GAME OF BOWLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23231, 28 December 1938, Page 15

GAME OF BOWLS

HOLIDAY EVENTS CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT * _______ FORTHCOMING FIXTURES BY SKTI' With the advent of the holiday season the tournament player has his chance to prove his worth in open company. The Christmas tourney now in progress, which is the first of the big events of the season, is providing plenty of practice for those combinations which are also engaged in the forthcoming New Zealand championships. Particularly is this so in the case of the team from Australia and no doubt the members of I?. T. Harrison's rink will have accustomed themselves to local conditions by the time they have finished up in this tournament. The Christmas event will have run its fidl course by Saturday and the way will then be clear for the twodav events 'at New Year, particularly the tournaments run under the control of the Carlton and Item uera clubs. These are the main attractions, although there are other smaller events.

The high wind which has been an adverse feature of bowling conditions this season was again in evidenco on Monday, and caused competitors a great deal of trouble. As a result there were several surprises. However, bowlers had to be thankful that rain did not interrupt play. R. T. Harrison's rink arrived in time to commence the first game on the Auckland green and, consequently, was not at its best in the match against Higginbotham's Ponsonby team. Still the visitors made a close game of it and eventually the Ponsonby skip had to play a good shot to win .with his last bowl. The visithig team, like all other combinations from outside Auckland, was keenly watched all day by a large number of enthusiasts. Harrison * himself was tho central attraction and it is a tribute to his prowess and the methods he employs that he commands so much attention.

Sickness has been prevalent among bowlers lately and four members ot the Ponsonbv Club, Messrs. F. J. McKinstrv, L. Goldwater, J. Healv and S. Rowbottoin, are at present in hospital. Mr. J. P. Mason, of the Auckland and Carlton Clubs, is also in hospital and has had to cancel his Christmas, Dominion and Rotorua engagements. Mr. W. R. Fletcher, the wellknown Auckland Club, and Public Service bowler, is also indisposed. He did not play in the recent Public Service tourney, this being the first occasion ha has missed competing for 21 years. In view of the fact that so many teams were shut out of the popular Rotorua event in February, the Helensville Club proposes staging a twoday tournament, commencing on February 6. With the greens at Parakai and Kaukapakapa at their disposal, in addition to their own green, the authorities are anticipating a good entry. This is an event which should appeal to bowlers, as it is almost as attractive as the Rotorua fixture, and has the advantage of being closer to Auckland. Entries close in Helensville on January 24.

As usual, the Grey Lynn Club intends staging its annual tournament for intermediate players during Xew Year, and the two-day event, which commences on January 2, should draw a good entry from the ranks of the various clubs' leads and seconds.