GAME OF BOWLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22685, 24 March 1937, Page 23

GAME OF BOWLS

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS ONEHUNGA CLUB'S SUCCESS WINNER'S OUTSTANDING PLAY BY SKIP Another fine week considerably facilitated tlio progress of various bowling events, and was particularly appreciated by players competing in the annual rink tournament conducted by the Auckland Public Service Bowling Association on the Auckland Club's greens, and in the annual meeting of club champions on the Carlton greens. In the latter event, which embraced representatives from 30 clubs, there were many keen and interesting struggles before finality was reached.

The new title-holder, F. Livingstone, Onchunga, had previously made a name for himself,, and his recent success showed his remarkable consistency. On this occasion the Onchunga champion must be given credit for outstanding play right through the contest. As Mr. A. K- Whitten, president of the centre, remarked ivhen presenting the prizes, Livingstone had set the seal of fame on liis career by winning both the Dominion and local titles. Livingstone nearly went through the tournament undefeated, as he was beaten only in a game which necessitated an extra head being played. In the final game against his previous conqueror, Jury, Ponsonby, Livingstone found difficulty in turning the tables on his experienced rival. He succeeded only on the last few heads in establishing a few points' lead. Jury must be congratulated on being runner-up," considering his lack of participation in the many one-day tournaments. Like the winner, Jury has previous good records. Twice a Dominion skip winner, he has won many otli-ar important " events during his long career.Jl'he fact that he conquered A. Parsons is an instance of how good his form is this season.

The final game, while revealing the good drawing qualities of both players, was not a particularly good all-round one. The importance of the occasion and the wariness of each player had its effect when anything above a draw shot was attempted. Evidence of this was very noticeable in the play of the winner, who is generally devastating with the run shot, but his efforts in this direction were first unsuccessful and then subdued. • EASTER TOURNAMENT PROSPECTS IN FOURS The end of the season event, the popular Easter tournament, has agaiu drawn good entries, over 650 players appearing in the four sections. The Easter Fours, claiming nearly half the total entry, is the most importantevent. ; , f In section'A, Jury and Mingins with good teams appear likely to win section honours. C. Little, Carlton, may also qualify. The position is more open in t-ection B. Included is Whitelaw, the strong Whangarei skip. Deare, Carlton, oil present form, must bn reckoned with, as he lias J. Bird, who is playing well, to assist him. Keatlev has a great chance of qualifying, as he has his usual supports in Oughton, Yeo and Lorain. Of the younger skips, Barber, Balmoral, has good prospects, and another good rink is that in the charge of/ Vivian, Mount Eden. No rink has a chance better than

H. Whittle's Grey Lynn combination in section C. His chief opposition \ xorne from Frauks,. Balmoral, ' And Bi'sh, Pukekohe. Section D is the first of the 12-teams sections and de Launay's Carlton rink should assert itself, although the skip has a new lead in Wish art and a new number three in Elliott. The Putarurii team, in the charge of Delargey, is practically identical with that which did so well in the Rotorua tourney. E. R. Cameron's Takapuna team finished runner-up in the big Auckland club tourney and on that display is entitled to a place in the section. Another outside team in section E is Knagg's rink from Rotorua. The former West End and Takapuna member is in charge of three of the players who played for Hessey, Pcvonport, in the last Christmas tourney, and as ho is playing good bowls himself the team should show up. Dick, Ponsonbv, and '■ Melville, Devon port, have good chances. Section F is one of the most even, and the winner, is well concealed. A visitor who will be welcomed is Ritchie, Opunake. The veteran, I. Clarke, Auckland, seems to have a good chance, and Letham, 'Ponsonbv, and Parker Hill, Papatoetoe, are two other skips, who should make their presence felt. In section G the recent winner in the Christmas tourney, D. Hessey, Devonport, has charge of a very fine rink and, if he displays anything like his form of late he should, have no difficulty in securing a place in the inter-section play. Apait from this team the others are pretty even. Fookes, Carlton, Bilkcy, Waitemata, and Sturgess, Mount Eden, should be rcell up at the close of section play. There should be a good fight for tho honour in section A of the executive fours between the Auckland club team, skipped by Bennet, and Higginbotham's Henderson rink. Section B is an even one, but the 'teams skipped by Moon, Te Papapa? Dr. Whiteside, Waiuku, and Ritchie, Carlton, appear to have the best chance of section honours. • _ The time for commencement of play in all events is 8.45 o'clock.