BRITISH BOWLERS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 119, 13 February 1926, Page 3

BRITISH BOWLERS

PLAY ON WELLINGTON GREEN

FINAL MATCHES OF TOUR

The final official day’s play for the British bowling team was favoured with perfect weather. The fixture was an eight-rink match against the Wellington Club. The greens, if they were a little on the stiff side, after two days’ rain, were looking at their best. Glorious sunshine and a liberal show of bunting did the rest to make the scene one to remember.

The visitors were welcomed to the green by the president (Mr. H. Mayer), who extended greetings to the members of the team.

Mr. G. Wright (captain of the British team) replied, thanking Mr. Mayer and his club for the hearty welcome which had been given them, which was only the sort of thing they' had received right along. The games resulted as follows:— British: Brodie, Goldfinch, Inglis, Minto (s.), 27. Wellington: L. Blundell. Brinsden, Erskine, N. McLean (s.), 16.

British: Hawkins, Haslehurst, Whitaker, Wright (s.), 30. Wellington: Thompson, Bush, Wylie, Mayer (s.).

British: Mobbs, Johnson, Edney, Wade (s.), 15, Wellington: D, McLean, Morrah, O’Donnell, Frost (s.), 21. British: Morrison, Bryson, Moir, Crawford (s.), 27. Wellington: Ballinger, Robson, Haldane, Potter (s.), 15.

British: Quick, Watson, Fleming, MacDougall (s.), 20. Wellington: Muir, Veitch, Hamilton, Burgess (s.), 10. British: Dean, Harding, St. Leger, Thomas (s.), 22. Wellington: W. H. Bennett, Ramsay, Osborn, Magnus (s.), 24.

British: Atyeo, Wake, Matliieson, Malcolm (s.), 26. Wellington: Moult, Martin, Ledger, Roberts (s.), 18. British: Baines, Burton, Millar, Clarke (s.), 16. Wellington: Parton, Hculdsworth,. Innes, Warwick (s.), 21.Totals: British team, 184; Wellington Club, 143.’ SOUVENIRS FOR ALL. During the afternoon tea adjournment Air. H. Mayer (president of the Wellington Club) took the opportunity of presenting every member of the team, and the ladies also, with very handsome silver spoons of special design, the handle of each ending in a tiny “kiwi rampant” (the club’s emblem), standing on a r ed enamel bar emblazoned with the initials “YV.B.C.” The present was accompanied with the wish that when they arrived back Home and looked over the many little souvenirs of the tour, the spoons would bring back pleasant memories of the few hours they spent on the Wellington Bowling Club 5 s green. ■ Whilst on his feet, the president mentioned that he had received a letter from Mr. Willie Crawford, of the British team, who had visited Wellington, before in 1920, conveying his wish to donate to the Wellington Club a silver jack and tripod for a single-handed competition, the jack to become the absolute possession of the bowler who won it twice in succession or three times at intervals. If it were won outright he would be only too glad to replace it with another.

The announcement was received with cheers, in acknowledging which Mr. Crawford said that when he had visited Wellington—which he liked better than any other place in New Zealand, having travelled from Auckland to the Bluff—lie had received many kindnesses and made many bowler friends in the Wellington Club, and he thought he was only doing the right thing to present some small trophy as a memento of the visit of the British team. (Applause.) Mr. G. Wright (captain) also replied, acknowledging once more the hospitality of the club, and emphasising the great success of the tour, and the splendid way they had been received ever since they left the steamer in Adelaide. Messrs. Ivor Thomas (Wales) and John Miller (Ireland) also spoke, acknowledging with thanks the souvenirs which had been presented to them, which they would treasure as a memory of a great club in a very fine city. At the conclusion of the game yesterday, there was a grand reunion of ell who took part in the game, and congratulatory speeches were interchanged under the happiest of auspices. “Auld Lang Sync” and a succession of bowling choruses concluded a happy and convivial gathering, which all concerned will remember for many years to come. RESULT OF THE TOUR. At the end of the games yesterday Mr. W. Wake (the manager) said that since their arrival in Australia the British team had played 69 matches in all, of which 35 had been won, 31 lost, and 3 drawn. In New Zealand 28 matches had been played, of which they had won 13, lost 14, and tied in one. x ROTORUA TOURNEY ENDS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Rotorua, February 12. The Rotorua bowling tournament ended tin's afternoon. In thp semi-final, Whittle (Grey Lynn) defeated Clark (Mt. Albert), 23—M, and H. Walker (Auckland) defeated Kilgour (Carlton), 21— 11. The final produced a great game, YY r alker winning from Whittle, 22— 12. On the nineteenth head both teams played great bowls. WEST COAST TOURNAMENT. Westport, February 12. The West Coast bowling tournament was brought to a close to-day. In the rinks competition Blaxall (Westport) and Page (Lyttelton) played off the tie in A section in the morning, Blaxall winning by 22 to 13. In the afternoon Blaxall met Oakey (St. Alban’s, Christchurch) in tire final, and sustained a defeat by 23. to 19. Blaxall at the afternoon tea adjournment led by 19—8 on the thirteenth head, but thereafter never scored a point. On the last head he was lying three for a tie in a seemingly well-protected position, but Oakey (St. Alban’s skip), with a beautiful shot, drew .the kitty away to score 1, making the final score St. Alban’s (Buck. Malpas, Smith, Oakey), 23; Westport (Sara, Green, Levy, Blaxall), 19. Mr. Struthers, president of the Westport Club, in the absence of Mr. Ring, president of the centre, congratulated the winners and runners-up on the fine performances, and commented on the splend;' sporting spirit in which the games were played. Mrs. Struthers presented Oakey with the cup which they retained and won at Hokitika in last year’s tournament. A presentation of trophies was also made to Oakey and Blaxall, and to the caretaker of the green (Mr. Farr) for its splendid conditio under the adverse weather conditions tliat at times prevailed during the course of the tournament.