BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2480, 20 April 1909, Page 2

BOWLING.

NOTES.

(By “Toucher.”)

Play'has been freely indulged in outlie local greens since the weather took up. The recent rains, while giving plenty of work to the rollers, and be- ; mg rather over encouraging to the worms, have yet been a boon to the bowling greens, the dry weather having left sore and heavy impress with impartial unconcern. There, had been much mental scratching on the part of the caretakers, whose solicitude for their charges would well have wished them a respite, from the round bowl and everlasting bowler—for the ardour of the trundler is a quantity that never fades, and will not- be satisfied. The most indefatigable watering does much, sometimes a little more or less, but there is no spur to the jaded roots of downtrodden grass like a thorough good downpour, several times multiplied. Most howlers were grievously disappointed when Easter Monday turned out wet and the Gisborne Club s members were particularly chagrined in consequence. They had prepayed for a real ( field day, having arranged to play the annual shield matches. However, these have had to be postponed for the time being. , ~ - ; Play is now taking place on the nor- : them oyeen the other having been given a rest until next season. It is uncertain whether the Committee will have it dug up and relaid or will attempt to improve it without going to such a big expense. It is generally agreed that the green is faulty, but no-one seems to be able to say just where the fault lies, and how it should be remedied, therefore some expert advice on the matter ds being sought-. The green now being used is° playing exceptionally true, a.thou"h the recent rains have made it somewhat heavy. It certainly lias a beautiful appearance, for the sward is perfect and there is not a bare patch to be. seen anywhere. The long delayed final of the Hennessy Fours -was got off on Friday afternoon and resulted m an easy win for Corson’s team. The match was not entirely satisfactory, inasmuch as it was found necessary at the last moment to accept two substitutes in one. team. This is an unusual course to adopt, but it was considered best to do so rather than keep the match liun a UP any longer. The teams as they played were: F. Harris (sub), J?. Lucas (sub), F. J- Pettie, and T. Corson (skip), T. Clarkson, H. Miller, M. Brady, and R. Robertson (skip). Harris, who played substitute for Ivyme, was in capital form and was a tower of strength to his side. Although Clarkson, who also played really well, beat him at times, the veteran always lay so close up that it was almost impossible for the opposing side, to get many bowls inside his two. .Lucas played a sound game, and had the better or Mi mu') who was not at best. Frank Pettie was right off color, and was of little assistance to his side, although Tie came with a few timely shots at the\ close of the game. Brady i&i the other band, was pretty reliable throughout, and did some good work. Corson, though not at his best-, was thoroughly sound and could always be depended upon to “come to light” on the rare occasions when lie was called upon to save the situation. Robertson was in fine form and scarcely ever failed to better the head, but the cdcls were too great and he was beaten after putting up a really great fight. The scores, 24—13, scarcely indicate the progress of the game, which was really very close until the last few heads.. On the Turanganui green two matches in the second round of the Handicap Singles were got off during the week. In the Hird—H. Martin match, as anticipated, the result was foregone, Bird winning easily- The -winner played a splendid game, both his drawing and driving being excellent. Martin played well, but was outclassed. The gaiue between J. P. Williams and A. Zaebariah was a splendid one, and resulted in victory for the latter. This result was aided by a misunderstanding on the part of Williams. Half-way through the o-ame Williams had a commanding lead,” and took things easy for a time. Five heads from home Zaeliariah requited seven to tie. Flaying well lie got the better of Williams and on the lJtli head ho drew level—2o all. Williams got in a single on the next head—2l 20. On the last head played Williams drew the shot, but Zaeliariah, with his last bowl, .touched the jack and scored, making a tie. In the extra head played Zaeliariah obtained two and got the game. After the extra /head had been played Williams was queried as to why he played certain shots m the extra head, but lie replied that it didn t matter as the game was over. On being informed that that head was the deciding one he expressed surprise, as he understood that the 21st head was the last and on which lie had scored. It was pointed out to Williams that Ins opponent had secured the shot on the last head and thus tied. He replied that he understood he had scored, and had let Zaeliariah lead in the extra head as he himself was straightening the jack That Williams misunderstood the position was evident to the spectators. After delivering his last bowl in the 21st head Williams waited near the mat to straighten the jack after the result of the head had been announced, and lie thought the result was announced in his favor. When Zaeliariah exclaimed, ”4Ye will Play ..down, I nose'' 1 ” WTlliams answered. I suppose we had better.” This answer seemed to implv that he thought it better to play a head down to the pavilion than to carry the bowls down s a pit> that such a misunderstanding aiose, but such things happen sometimes I was glad to see the firm stand taken hv the Match Committee of the giiiuii Club in making players toito t their matches in the first round of the Handicap Singles, who had been • tumble for the npn-p ay.ng of t en games by the specified elate. Ot eouise ” nm ninvers felt aggrieved at the a<Fon cloner but th~Match Committee showed a good example when it obhged one of its own committeemen to folk a tin implaved game. v The conditions attached to the play-i-ng of the Douglas Feathers have been draw,, up by the members of the 11 - ran ganhi Chib’s Match Committee. All the conditions, with the exception o one, meet with the unanimous., approval of the members'. ' The exception is, that challengers must deposit one shilling each with a committeeman. I be objection to this condition is that it becomes a money-making competition for the Club and that tbe fee is too heavy, lie re plv is immediately forthcoming that if the Feathers are worth playing tor they are worth one shilling. It is also cut in reply that m the event | of no entrance tee and oi the two inot- . class: playera holding the Feathers, .it .... . .. • ........ ■ ** ' ■ ■.

would necessitate such holders meeting challengers week after week, who, perhaps, had no earthly show of winning, but only desired to make the holders play a game in defence of the Feathers. This, it was considered, would not he fair to the holders, and the action of the committee, I contend, is the best, for only those who would have a chance of securing the trophies would deposit a shilling and bid for the honors.

The final fo r the rubber between the Gisborne and Turanganui Clubs takes place on the Turanganui green next Thursday afternoon. Gisborne, I hear, has put in the field what, in sporting parlance is called, a “snorting” team. Victory they intend to get, and right hard are they bidding for it. Such skips as Crawford, Ponsford, F. A. Martin, and Simson are to outgeneral the youthful Turanganuites but from what I hear, if the Turanganui are beaten they will die hard. The young club consider they have a big advantage in playing on* their own “dunghill,” for all its little eccentricities, which are as an open book to > its members are but as a closed volume to the Gisbornites. The young club is putting its best foot foremost and I hear it said that they know of more than one way to achieve victory against the redoubtables. I will not give their game away, but just remind the Gisbornites that the Turanganuites are known to be very hospitable. Anyhow, I say, may the best team win!

At tho Eafeter tournament held by the Wellington Centre, play was considerably interfered with by a high wind. In its report of the tournament the Wellington “'.Post” states that the greens were in excellent condition, but a persistent wind that blew, and punctuated itself with gusts of a violent nature, robbed tho games of much of the pleasure that they usually possess for players, besides making the conditions unpleasant for lookers-on. Bias of the howls frequently was entirely counteracted by the wind, and when players would send down “narrow” bowls,, trusting that strong winds would help to “keep their head up,” the gusts would moderate, and the bowls would finish up on a neighboring rink. In one case the wind caught a stationary jack and lifted it a full six feet. The players without consulting an umpire, mutually declared a dead head. One outstanding occurrence —it was a peculiarly vexatious one —may be given as an illustration of the vagaries against which howlers vainly battled. In the third round Gibbes, of Wellington pitted against Briglitwell —played a close finish, until on the final head, lie had the last bowl of the whole sixteen to deliver, and quite fifteen feet in which to draw a shot which would have made the score “even all,” and entitled his rink to play an extra head. He got his bowl away in a comparative calm, and it seemed sure that his. effort would be successful, but at a critical time a •fierce grust of wind oauglit liig wood and sped it until it rolled roguishly into the. ditch. Features of a similar nature marked all three of the rounds played on the opening day. Defeats by large margins, as well as unanticipated victories. were comparatively numerous.