " _ Its moonlight strolls; its tender hours of parting, When all-the air’s alive with honeyed, kisses. Your fiate’s proclaimed. «Go chase-the shafts of Cupid! Leap with some girl like two young frisky foals. And when'you're very old and bent and stupid Come back, and play the noble game of bowls!