BOWLING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 80, 16 March 1934, Page 13

BOWLING

THE CHAMPION SINGLES S. BendalFs Fine Win THREE RUNNERS-UP (By “Roamer.”) The champion singles player of the Hawke’s Bay Centre for the season 1933-34 is S. Bendall, of the Napier Club. In the competition on the Port Club’s green last Friday and Saturday for the Smith Bros. Cup, Bendall won seven out of nine games played. All clubs in the Centre, with the exception of Waipukurau, were represented. The singles competition was a very successful one, although the weather the first day war. not conducive to firstclass howling. Some of the players were affected by the wind cd the rain, and were not able to g of their best. On the Saturday the weather took a change for the better and a beautifully sunny day was the result. The Port green was tricky with the changing conditions, but played well under the circumstances. S. Bendall, with three wins out of five the first day, won all four games on Saturday, and thus won the beautiful silver cup. “Sam” was in good form on Saturday, and improved as the day wore on He was very consistent with his draw shots. He rightly deserved all the good things that were said about him at the presentation ceremony. This is the first time the trophy has gone to the Napier end of the Centre. The Runners-up. There were three runners-up—J. E. Hal] (Hastings, last year's winner), R. Thomas (Wairere) and J. Johnston (Port Ahuriri). Thomas won all his games the first day, but crashed on Saturday. Johnston also played better the first day. Hall was not quite up to last year’s form, though he proved a hard man to put under. Veteran’s Fine play. One of the bright features of the tournament was the consistent play of R. D. Kelly (Omarunui), president of the Centre. He started off the first day in great style and won his first three garnets. He then began to tire—he is nearer 80 than 70—and lost the last two games. The next morning he was as bright as ever, and beat Johnston 20—10. He gave J. E. Hall a hard fight, and then lost the other two games. It was a very excellent performance for a man of Mr. Kelly’s age. Henselite Bowls. The decision of the Dunedin Centre to bar Heuselite bowls has caused a mild seusatiun in the bowling world. It will be interesting to learn of the Dominion Council’s opinion on the matter. The question should immediately be settled one way or the other. Quite a number of players have gone in for the Henselite bowl, and if they are barred from using them there will be some lamenting. The Havelock Club. The final of the championship singles of the Havelock North Club was played on Wednesday evening between H. Coombe and F. Hall, and resulted in a win for Coombe by 22 —17. The first match for the Garland Cup was played last evening, the teams being: Angus, D .Ritchie, Kitchen, Schofield (s.); Heenan, Christie, Ross. Hall (s.) Schofield soon assumed a good lead, and won very easily at the finish. Good bowls were played by both sides, but Schofield’s team were in better form. Wellington Final. The final of the Wellington Centre’s championship rink contest resulted in a win for Hataitai (Bennett, Moston, Cometti, Shore) 28, who defeated Upper Hutt (Guthrie, Greig, Brown, Mudgway), 15. Disabled Man’s Skill. Although handicapped by the loss of his arm and left leg, the result of war injuries, Mr. Edward Price, of 95 Lake road, Takapuna, on Saturday afternoon won the championship of the Takupuna Bowling Club, defeating Mr. George Waterman by 23 points to 9. He will later take part in the Auckland Bowling Centre’s champion of champions tourney. Prior to losing his arm aud leg, Mr. Price had never played howls, and it was not until he went to reside in Takapuna some while alter the Great War, in which ho saw considerable service, that lie decided to take up the game. He had previously lived in the King Country. In 1923 ho became a member of the Takapuna Bowling Club and has since been an enthusiastic player. Apart from his war disabilities, Mr. Price enjoys excellent health, and is regarded as a good all-round bowler. When on the green he makes use of an artificial leg, but does not wear an artificial arm. Indoor Bowls. Indoor bowling hag become quite a vogue in England, and covered greens are rapidly increasing in number. Over a dozen municipal councils and many private individuals in London and the counties have taken up the demand for this class of sport, and are laying down “greens” in tho form of carpets, which give a fast surface and perm.it of keen timing. It is said that constant play on these “greens” improves outdoor play by 25 per cent.