PENNANT BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 303, 23 December 1929, Page 10

PENNANT BOWLING.

THE SECOND ROUND PLAYED.

MANUREWA STILL UNBEATEN,

WAITEMATA LEADS ONE SECTION,

(By TRUNDLER.)

Another round in the pennants came off on Saturday under delightful weather conditions, a hot sun and a gentle breeze having made the greens much keener than they have been at any time this season. Although this is- the fourth round on the programme, it is only the second round played, so the fact that the first and third had to be postponed through* bad weather will doubtless make bowlers appreciate their good luck on Saturday, in just missing a heavy downpour of rain by 24 hours. The feature of the returns for this round is that nearly all the clubs above 50 per cent have come down a little, and nearly all below the line have improved their position. Notable exceptions are Waitemata and Papatoetoe in section A, and Manurewa and Auckland in section B, but the general tendency suggests that by the time the whole five rounds are played they will all be evened up very considerably, thus justifying the number of rinks played by each. Waitemata made no race of it against Dominion Road, scoring the same success as against Mount Eden in the previous round, and this leaves the club in a strong position to meet Renmera in the next round, for that club cannot very well send the strongest rinks across the harbour, after selecting ten to meet Rocky Nook. That is one of the advantages gained by Waitemata through being coupled with Rocky Nook. Edendale had no chance against Papatoetoe, after being raised from four rinks to six, and the latter club is now a good second,, ready to meet Rawhiti in the next round. Carl ton always does well, and Rawhiti must be congratulated on finishing on equal terms against the big club. Apparently they know their own green very well, for they went down on the Carlton green. No Losses to Manurewa. Manurewa leads section B with no losses, the only club now in that comfortable position, as Hillsboro' broke only evenly with Howick, and did not fare even as well as that with Ponsonby. Manurewa meets Hillsboro' in the next round, so the latter club will have an opportunity to regain the lost position. Auckland had a wonderful success, even more pronounced than in the earlier round against Devonport, and it is quite a treat to see the old club doing as well in the pennants as in the open tournaments. It will be remembered that no less than four members of the club qualified in the singles a fortnight ago. Ponsonby i s also holdnig an unusually strong position, ana Otahuhu has got within striking distance of the top.

_ Of those in lower positions it is pleasing to seo better results coming to the clubs who started badly in the earlier round, and this will encourage the members to further efforts. Some of the outside greens, however, are said to bo in rather indifferent condition, imposing a severe handicap on visitors who are used to a velvet sward, and this supports the contention raised at the meeting_ of delegates that some advice and assistance seems to be needed by a <*ood many clubs in the matter of green°up-

The following table gives the wins and losses last Saturday, the percentage of wins in the two rounds, and for comparison the precentage of wins, omitting decimals, m the previous round:—

Owing to the Hillsboro' green beiii"' required for the Christmas tournament) the inter-club match against Mount Albert, set down for next Saturday, is cancelled. The Whangarei Tournament. The usual New Year tournament at Whangarei, conducted by the North Auckland Centre, will doubtless attract a fair entry from the city, for these tournaments have always proved most enjoyable. Rinks will be played on January 1 and 2, and pairs Friday and Saturday, January 3 and 4, entries for the latter closing on New Year's Day. The Canadian visit presented a little difficulty to the Whangarei committee, as the visitors will spend December 31 in the district, and leave for Auckland on the morning of New Year's Day. However, the committee have hit on a plan to do honour to the visitors up to the last minute, without upsetting the tournament. • Play will commence that morning at 8.30, to allow J:he first round to finish before the train leaves for Auckland, and all the competitors will then go to the station to farewell the visitors, and begin the second round after lunch. All the preparations for entertaining the Canadians at Whangarei and the neighbourhood are well in hand.

Those who propose to attend the social for the Canadians on Saturday evening, January 4, should apply for their tickets at once, as none will be issued after to-night.

SECTION A. West End .... 12 s 4 noon 4 Mount Albert . 32 % % «$ 45 Dominion Road 12 3J gj 4375 50 Mount Eden ..14 5J $ 4107 42 Henderson ... 4 1 V „-« -« H. Jolinstone .404 12.30 25 SECTION B. MMuwwe ... 2 2 0 mo.no ion Auckland ..... 14 10 4 60.64 07 owKS/ ..v.:: \ 3 | Si g 1S01 » M 7 7 50.00 50 New Lynn .... 4 2 2 50.00 50 Stanley 6 3 3 nO.OD 50 Tnkaniiiia .... S 3 5 CO.OO 02 St. Heller's ... 8 3 5 46.S7' 50 Grey Lynn .... 12 7 5 45.83 33 Devonport ..14 7 7 41.07 32 Onehunga .... 12 4 s fflis 41 Avondale .... 4 1 3 '37.30 TO Hβ' 1 * -2 1 1 osioO 00 S 4 7J 21.88 S7