REPRESENTATIVE BOWLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13392, 22 January 1907, Page 7

REPRESENTATIVE BOWLING

NEW SOUTH WALES VERSUS AUCKLAND. THE FIRST TEST MATCH. AUCKLAND WINS I'.Y 59 POINTS. The New South Wales bowlers played the first of a. series of three test matches with five representative Auckland rinks at Devonport yesterday. The weather was ideal, ami there was a fairly large attendance of spectators. The green was in very fine order, being keen and drawing perfectly from either side. The visitors were most eulogistic in their leinarks on the quality of the green, and a frequent comment heard from one or other of the visitors was. " I he best I have, ever played on." A wind of credit is dfie to Canevera. the caretaker, for the excellent results of his work. Owing to tic visitors not gett ing off the boat until vest en lay morning .ill the arrangements were put behind, and pi iv did not commence until a-quartcr past three o'clock, three-quarters of an hour after the stipulated time. The green was decorated with Hags, etc.. ami a large banner bore the word

" Haeremai." while over the pavilion were, the words. "Auckland Provincial Bowling Association. Welcome to New South Wales bowlers." The arrangements were excellent, ami capital refreshments were provided.

Auckland proved the victors by 59 points, scoring ail aggregate of 140 to the visitors' 81. The. New South Welshmen were no doubt- suffering from their recent unpleasant voyage across the Tasman Sea. However, it must be stated that the visitors are not fully representative of New South Wales, as at the last moment a number of heir leading bowlers were unable to make the. trip. The visitors, however, are a really good team, and will no doubt show to better advantage when they "lose their sea legs. Yesterday their drawing was about equal to that of the local men, but their lirm work was inferior. The local leads, seconds and thirds, generally beat their opponents. When they did not. firm shots by the skips did. All things considered, the New South Welshmen must be given credit' for a downright good fight, for they stuck U> their task with the utmost enthusiasm.

The green was almost identical in length to that which the visitors are used to, being about 120 ft. U>tiu!ly, 21 heads are played locally, hut the visitors' rule in this respect was adhered to. and 25 heads were played. The visitors played with both their feet on the mat. but the greater number of the local men followed the general custom in New Zealand of having only one foot on the mat.

The closest game of the day was between Handooek and Evans, the former's team winning by three. On this link the visiting skipper's play was very tine, as also was that, of Sledge (third player), who drove the jack into the ditch several times. The local players did well.

On No. 4 rink, Rankin's team accounted for I'hippard's by 26 to 16. The local team played well all through, and Rankin's drawing was excellent, while Butler led well throughout. Brookes, as third player, made some good resting shots. The visitors' third player (McClure) and tho tkip shaped very well, being most deadly on the drive.

On No. 1 rink. Harrison's team beat. T/Otiden's by 30 to 18. The game was keenly contested, and was not- finished until ten minutes past seven, by several minutes the longest game of the afternoon. This was due chiefly to the fact that "that there were six deadheads. The New South Wales rink played well, while Harrison played a good game, and was ably ■♦supported by his team. The game on No. 2 rink was an excellent one, Ralfe's team beating the visiting one, skipped by Roarty. by 50 to 15. It was it drawing game. Ralfe skipped beautifully and on the day's form it is doubtful if lie had a superior on the ground. The visiting skip also played excellently, and put much enthusiasm into the game, hut his third did not give the support necessary for victory. Thornes. as the local third, played well. Laurie had a. decisive victory over Hingst's combination. The visitors drew well at first, but Auckland later got the upper hand. At the start the visitors got a lead of six to one. hut towards the middle of the game their play became loose. Some good fast shots were 'played on both sides. The local skipper played well, but the best player was, perhaps. Warren, whose leading was very fine. The visiting skipper put in some good work, but his third man was rather week.

A board was erected' on -he ground, and even- five heads the totals were registered on it. The following will give an idea of the progress of the game: — At Five Heads: Auckland. 31: N.S.W., 19. At Ten Heads: Auckland, 64 ; N.S.W., 58. At Fifteen Heads: Auckland, 78; N.S.W., 49. At Twentv Heads: Auckland, 113; NSW.. 67. ' At Twentv-five Heads: Auckland, 140: N S W., 81.* At the afternoon tea adjournment the position of the game at the different rinks Was as follows : — No. 1 : Auckland, 12 to 3 18 heads). No. 2: Auckland, 10 to 10 (10 heads). No. 3: Auckland, 10 to 7 (8 heads). No. 4: Auckland, 10 to 2 (7 heads). No. 5: Auckland, 9 to 6 (8 heads). the following are the complete scores: — NSW. A. ,Bi«sctt. Hob.-on. Andersen. Ixiwden (skin) ... 18 ... — Grattan, l-'astou, Gardner. Harrison 'skip* -- 30 Ward. McMcekar, McLeod, IJoartv <'Jcil>i .15 ... — Qui:!. Lambert. Thorn**, Unite. 'skip) — ... 30 Cos. Chalmers. sledge, Kvaris tskipi 13 ... —■ Osmond. Woodhead. Wakeriey. Handcork (skipi . , — ... 21 ('Mil'. l . Confirm. -M< dure. I'hippard 'skipi ... IS ... — Kntler. I.filiimhaln. Brookes. Kankin (skipi . — ... 26 Goodwin, Henl-v, Sutton., llmgst (slum ,14 ... ._ Warren. L-.r'g-sl.irtl, M freer, Laurie 'skip) ... 35 w , 31 ... 40 Majority for Anc.lxnd. 59. REC'KB'JTON OK THE VISITORS. Yesterday morning the visitors were accorded an official reception by Mr. A. M. .Myers, as president of the local association arid Mayor of Auckland. MemVrs of both teams were present, as also were the ladies and gentlemen travelling with the team. The Mayor, in his speech of welcome. said if was his privilege to appear before them as two people; he had to welcome the visitors both as Mayor of Auckland and as president or the Auckland Bowling Association. In both capacities, Ik- did so very heartily. From a. public point of view fie was sure that the more the inhabitants of the different colonies exchanged visits the lietter. II" noticed that at a meeting held not long ago in London, one of tin 1 speakers foil mi it necessary to defend - the colonial press against, the charge of insularity. We had not been accustomed to regard thin as a typically colonial weakness, but perhaps tor that reason they might be all the more in danger of falling into it, and the remoteness of the situation certainly exposed them to some risk in this way. they laughed at. the Englishman who addressed a letter to '"Auckland, Australia." or asked a returned New /inlander if lie had met his brother in Adelaide; but after all, how many of them could pass an elementary examination in the geography, history, and customs, even of any of the neighbouring colonies, let alone the British dominions in more distant parts of the world? (Laughter.) The best way of learning about, places was to visit them. Thus travel should be a valuable agent in divi ding misunderstandings and promoting friendship and goodwill between different communities.; mid this was especially the rase when ifs effect was enhanced by the ten.so of comradeship that sprung from participation in any form of sport—a sense

that was nowhere stronger than anions the devotees of the pre-eminently sociable game of bowls. (Cheers.) Speaking as a bowler, lie could only say that he was very glad that their friends in Australia had seen their way to return the recent visit of the "All Whites." (Loud cheers.) Occasional tours by representative teams should have a very useful effect in stimulating interest in the game and iinproviug the standard of play, and bo a. means of drawing them closer together, and though jioliticians might find the task of instituting a reciprocal tariff beyond their powers, lie saw no difficulty in arranging one among bowlers, and adopting a rule that friendly visits should be exchanged periodically. (Cheers.) Mr. F. (J. Crouch, who replied on behalf of tin- visitors, said it afforded hint great pleasure to return to the Mayor and citizens and bowlers their very hearty thanks for such a cordial welcome. The reception wa.s very little short of vice-regal ill its splendour. and it was quite unlocked for. They were all brethren of a great Commonwealth. although they in Australia always regretted that New Zealand was not. in the federation. He was convinced that sooner or later some closer iclations would hind I hem together. After cheers had come from both sides the visitors sang (heir bowling song. After the reception the visitors were Ia ken to Devoiiport and then driven around bake Takiipuna. and as the guests of the Mayor sat down to luncheon with delegates of the Auckland Association. Mr. TTandley, M.L.A., promised the health of the Mayor, to which the hitter responded. The Mayor proposed the health of In- 'New South Wales bowlers, and Mr Crouch responded. SECOND TEST MATCH. This morning, at half-past nine o'clock, the visitors will lie driven from the Star Hotel, which is their headquarters while in Auckland, around the suburbs. The delegates to the association are invited to participate in the drive. In the afternoon the second (est match against Auckland will be played on the Auckland Club's green. Craft on* J load. The lady friends of the visitors will be the guests of the members of the Auckland Croquet Club. In (he evening (lie visitors will be the guests of the local association at the performance of the '"Little Stranger." at His Majesty's theatre. 'I he Auckland teams for to-day areas follows: —

Dingle. Myers, Bon-skill. Harrison (skip). W. G. Fletcher. Osmond. Mercer. Laurie Warren. Bnrton. Letlingham, Handcock -skip). . _ ~ Craig. F. W. Court. James. Ballant.vne (skip!. , . ~ . , Tutt. Bart let t. Kalfe. Rankin (skip). Emergencies: \\ akeney. Easton. torman. Parsons. Thornrs.

During the afternoon the ladies who arc travelling with fie New South Wales team were She guests of (ho members of the Devon port Croquet Club, and played several games.