BOWLING

Evening Star, Issue 20321, 1 November 1929, Page 14

BOWLING

[By Mtsasubki.]

Bowlers had a very good day on Monday ,and all the greens were largely used, players getting in n bit of practico for to-morrow, when the club matches start. More than usual interest seems likely to be taken in the interclub games this season, and tne chances of different clubs are hard to gauge—more difficult than usual. _ This is accounted for by the fact that radical changes in club membership have taken place. Not only will many new players be seen on the greens this season, but there has been more than the usual changes over from one club to another. , „ Take, for instance, Otago Club. Close on a score of members have been added, including some outstanding players. Joe Tait, who used to be one of Taien s best, has joined up; so has Hugh Rankin, of Kaikorai Club, and J. M‘Fadden and J. D. Best, who played for Dunedin Club last season. W these players to stiffen its ranks. Otago Club will prove formidable in the interclub games and be able to put in a strong four-rink team. Owing to the increased membership the club is likely to ask other clubs to meet it four rinks a section in some of the interclub games, ■ which is allowable by mutual arrangeClair Club has seventy-four full ■ members, or seven more than last sea- ■ son. Five of the prominent players in previous years—Piddington, Cole, Free! Thomson," Hancock, and Jones—are nob how available for match or interclub plav. Hancock and Jones are resting; Piddington is to spend the summer at Queenstown; Thomson has gone north. Recent enrolments include Chapman and Lewis from Alexandra. Malcolm from Oamaru, Booth from Fort Chalmers, A. M. Wilson from Cayersham, and Kensington from Invercargill. Lauham and Willis are also playing tins ■ season. , , , Three rinks of men players and two of ladies travelled from St. Hilda to Balclutha on Monday to engage in the annual match between the two clubs. Th© weather was pleasant, a good green awaited the visitors, and a most coiclial welcome was extended them, so it followed that a very pleasant day was spent. The Balclutha men were too strong for the town players, but the St. Kilda ladies managed to just more than hold their own, retaining their hold of tbo-Lough banner. The . St. Kilda players say that no more hearty welcome could have been given them. Splendid weather, a pleasant drive, a keen green, and a hearty welcome were tia© experiences of the six rinks from the Kaikorai Club which journeyed to Milton on Labour Day to play the annual fixture with that club. The match resulted in a win for the visitors by 12 points. The hospitality of the Milton plavers was much appreciated. Morningon Club players held a very ■ successful progressive doubles competition on Labour Day. The pleasant ■'-•weather and the good condition of the green, together with the competitive spirit which is present in this form of play, provided a good day’s amusement. After six games, in which close finishes were the order of the day, the winning skip proved to bo AY. Fullarton, with one loss. A Nelson was the leads winner ; he went through without a loss. Caversham Club spent Labour Day in a doubles tourney, with a good two- ' section entry. The section winners Aver© Tanner and Anderson (s) and Mackay and Forster (s), and the latter pair prevailed in the play-off. The club ties in connection with the .Kaikorai Club have been drawn up, the ’ rounds balloted for, and soon players will-be in the thick of the various contests. This club has a large number of beginners, more than compensating , Tor the number who left or have ceased To take an active interest in the club.

Lock’s rink retained possession of Caversham Thistles this week, resisting by 26-22 a challenge from a strong rink skipped by Forster, The first round of ladies’ interclub matches yesterday resulted: —Dunedin beat Otago, Leith beat Green Island, .Valley beat Bay, Caversham beat Mornington, St. Kilda beat Port. The draw for next Thursday is: St. Clair v. Leith, at Leith; Caversham v. Green Island, at Green Island; Dunedin v. Bay, at Bay; Port Chalmers v. Mornington, at. Momington; St. Kilda v. Otago, at Otago; Valley, a bye. On Saturday afternoon ■ Caledonian Club bonders ceased play for half an hour or so, and President W. H. M‘Leod had a short talk to them from the verandah, of the pavilion. Ho drew attention to the fact that their old and esteemed friend John Ogg had been compelled by advancing, years to resign his position as greenkeeper. Caledonian green was known as one of the very best in New Zealand, and for many years past John Ogg had been directly responsible for its condition, working at it early and late, and tending it with the greatest care. He shirked nothing - in the way of work, and was satisfied only when the green was in perfect condition. But he had done more than that for the green; it was laid down by him fifty years ago, and he had ever since been connected with the club as a member. Mr M'Leod said Caledonian bowlers had resolved to show John Ogg some tangible appreciation, and he • had pleasure in handing over a bulging ■ envelope. Cheers and musical honours accompanied the presentation. Mr Les. Campbell, an old member, spoke of the good work done by" the recipient. Mr Ogg said he was sorry indeed that he had to hand over the green, to other . keeping, -but lie found himself unable to carry on to bis own satisfaction. He appreciated the gift made Mm, and hoped to have many a game yet‘. He y the younger players to look out, for he intended to go in for solid training. It may be mentioned that Mr John Ogg, now 83 years of age, was, in the early days, in the front rank as a player, and has won many prizes, among them one which he claims was .the ‘ most valuable of all—a tea and . coffee service valued at £25, presented by Mrs Speight. The Caledonian green reflects the greatest credit on his skill and industry. - “ A man who cannot enjoy himself tinless he wins is not a bowler—he is a waste of time.”—Remark by President .€■ J- Payne at a recent meeting. To pick up two standard bowls and two jacks with one hand seems an impossible feat, but. this was done by a London bowler with the greatest ease. The performer is Mr A. Cheek, whose .weight is 20st. Possessing a tremendous grip and arm strength, Mr Cheek wedged the two bowls into the palm of Lis Land, and gripped the two jacks with his fingers. He raised the lot a distance of offc from the ground, and .held them for almost a minute. Considering the bowls and jacks _ would weigh over 61-lb, this, surely, is a record.—English ‘ Bowls News.’ v Scottish bowlers this year captured the two greatest prizes offered in Engthis notwithstanding that there are at least ten'Englishmen to one Scot playing the game in England. ’ Dr Nicol -won the London gold badge, and_ R. G. Colqiihoun won the single championship from.nearly 4,000 players.