BOWLING.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 26, 13 January 1912, Page 3

BOWLING.

‘finish of the tournament. WIN FOR THE NEWTOWN CLUB. 1 [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL. I (Own Correspondent.) i Wellington, Jan. 13. ' Undtr splendid weather conditions 'the Northern Fowling Association's Championship concluded on the i W ell ingt » n gr ee 11 ye s t erd ay. 111 • ■ green plascd as fast as could be desired, and there was a big crowd ■ present throughout the day. In the ,st mi-final between the Wellington and Ponsenby representatives, the iteams were-.—

M'cllingtcn.—Neilson. Simin, B. Bullen and Still (skip). Ponsonby. — Casey. Gardener, Snaddon and Walker (skip). The fact that Still had got into the semi-finals came somewhat as a surpise to his many friends. A player who depends chiefly on his drawing capacity, lie has not so far come into prominence in the world of skips, anti it was anticipated that he would have a hard row to hoe >’.ith the redoubtable Walker of Ponsonby. who throughout has found an equally redoubtable helpmate in his number three (Sneddon) But the race is not always to the swift or the battle* to the strong. Still was evidently ' out.'’ for victory as far as the semi-finals "were concerned. He kept on playing the drawing game throughout, preserved a wonderful equanimity, bothered himself not at all about drawing and playing an uphill game throughout developed a degree of bowling skill which fully justified the position he has so far achieved. Walker had got 6 before Still commenced scoring, but the Wellington skip got to work then and at the twelfth head he was 8 to 12.

Casey, who had been incapacitated by a fall, resumed his place as lead and did good work for the Ponsonby skiji, but: Nielson, was also in good form and some good bowling was exhibited.

Simin, too. played splendidly for Still as No. 2, and B. Ballon shone conspicuously as No. 3. Walker’s team played well throughout, but they have (lone better.

At the 17th head Stiil was only 1 down, 13—12. In the next head Walker was lying 2 when the skip went down.

Still carried the "jack” into the ditch and lay 2.

Walker could not get near it. and Still drew another and lay 3. Walker scored only 1 in the next head and was 1 down with 2 heads to go.

In the 20th head Still got 2, Walker being evidently a little bit off his plav, so that on the last head Walker wanted 3to tie or 4to win. 17—14. When the skips went down the Ponsonby bowlers were lying. It was said that Ponsonby wore 5 up. but. r.o measure was taken. Still's first bowl went too far, and Walker drew a shot. Still’s second bowl also failed. and W’alker drew into third position, a beautiful shot. On a measure it was found Walker lying 3 an da lie on the play off. Nielson with his first bowl put 1 on the jack, but Gardener took it out in fine style and W T alker lay the shot. Allen drew in position with a masterly shot, and Sneddon retaliated by clipping it to the side. Walker* lay the shot. The Ist bowl played by Walker won the game for Still. It hit one of Still’s bowls lying in front, put in just in front of the jack and made it the shot. Still drew into 2nd place with his last bowl. Walker drove, but took out only one, and Still lay I and the game ended 18 —17. ~ It was a first class game and a splendid finish, and Still was heartily congratulated on liis success.

THE FINISH

NEWTOWN CLUB MTNS

The fight for the championship commenced on the M’ellington green at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, the contestants being : — Wellington. —Nielsen, Sbnm, B. B. Allen and Still (skip). Newtown. —M'arwick, Duff, Pollock and M'ylie (skip).

At the fourth head Wylie had scored six to the Wellington man one, but in the next head Still scored three by picking out the lying bowl with a fine run through.- The green was playing very fast and 1 le skill of the player's was put !<> a severe test.

There was a big attendance 'of bowlers and enthusiasts and < verv shot was watched with the eb'-eyf. attention.

Play was close in the. sixth h ’td. Pollock put a beauty on the ;-mk. and Allen removed it with a love'y draw which elicited loud •ipplans?. Pollock just missed trailing the kitty for 4 and Still was lying when the skips went down. Wylie also missed with his first and Still got in the road, the result being that the Wellington skip scored 4 —8 —6. The leaders did well in the next round. Warwick being particularly good ami Duff also displayed excellent form; in fact, this was Newtown's head, and when the skips went down Wylie was lying two close to the jack. Still did no g*>od with his first shot, and Wylie drew another just in front of the jack. Still sent down a fast one and the jack went out of the rink ; a deadhead and a rattling good shot. Still was lying 2 when the skips went down, but Wylie came along with a masterly draw and lay on the jack. Still was unable to replace him and the score was: Still 8, Wylie 7. Nielson had the best of the lead in the succeeding head, but his efforts were counteracted by Pollock, who was drawing beautifully. St .1 attempted a firm one, but it was unsuccessful, and the score was eight all at the eighth head. The ninth bead opened in favo.ir of Newtown and was also distinguished by excellent play on both sides. Wylie was lying three wnen the skips began. With his fiist bowl W'vlie drew another, a beauty, and StiH took one out with a firm draw. Wylie drew close up and Still took'the jack through into the ditch amid applause for a really good shot. But Wylie had good bowls at the back and he scored 6. Wvlie 11. Still 8.

The tenth head added 1 to W yue s score. Wylie’s men were playing well at this stage, and it looked as ’ ! the contest would end in a win for the Newtown reps. Still's team on the other Land shoved slight signs of wear. '••it Allen retrieved the position by drawing a splendid bowl on to the jacx. When it looked as if Newtown were going to have the best of the head, Wylie sent down a fast one and carried the jack into the ditch, but Siin lay one. Still drew into the (Etch, Wylie drew short, and Still again found refuge in the gutter, fin a

measure it was found, after calling on an umpire, that Still scored I.— Wylie 15, Still 9. On the next head Still scored 2. bringing his total to 11. —"Wylie 15, Still li.

After that Still never recovered, although the play on both sides was excellent, and Wylie scored a well deserved win. CONSOLATION PRIZE. Four rounds of the Consolation Prize Competition were played. Semi-Final. Prince (Newtown) 13. beat Meson (Pihama) 11. McGregor (Carlton) 13 beat Webb (Wellington) 10. The final will be played to-inor | '- >i between Prince and McGregor. LAST TRY PRIZE. The final will also be playe I between Walker’s Ponsonby team (Casey, Gardner, Sneddon, Walker), and the winners of the Henrngw.v. (Victoria) and Gordon (St. Joan match in the Last Try Competition.