BOWLING.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1930, Page 5

BOWLING.

WEST COAST TOURNAMENT.

THE WESTPORT GATHERING

The members of the Hokitika Bowling Club taking part in the West Coast Bowling tournament at Westport last week returned home last evening after a very successful outing. The weather throughout the week was perfect; slight showers falling alter leaving Westport yesterday, being the only rain that was experienced. The holding up of the Coastal route to through traffic owing to the mouth of the Pcirariri river being blocked, l in addition to causing an extra 60 miles journey on the outward run, caused the return trip.to be made again by way of Reefton. The whole car journey was completed .without any mechanical stoppage on either occasion, Messrs Newmans Motors Ltd. being the conveyors. There were 25 rinks engaged in the tournament and the late decision not to use the Sergeants’ Hill green owing to its unsatisfactory condition, caused the hours of play to be unduly extensive and made the days long ones. With this exception the general arrangements for the tourney were of a most satisfactory nature. The Westport green is acknowledged to be par excellence, and throughout the week, in;spite of being well watered on the edges each evening, it war so' fast that many of the teams found it extremely hard to consistently guag( both green and length. It was however, a delight to roll up on this famous green with its wonderfully level sur face. The play throughout was of r very high class, and the large numbers who watched from the bank each day were .more than rewarded.

The rink skipped by Stevenson (Hokitika) reached the semi-final but ther. went down to Blaxall (Westport) aftei a great game, the play of the Westport rink being specially good. This leaves Blaxall and Levy (another Westport rink) to fight out the final, anc this game will be played during the week.

The- Pairs competition was also an excellent one, with only the complain! that owing to the extra number oi entries (two many for oile green) players did not have as many games ai they expected. This competition wat brought to a conclusion at 7.30 on Friday, when a Westport pair, skipped by ex-Sergt Ryan (formerly of Kumara) proved successful by one point fron McKenzie (Sydenham). The presentation of the trophy wa; immediately made by Mr James Ring (Chairman of the Centre) who con gratulated the winners on their sue-, cess, and paid a special tribute to tin ladies of the Westport Club for ther very warm-hearted hospitality, anc 1 congratulated one and all on the sue cess of the annual tournament.

Mr Wm. Wilson-(Hokitika)' spoke or. behalf of the visiting.,‘bowlers, appre dating the generous hospitality of th< ladies, and expressing the great plea sure all had enjoyed in taking part in the tourney on the splendid West-; port green. . V . , : Air Ryan suitably replied and hit substitute lead (Mr Cox) also spoke.

The National Anthem was then sunp by those assembled and brought a fiiu tournament to a conclusion. SINGLES CHAMPION.

On Saturday morning the annua contest to decide the singles ehampioi or champions of the West Coast wa> decided, four Club champions takin; part—Westport, Runanga, Greymouth and Hokitika. Under the condition each met each other over 21 heads 'lire play throughout was of a sped all \ l'.'.ie nature. The conditions were again perfect, with an absence of brigld sun, and no wind for the most of tin day. The play resulted as follows: -

Ist. ROUND. Graham: (Grey) 23, Stevenson (Hold tikal 14.

Kroening (Runanga) 21, Sara ("West port) 18.

2nd. ROUND

S.«ra 28, Graham 8. Stevenon 25. Kroening 19, 3rd. ROUND.

Graham 19, Kroening 16

Sara 20, Stevenson 14. This left Graham, and Sara with twr wins, Stevenson and Kroening one win each. THE) FINAL.

The filial play off to decide the tit took placd in the afternoon before a large gallery of spectators. The pla> was of the very best, and throughout the game the play was very even, each player being repeatedly applaudec for special shots. On the last head Graham was one up, but Sara drew two perfect shots, which Graham failec .0 dislodge, and Sura was returnee the winner by one point—l 9to 18. In the absence of the Chairman oi the Centre (Air Ring) tTiio had left that morning or Greymouth, Air Benjamin (Hokitika Centre delegate) mack the presentation of the Singles Cup t< the winner. He congratulated tin winner on his splendid play and web deserved success, also complimenting tne other contestants on the very fine exhibition of howls given. Ihe opportunity was then taken to appreciate tlie generous hospitality extended throughout the tournament by the ladies and Westport Club members, which all the visiting bowlers and their friends had received. The formal handing of the green from the Centre back to the Westport Club was made and the speaker voiced the great pleasure all had enjoyed in playing on such a. perfect green. Air Sara then returned thanks and expressed his pleasure at being successful as the representative of his Ulub.

Cheers for the winner, for the ladies and the AVestport Club, concluded a very successful competition.