BOWLS AND BOWLERS

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 6 January 1930, Page 6

BOWLS AND BOWLERS

NOTES BY “SKIP.” A happy and prosperous year to all bowlers and clubs, especially those in our South Taranaki district. NEW YEAR BOWLING. With a fair day on New Year’s Day, the centre of attraction as far as the Hawera and immediate surrounding clubs were concerned was the annual Syme Shield match, played on the 11 awera Chib’s green. The Hawera Club won the shield again with an aggregate of 268 points, and Park filled the position of runnerup with 258. Manaia and Patea tied for third place with 210 points each. Hawera and Manaia are the only clubs that have won this shield so far, the former having won it four times and the latter twice. A win for either Park or Patea would have been a popular one; still, on the day’s play no one could deprive Hawera of "the merit of their win, for they played consistently good howls, I and their four rinks were very solid ones. In 12 games played during the day only two rinks lost, and they were Foy against Andrews (Manaia) by 2220, and Squire lost to Hicks (sub for Manaia) by 19-15. This would not have been the case but for the fact that Manaia were playing eight Hawera f players out of 16 us substitutes. it speaks well for the sportsmanlike I attitude of the other clubs engaged to consent to Manaia playing eight men, just half of their team, as substitutes, and more especially when they allowed the veteran R. Hicks to skip a rink. The much discussed game between M. Squire (Hawera) and Hicks (sub. for Manaia) had its funny side, and the result of Hicks beating his clubmate by 19-15 while playing for another club, raises the important point of substitutes being allowed to play in these senior positions in an important match of this description. In this case, just ias it happened, it didn’t matter very ; much. for the final results could not be affected, as Hawera were well up in points on the aggregate when this game was played in the third round. Still, it is a very open question, and one which the committee governing this contetst should go into for future games. Personally, “Skip” was very surprised to know that R- Hicks was allowed to skip for Manaia, when it was generally understood that these substitutes were to be played anywhere but in that position. Here, again, in this game the “comment from the bank” was the cause of considerable discussion in the usual “post-mortems” after the match, and it can be fairly said that the unusual amount of “barrack” displayed had a good deal to go with the veteran’s success, aided by the fact that he and his rink were playing good --bowls. No doubt it wats all given in fun, and tlioscparticipating thoroughly enjoyed the humour of it. Still, it is unfair, and is a practise much to be condemned by all who know the game to be one of the most honourable and gentlemanly.

JANUARY THE SECOND. The Park Club held a most successful pairs tournament on their own green, and to Mr. J. Hopkins, the winning lead, and Mr. J. Thomas, the winning skip, congratulations are extended. Botli of these players did exceptionally well in their respective games, especially amongst a field of opponents such as they played against during the day. The Hawera Club took live rinks to Waverley for the day, and it was voted by all who went as one of the finest day’s bowling for years. The day was glorious, tiie green keen, their surroundings were pretty and picturesque, and their hospitality unique. What more could anyone wish for a real good day Y Ha worn won comfortably in the day’s aggregate by 09 points, but the scores didn’t matter very much; it was a day long to be remembered.

Waverley will play both the Park and Hawera Clubs a return visit before the close of the season, and no effort will be spared to give this club a fitting reception for the very fine time they gave our town clubs during the holidays. LOW SCORING.

What must be a Dominion record in low scoring took place at the Auckland Centre bowling tournament during Christmas, when Lamb (Carlton) defeated Davidson (Auckland) by 12-9 in 21 heads, and Blackwell (Waitemata) defeated Westbrooke (Ellerslie) by 16-4, with one head a tie and no score. in the South Auckland tournament Chapman defeated Yardley by 14-7 in 21 heads- All of these were full rink games, and the scores being the lowest possible just demonstrates the closeness of the games and the calibre of the players engaged.

Local bowlers will be interested to hear that Adamson, of Thames, who won the last Easter tournament at Hawera, wais only just beaten in the final of the South Auckland Christmas tournament by Chapman (Hamilton). This goes to show what a consistent rink he has, for bo filled the role of runner-up this Christmas. Chapman, the winner at South Auckland, celebrated his third successive win. SHIELD FIXTURES. The second round of the 'Taranaki Shield matches will be resumed this week when Hawera Wednesdays will meet Park on Wednesday and the Hawera Saturdays will meet Patea on Saturday. Manaia will play Opunake at Manaia on Wednesday, and the results of these games will be awaited with interest. Park have a good lead to commence the second round with; still, the

issue is far from settled yet, and anything may upset calculations from now on. Either of the two Hawera teams arc capable of effecting a win over their neighbours. Park, and if they do, it will be interesting Manaia. are really too weak this year to be -taken seriously in these games, and Opunake seem to have a losing vein, so it appears that Park, the Hawera teams and Palea will fill the lirst places this season. GANN CIJP. Panic Club sent a rink to Pa tea. to play for the Gann Gup over the weekend, and after a very close and interesting game, in which the scores were level on several occasions, brought the. trophy back with them. The green was in great, order and played exceptionally well, despite the heavy rain of the morning. Pa tea Club treated the visiting rink in their usual hospitable manner. Scores: Park (McLaren, Thurston, Chadwick, Goodwin) 25 v. Pate a (Sheehan, White, Boiarke, Paterson) 20.