BOWLING NOTES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18918, 5 February 1927, Page 9

BOWLING NOTES.

BY "SKIP." The recent hot, dry weather has played up badly with many of the bowling greens, but the Opawa green seems to have prospered under it. It bus u 'sole - ' of grass which is as good as at the commencement of the reason, uotwitlustaiiding its continual cutting. At present the green is on the heavy sido for evening play, although it is very tine. The slightest dew holds the ban, and that is tiic- chief reason why the Upaitu men are rather at sea when they go on to a really last green, as their competitions all take place in the eveniii;;. in the i'ennant .Matches the club did not have the success which tlio general calibre of the pla\ers warranted, and thus must certainly be put down to the '•holding'' qualities of their own green. I have biiitl the green is in splendid order, and huely to he so till the end of the season. The Opawa Club lias purchased a new electric mower, and the work of the. greenkecper is very much lightened, while the green is benefited. The championship competitions in the Opawa Club are well advanced. There were nine entries in the rinks, mid at present lour have only had ono loss each. This makes for great interest in the remaining few mutches of tho competition. 'Hie doubles and singles aft! also well advanced, and all should 1)0 linished well before the end of February.

Some few years ago the Opawa Club held n gain afternoon, which was ono of the most successful and entertaining gatherings held by any club in the district. It was intended to make it an annual feature, but pressure of other things eamo along, and tho idea was constantly pushed over till the next season. This year's president, Mr AV. L. Archbohl, who is an worker, has moved in the matter, and at a meeting held last week it was decided to revive the gala. This year's gala will ho held on the green on Saturday, February 26th, when an open rink tournament will tako place. There, will also be the usual gala features in the shape of stalls for every imaginable purpose, so that the ladies and children can enjoy themselves while tho men aro at the more serious work of bowls. Tho matter has been taken up energetically by the members, and committees have been formed to carry out every department. Tho Opawa members hope to make it even more successful-than the former one. All they want is the assistance of the oilier clubs, and success is assured. The pretty Opawa green, the garden green of Christchurch, will be looking its best.

More interest is being taken this year bv members of the Mcthvcn Bowling Club in the game than liorsome seasons past. The green in in splendid or.ler and playing much faster than previously. The club has a fairly large membcrshin, including n lot of new players. The club competes ill tho Ashburton County Sub-Association's Pennant competition, playing on the Rakaia and Ashburton greens and at home. So far this season they hnvo not been successful in winning any games, but with the experience they aro gaining they aro living in hopes of some day notching a victory.

Mcthvcn. although n long way from Christchurch measured by miles, is onlr a two hours' run by car, and the Methvpiijiniub would he clad to receive visits from rinks of City players, and games could he arranged at any time.

The olnh is nt present conducting competitions for elinmpion and linndirnn sinclos mrd elinmpion pairs, and some <rond contents nre witnessed.

The following aro the results of games played to date:— HANDICAP SINGLES.

G. Cookson (handicap S) 31 beat J. Callaghan (8) 20. W. Morgan (5) 19 beat S. Smith (5) 11. J. Duff (8) IB beat W. Going (8) 14. T Forrest (6) 27 beat P. Cookson (3) 2-1. G. Cookson (5) 31 beat J. Callaghan (8) 21. J. Lawson (4) 22 beat W. J. Cooksley (4) * J. Dowling (10) 22 beat E. P. Ward (10) 7. J. T. Mangin (4) 24 beat S. G. Holmes (P) 18." T. Sim (scr) 21 beat H. E. Thompson (3) W. J. Owen (2) 29 beat J. Beattie (1) 19. OHAMPION SINGLES. J. Lawson 16 beat T. Sim 15. G. Waddington 18 beat W. Morgan 14. W. Cookaley 20 beat 3. Duff 17. P. Cookson 22 beat H. Thompson 11. G. Cookson 21 beat W. J Going 11. T. Forrest 22 beat 8. G. Holmes 13 CHAMPION PAIBS. H. E. Thompson and J. Lawson 18 beat J. Duff and J. Beattio 16. W. J. Owen and G. Cookson 22 beat T. Forrest and S. G. Holmes 14. Tho following is the draw for the second round of the competitions:— HANDICAP SINGLES. A aection— J. A. Callaghan (8) plays W. J. Owen (2), J. Beattie- (1) plays W. J. Going (8), J. Duff (8) playa P. Cookson (3), T. Forrest (6) plays G. Cookson (6). B ecction—S. G. Holmes (8) plays H. E. Thompson (3), T. Sim (scr) plays J. Lawson (4), W. J. Cooksley (4) plays AV. Morgan (5), S. Smith (6) plays J. Dowling (10), E. F. Ward (10) plays J. T. Mangin (4). This round to be finished by February Ist. CHAMPION SINGLES. Second Round. A Section—T. Forrest plays T Srm, J. Lawson plays P. Cookson, H. Thompson plays E. F. Ward, S. Smith plays S. G. Holmes. B section—W. J. Cooksley plays W. J. Going, G. Waddington plays G. Cookson, W. Morgan plays W. J. Owen, Jaa. Beattio plays Jas. Duff. CHAMPION PAIRS. W. J. Owen and G. Cookson play G. Waddington and P. Cookson, W. J. Cooksley and T. Sim play Jas. Duff and Jas. Beattie, H. E. Thompson and J. Lawson play S. G. Holmes and T. Forrest. The following players will represent the Methven Bowling Clut£ in their match with Ashburton B, in the Ashburton County pennant competition, -at Ashburton to-day, Saturday. Cars will leave Methven at 1.30 p.m.:—J. Duff, W. Owers, H. E. Thomson, .1. Lawson (akip); W. Morgan, J. A. Cal.laghan, W. J. Cooksley, ,W. J. Owen (skip); T. Sim, E. F. Ward, T. Forrest, P. Cookson (skip); J. Beattie, W. J. doing, G. Cookson, G. Waddington (skip).

"Marinoto" writes: — Thnuru is an attractive spot, and n good place to spend a holiday. The townsfolk vie one with the other in their efforts to make visitors feel at home, and nowhere is this spirit more in evidence than among tho bowling fraternity. A visitor no'sooner gets inside than same member of the club greets him with: "Aro you a bowler? If so, come along and have a game. Do you like a heavy bowl?" and one, feels as much at borne ns on his own green. The greens are nil in first-class crder and play fast and true. The Park Club have beautiful surroundings, aud Mr Harper makes the most of tlieiu. The mother green in Sarah street is very handy to the Bay, and •lets tho lion's share of visitors. Mr C'ailender. late of St. Albans, is a memlicr of this elub. and is very content with the green and the club. Ho is playing better howls than last year. The Kia Toa is somewhat hard to find," but when fownd well repays one for tho trouble taken in looking for it. Tin's i< about the best green of a good lot. The West End is a little Far from the centre. But a visitor would do well to go up Church street West: he would meet with a right roval welcome, meet some fine fellows, mid enjoy an afternoon's play under ideal conditions.

Veteran Jack Dewar, a one-time Southland topnotcher, has lost none

of his vim, and evidence of his training is to be found in tho play of other members.

The j>ennantß are nearing completion, Linwood, United, Sydenham, and Edgeware being still in tho running. The Centre nro to be congratulated on the way thev have run tho various sections, and the green-keepers for the good condition of their several greens. The club with the smallest membership is the Papanui. Why, it is hard to say. The conditions of some two years ago are not there now, and there is no green in the Centre playing more truly or faster than Papanui. The City clubs could do much to help this club along by sending rinks to play friendly games. There is grumbling in some quarters about the condition of the "Shirley grass," chiefly among players who are new at the game, and'who. from lack of experience, make no allowance for a new green. Given another season, and proper nttention to the autumn top-dressing and levelling, this green, in its ornate surroundings, wilt be hard to beat. Why do not clubs get their colt rinks entered for tho shield? The middle of April will see the close of the season, and entries are taken in rotation, so any club with good colt* should get its entry in at once. The Centre does all possible to encourage beginners, and it is up to club committees to give them a fair backing. Shirley should wake up in this matter, as they have a lot-of new blood, and some who are showing an aptitude for the finer points of tho game.