BOWLING

Evening Star, Issue 19775, 27 January 1928, Page 12

BOWLING

[By Mkasukeh.]

Tho weekly intcrelub games were resumed last Saturday, mid, though tho Wcliiugton-Otago cricket match made the task of tho selectors more difficult even than usual, in most cases full teams were raised. Roslyn Club found it necessary to cut out a section, as, besides tho attraction of tho cricket match, several of their prominent players had not returned from Christchurch. Selectors have had another hard job for this week, as trots aro on to-morrow. But somehow or other players are found to fill vacant places. By virtue of their nine-point win Balmacewcn Club once more heads tho interclub table, Dunedin Chib, which scored only six points, taking second place. The hill players are excelling themselves this season. Taiori players are in third place, and St. Kilcla has come up to fourth position. It is rather difficult to suggest who will get away with the shield this season. The following table gives the results of last week’s play and the present position of the clubs:—

*Ono section win against Roslyn by default. tOne section win against St. Clair by default.

THE DOMINION ’I’OUHNAMENT. Dunedin players came out extremely well in the recent Christchurch tournament. With an entry of but a dozen rinks in the 120 they provided the winners—Messrs F. Kettle, V. Langley, 1). Hutchison, and W. Foster (Caledonian Club). Their path to victory was by no means easy. On the way they had to defeat Maxwell Walker’s team twice. From all the accounts sent us, each member of the rink did his share well, which was expected by those who know them. On their home-coming this week they received a deservedly warm welcome. Singles honors also came to Dunedin through another member of Caledonian club—John Scott. “Measurer” lias always regarded John Scott, on his day, as tho equal at least of any bowler in tho (loniinion. His “day,” however, is not every day; but in form and with conditions favorable it would be rash to back any other player against him. Apparently things wore all right in Christchurch, therefore his victory was not surprising. John Scott’s membership of Caledonian Club for over twenty years has helped the members greatly to their present strong position. The runner-up, H. Clarke (Carlton, Auckland) must be a tine player, for be won the event last year. There is nothing savoring of a fluke about this. A player who has spoiled his handicap for club events is T. Ferguson, of Balmacowcn Club. With bis men he made a great showing in the rinks event ; and ho got into the semi-finals of the singles championship. From all I boar ho played great howls right through. Though no Dunedin players reached the semi-finals of the pairs competition, several of them made a good showing. The Mnitai couple (D. Dnnphy and G. Logan) must have played well to got home.

There is still talk about the “luck” of Foster’s rink in getting into postscctional play, and possibly an official explanation of how it came about may be of interest. At the last .September meeting of tho full council a remit from Wellington was adopted which provided that “no rinks (other than section winners or ties in sections) shall qualify for post-sectional play if they have been more than twice defeated.” That was the decision of the full council. The Christchurch executive, in drawing up tho conditions for the contest, evidently misunderstood the resolution. They set out that “ no rinks (other than section winners) shall qualify for post-sectional phry,” etc., omitting the words “or ties in sections.” Further, the executive went on to provide what “ ties in sections ” should do to qualify for postsectional play. This, of course,_ they had no real power to do. A meeting of tlie full council in Christchurch just before the rink play began considered this departure, and decided that the original, resolution should stand—all rinks tieing for sections with six wins should go on to post-sectional play. This decision of the council was notified to players on all greens before rink play started. Which seems to explain how Foster and his men and the other two rinks concerned went on without playing off for a decisive section-winner. As Mr D. M. Fastier remarked at the Dunedin Centre Executive meeting on Monday night, the time has come for the Dominion Bowling Council to definitely standardise tho procedure at annual tournaments, and leave the local executive (no matter where it may be situated) no power to alter the conditions laid down by the council. Further proof of the necessity for this was shown by the Christqhurch executive paying no attention to the council’s resolution that pairs play should start on Monday, January 16, devoting that day to rink post-section play, and thereby compelling 154 pairs (who bad been put out of the rinks contest) to stand on the hank till Tuesday. There should be an interesting meeting of the council next September. NOTES. Arising out of the minutes. President D. M. Fastier, at the Dunedin Centro Executive’s meeting on Monday night, remarked that, with reference to the centre’s letter of protest to the Christchurch Executive re devoting a day to the North v. South match during the recent dominion tournament, at a council meeting in Christchurch it had been explained that the match was only a formal affair, and did not really interfere with the progress of play. On account of that explanation he had taken the liberty of withdrawing the centre’s protest. Mr Fastier’s action was endorsed.

From Mr C. H. Hughes, one time of Kaituna Club, now of Sydney, I have received a copy of tbo latest annual report of Rose Bay Bowling Club, Sydney, of which he is a vice-president and one of the selectors. The club is but four years old, and now lias a membership of well over the century. The report says that the past year’s operations have been the most successful since the club started. The balancesheet is interesting. On the expenditure side the rent is a heavy item (£225). Wages amount to £419 19s, maintenance of green £ll6. An item peculiar to us is “Family endowment tax £1 45.” In spite of the heavy expenditure a profit of £146 is shown for the year, and the main items which account for this are “ Entrance fees and subscriptions £503,” “Net proceeds from bowlers’ ball £131,” “Canteen profit £342.” A canteen seems to be a good thing to run, and a club of 100 odd members which can show a profit of £l3l from a ball must comprise a lot of sociable fellows.

To the Taieri Bowling Club lies the credit of a wonderful success in the N.Z.B.A. tournament played at Christchurch in 1899, when they won the singles, the pairs, and were second in the rinks. The latter contest provides an interesting story. With the game half-played Taieri had A big load. The refreshment adjournment took place, and the opposing Christchurch team were for throwing up the sponge. The executive had ordered Taieri names to be engraved on the medals for immediate presentation. But on resuming the Christchurch team wagged its tail vigorously, and, reversing the position, won by one point. In those days the contests were “sudden death. ’ W. Carswell was also a member of the Taieri team which in 1902 secured first in the rinks and first in the pairs.

The flag on the Caversham green was half-masted at the beginning of the week on account of the death of Mr George Kennard. He had not been on the green this season, but in previous years was a regular player. His name appears on the club’s merit boards as lead in one or two champion events. He was eighty-two years old, and native born.

On Monday evening, at Kaituna green, St. Kilda players will meet the home men in their four-rink game. These are the only teams with a chance in Section A, St. Kilda having had one loss while Kaituna is undefeated. To win the section St. Kilda will have to defeat Kaituna twice.

An enjoyable game was played on Wednesday afternoon between two Post, Office rinks and two from the ‘ Daily

Times ’ office. The Dunedin Club green was kindly placed at the players’ disposal. The Post Office men had a lead in each rink. Following are details (Post Office names first): —R. A. Bach, A. W. Morris, W. Gladding, W. Easton 22, W. Blakeborough, F. W. Hoddinott, R. M'Kenzie, C. Lyng 13; E. Clancy, W. Connell, J. Brackenridge, F. W. Penlington 23, W. Calverly, J. Watson, J. Robertson, F. Farrell 16. Totals; Post Office 45, 'Otago Daily Times ’ 29. On tho Dnuedin Club green last night J. M'Curdy (St. Kilda) and J. Strang (N.E.V.), who were unable to play off at Invercargill for first prize in the New Year singles competition, met to decide who should be the actual winner. M'Curdy had a majority of 4 points at the finish. Next Thursday the Dunedin Club players who are about to leave for the Old Country as members of the New Zealand bowling team will be farewelled at a smoke concert. To-morrow night, at St. Kilda pavilion, Mr Geo. Adess, also a member of the team, wil be farewelled, and Mr Jas. Nelson, transferred to Green Island, will also be entertained.

The Taieri Club have a pairs “Feathers” competition running this year. One challenge was played on Tuesday evening of this week. When the scores were A 20, B 19, the skips agreed to carry on to 25 points. An early shot next head lay on the jack, and the opposing skip resorted to driving. When it came to measure it was clear that B had one shot, and the tape was brought into use to decide second shot among a number about a yard away. When the measurer had finished it was declared that B had scored six, cp that only one head had been necesSsaigr. .to finish the gamel.

Won Total Lost. Pts. Pts. Balmacewen 3 1 9 54 Dunedin 3 3 6 52 Taicri 2 0 .12 48 St._ Kildii* ... 4 0 12 45 .K ait mm 2 1 8 44 Green Island ... 2 n 12 42 Caledonian 0 5 0 401 Cavorsham ;i o 4 :i8 Port Chalmers 2 0 12 36 AVesfc Harbor 1 3. 6 36 Boslyn ... 0 4 0 33 N.E. Vallcyf 2 1 8 32 Leith 1 3. 6 30 Kaikorni 3 n 32 28 Mnrninpton 0 ;i n 28 Otago 1 2 4 24. St. Clair 2 2 6 24 Anderson’s Bay 1 2 4 16 .Fairfield 0 1 n 12 Outran! 0 1 n 12