BOWLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2122, 22 February 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

BOWLING.

(By “Toucher.”) The Gisuorne Club’s members indulged in a good deal of practise play -luring the week, though wet weather interfered once or twice. There are a few enthusiasts who can lie found on the green every line afternoon and there is rarely any difficulty in getting up a-complete rink. Un Thursday there wa,s a big muster uid the grounds presented a very lively appearance. The tournament matches, results of which have already boon reported, naturally claimed most attention, and the finishes created considerable excitement. At the Turanganui green the competition for the Bennett Cup and gold medal championship Ins been continued during the past week, but the broken .weather has hindered many games eventuating. The issue is being narrowed down to between Martin, Gaudiu, Ratcliffe, and Sheet, though Nasmith, sour, lias yet .to make a start in his games. A bit of a surprise was made ’when Hird boat Hallam. It was anybody’s game all through, but Hird played well, and with absence of that nervousness which has spoilt him in many of his other games. Nasmith, iiir., disposed of Colley in good form. Both played well, some line shots being exhibited. _ The defeat of Sawyer by Bennett created a surprise. Sawyer played •well, but Bennett excelled himself. He hung on to Sawyer throughout, and great excitement was evinced when the score showed 15 all on the 20th head. Bennett with his last bowl found the jack, but Sawyer missed Bennett’s bowl with a draw and lost the game. This was Bennett s third match, and in all he has had close finishes. The following is the position of the various players at the conclusion of the fourth week’s play:

The games in the Handicap - Fours were commenced and so far have boon runaway contests, the “picked teams winning. * Sheet’s team disposed of Martin’s easily. Both drew well, but- Sheet’s plaved the more solid. R. Sheet drew well as No. 1, completely outpl lying McSkimming. Morse was superior to Devery’s draws, while Hallam was the equal in every respect to Hepburn. AA . 0. Sheet played a fine game, and time after time upset Martin, though the latter was in good form. The favorites, in Sawyer’s team, accounted for the overwhelming defeat of Colley’s four. Mackrell, while not playing anything like his best, disposed of Clayton, the latter.being verv much off. Hird was a “mat,” and avas too hard for ' Bennett to c-r.ack, the hatter playing in and out. Ratcliffe and’Nasmith, iiar., exhibited fine ailay. though bath tailed at time- W “List g't there.” Sawyer made “hack.;" of Colley in his play. He frequently rested out lus opponents while the latter saved on but few occasions. The Club is now taking entries ot tliose desirous cf representing it in tlie tournament at the Napier cirmval.

•Small wonder the Auckland bowlers heat- the N.iS.AA’. Metropolitan crowd (says tiie Sydney Bulletin.) The difference between the players was appalling. The visitors (and the same applies to the Victorians who visit Svdnev from time to time) were spick aiid span, all in spotless white, weaving their club colors, and playing the game as though their lives depended ou it. Tlie ALL. rink skippers conferred often and anxiously as to what was to bo done, and as any two heads arc usually better than one, the result was something-good. The AAalers, on the other hand, were a nonde-script-looking crowd, charmingly casual —too casual to be efficient. One man at the Test match wore white pants, a yellow vest, striped coat, brown hat, and black boots. Anothci ruffian wore black trousers, a green vest, white coat and yellow hat, ami when he ivusu t actually trundling the biassed globe lie was right away from the scene ol nlav with his back tinned on the game telling a yarn about a dog. In fact, the VMiers generailv wore toggl'd out bkc billies from 010-010 shops. And the difference in their appearance was just the difference in their play 100 beastlv casual to practice and tram for i‘-.'

J. .J. Martin •Played. 0 AVon. 0 Post, A. Sawyer S •j 3 Nasmith, jnr. y .1 4 W. J. P. Gaudin 5 4 1 AV. Ba+eliffe 4 3 1 D. Hepburn •5 2 3 B. Hird s (! W. 0. Sheet 0 1 1 T. MoConnell 5 1 2 C. J. Bennett 3 1 2 P. Hallim 4 1 3 M. Neill 4 1 3 J. Colley 3 U 3 M. G. Nasmith 0 0 0 ,Sj