BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 53, 4 March 1925, Page 10

BOWLING.

THE PAIRS TOURNAMENT. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS. (By TRUNDLER.7 The centre executive are to be coagratulated on their decision to make the pairs tournament an annual fixture, for an entry of 92 teams must surely exceed the most sanguine expectations. This compares with 80 teams at the Easter pairs in 1920, the last year that this tournament was played in pairs, but at Easter the tournament was always really larger, for it aleo included the executive fours and the first-year fours. However, this is a remarkably good entry, considering that it is not being held during the holidays, and it fully justifies the frequently-expressed hope that next season it will be held on January 1 and 2, two holidays which now are almost entirely wasted, so far as the 'bowlers of Auckland are concerned. A great many are* disappointed at not being able to take part in this week's function, but after giving a fortnight in January to the .Dominion tournament, or a week in February at Rotorua, it is not always convenient to business men to give up the best part of another week in March. This consideration supports the objection that has been raised in regard to this being called a championship pairs, for it is contended that this is a misnomer, when dozens are prevented from taking part through business engagements. However, tne way is now open for altering it next year, when it will not clash with any other fixture in Auckland, and when six. rounds could be given to all who care to enter, without encroaching on business. In the meantime the executive are receiving some facetious congratulations on their "foresight" in rescinding their previous resolution to commence it on jlonday, for they had far better weather by putting off the opening day till Tuesday. The greens were all a bit heavy in the morning, as only natural after all the rain, but they quickly improved under the delightful weather conditions.

The experiment of appointing local umpires, instead of asking competitors to officiate, appears to be a success. It was thought that there would be some difficulty in getting competent bowlers to take on this work, but against this it has always been contended that if umpires were consistently backed up the very best men would have no objection to giving up a day or two for this very important work. Club Championships. The rain last Saturday was a sore disappointment to many clubs, while it was quite intended to get off the semifinals, if not the finals, in the championships. In addition to those already mentioned, several are nearing the end.

The Rawhiti singles championship lies between Millward and Thomson, and it will ibe played in a day or two.

Waitemata still have four "alive," and they hope to get it settled on Saturday, when J. Potter meets G. T. Oxley, and R. Johnston meets D. R. Davis. Potter still has two lives, and all the rest one.

St. Helier's are , a gooa way off. Russell meets Porter, <to finish one round, and. the winner comes in with H. Wright, S. White, W. Philip, and Bradehaw, the last-named being the only one with two lives.

Takapuna have only the final to play, and L. Brown is left in with one liie and J. D. Morrison with two. Like Devonport, the Takapuna Club allow their finalists to meet on the level, irrespective of the number of losses, and these two will now decide it by the best out of three matches.

Mount Albert will have some difficulty in finding their champion if they have to play the pennant final on Saturday, for the following are still in:— Blair, Wallett, Clark, Cutforth, Constantine, Murray, Allely, Preston, and J. Thomas.

At Grey Lynn E. Buckley, last year's champion, has won his section, and his opponent in the final will very likely be H. Whittle, who, with one game to play, has so far sustained no losses. The result is very open, as both have been playing very well.

I Papatoetoe also play their campionship in sections. H. P. Andrew seems fairly safe in one section, with nine ■wins and two losses, as no other can catch him now. T. E. Smytheman has the other section, but has been away at Rotorua, so that the final has been held up, and will probably be settled on Saturday. At Rocky Nook Pearce beat Stone, and Clarke bea£ Bouskill, Clarke winning the final last Friday. Apparently the only clubs that have so far found their champions are the following: — Club. ' Champion. Kunner-up. Deronport C. A. Elvy J.Lowe Mount EUen.... J. H. Trayes G. Tutt Rocky N00k.... H. C. Clarfce W. J. Fearce West End C. G. Maher J.F.Hosklng Dominion Road B. Allsopp J. Benson As the entries for the champion of champions close to-morrow week, there will be a very awkward position if it rains again next Saturday, for in some clubs it is found almost impossible to play off these matches during the week.