BOWLING NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23112, 10 August 1938, Page 23

BOWLING NOTES

WINTER COMPETITIONS DENISON PINS CHANGE HANDS BT SKIP Winter bowlers were favoured on Saturday with fine overhead conditions and free-running greens. A bright scene was witnessed at Mount Albert, where the main attraction was the Edwin Stars match. The best possible conditions were experienced, as the quick-drying qualities of the green responded to the fine weather. The pace of the rinks was sufficient to please the most fastidious bowler. It. Thomas' Mount Albert combination had another close win its its Ed r win Stars match against the Devonport challenging team in the charge of N. Melville. The game was a very good one and provided a fine afternoon's entertainment. Once again the winning skip, R. Thomas, revealed exceptional form, and was the dominant figure of a group of eight bowlers who all played well. Devonport opened better than Mount Albert, but Thomas and Humphreys, the Mount Albert No. 3, were too steady to allow heavy scores to be registered against them. On four heads, the fourth to the seventh, Thomas was down 10 points when the skips changed, but the scoring was equal, three to each side. This gives some indication of Thomas' saving shots. The greatest difference in points during the game was on the 15th head, when the score was 13—8 in favour of the holders. Devonport recovered well to score a series of 2, 3 and 2, and led 15 —13 on the 18th head. The ,19th head saw Thomas score a nice three. He was lying one shot when he changed over, but by gently touching the jack back a foot he scored a three which Melville oould not save. Devonport was holding shot on the 20th head when the skips changed over, but Thomas retrieved, only to be beaten by a very fine draw by the Devonport skip, who had only an inch in which to work. With the scores even it was an exciting final head. The Mount Albert players had the better of the opening play, but Gray, No. 3 for Devonport, nearly got shot for his side by touching up a short one, and it was a measure in Mount Albert's favour. However, Thomas put the issue beyond doubt by drawing a toucher which Melville could not remove. The game ended with the score at 17 —16 in Mount Albert's favour. The next challenger is A. Faire, West End. The Ponsonby holders of the Denison Pins did not survive the first challenge for the trophies, a strong team skipped by Whittle, Grey Lynn, proving successful. Mincham, the Grey Lynn lead, was in fine form, and his play was an important factor in the success of the side. Ably supporting Mincham was L. Donaldson, while W. Liversidge lent support as No. 3. Griffiths and his men had to be on their best mettle in order to keep up with the visitors. Principally as the result of Griffiths' fine play, there was a difference of only three points in the scores with 16 heads played, but the game swung against Ponsonby on the 17th head, when the challengers scored a six. Ponsonby had only one bowl on tjie head, tin's being G. Casey's. The next challenger is A. I. Clarke, Auckland.