BOWLING.

Mataura Ensign, 29 January 1912, Page 3

BOWLING.

Notes by "Kitty." Keen interest was taken during last week in several rink matches played off in the Gore green. The Selection Com. mittee had arranged for a number of rinks to play off with a view to the choice of a rink to represent the club in the Hamilton Cup contest. Some brilliant play was forthcoming and the committee has an unenviable task in front of it in selecting the best four. Perks has so far won all his matches, and has in all these games played very firmly. The match between Perks and Brown on Thursday evening was a keenly contested one, and'some brilliant drawing and driving was done by both skips. Brown was in great form and brought off some remarkably fine shots. After a run of bad luck this player now seems to have struck his true form. The semi-final of the Citizens' Doubles was played off in the Gore green last week between Christie and Larnach and Graeve and Fruish. The game was an even one all through and all the players were right up to form. The game in the tenth head was 13 —14 in favor of Larnach, and on the fourteenth head it was 17 all, but Fruish scored one on the fifteenth head, the last head being started with Larnach one behind. Christie drew two beauties right on the jack, but Larnach with his first ball drew another shot. Fruish failed to alter the junction, although with his last shot he drove, but shifted the kitty to a spot where Larnach was laying two shots, and it was unnecessary for the latter to play his last.

Christie and Larnach met Bowmast and Perks in the final for the Citizen's Doubles.

A most pleasant afternoon was spent by a number of members of the Gore club on Wednesday, when a sweepstake was made up for a doubles match which has not yet been finished. What must surely be a record was put up on the Gore green on Friday evening in a doubles match. Townsend and Fruish played ? ? ? ? and the latter during the eleven heads comprising the game failed to score a single point. This is just a point better than in a tournament match played about six years ago at Invercargill when a Dunedin rink put down a redoubtable one skipped by Hain of Southland by 21 points to 1. I understand Mr W. P. Craig has resigned his position as one of the selectors of the Gore club.

Everyone was pleased to see the popular secretary of the Gore club on the green on Saturday evening after his recent severe illness and bowlers will be glad to know that his health is much improved.

The recent tournament held in Invercargill and which lasted practically four ] days was most successful. Interest was lent to the tournament by the presence of 36 bowlers from Auckland, three rinks of Aucklanders taking part in the' tournament. The visitors only learned of the tournament on the way down from the North and they were very gratified to win both first and second prizes in the B grade or City Match. The Auckland men are good sports and by their geniality made many friends in the bowling world. The team was composed of representatives of the medi. cal, schoolastic, and commercial life of the Queeii city and two of the members were city councillors. Southlanders are bound to repay this visit next season, and it can be taken for granted that a royal time is in store for those who make the trip. The Wyndham club sent four rinks to the Hokonui green on Wednesday last and played a very pleasant game. The Wyndham club is, comparatively speaking, a new club and) many of its players have only one or two season's eperience. Nevertheless several of their men on Wednesday played well and, considering the keenness of the green, did remarkably well. The Hokonui club is certainly not an old club, but it has the advantage of having'several experienced players in its membership. The game between Tutty and Little were very close, only two points separating them at the finish, the Hokonui man leading by 18 to 16. Both scored an equal number of heads and while Tutty scored a five, two three and a two and five singles, Little scored three threes, a two and five singles. The visiting skip played well and was ably backed up by his lead and third. Smith was not so fortunate as Blaikie, the latter making his debut as a skip. The latter had a good all round 1 rink, while Smith's men had some difficulty in finding the strength of the green and the score stood 26 to 10 at the finish.

McKerrow, the Wyndham president, had a somewhat weak team as compared with Graham, who had Mackie as third.

McKerrow himself played some rather nice shots and on several occasions saved. Porter had a strong combination to face in Kobson, Rhodes, Brass and Harris, one of the strongest rinks in the home club. The scoring was somewhat erratic. Marris commenced with a seven and on the 9th and 15th head scored fives. To score 17 in three heads is a heart-breaker for the opposing skip, but lie in turn notched a sixer on the 17th head. The score totalled 34 to 15.

The game which waa curtailed by rain, was a pleasant one and goodfeeling and gcodfellowship was expressed by Mr J. S. Brass, the president of the Hokonui club. Mr McKerrow, president of the Wyndham club, responded. A good deal of interest is now being centred in the Hamilton Cup and the various clubs in the district are endeavouring to find their best men to re. present them for the coveted honor. The final will be played on the Gore green, probably about February 21. The 14th was the day originally set down for the finals, but as the Mataura Flower Show is to be held on that date the match will probably be postponed in order to suit the Mataura bowlers.