BOWLING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 16

BOWLING NOTES.

THE BENDIGO GOLD BOWLS. MT. EDEN CLUB'S SUCCESS. EXCELLENT PLAY BY GILL.

BY SKIP.

Judging by the interest displayed by players and spectators alike in the recent competition for the Bendigo gold bowls, there should be every prospect of a repetition of the contest next year, whether or not the trophies are again donated by the Victorian player, Mr. H. M. Leggo. The generous donor is reported to have said that if the competition was successful, he would again provide the prizes.

It was .significant that during the course of tho tourney there were many expressions of regret that tho games were not conducted on the "two life" system, which has become so popular among Auckland players. However, there were obstacles on this occasion for its use, the. first being the implied wish of the donor for "sudden death" games. Secondly, the staging of the tournament at this late period in the season and the fact that it followed the Easter tourney so closely, demanded as speedy a clearance as possible. There is no doubt that the experience in the recent tournament shows that a decision is pretty quickly reached. Be that as it may there is no reason why next season when a more opportune time will no doubt be selected, that the competition should be carried out under the more popular idea—the "two life" system , Selection Difficulties,

Owing to difficulties with regard to players obtaining the necessary leave many of those selected were precluded from participating, and several teams had to be.filled by a second selection. While this would not be a serious matter for some of the larger clubs, yet in the case of average-sized clubs the choosing of a soconcl team no doubt impaired the strength of its representatives. Even the winning team, Mount Eden, was not immune from disability, as the ultimate skip, Gill, was the only member of the original team left in. The choice of the substitutes was particularly happy, in view of the team's success.

The success of Grey Lynn was largely proclaimed, and there is no doubt the original team would have justified expectations had not difficulties arisen which prevented the original four from competing. Three greens were in use for the first round at Carlton. The rinks on the main green in front of the pavilion were a trifle on the heavy side, while the new or upper green rinks suffered from exposure to a tricky wind, and also to not being long enough under playing conditions. The weather, as at Easter, was all in favour of the players. The standard of play on this occasion was not good, apart from the showings of a few players, being for the most part of an erratic and scratchy nature. Considering that the candidates were specially selected, or won their way through by eliminating tests, one looked for more solid and compact play. Two Good Skips.

Gill and Ryan were two skips whose form was distinctly outstanding, and all along the line they commanded attention. The Mount Eden player, right from the outset, was playing in faultless style, and many of his shots were real gems. One shot in particular stood out. When playing .Jenkin, Mount Albert, Gill drew on to the Mount Albert skip s shot bowl, which Jenkin had drawn beautifully oh a head well against him, and, dislodging it. scored a fine si::. Apart from Gill's fine play the consistent form of his three front men was largely responsible for the side's success. Nairn, senior, is a player who very capably fills the role of lead. His steady drawing at all times, whether his opponent is on the white or not-, is a feature and, incidentally, a sure foundation in the building of the head. Gill took full advantage of his two front rankers' ability to get near the jack by consist entlv playing for position. Joll, as number two, was generally good, 'and his exhibition of the onerous duties of that position was quite up to standard. Baker, who must now be regarded as one of the veteran tvpe, is an old and seasoned tournament player, and his showing on this occasion was much on a par with previous displays. He is at ill times a steady rather than a brilliant, plaver. There was much speculation in the closing stages of the tournament as to the actual winner, and Ryan and his Remuera men were the popular choice. However, there were shrewd judges who had observed the consistent disnlav of the Mount Eden team, and also Gill's great form, and who were quite prepared for the victory which ultimately came about. Difficult for Ryan. The Remuera skip, Ryan, has not been long with us, but. during that time he has made himself popular with the Auckland bowling public, not only by his good play but also by his unassuming manner and good sporting qualities. In this contest his stocks rose right from the time he defeated the Ponsonby crack. Parsons, in the closing head of a great game. Ryan's defeat in the final can only be attributed to the fact that whereas his lead, Crawford Young, had made free play with his opponents in prior games, ho was, on this occasion, unable to make any impression on his machine-like opponent, Nairn, and consequently Ryan was sorely put to it to stem Mount Eden's following onslaught. Following the presentation of the trophies to the Mount Eden players by Mr. J. Pascoe, the Mount Eden skip jocularly referred to the centre president's remark that he was pleased to see Mount Eden on the bowling map again. He the speaker, maintained that Mount Eden was always on the map, but on this occasion had come right into the centre of it. It is a fair time now since Mount Eden's 'representatives have met with conspicuous success in important events. The last occasion was when Findlay won the Christmas centre tournament. Hov/ick Team's Play. A resume of the tournament would not be complete without a reference to the Howick team, skipped by the redoubtable singles exponent, Johnson. Here we saw in action an outside team whose chances before the competition began were not seriously considered. However, by dint, of fine individual play on the part of Johnson and his number two, Beckett, the first three rounds were successfully encountered. The two other members of the team were just ordinary, but Beckett's bowls were always handy. Johnson, as a skip, is very cool, and has the ability to produce all classes of shots when the occasion demands. Being an old athlete and a participant, in all forms of active sport, it is only natural that he should sliine so well at bowls.

There were several surprises in the first round. Chief of these was Maxwell Walker's downfall at the hands of the Avondale team. It was a case where one team could, do nothing wrong and the other nothing right. The centre secretary has circularised the various club' delegates in order to asCer tain if they can participate -in a suggested friendly game of bowls on Monday, May 7, at the Hillsborough green. This is the outcome of a suggestion pu' forward at the last meeting of delegates when it was mentioned that it was desirable for the individuals to meet on a common ..green and so not only have a game but a talk over bowling matters in general. The meeting will only eventuate if a sufficient number of names are put in, and these must be presented before May 1.