BOWLING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20115, 28 November 1928, Page 16

BOWLING NOTES.

PENNANT COMPETITION.

KEEN RIVALRY FOR PLACES.

SUCCESS OF SMALL CLUBS

BY SKIP.

Tho pennant competition of tho Auckland Bowling Centre was commenced last Saturday with the second round, the first round having been postponed on account of rain. Tho afternoon, from a bowler's point of view, was perfect, and it would bo safo to say that tho round was the most successful in tho annuls of the competition. As on previous occasions tho management worked smoothly, a fact which reflects great credit on the centre authorities. There were 1008 competitors.

As was generally anticipated tho Ilelensvillo representatives swamped the opposition and two good wins went to their credit, tho club thereby establishing a commanding position at tho head of the list, in section A, with a maximum percentage. It is pleasing to nolo the success of Stanley, which hitherto has more or loss occupied a lowly position in the percentage table. On Saturday the club's representatives had a good win at the expense of J'onsonby. Mount Albert is another club which lias always caused surprise by not doing better in inter-club competition, but its latest effort of six wins out of eight games is somewhat moto in keeping with its status. Too much, however, must not bo mado of the win on this occasion, as the opposition, Henderson and Kpsom, could nut, by any means bo considered strong. Manurcwa, too, shows a forward move on this occasion, and 1 lie fact that its teams did not sustain actual loss in the two games against Carlton evidently means that tho quality of play is improving in the outer suburban club. Papatoetoe, with four wins out of six games, can be said to have done fairly well, and tho club now holds a favourable position. Onehunga's record is somewhat unusual for it, in pennant matches. Considering its fairly heavy quota any percentage gained over 50 can be accounted good. Carlton's Good Percentage.

Tho samo remarks apply to Carlton, which, although not registering the record of former years, had a good percentage as a result of tho day's play. Takapuna headed the list in the lirst, round last season with seven wins, but its effort this time only brought in a percentage of 50. Kpsom, Auckland ami Poiiaonby all had a bad day. The two former aro carrying such heavy quotas that there is little hope of making up the leeway occasioned by the indifferent start. Ponsonby's showing is in strong contrast to that of last season, when it went well in every round and eventually won its section.

Rocky Nook again takes the honours hi loading in section 15, and its record of wins out of 10 games is quite in keening with many of its past performances. With such a good start tlio club must bo given a good chance of participating in the final struggle for tlio section. Last season the Mount Eden players showed their form in the inter-club competition, and Saturday's result of eight wins out of 12 games which places tiie club second on tlio list is a further indication of their abilities. It is surprising to find F.llerslie tieing with St. Heliers for third place, when the fact of an additional weight, of two teams is being carried by it on this occasion, lho sporting spirit "of the club's officials iu requesting an added impost so that more members could paiticipnte each Saturday in the social and competitive games is amply rewarded by the showing in the first contest. Position of St. Heliers. St. Helieis fulfilled the confidence placed in it to do well in the first roynd. Ihe record produced was only to be expected ami there is no reason why this record should not be repeated in future rounds. Otahuhu mustered six very strong rinks in a straight-out contest with Remuera. Its wins could not be accounted too satisfactory when the fact is taken into consideration that the opposing forces were weakened l>y a big quota of teams. However, tlio result places the club in n handy position and it lias players of ealibro to do better l-'ive "cluli?, Hillsborough, Grey Lynn, Papakura. West End and Dominion Road, all had 50 pei cent, to their credit. Grev Lynn's tally uuut he. considered very good under the circumrtanecs, while the totals of West End and Dominion Koad arc ralher disappointing Dominion Road had a much better start last season under a heavier quota and the cluii went right on to finish even with Ponsnnby. It will ii"cd pood effort in succeeding rounds if the club hopes to emulate last season's

record. Tho Hallybuitoii-Johnstone Club in its initial entry recorded no wins. Such a result, however, should in no way be discouraging to the members of tho club, who are fur the most part young and in experienced players. The main factor w ill bo the chaiico of competing against outside clubs, which will help to cultivate the right spirit for match play. The club shares the "wooden spoon" honours with . IFowick in section A. The latter, however, is not a new competitor, and also has only to provide two teams. Summed up the honours of the day's plav rest with tho smaller clubs, with Rocky Nook and Mount Eden the excep lions. Playing Last Bowl. The, folly of playing tho last howl when victory is assured was brought homo to the Eiler&lic player, T. Dickson, when ht> turned in an opposing bowl to make a drawn game of it against Roberts, Dominion Road. Ellerslie's crack skip, Osborne, led by a wide margin on the fourteenth head in his game with President Kelly, of Dominion Road, but he never scored again and tho opposition got up in time to make a draw. Had this game and Dickson's been wins, Ellerslie would havo had a regular feast day. The game between veteran Brookes, West End, and tho champion skip. 11. Wright, St. Heliers, was a keen ono. It was even going all the way with tho West End skip rising to the occasion. With two up and a head to go tho chances looked bright for West End, but tho team failed badly and lot tho opposition in, Brookes being unable to save, and he had tho misfortune of going down after play ing a really good gatue. Tho Auckland veteran. Osmond, had a comfortable win over tho ex-West End player, ,1. Hosking, now playing for Carlton, but Dutlin avenged his club-inato's defeat by disposing of Walker m much the samo maimer. Kilgour anil Seantlebury had a great game, honours going to the Carlton representative by a few points. Tho Auckland skip playc'd in faultless st \ 10. Match for Hardley Shield.

Johnson, Stanley, of champion pairs fame, upset a strong Ponsonby quartet iu charge of Ililton. Bovnc, Epsom, indicted rather a severe defeat on the Mount Albert skip, G. Clark The Takapuna players secured three wins at Epsom out of four games, but sustained three losses on tho home ground. Parsons, Ponsonby, and Schnaucr, Onehunga, had a very close game, the latter prevailing by a point. Veteran Wright, Onehunga. was a good few up on Parker-Hill, Papatootoo. Both players have been successful in tournament finals recently. Tho delegates to tho Auckland Centre will be entertained to-morrow on tho Auckland grceu. when opportunity will be taken to welcome home tho local members of the party which recently toured thp Old Country and America. Tho (est match between Iho Auckland and South Auckland representatives will bo played at the Epsom green next Wednesday, for tho Ilardlev Shield. The South' Auckland Centre is sending only tho eight rinks to compete and consequently tlio usual social games will not bo played.