BOWLING,

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2510, 25 May 1909, Page 2

BOWLING,

(By “Toucher.”)

Great were the feelings of satisfaction among local bowlers last week when they saw the rain clouds h-ft and the weather take up with cheerful sun'sliine. Both clubs then set to work to get tlieir competitions finished, and at the time of writing the Turanganui Club have completed all its matches. The Gisborne Club are also well •forward with their competitions. At the Turanganui green during the week the matches in the Handicap Singles were disposed of, leaving the final ■to bo played. When A. Sawyer met W. McPherson, it was generally conceded

•that Sawyer would have a “hard row to hoe,” for he had to give his opponent 40 points. When * the handicaps had Wen declared Sawyer’s chance had been considered very favorab'e, but as the end of the competition drew nearer it was seen that McPherson had made considerable improvement in his play, ■and the latter’s chances were to be taken into account. Also, the green had become heavy and somewhat erratic after the bad weather, and first-class play was out of the question. It was under these circumstances that Sawyer

and McPherson met. At the commencement Sawyer did well, and had just about evened off the handicap, when McPherson suddenly turned the tables. (Sawyer was lying four on one head, when McPherson came through with his last bowl, carried the jack and lay four. 'Then he got in two threes and a sing’o, and left Sawyer to get 14 on nine heads. Sawyer next responded with a single and a four, but McPherson did not allow him much more liberty, for he himself got in a four on the last head, and beat Sawyer off the mark, •without the nso of the handicap, to the surprise of all. Flushed with victory, McPherson turned his attention to W. •Ratcliffe. These two players wero mates in the Handicap Pairs lately

completed, in •which they secured the trophy. Thus it appeared somewhat peculiar to see a No. 1 play his skip, and right ■well did he do it, for, though Ratcliffe got the better of him by two points, McPherson’s handicap of S points stood him in good stead, enabling him to win by 6 points. Ratoliffe’s game throughout was long ! heads, while McPherson was fond of i short lengths. On the latter heads j Ratcliffe appeared at a disadvantage, for I understand he had been doing some heavy gardening at home and bis muscles were shaken, preventing him from drawing gently. This was the point on which McPherson played and won. A somewhat humorous incident happened during the game. McPherson put up a short jack, which was challenged. The umpire gave Ratcliffe the option of having the jack or moving it back to any position. Ratcliffe chose the former, and, in throwing a

lons jack, it imt rolled into the ditch, amidst a general uproarious outburst from the lookers-on. McPherson again got the jack and put it to his liking. Three heads from home Patel iffe’s chance looked good, as ho lav three out of five required to win. McPherson, however, got in second shot and saved and on the last two heads he himself got singles. The final created great interest, when McPherson and Hird met. It was generally thought that McPherson’s ban dican would prove too big an obstacle for Hird. hut such did not prove the case, for Hird gave his opponent no chance, overtaking the handicap in the early part of the game. Hird drew well, and outgeneralled his opponent, who was one of this year’s “colts.” However, McPherson put up a good fight, mid made Hird play the game, the latter just getting home by 4 points. By this win Hird secures the pair of bowls donated by Messrs Stewart and Co., 'Wellington. The Bennett Cup Singles of the Turanganui Club have drawn to a close. J. Jh Martin has been hard at work during the past week getting off Ins matches, and has in turn met Nasmith sour, J. Colley, and C. Lewis. In the j, Nasmitli-Martin game the event was de-

cided on twelve heads. The green was in very bad condition, neither player was in form, and it was simply a matter of luck who won. Martin had the luck to win, the luck might iust as easy have been with his opponent. It was the Colley-Martin game that created a surprise” The green was not so bad as on the day when Martin met Nasmith, but was not bv any means in its fit state. However, ‘on it Colley could not go wrong. He was always on the jack, luck or no luck, and in the fifteen heads

played, Martin only scored four times. C. F. Lewis and Martin then met. "his (fame was looked upon as a foregone conclusion for Martin, for it nas considered Lewis was not in “the same street” with Martin as a player. However, as things turned out. calculations were upset, for Lewis “got home by

the narrow margin of one point, towards the finish of the game things got vorv exciting. On tlie 20tli lie ad tin lay 1, but witli his last bowl carried the jaek and, gave Lewis two. Thus did the players tie on the 20th head. Intense interest was evinced by specta-

fcors as the last head was played. Lewis secured the shot, and as Martin missed his object Lewis obtained the game, and a cheer went up. This defeat placed Martin on a level with Hird for the Cup. with 15 wins and 3 losses each. Martin now looked for satisfaction m Hird and the latter was only too anxious to play off. So the game commenced. Hird secured the running, and soon got a lead on. Martin tried his level best to get on even terms, but

B ird was riot to be denied, always keeping with about five in the lead. Martin endeavored to force the pace, and with some good play secured a three Then Hird on the other heads would draw the shot, Martin wonkl take mm out and again Hird would got on the lack. Thus the game went on untd Hird finished up with about six to the oood. Both players did well, but Hird played a splendid drawing game_ putting up toucher after toucher. By lus victory Hird holds the Bennett Cup, and wins the gold medal. Since the inauguration of these matches three yeais a <ro Martin has held the Cup. winning it”for two successive years, lhe position of the players in the Cup is thus shown as follow®: Wins Losses

Last week did the curtain ring down on the last act of the Colt’s Singles. When the curtain was rung up on the opening scene, there stood upon the mats aspirants for fame, drawn from the ranks of cricketers, footballers, billiardists, and others in various walks of life, all novices in the stagecraft of bowlerdom. Among the performers wbre some in the hey-day of youth, others in tho prime of manhood, and others whose silvered hair betokened their being in tho sere and yellow leaf. All on a common footing did youth ancl age, summer and winter, meet to enact the drama of the Colts’ Singles. Some made a fitting debut, others made a fiasco of • their performance and the failures never again appeared. Act 11. was enacted; some of the performers excelled themselves; the grey hairs achieved distinction; inexperience proved a stumbling' block to many; and after Act 11. many never re-appeared. So in Act. 111., the company, though weakened in numbers, was full of confidence by experience gained, and an excellent rendering of the. bowling scene was enacted. Act 111., the ’ast, provided a. fitting finale to the drama. Tho scene, shows a local bowling green. At the back stands a pavilion with a flag at the .flagstaff, bearing the initials “T.8.C.”; near the pavilion, seated on garden seats, are about fifteen gentlemen, while on tho green itself are two silver-haired players. One wears a white shirt, dark trousers, and leather slippers, while the other’s apparel consists of shirt, riding trousers, and white bowling shoes. All is excitement. They roll up their bowls. “Who lies the shot,” says he of the riding pants. “Skilli,” is tho answer. Ancl “Skill;” in his endeavor to draw another gives his opponent tho shot. “One to Bob,” says he in charge of the game, and down comes “Skilli’s” arm with emphasis. Wo know not what he said to himself ! Thus the game proceeds. “One to Bob,” “one to Bob,” “One to Skilli,” cries out tho umpire. A diversion happens. “Jack’s short,” says the umpire. “Sling it back,” cries he of the leather slippers. “Now. I bet you Skilli puts up a long one,” shouts a spectator. His bet was not taken. A long jack is thrown. “One to Skilli,” says the- umpire. The player of the long beads throws the jack in the ditch. Tho umpire carefully picks it up and throws it back. Again is the voice of the sportive gentleman heard:. “I hot you Bob puts up a short bead. ’ Tho wager is not taken, for be of the riding trousers puts the jack just the distance. “Two to Bob” says the umpire, and thus the scene is enacted, howls are rolled up and down, the voice of tho umpire is heard, ancl then the players stop. Ho of the riding pants turns to his opponent, saying “Come on, Skilli, and with one accord all the spectators of. the game rise, go towards the pavilion, ancl the curtain drops. I heflwall has beaten Skillicorn.

t» r:r,wl .. 16 3 J. J., Martin : .. 15 4 A. Sawyer . 12 4 . 9 3 7 £ M. G. Nasmith, in nr. . M G. Nasmith, senr. . i . 5 o . 5 6 4 . 4 4 . 4 AV. J. P. Gaudin . 4 4 4 o W Hay . 4 . 5 6 . 4 A. Zachariali . 3 5 W. H. Douglas 0. F. Lewis . 3 V! 12 i J. P. AYilliams . 2 3