BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3693, 30 November 1912, Page 11

BOWLING.

TURANGANUI CLUB

By “JACK.”

Several new members have joined the club during the last week or two, making a total of 42 new members for this season, undoubtedly a record for the Dominion. One of the new members is Mr Spiers, the architect, who has decided to make liis future home in Gisborne. Mr Spiers is one of Dunedin’s bowlers, and is a great acquisition to the players of the club. The weather during the week has not by any means been satisfactory for bowling, and Thursday’s half-holiday was spoilt through the heavy rains on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. In the semi-finals for the President’s Fours the unexpected happened. Sawyer, who has much the best train, but is on scratch, played Martin (3 points). Al-

though Sawyer practices every day and is supposed to be in good form, his men had not been much on the green, and when called upon to do their best, failed. As the skip cannot win a game by himself, Martin and his train, coming with a rush, won. Moral: Practice before playing matches.

The Club is suffering a great loss in losing the -services of Mr McWliirter, who is leaving Gisborne for the Coast to better himself. Mr McWhirter was showing great form this season, and could , ill be spared. The green, which for some time has had a very starved look—no doubt through the Avant of top-dressing—is noAA r , through the exertions of those in charge, Avonderfully improved, and by care and judgment may be kept fit for bowlers who like to have grass to play on and not so much earth as they had last year. There is no doubt that keeping down the scrim during the early part of the season gives the young grass a chance. Otherwise Avith constant play and the hot sun, roots Avould perish, and before half the summer Avas over the green would be quite bare and very unpleasant to play on —in fact, almost unplayable to any except the most expert boAvlers; and as Turanganui Club has only a fexv, if any, of that class, there Avould be constant complaints from the new members that the green had not been carefully looked after by those responsible. I have heard of some ■ complaints from old members that the scrim Avas a nuisance. I would just remind them that the clubs all over the North Island use the scrim to preserve the green, and no one makes any complaint, as they all recognise that it is better to have scrim until the gras grotvs a good sod than go without and ruin their green before the summer is half over. The Committee of the club should insist that the superintendent’s orders are carried out in all matters relative to the closing of rinks, putting doAvn scrim, and altering and playing crossways, as players are at times selfish in such a way that with no ill intention they often do more harm playing one game on grass too young or Avet, or any other reason, than three Ateeks’ constant play Avhcn the grass is fit. If Turanganui Club wish to save their green this year so that they can play right through the summer Avith any degree of pleasure, these rules must be enforced .by those Avho have taken upon themselves the management of the club. The vice-president, Mr D. J. Barry, has donated two gold medals to be played for in handicap pairs. Entries for same are noAv called for by the secretary of the club. The final for the President’s Fours will be played next Thursday, betAveen Martin's and Neal’s teams. It AA-ould be hard to say- Avho Avill Avin. If Neal keeps up the form he has been shoAving this season, I give him a great chance. I understand he has been asked to join a team to play in the Napier Tournament. I don’t think Martin has regained his old form yet. He does not seem to put the same spirit into his boAA'ling as he did a season or tAvo ago. It is a great pity, as Avith a little more practice and energy he is one of Gisborne’s best boAvlers. The club has some phenomenal players for first year’s players, and some of the colts can iaoav beat Turanganui’s.best at leading to the Jack.

It is proposed to start the electric light playing in about two weeks.

This, no doubt, will cause some excitement in the bowling world, as it is quite an innovation in the North' Island. Notwithstanding the state of the weather a number of bowlers turned out on Thursday, and the following were the games played:— Singles. —Hay (IS) beat Uridge (16). A very exciting game. On the 20th head the score was even and on the 21st head Uridge was lying 2, and Hay, with one bowl to play, carried the jack to his own ball and lay two. Gray (23) beat Taylor (19). This was a very equal game as far as the players go, but the luck, or good play, rested with Gray, who won by four points. _Sawyer (28) beat Arnold (11). A runaway game. Arnold only plays once a week, and the game was half over before he got the green.

Pairs.—Taylor and Gray v. Uridge and Hay. Scores 22—19. A good game right through, and by the noise of their laughter must have been of the most pleasantkind for both sides.

Threes.--Simson, Spiers and Arnold v. Neal, Matthewson and Sawyer. A dingdong game, and on the 20th head were equal. By good play on Neal’s part, who scored with two out of three of his bowls on the last head, won the game for his side.

Fours.-Parker, Glendinning. Leydon and Howard (s) v. Birrell, Law. McConnell and Witty (s). This was a runaway game. Howard was out of form and failed to keep his train, so they had to go down badly.