BOWLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11538, 24 November 1900, Page 7

BOWLING.

THE BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF AUSTRALASIA. My Melbourne correspondent says:—ln my last letter only the first day's play had eventuated, none of the Auoklanders having played. Tuesday being Cup day, we went to see the great event. Play was resumed on the Wednesday, when C. G. Laurie, of Newmarket, was the first of the Aucklanders to play, at eleven a.m., his opponent being Mailer, of the M.C.C., Laurie struck a bad snag, and went down by 11 points. Mailer plays an excellent game, and proved himself superior to the Newmarket leader. Clerk and Ledingham played at -past two, Remuera being pitted against Doeg, of Armidale, whom he disposed of easily, winning by nine points. Ledingham drew Moran, of Victoria Park Club, New South Wales, who came with a big reputation. This, however, did not daunt the Auckland Bowling Club ex-champion, who disposed of his opponent by 21 points to five. M. MoCallum entered the ring at four p.m., against Holdswarth (Bendigo). MoCallum played an' excellent game, and downed his man by 21 to 15. Thursday being Oaks Day, no matches were played. Friday, play was resumed at ten a.m., when MoCallum met his man, second draw, Taylor (Victoria Club). MoCallum was not up to his form of Wednesday, and went down bv nine points. Clerk was pitted against Harrop (Port Melbourne), and lost by four points. Clerk made a good fight, but his opponent proved himself the stronger. Ledingham had next to face the musio against Spicer (the M.C.C.), a veteran player with a big record. The play was good on both sides, but the Maorilander proved Himself the better man, beating his man by nine points. Play was resumed in the third draw at four p.m., Ledingham being drawn against Pascoe (Bendigo). This proved a most excitintr game, and was watched with keen interest by the spectators. Pascoe proved a very hard nut to crack. He led away from Ledingham to the extent of scoring 17 to the latter's nine. The ex-ohampion, however, pegged away, scoring one by one till he ultimately readied his adversary, when the game became intensely exciting. At the next two ends the score stood: Ledingham, 20; Pascoe, 19. At the final head Pascoe lay game, having two in, Ledingham with only one bowl to play. His laet bowl, however, was delivered with good judgment, and tumbled on gently on his opponent's winning bowl and lay the shot, thus winning by two points. The applause and congratulations that followed were overpowering. The win was a popular one, owing to Pascoe playing straight, bowk, or. as Ross would say, pokers. Tin's win brought Ledingham into the fourth round, and in this drew was faced by Gattrill (Waverley). New South Wales. The play was now narrowed down to 16, and amongst 10 players singled out by the nress as players of a high order were Gattrill and Ledingham. The Maorilander, however, again came out on top, scoring 21 points to his opponent's 12. This win brought Ledingham into the final eight, and if his good fortune should hold out in the fifth draw, would bring him into a prize place. But alas for the glorious uncertainty of bowling, Ledincham lost his game against Garnham (Auburn Club) by three points. Garnham played a grand came, and proved himself the better man. The play was now confined to four, and the winners in section A played the winner of section B, and section O winner of D. These games were watched with great interest, but whether from excitement, or nervousness, the play was certainly not of a high order. In sections A and B, Sheedy, of Richmond (Union Club) beat Pullan, who is champion of his club and champion of champions by four points, and Garnham was put down bv Hansen by six. This left Sheerlv and Hansen to play for first and second, Sheedy coming out winner of the £50 trophy by six points, and Garnham beating the champion of champions by 21 to two, Garnham getting third prize and Pullan fourth. Thus ended the great bowling championship of Australasia. It is much to be regretted that one of the coveted honours did not come to New Zealand. Anywav, the contest proved that although we are not winners, wo have proved that we have players of a high order pf merit. If New Zealand had won the wm would have been most popular. The New Zealanders established themselves in the good wishes of all, and nothing could exeeod the kindness shown on all sides. We have been inundated with invitations to K*"*™ parties, theatre parties, banquets, and ait kinds of entertainments, and we have had ft most enioyable time. The weather has been beautiful, and altogether it has been an event that we will always look baok to with great pleasure. JACK.