PLAYERS SOAKED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22619, 6 January 1937, Page 12

PLAYERS SOAKED

HOLDER ELIMINATED WAIKATO MAN IMPRESSIVE ONEHUNGA CLUB DEFECTIONS [BY TELEGRAPH —-SPECIAL REPORTER] AVELLIXGTOX, Tuesday Rain set in during the progress of the second game in post-sectional play to-day, and no afternoon games were possible. Some of tho players received a good soaking in their laudable efforts to finalise their matches. At 4.30 p.m. it was decided not to attempt further play, the greens being very \\et and soggy. In the second round at headquarters an extraordinary winning sequence was carded by G. 13. Evans, of Hamilton, in his game with M. Loveridge, Matamata, both being two-lifers. After a single, Evans conceded a point to his opponent, and then for 1.'3 ends the i Hamilton man scored consecutively, I running up 25 points, a brace of throes and a possible being notched. The game ended on the 15th head, j Macklow's defeat of a Caledonian S player, Aiteheson, was tho result of ' very fine drawing, and lie countered : his opponent's virile play, with excellent positional tactics. The Onehunga singles champion was playing well and, when he mot Brackcnridgc, who had won his first post-section game, there was quite a good gallery, in spite of tlie rain. A good, exhibition was given, but the Lyall Bay representative held the mat for eight ends, while he put on 12 points, and was 16—7 on the 14th | head. This proved too heavy a handij cap and, although Macklow scored j eight in a row, a possible to Brackenridge on tlie penultimate head settled j Macklow's hopes for the 1937 singles. I The loser lias played very well during | the series and, with Livingstone, should ; go very well in the three-bowl contest ! to-day. Stubborn Resistance Livingstone, at Hataitai, mot stubJ born resistance from A. Dickson, of i Christchnrch, who is playing in the j tourney for the Wellington Club. No ! fewer than five times were the scores i levelled, both men playing beautiful I draws. The Onehunga man clinched the | game when he converted one down into j three up with a yard on shot which i was splendidly played. | Tho Sumner player, Hampton, was I Livingstone's next opponent, and | proved to be his downfall in a surprisi ing defeat, 24—11. Pain was falling j heavily on this green, and the Atickj lander was all at sea under the condij tions. This eliminates last year's chainj pion, whoso games have been followed I with interest.

j In defeating tho Elm wood representa- | tivc, H. B. Oake.v, who has an exccl- ! lent Christchurch record, Macey ! (Remucra) put up a great exhibition, I the game being in doubt right up to the I last two heads. The winner cleverly | executed a trail on the 20th, which was : well received by the spectators, j ' In his meeting with F. Firth, Ponsonby, in the seventh game, rain intcr- ] fcrcd, and the last three ends wore ! played under sloppy conditions. The J game was on the last end when Macey drew two beauties. Considering the con- | ditions, Firth came through strongly, to ! push one of his front woods up for | shot. Macey deserved to win, but the ; Remucra representative was by this ] loss put on the bank. Well-fancied Candidate Evans downed a well-fancied Welling--1 ton candidate in Brighting, Hataitai. j This win was up to tho Waikato i player's first day efforts and the game j fluctuated right from the throw-up with j singles and pairs the only counters. It was a dour game with the winner's excellent drawing a feature. With Loveridge's easy defeat to his credit, Evans' play has been very favourably commented on and the decisive manner in which he dealt with Loveridge. after the hitter's great display on the first day. was impressive. His game with J. D. Best in the third round is sure to be interesting. Walker's chances were eclipsed when La Frentz, of Maitai, Nelson, put up a goorl performance at Hataitai. The Aucklander is not well and played today only to keep interest going, and his bowling was naturally lifeless. At Hataitai Bremner was given a hard task to dispose of Manning, Tiniaru. At one stage the West Ender had an eight-point advantage, but Manning camo strongly and Bremner's destructive tactics were necessary on tho last two heads, as his opponent had the position. With McNish, Canterbury, in the next game Bremner held the mat at the commencement and the lead lie obtained was never threatened. His opponent went well in Christchurch last year and his plav was highly spoken of in his earlier games. Hampton, Sumner, is Bremner's opponent in the eighth game and he is a possible upsetting element. A Great Battle Thorndon s]X?ctators witnessed a great battle between Gamble, Hamilton, and Robertson, Onehunga. Each bowler was well on form and the game was closely contested, evens being recorded on the board in several instances. The decision went to the last two shots. Onehunga had a bowl on kitty, -which the Hamilton representative failed to dislodge. This was a great struggle right through. Against Smith, North Knd, Invercargill, Robertson was badly trounced, , 29 —8 being carded. The Southland player was too good altogether under the wet conditions prevailing in this round. With the defections of Livingstone. Macklow and Robertson, the Onehunga Club loses its chance of retaining the title. Mingins, Ponsonby, at the Victoria green, decisively disposed of the Greymouth man, Whihley, in a game in which the loser was striving to avert disaster all through, some of the heads being hopelessly laid against him. With his subsequent defeat of a strong player in Lawric, Island Bay, Mingins goes forward to meet Batchelor, of Taihape.

Remaining Aucklanders Auckland and district men now left in arc Evans, of Hamilton, with two lives, Firth. Ponsonby, Miugins, Ponsonby, Loveridge, Matamata, and Brcmner, West End, all with one life. The competition will be continued as soon as opportunities occur. Best, Otago, and Foster, Caledonian, two old champions, nre still unbeaten and with Bennett. Upper Hutt, and Evans, Hamilton, comprise the two-lifers. Carswcll, Engcbrotsen and Brackenridge have still a chance to add to their laurels with a life left. There are 2G still left in this competition. W. Bennett, a two-lifer, was for some time at Thames, where he was holder of the champion singles and was president of his club last year. The pairs championship will commence to-morrow and four games will be played instead of three. This is necessary in order to make up for the time lost in tho singles to-day. There are 256 entrants in the pairs and the Auckland district has a large representation.