ROUND THE GREENS

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 74, 29 March 1938, Page 17

ROUND THE GREENS

HAMILTON BEATS CARLTON MOUNT EDEN SURPRISE. FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS' WIN. (By TRUNDLER.)

Club competitions and inter-club matches occupied most of the club last Saturday, but there were several functions of general interest. First place must be given to the annual match between Carlton ami Hamilton for the Thomson Shield, a handsome trophy presented by the late Air. J. M. 'lhomson. Twelve rinks from Carlton visited Hamilton, four to play in the official match in the morning, and four different rinks in the afternoon, the remaining eight to play a friendly interclub on each occasion, 'lite four Hamilton rinks were slightly recast for the afternoon, hut to the surprise of both sides Hamilton won the whole four games in each round, inflicting tile most substantial defeat on Carlton that the crack club of the city has ever sutiered in any competition. The greens at Hamilton were in beautiful order, and the visitors were given a most cordial welcome by the club president, Mr. I'. Pile, to which" a grateful reply was driven by the Carlton president, Mr. H. Clarke. Western Suburbs Event. The five clubs comprising the Western Suburbs Association conducted th_*ir rink championship 011 Saturday at the Avondale green. The rinks a:e selected, not decided by competition, whereas the annual singles tournament, which will be pla> ed as soon as Henderson have found their champion, is open only to the respective club champion*, and therefore ranks as a champion 01 champions tournament.

In the eliminating round on Saturday morning K. Johnson, \V. Witham, B. Meese, W. P. Rankin (.New Lynn) defeated S. Marinovich, YV. Sleeman, >1. Marinovkh, F. Firth (Glen Kden) by i"i to 11. In the afternoon Rankin defeated H. Caterall, .J. Clark, F. W. Breckon, H. Dawson (Halliburton Johnstone) by 19 to 14; while .1. Thomas, A. 1 'tingle, B. Myers. J. Somervell (Avondale) defeated •1". Knight, \\ . Blacklock, H. Wright, T. H. A. Walker (Henderson I by 19 to 12. In the final Rankin (New Lynn) beat Somervell (Avondale) by 2"> to 11.

Jt is strange how fortune so quickly changes in howls, an illustrated by the many recent instances of •players meeting each other twice in the same competition, and the second result is almost invariably the opposite of the tirst. Two years ago Avondale won this competition, last year their rink were defeated by Hallyburton • Inhnstone in the eliminating round by IS to 17, the latter club winning tlie tinal. and this year the title-holders again go out in their first encounter, while Avondale are the runners-up Beginners Beat Veterans. If more is needed to prove that anything is possible in bowls it is illustrated by what happened on club day at Mount Kden on Saturday. The afternoon was devoted to a club tournament, four rounds of seven heads each, 24 links competing in four sections. To the obvious amazement of all, one section was won outright by the first-year rink who will represent the club at Kaster. much to the chagrin of the opposing five rinks, but the joke was thoroughly enjoyed by all the rest. This should greatly encourage any who are hesitating about competing at Kaster. for which tournament the entries for the lour events will close on Wednesday afternoon. Surely anybody may win if beginners are able to beat the veterans. The Mount Kden committee, following the very fine initiative of other clubs, have decided to give Glen Kden the use of twelve rinks to conduct a tournament on Thursday. April 28. so 24 teams can be accommodated. Kntries up to that number will be accepted by either secretary. Obituary. Old memories will be stirred this "week at Mount Albert by the intimation of the death of Mr. T. A. Ashton. He was one of the founders of the Mount Albeit Bowling Club 41 years ago. when a little green was constructed at Kerndale, the beautiful residence of the late Mr. J. Tonson Gatlick. The latter suggested the proposition to some of the leading residents of the district, and Mr. Ashton was the last survivor of the original promoters, the others being Mr. A. C. t'aughey, Mr. J. W. James. Mr. Murdoch McLean, and Mr. (afterwards Sir.) George Fowlds.

Mr. Ashton was secretary for the first five years, president in '906-7, champion in ]902 and 1012, and runner-up as recently as 1024. However, the social side of the game appealed to him more than the competitive in recent years, and he very rarely missed a reunion of the Auckland Veteran Bowlers' Association, of which he was president in 1925-29. In fact it is only a month since he attended this year's reunion, and was on the winning side in each game, morning a "d afternoon, and his many friends would he glad to know that the same helped him to retain his health to the great age of S4. sufficiently to play as usual on the very last dav of his life.