BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2498, 11 May 1909, Page 2

BOWLING.

(By “Toucher.”)

For some time past Jupiter Pluvius has frowned upon local boVlers, and has kept their greens in a very moist condition, but, on Thursday last, iie crave wav to old Sol, who slioue ,foith m all Ins glory. However, he was unable to undo the evil accomplished by old Jupiter, but through his kindness bowlers were enabled to indulge in a few hours’ play, though the greens Were not anything like what was wished for." ‘lf bowlers got all they wished for, it would'!)© Paradise for them,''but such a place' as Paradise is not to be thought , of bv bowlers. When one hears a smothered exclamation, from a player as his bowl touches something and turns against the bias, when a bowler sees his “wood” go bumpty-lmmp up the green, and when an enthusiast sees an opposing skip taking out bowls by the useful “wick,-’.’ when one sees all these things one does not marvel that 1 araclise is a far-off country to the bow lei. The Gisborne green on Thursday was heavy, but the Turanganui green was almost unplayable. The worms had been hard at work on the latter green, and the result of their labors was the little mounds that thickly covered the sward. On the roller being put on the green thedittlo heaps disappeared, but left little excrescences, which the roller could not efface. These were a worry to the players all the afternoon, and prevented anything like decent Pl Under the above circumstances it was a hardship that competitors in the Handicap Singles had to plav thengames. In. the one game played—4 airoll v. McPherson —it was simply , a “toss-up” who won under the condition of the green. Had everything been in perfect order Farrell was the man picked to win, but here, in this “tossup” affair, McPherson came out on top easily. Part .of the way through the players were level, and then the genial “Mac” got- ahead, and was never again troubled. On Saturday last the third round in this competition was commenced, when the green was hut little better to that of the Thursday pievious.. Ratcliffe met Douglas, and the result was a hollow victory for the former. It was anticipated that Ratcliffe would “get. home,” but it was thought that the bad green would make the issue doubtful. However, Douglas could not get into double figures. Ratcliffe is now in the semi-final. To get into that position by only playing one game is a stroke of luck, for in the first and second rounds his opponents were compelled to forfeit. Should he happen to draw the bye. fortune would indeed smile on him. for lie would then be in the final by playing a sing e game, and would be certain of a first or second prize. However, I cannot foretell what the draw will result in. . [ notice that the Match Committee of the Turanganui Club'have been keeping thcr players and matches well in hand. Lately they have elosed th.eiu rounds on dates specified, ani Thursday compelled playeis to fork it their unplayed games. In the Ratcliff e-Somervell game, the .atter as, struck out, as lie was up the Coast and had not been near the green since the round was drawn. In the Hallam a . Hepburn match, both players were struck out. This, I understand, was due in fairness to both, as Hepburn had been on the green .continuously for some time, but was pisfo ao pjesent n W av in Napier. Avhile HalUm nau been an absentee and had only been present on Thursday. It -was noicon s icier ed fair that Hallam should get -the game under the circumstances, and therefore the committee hoth nut This action of tlie committee i «*. corrcct 011 Tbe round committee Vt the Tnran.mirui Club have closed., part of their orecn, and the new grass is coming on ” G u Jt is expected that the avhole oreen will he closed after the 24th o. A -iv when a full day’s play is antici- % come on. welLpreparatory~tq tho usual l)oon put a 'Ucl it is oxpe , - +iip have been planted, plants are being pnt ni,

lend further ■ color to the grounds. ■ In tliCsOleoagnus hedge, rose bushes are being planted, and wneivihey bloom t;he hoclgo should bo a picture. All around the conveniences hop plants are to bo put in and the buildings and fences are expected to be covered with green by next season, making everything cool. I understand that the foregoing is-only a commencement of a plan for the thorough beautifying of;;tho grounds. . s : The Victorian BoAvliiig Association is indeed a flourishing conoern; it lias no less than fifty clubs under its wing. No other State" in the Commomvca th can boast such-a powerful (numerically) 'combination. .< : . A match unique in the history of Australian bowls is oil tho point being arranged to take place on the.. City Green, Svdney. Parramatta-and btrathfiold clubs include among their members some of the oldest bonders in Australia, and each null put a rink on the giecn, tho aggregate ages of the members ox whiciriare 312 and 328. The personnel of tlie. probable players and the length of their respective “hours, upon the stage” are given hereunder.: —1 arramatta: Johnstone 90, Byrnes/5, Cox 74, Callan 73; total 312. Strathfield Pierce 84, Bird 84, Cowdery SO, Thompson 80; total 328.