FEATURES OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20152, 12 January 1929, Page 14

FEATURES OF THE DAY.

REVERSES FOR LEADERS. ONLY TWO TEAMS UNBEATEN. FORTUNES OF AUCKLANDERS. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] WELLINGTON. Friday • Conditions for howling were again most unpleasant to-day, a gale and drizzling ram being factors with which bowlers had to contend. Tins was responsible for a riuinbei of the leading teams suffering defeat, and at the end of the day there were only two teams which had not been beaten, Doherty (Kelburn) and Noble Adams (Blenheim). Bremner (West End) managed to score two wins to-day. His first game, against Hutchison (Duncdin) was a comfortable one, but against Ward (Hataitai) ho just got home, 18—17. It was a great fight all ihe way through, and tht result depended on the last bowl. Bremner has five wins, and should win the section as he is the only one in this position. North (Te Awamutu) had a had day, losing both his games. The first one, with Gray (Kelburn), was a sterling contest, with the score 17—16, against North. His next game showed a big margin against him. Clark (Mount Albert) had a win and a loss, as on the two previous day?, and lias no chance of qualifying for post section play. Parsons' Victorious Career.

Parsons (Ponsonby) continued his victorious career, scoring another two wins. His second game, against Bleach (Victoria), was a wonderful battle, ending 17—16, in his favour. He has two hard games for the last day, and will have to produce good bowls to maintain his position. Bainbridge (Mount Eden) has scored three wins, and has two hard games to finish with. N. Bell (Hamilton) suffered his first loss in the fifth round to Galbraith (St. Johns), and with a win by default in the following round is leading the section with five wins. Ryan (Remuera) lost both games, and with only three wins so far has little chance of qualifying. Ho was unlucky in the first game of the day, losing on a close measure. In the following round he never looked like beating Navlor (Thorndon), and went down by a fair margin.

Hoskirig (Carlton) had Ins first loss, against Bartlett (Nelson). After a hard, stern chase he managed to get in the lead on the 24th head, being one up when the last head commenced. His opponents, however, notched a couple, Hosking just failing with his drive to remove the two scoring bowls He had a comfortalJe win the next round against Kolfe (New South Wales). Most Sensational Game. IMkmgton (Hamilton) went down in the fifth round to Doherty (Ivelburn), although half way through he had a lead of 12 points. Doherty came with a great rattle over the latter portion—too much short wood being Pilkington's downfall. In the following round, against Lambert (Thorndon), was witnessed one of the most sensational games. Owing to the rain only 21 heads were being played, and on the 10th end die score was 18 to 1 against Pilkington. On tlie 13th bead be was still 12 down. To make matters worse no score was registered on the 17th and 18th heads. On the 17th head each side had a bowl touching the jack, and on the following one the urn [lire was unable to separate the two bowls he was measuring for shot—surely one of the most remarkable incidents that has ever occurred. Requiring six to tie oi' seven to win on the last head the Thorndon players failed completely, and without a bowl being disturbed Pilkington scored eight. A loss m this game would have eliminated him from the competition. W:ilker (Auckland) lost his last game of the day to Yates (New .South Wales). The Sydney bowler, playing a care-free game, won, 23—21. Walker's first game was a light finish with Chambers (Sumner), the score being only 16—12 in Walker's favour. Steady Mount Eden Team. The Auckland team, skipped by Harrison (V.8.A.), experienced its first loss to Munro (Island Bay). The score at the lltli head wis 19—8 against Harrison, a handicap which was Loo high for him to overtake. He tied in the next game, against Gilbert (Sealoun) and drew the winning shot with bis last bowl. Higgott (Whitiora) lost both his games and has scored only two wins to date. Eindlay (.Mount Eden) has live wins to his credit, as ho won both his games to-day. showing his team is maintaining its steady form. G. Armstrong (Pukekohe) did much bettor, winning both his games. One was against Hueston (Gisbornej, who is leading in the section. Gordon (f'arlt.iin) scored Ins first and only win against Wyelt (Dunedin). At tins stage, of the competition there arc two teams which have scored six wins and 18 with live wins It looks highly probable that six wins will qualify foi post-section play, and the Auckland teams that appear to have a reasonable chance of going forward arc:—Bell (Hamilton), Bremner (West End), Walker (Auckland), Hoskirig (Carlton), Findlav (Mount Eden), and Parsons (Ponsonby).