GAME OF BOWLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23226, 21 December 1938, Page 21

GAME OF BOWLS

THE PENNANT EVENT SUCCESS OF SMALL CLUBS WEST END'S FINE RECORD BY SKIP As there is a large programme of fixtures ahead, the fact that the pennant bowling competition was completed to schedule will give satisfaction to players and club officials. It is rather remarkable that, in spite of the variable weather conditions which have been experienced' for the past few months, no postponements were necessarv.

The two smallest clubs taking part in the pennant event, Buckland's Beach and Howick, were the respective section-winners and these clubs are to be congratulated on their success. Hillsboro, in section A. failed to take the required two wins from Buckland's Beach, and this, coupled with its moderate success in the engagement with Carlton, robbed the club of its chance and also put HallyburtonJohnstone out of the running. The success of Buckland's Beach is all the more noteworthy owing to the fact that in tlie opening round against Auckland a nil percentage was returned. As in A section, where Hillsboro held the key of the situation, Henderson carried a similar responsibility in section B. Henderson met Howick's two teams and, owing to the former's inability to score a single win, Howick was enabled to take section honours and defeat the consistent West End Club by a narrow margin. It was hard luck for West End, as the club held very high percentages throughout, having a reeorjl of 8, 8, 7. 6 and 71 wins. Two clubs with 16 team quotas, Ponsonbv and Mount Eden, deserve mention for high percentages, the former doing especially well to finish up with 65 per cent.

CHRISTMAS TOURNEY STRONG ENTRY RECEIVED PROSPECTS OF THE TEAMS The annual Christmas tournament, which has drawn the good entry of 66 teams, commences on Monday and is the forerunner of the big events of the On this occasion it affords local clubs an opportunity of trying out their teams in good company prior to participation in tlje championship event in January. The greens selected for the tournament, Carlton, "Ponsonby, Balmoral. Auckland, Onehunga and Epsom, ! are first-class areas and, given good weather, a really classic event should result. The Mount Edeii green, which «is reserved for -the fin a U'stages of the tourney, provides a splehdid playing area as .well as good facilities for spectators. Competing in the various sections are six outside clubs, including a New South Wales entry. The Nert' South Wales team is in the charge of a person known as a plaver and a bowls writer, both in New Zealand and Australia. He is none other than R. T. Harrison, a fearless critic and one of the leading personalities in the game. His presence in this tournament, as well as in the New Zealand events iii January, will give added interest to the competitions. His team appears first on the Auckland green on Monday and it will not be surprising to find a large crowd of enthusiasts there to welcome him. Other outside clubs represented are Whangarei, Te Puke, Glen Masse, y, Hamilton and Hikurangi. In section Ai H. Jenkin, Carlton, is well supported and. considering his own well-known qualifications, his team should go forward. Another good combination which should go a long way is H. Livingstone's Onehunga team. With Macklow in the lead, Livingstone should not lack support. H. Wright, St. Heliers, a winner in 1028, has all but his original lead still with him, and he too may find a place in the section. In section B the two Carlton teams in the charge of W. Lancaster and C. H. de Launay should qualify. These teams meet in the first round on the Ponsonby green, and it will be a great struggle. J. Dick, Ponsonby, is a likely candidate for section honours. Section C contains some really good rinks, including the Whangarei four skipped by Littlejohn. Again two Carlton teams, G. Doare's and C. E. Brooko's, meet in the first round. The honours should go to J. H- Mingins, who skips a West End team, with Bremner as his third, man. J. W. Barber, Balmoral, commands a good side and should be well up at the close of section play. .These two teams, together with the Carlton rinks, should monopolise the section. R. T. Harrison is in section D, and he has several good opponents. With such skips as Keatley, Rocky Nook, Whittle, Grey Lynn, R. S.« Higginbotham. Ponsonby, Evans, Hamilton, and I. Clarke, Auckland, taking part, he certainlv will not lack for opposition. With* Buckley playing No. 3 for. Whittle the Grey Lynn rink will be a formidable contender. Kealley is minus his usual three, Loram, this time, and he will certainly miss the fast driver's services. A. Parsons, Ponsonby, is the outstanding skip in section E. He has excellent supports in F. Carbines, J. Allely and J. Rolfe, and should not experience much difficulty iu the section. S. Harper, Otnhuhu, with Sykcs as his third man. should go close to section honours. Another possibility is G. Smith's Glen Massev rink. The last section looks . good for Walker, Auckland, with R. McMaster, Stanlev, also a strong candidate. I>. Russell, St. Heliers, and F. Firth, Glen Eden, are two good tournament skips who are usually prominent in open company.