BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 1, 2 January 1924, Page 6

BOWLING.

ECHOES OF THE TOURNAMENT.

HAMILTONS GBEAT WIN.

(By TRTJNDLEB)

Bowlers have had gurU * lot to argue about since Monday morning-when the Hamilton skip played his *'???"B*hot against Oneliunga. Even before the skips went up the position *as recognised by those on the bank as one of the most interesting that had cropped up during tlic finals, for very few situations lend themselves to such % serious difference of opinion as when one side are already lying the game, aid both skips still have a bowl to plaj. lie position was very similar to th* of the previous year, in the semi-final of the same tournament, when Mafor, of West End, was lying the game, and he and Truscott, of Carlton, both had a bowl to plar. The usual arjument started at once, one lot favouring blocking the driver, and others .referring to draw another counter, tlereby making a drive useless. In tho end Con Malier elected to block the Irivc. although it was probably a moredifficult shot than to draw another comter. It almost came off, but Truscott saw an inch of the shot bowl round the block, came a it with a fast drive on the back-hand, and away it went. 1 is an interesting coincidence that VlcIntyre was playing three for Trusbtt last year, so that he has had the pleasure of holding the same position' in the winning team two years in succission. He must have smiled to himaJf on Monday when a very similar incideit occurred in the semi-final, for again le had a skip who could practically alway hit what lie went for. Wright saw tb danger, and it was against his usua policy to play for a block, for he hat always maintained that a block lias two weaknesses, it is difficult to play, ana when it is played it forces the opponent to take on a shot that he might otherwise have left alone. In this case, however, he purposely left the drive open, after holding a long council of war with his team, as they were all of opinion that no drive could possibly pick out both the Onehunga shots without also removing the Hamilton third shot, and that would still leave Onehunga the game, as they lay fourth and fifth. Wright, therefore, first- blocked the backhand trail, where Pinkington had sent Mclntyve after the jack for three or four, and he then blocked tlie forehand draw. But the unexpected is always happening in bowls, and Pilkington got rid of both the Onehunga counters without touching his own, and won the game.

Nothing so interesting happened when the same two teams met again in the afternoon, nor when they met in the final yesterday. Both matches were lost and Yon by a fairly solid margin, but on >londay afternoon Onehunga were helped in their win by a good proportion of luck, of which the most noticeable incident occurred on the 18th head. Loveridgc and Qualtrough had both drawn a counter for Hamilton, when Bassett trailed the Jack to Williams for shot. Pilkington's first was wrecked on a block that Hills put in the draw, but lie got the shot out with his second and stayed there himself. Wright tried the open port, but was about two bowls wide, hit a front wood, and smashed up the wh»le head. When the measure was put on it Onehunga were three, whereas they would have been only one if their skip had got the shot for which he played. This virtually settled the match, although Hamilton had just reached 13, which they call their lucky number, for Onehunga could let them have one on each of the remaining heads, and still win by four.

The final yesterday afternoon was a disappointment, as Onehunga were not on their game, and Hamilton won rather too easily. The losing team will not blame their skip, as he played a splendid game, and pulled them out of trouble over and over again, but Hamilton were too good. None will grudge them their win, for each of the four played a fine game right through the whole tournament, while Dick Pilkington is a man who is possessed of that enviable capacity to win without arousing any trace of jealousy or resentment on the part of those who have been barracking for their own club. The whole of the bowlers of Auckland will join in congratulating Hamilton and their fine skip, for they thoroughly deserved their great win, andlthey will find just as hearty a reception awaiting them if they come again next Christmas.

Congratulations are also due to the only two other teams which survived to the third day of intersection play. Both skipg were "knocking at the door" last year, 'being two of the seven to reach the third round. Wright is a familiar figure in tournament finals, but Garry made his first appearance last year. To get into the final three is a very notable' achievement for one who has only been playing bowls for four or five years, and Garry's future success will be watched with great interest. His long experience in other branches of sport will be a great help to him, and enable him to get an equal amount of enjoyment out of the game of howls, to which he has lately been' giving such devoted attention. A man gets a good idea of tho game when he spends six afternoons per week on the bowling green, especially when he is not above giving up on occasional hour to practising special shots.

A keen observer noticed nt one time on Monday, while the fifth round in intersection play was in progress, that not one of the sixteen competitors was smoking. If this had occurred on Saturday there would have been no surprise, for an obliging neighbour did his best to smoke out the whole green. There are three or four greens in Auckland which receive more attention of this kind than is at all desirable. It may be pure fancy on the part of members, but they always maintain that the fire has a happy knack of burning on the windward side of the' green. If these energetic neighbours would bury their rubbish, instead of burning it. their Tiowiing friends would appreciate it and their gardens would get a cheap fertiliser, while they would also avoid any risk of infringing •the by-laws of the particular local body that controls their neighbourhood.

The champions of the Awaroa Bowling Club for the 101G-1917 season had the good fortune to win a Handsome gold medal, presented by Mr. fJ. E. Murphy, but his luck deserted him last week, for sic lost it in Queen Street. It was found by Mr. Jamieson, of Vincent Street, who thought (he best way to find the owner was to taT-ce it to the Carlton green for the finals of the Christinas tournament, where it was given to the writer by the umpire, Mr. J. A. Snedden. If the owner will make an appointment next time he is in town, he will hear of something to his advantage, as the lawyers say.