BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3066, 30 April 1917, Page 6

BOWLS

■\ ■ ' END OF THE SEASON

Most of the bowling greens in the cityiclosed down for the season on Saturday afternoon. On account of the very fine, dry summer, the greens have iad some particularly hard wear, and some of them, at all events, s are badly in need of a rest. The weather was perfect. ; The Victoria Club closed its season on Saturday. A full green and a large attendance of lady visitors combined to make the last day of the season enpoyable. The final games in the club's rinks' and pairs' • matches were played, the former being won by Jamieson, Blackburne, Tucker, and Norwood (s.) against R. Dixon, N. M'Lean, Madeley, and Scott (s.), by 28 points to 16. The pairs match was won by Cole andßolton (s.), from Baudinet and Hunt (5.),by 28 to 25. Interest in the afternoon's play was increased by the selection of-sides representing the presidont against ex-presidentsi the former gaining 157 points, to the latter's 133. In declaring the green closed,. Mr. Marks acknowledged the , good fellowship which had obtained amongst the members during the season, and made feeling reference to relatives of members who were fighting the nation's battles in the great war. He expressed the hearty thanks of the club to the ladies ,wh<> had attended to the afternoon tea arrangements since tho opening day, and acknowledged tlie pleasure experienced from their company on Saturdays. The National Anthem was sung, and cheers were given for the ladies, the president, and the boys at the front. ; The Wellington Club closed its green for the season on Saturday afternoon, and most of tho others closed on Saturday, or will close next Saturday. ~ The season has-been a notable bne in many respects. Thanks to -wonderful conditions, bowlers have been able to play on more days of the season probably than has ever been the case before, and owing to the age at: which a man usually takes to this pleasant game, it is perhaps tho only summer recreation that has not been interfered with by recruiting and the. ballot. On tho other hand, there is probably no more loyal section of the community than the bowlers, and they have shown it whenever the occasion offered. During the season the Dominion Association's tournament waa held in- Wellington, and proved to be the greatest gathering of bowlers ever known in the history of the game in Australasia. There were six hundred players participating in the Rinks, Pairs, ana Singles Championships, and the manner in which they were catered for earned encomiums from every bowler present. It will he four years before Wellington has another tournament of the kind, as. Dunedin, Auckland, and Christchurch will enjoy the honour hefore- Wellington's turn comes again. The clubs of the district have been well handled by tile Wenington Centre, whose tournament at the New Year was another event which made for the pleasure of local players. In view of the success of the competition for the best green (held in connection with the Dominion tournament) it is suggested that the Centre should offer another prize next season, the greens to be adjudged during the Centre's tournament by outsiders.