BOWLS

Northland Age, Volume XVI, Issue 22, 13 December 1946, Page 1

BOWLS

North Auckland Bowling Centre’s Championship Fours

Tomorrow, Saturday, 14th December, will be a red letter day for the Kaitaia Bowling Club, for the Championship Fours of the North Auckland Bowling Centre will be held on their greens, commencng at 9 a.m. It will be the first time in the history of the Club that the major executive has chosen Kaitaia as a venue for the tournament. Providing that the visiting officials are satisfied as to the playing qualities of the local greens, and their appears no reason why they should not be, the Kaitaia Club will be further honoured with the Championship Singles and Pairs to be held in March.

The Kaitaia team for tomorrow’s fixture is expected to give a good account of themselves. R. Freeman, the skip, is in fine form, and with good conditions prevailing, home supporters are confident that the visiting teams will find in him a bowler of outstanding ability. Mark Hammond, who will play No. 3 needs no introduction to Northland fans,, for he has won the North Auckland centre Singles title on three occasions and was in the semi-finals of the New Zealand Championships in 1945. The President of the Kaitaia Club, R. D. Hanlon, has been chosen to lead, and in the past has proved most consistent. The No. 2, J. Cowie’s selection, is a remarkable tribute to his tenacity and infinite patience for the game. Three years ago Cowie was one of the leading skips in the Club with the ability to drive an outstanding asset, then in Home Guard manoeuvres he lost his right hand, and his many friends at the time thought that his bowling career was at an end. But today he has very few weaknesses t 0 exploit, he drawing consistently well and has an additional beautifully timed yard on shot. The tournament will be on the “sudden death” principle, so if those visitors that are knocked out in the first round desire a pairs tourney, one will be held. Local players will be eligible to take part and the time of starting will probably be in the vicinty of 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

Championship Senior Pairs

Further matches in the Championship Pairs were played during the week, the most notable result being the defeat and elimination of the title holders, H. Mclntosh and E. Clark, by H. Carr (substitute for A. Fit-

tall) and W. Parker, 12-22. G. Surman and R. Freeman were having a battle royal with R. Beazley and W. Hoskin up until the 17th end then in a burst of scoring, Freeman added 16 in the concluding 4 ends to win 31 to 17. G. Malloy and H. Wilkinson had an even match with F. Braithwaite and J. B. Reynolds, Wilkinson winning on the final end 20-18. Last season’s Junior Pairs winners, P. Weber and J. E. Wilkinson, entered the third round with a win against W. Dyer and L. Morpeth, 24fl. Junior Pairs The Junior Pairs are slowly wending their way through the first round. Additional results are : G. Pribicevich and W. Yendell defeated A. W. Masters and J. Morrison, 17-13 ; E. Cave and W. Steed defeated M. Long and Langman, 2317 ; V. Brien and R. Durney defeated A. Puckey and D. Boreham, 26-16. MARCHING GIRLS HONOUR INSTRUCTOR On behalf of the Kaitaia Marching Girls, Miss Pat Marsh leader of the A team, the champions of Northland, presented W/O D. Hart with a smokers’ stand at the Marching Teams dance in the A. and P. Hall on Wednesday evening. In making Swthe presentation, Pat stated that without Mr. Harts expert instruction and Mrs. Hart’s help the team would have been among the also-rans at the Jubilee Show in Whangarei. She made reference to the time and patience Mr. Hart had given to the training of the teams. Miss Audrey Thompson a member of the A team presented Mrs. Hart with an attractive bouquet. In his reply Mr. Hart stated that he never expected any gift or reward for his efforts. His biggest thrill had been at Whangarei when his team was proclaimed the Northland champions. Credit must go to the girls themselves for their keenness and willingness. The dance itself was most enjoyable. The music was supplied by the Versatile Orchestra while Mr. W. Hoddle was m.c. Extras were played by Betty Geddes. Monte Carlo winners were Mr. B. Morpeth and Miss Hazel Beazley and Mr. H. Stensness and Miss Violet Brljevich. A delightful supper was served by the girls.