BOWLING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19627, 4 May 1927, Page 16

BOWLING NOTES.

SUMMER SEASON ENDING. FINAL OF THE EASTER FOURS. EPSOM'S NOTABLE VICTORY. BY SKIP. Most Auckland bowlers have now stowed away their " woods " until the beginning of the next season, although a lew clubs will not complete their programme for another month. The weather on Saturday, which marked the close of the season for a number of clubs, was splendid for bowling, except that the failing light made an earlier cessation of play necessary, and the greens were somewhat dead after the rain of the preceding days. The play-off between de Laun-ay (Epsom) and Laurenson (Carlton) in the final of the Easter fours attracted a fair attendance at the Remuera green on Saturday. Contrary to most finals, Saturday's game was no runaway, and the going was decidedly even, all the way. The condition of the green did not lend* itself to spectacular or brilliant play. The whole eight players were very even, and no one shone out above the others. The score of 16 all on the 20th head indicates that the battle was a stubborn one. The fate of the game thus depended upon the last head. This proved unfortunate for the Carlton skip on account of an opposing bowl being promoted into shot when Carlton was lying. Epsom won by 18 points to 16, and so established another win in the competition, as well as securing a double honour in the open playing fields of local boosting this season. "Value of 00-operation. The Epsom skip must now take his place among the leaders in that position in the game in Auckland. The name of de Launay has long been familiar to those acquainted with the best players, and his recent win, coupled with consistent past deeds, justly entitles him to high ranking. The de Launay-Wilkinson combination, apart from the playing abilities of the two men, demonstrates very clearly the value of a close co-operation between a skip and his third man. In the Epsom combination this state of affairs was paramount and the complete confidence ot one player in the other stood the team in good stead. Wilkinson's merit as a bowler is undoubted, and on this occasion his play was up to his usual good standard. The front division, Lamb and Grattan, must, of course, have a share of the credit in the win. The first-named has a good reputation as a lead. His play throughout was very steady, and was of material assistance to the Epsom skip in building up his heads. Grattan, the No., 2, is an old and experienced player, and is accustomed to playing in higher positions. However, he adapted himself well to the requirements of a second player. , Laurenson has certainly performed well since coming to Auckland,, been knocking at the door for a long time. He received able assistance from the other members of his team throughout the tournament. Bates, Josey and Mantell are as fine a trio as any skip could wish to have in front of him. Epsom Celebrates its Success. The Epsom Club celebrated its win in the inter-club . pennant competition at a recent function. The president, Mr. E. F. Jones, was in charge of the gathering, which proved most enjoyable. The Dominion Council officials and Auckland Centre representatives were among those present. Both the Dominion president, x\lr. J. W. Hardley, and Centre president, Mr. James Paseocy warmly congratulated the club on its win over such a strong club as Rocky Nook. Mr A. H. Roylance, president of the Rocky Nook Club, in replying to the toast of the runners-up, said that his club members "were pleased to see Epsom win after being so close on a former occasion. It was good to see the honours go round. Apropos of Epsom's success this season, it is interesting to note how the various club have spells of good fortune. Fears ago Ponsonby was at-the top of the tree, then Carlton and Rocky Nook came to the front, and now Epsom holds pride of place, with Remuera in the immediate background. Green Superintendents. The usual practice of appointing a green superintendent at the annual meeting of a club about June does not fmd favour with the Ellerslie Club. There the procedure is to make the appointment in the first week in April. The advantage of this system is that the superintendent can better lay out his programme for the coming season, Much initial work requires to be done in the warm months before the winter comes, and the official appointed in Juno does not get a fair chance, as Ibe has to start where another man left off. It is then too late to put into operation any definite policy he may have in view. On his recent appointment for a sixth term of office, Mr. J. A. Godfrey, the green superintendent at Ellerslie, the members expressed implicit confidence jn the manner in which he had fulfilled this duty for so long a time. The success of this" official's work was clearly, reflected in the state of the green during the past season. At one time the pernicious water weed held full and undisputed sway. However, Mr. Godfrey left no stone unturned until he was sure of the weed's eradication, and now he has achieved partial success. Apart from this early appointment of green superintendent, it would seem to be a good policy not to change officials from year to year. Carlton, where Mr. J. Kilgour has occupied the position for 18 years, is a notable example. An Ambitious Team. "To succeed in bowling and bring yourself prominently before the public, you should participate in rll the big tournaments held in Auckland. If no one will have you in his team, then get a team of your own." This advice is often given, and many bowlere prominent to-day have adopted this policy in their early careers, and after years of severe bufferings they have attained positions of prominence An example of this is .J, J. Donnell's Carlton team of leads. The ex-Ellerslie player joined Carlton with the idea of improving himself, and in this, his first year of membership, has charge ot a team of men used to playing only in the front divisions The Carlton player has no doubt had his share of defeats, but in the recent Easter tourney he was seen contesting the issue with the leading players, and he actually succeeded in defeating a good team from Epsom. Donnell's progressive idea is thus certainly beginning to take shape and, considering lie has done so well in charge of a moderate rink, greater success may be anticipated when be works his way into better class company. NO FAST WICKETS. PRAISE FOR DACFIE. COMMENT BY H. L. HENDRY. On returning to Sydney with the Melbourne cricket leam which visited New Zealand toward the end of !»-•: season, H. L. Hendry stated that in New Zealand fast wickets were unobtainable. Most of the wickets were tn the slow side. They crumbled fairly rapidly, too. New Zealand had a very fine player in Blunt, who was a prolific scorer. Hendry thought that Blunt was not- too safe with fast- bowling. Dacre was also a very accomplished batsman, but the New Zealanders generally had a tendency to Hick at the pitch of the ball. Merrill was probably the outstanding bowler. A boy of 19 years, he wheeled «p a good "googly" ball, hut it was rather too slow in the flight through space. Batsmen opposed to him were able'to watch the bait At times; however, Merrill sent down a good; "wrong-un," which mas hard to detect.