GAME OF BOWLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23302, 22 March 1939, Page 23

GAME OF BOWLS

CENTRE TOURNAMENTS CLUB CHAMPIONS COMPETE A. CONNEW'S FINE SHOWING BY SKIP In spite of the dry spell of weather experienced since tho new year, the majority of the local bowling greens have stood up to the test and the prospects of reasonably good playing surfaces for the Easter events appear bright. The annual champion of champions contest for senior players aroused keen interest and the versatile .Mount Albert player, A. Connow. fully deserved his victory, as his superiority was clear cut. This was demonstrated by his performance in going through the tourney without a single loss. Connow has given ample evidence of his consistency as a four-bowl player. Ever since he won the open singles title ill the 1937-8 season he has figured prominently in singles contests. Even his conqueror in tho champion of champions final of last season, S. Martin, of Ellerslie, had to submit on this occasion. Two victories and two runner-up positions in four successive major contests is Connew's record. The runner-up, A. Hitehen, of Stanley, although somewhat shaded by tho brilliance of Connew, played excellently. His two losses were suffered at the hands of Connew in the fourth round and in the final. Apart from these blemishes his record was good and included a win over the previous titleholder, J. S. Martin, Martin and Gardiner, Otahuhu, who virtually tied for third position, were prominent throughout. The former played good bowls, but was not quite as steady as he had been on previous occasions. The Tualcau champion, J. Pirret, gave an impressive display and surprised many by going as far as the sixth round. A country champion, especially one young in experience, suffers in comparison to the town players, who have the advantage of practice against good exponents, which makes Pirrct's performance all the more noteworthy. E. E. Buckley, Grey Lynn, who went out in the sixth round, is to bo congratulated on the manner in which he retains his form. He has been competing in tournament bowls for a long time and is as hard to dispose of today as in tho past. B. Buchan, Rawhiti, who went out to Hitehen in the fifth round, disappointed some of his supporters, who expected him to go further. A really good bowler is the new Rawhiti champion, however. Ho is the holder of the North Auckland Centre champion of champions title, which lie won two years ago. J. C. Duncan, Bemuera, who had the distinction of eliminating the New Zealand singles champion, W. C, Franks, in the second round by a wide margin of points, was oxpected to perform well, but ho disappointed by going down to Gardiner.

I/, N. Thomson, who enjoyed a long series of successes while a member of the Rawhiti Club, appeared this time as the Mount Eden Club's representative, but he did not figure prominently. The new Rocky Nook champion, H. Cliffe, opened up with wins over Sternberg, Hallyburton - Johnstone, and Firth, Glen Eden, but he mot his first reverse at Pirret's hands and lost his next game to Stringer, flillsboro. The Carlton champion, G, l)eare, was not in good form. His usual accuracy in running shots was missing. The New Zealand champion, W. C. Franks, was put out of his stride in the opening round by Hitchcn and thereafter did not live up to the roputation he established in January.

OFFICIALS ENTERTAINED GATHERING AT CARLTON A very fine gesture on the part of the various club delegates to the local centre was their action in entertaining members of the New Zealand Council and the Centre executive. The function took the form of a bowling gathering at the Carlton green last Thursday, when nearly 60 delegates were present. This number, together with 18 guests and four members of the Carlton Club, made up a total of 80 players, which permitted a 20-team match to be played, The idea in tendering this function was to show in some measure the appreciation of delegates of the splendid work put in by the officials in connection with the recent championship fixture. ~ „ , Mr. T. Wetherilt, president of the Carlton Club, welcomed the players, and replies were made at the tea adjournment by Mr. A. E. Ford, representing recently-formed clubs, and Mr. G. Frieberg. representing the older clubs. Guests present were Mr. G. F. Court, a son of one of the first Auckland bowling councillors, Mr. E. A. Craig, the first president of the Auckland Centre. Mr. W, Coltman. a past president of the association, Mr. A. Parsons, an old member of the Auckland Centre executive. Mr. P. H. Rowe, of Hamilton, present member of tbe council, and Mr. H. L. Brighting, of Wellington, the well-known tournament skip.