BOWLING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19699, 27 July 1927, Page 16

BOWLING NOTES.

CAREER OF MR. T. R. GEORGE.

ACTIVITIES IN MANY SPORTS.

CHALLENGE FOR EDWIN STARS. BY SKIP, It is generally a recognised fact among bowlers that a person who has made good ,n other branches of Bport in his earlier days succeeds in later years in the popular game of bowls. In his earlier days Mr. T. R. George, of the Epsom Club, made his name as a runtier and a footballer. As a runner ho made his first appearance in a 150 yds. maiden race on the Auckland Domain at the St. Patrick's Day sports in 1894 and succeeded in winning. Later he won many events on the track. One of his successes was the winning of the Waihi Miners' Union Cup, run over three distances of 100 yds., 220 yds. and 440 yds. The renowned speedy footballer, Opai Asher, was a competitor in these events on the same mark. At that time such notable runners as W. G. Abbott and L. McLaughlin were competing. At Pukekohe Mr George was prominent as a cycle rider, winning half-mile and mile races in one day, and in the evening he won a 300 yds. flat race. L. McLaughlin was the back-marker and several prominent Australian runners also competed. Mr. George's time of 2m 40s on a grass track for the cycle race was considered good in those days. Later, at the Domain, ho won a halfmile in tho Athletic Club's sports in 2m 2s off syds., and gave up to 90yds. start to some runners. He also won several races varying from 100 yds. to 300 yds. at sports meetings in and around Auckland. His running ability was ascertained when he was training for football. Ho found that in the evening practice runs no one could keep pace with him. Apart from bowls, Mr. George's chief recreation is shooting. As a footballer his great speed was a big factor in his side's success. One day, when playing for Ellerslie Suburbs against North Shore, he scored seven tries. Mr. George commenced his bowling career at Onehunga, where he had a good record. He won tho championship twice and was runner-up four times. He won the president's and vice-presidents' fours four times, and also the handicap singles. He joined the Epsom Club in 1922 and won the handicap singles from scratch and was runner-up for the championship in 1923. He has the honour of having skipped and won the largest tournament held in Auckland (outside the Dominion event), the Easter fours of 1925. Mr. George has represented Auckland in every representative match played here, the principal event being the test match against the British bowlers. The holders of the Wednesday trophies stalled off the challenge made last week by Mount Eden. Apart from Delamore's fine play, there was not much of the sparkling element in the game. The West End front division left the opposing skip (Eraser) a considerable amount of work to do, which, on the day, he could not cope with successfully. The next challenge will bo from the Onehunga Club, with Robertson as skip. , t Every prospect of a good game in the weekly challenge for the Edwin Stars was spoiled by tho weather conditions. Good bowling was out of tho question. Howover, the Carlton team suited itself better to the conditions than the Rocky Nook side. The holders wrested a fair lead early in the game and gradually increased the advantage as the game progressed. A team from Onehunga, with T. Bassett as skip, will play the holders next. Saturday.