BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1931, Page 9

BOWLING.

CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT.

FINAL THIS MORNING,

WON BY GREY LYNN.

A VICTORY ON THIS P6ST.

'An Unusually large crowd of spectators attended at the Auckland Bowliiig Club's green this nailing to see the remaining seven heads played in the final of the Christmas tournament, alter an interruption caused yesterday by heavy rain at mid-day. _ * This was not surprising, for the two competing teaniß had already met twice, each scoring one win after what was generally admitted as the finest and most consistent exhibition of scientific bowling that has ever been seen on an Auckland green. , There was hardly a wasted bowl in either of these matches, and yesterday's amazingly accurate play suggested that they would retain their form until the end. Those who attended this moving were not disappointed, for, if possible, the play Was even better than yesterday, with the fortunate circumstance that they started the last head a tie at 20 all, and nobody could tell who would win until the very last bowl was played. When heavy rain interrupted play yesterday ,the position was as follows: *F. J. Baildon, W. Mincham, W. Liver-' .sidge, H. Whittle (Grey Lynn) 14, v. J. A. Bird, W. J. Bates, J. S. Kilgour, H. C. Clarke (Carlton) 12. The first head this mor'ning went to Grey Lynn, Liversidge drawing the shot when five down, and giving this early indication of retaining the accuracy that was, to continue until he was to have j the supreme honour of winning the game for his side with his. last bowl. The second head was congested, Carlton lying the shot, but Whittle squilted the jack over to the boundary for two, and Clarke saved by drawing the shot with his lapt bowl. Grey Lynn 15, Carlton 13. , , The third head played gave Grey Lynn all the position, with Carlton lying the actual shot, but Whittle pushed it out for three, establishing a lead of five. The fourth gave numerous interesting changes. Baildon was shot until Bates quietly trailed the jack, and Kilgour. added another. Liversidge played resting shots, but was just over, and "Whittle could only get second shot, jack high. Going for the absolute with his last bowl, he had the misfortune to push in Bird's bowl, to give.Carlton two shots, atid this cleared the track'for Clarke to play a firm draw- For .what was probably the twentieth time, Clarke played a perfect rest, ito push out Whittle • for five, amid tumultuous applause. This made the ecore 18 all on what was the 18th head, and thereby increased the intense interest created by close individual play. Baildon drew the shot 6n the 19th, and blocked the draw against his opponents with his second, but Mincham managed to get in another. Bates played the Other hand, but could only get Second shot, and even that was accidentally pushed out by Kilgour, leaving Liversidge a chance to add a third. Kilgour went narrow with his last, and Clarke could only save one of the three, both his bowls being a trifle short of the 1 absolute. Grey Lyrtn 20, Carlton 18. Bird lay shot on the 20th, and the position was riot altered with the first seven bowls played, but a sharp shower caused. play to be adjourned at that stage for a few minutes. On resuming in hot sunshine, with the green apparently only a very little heavier, Liversidge played a good second, but Kilgour picked up the jack with a fine trail, and took it half way to the_ ditch. Liversidge could not beat Kilgour's toucher, and the latter drew another counter, a yard away. Whittle missed both his runs, and Clarke went over the boundary with his first, and oould not quite beat Liversidge with his second. Score, 20 all. Baildon put in a beauty in the last head, but Bird beat it for shot, and Bates drew another counter. Mincham changed to the backhand, and was shdrt with both bowls, Kilgour playing two protecting shots, which blocked the run or a drive. However, Whittle gave Liversidge a firm draw to turn Mincham over. He gaVs it one turn with his first, and two more with his second, pushing out Bird's shift howl and lying the game in almost an impregnable position, a shot which gained well-merited applause. Clarke, could not alter it, although he rattled the head with his last bowl, so Grey Lynn won ohe of the hardest and best games ever seen in a final, by 21 to 20. The, trophies were presented by Mr. IJ. M. Thomson, president of the centre, who warmly congratulated both teams. Th'e skips ' and thirds responded, Mr. Clarke specially mentioning that he did not grudge a win to his old club, for they were often "knocking at the door," and only last year they were runners-up to Onehunga. Since the Dominion Bowling Association was formed in 1913, with its constituent centres, the Christmas tournament of the Auckland Centre has been won by the following clubs:—l9l3, Rocky Nook; 1914, P6nsonby; 1915, Rocky Nook; 1916 and 1917, Ponsonby; 1918, Carlton; 1919, Mount Eden; 1920, Karangahake; 1921 and 1922, Carlton; 1923, Hamilton; 1924, West End; 1925, 1926 and 1927, Carlton; 1928, St. Helier's; 1929, Onehunga; 1930, Grey Lynn.