THREE TOUCHERS ON JACK

NZ Truth, Issue 1305, 18 December 1930, Page 16

THREE TOUCHERS ON JACK

AGGRESSIVE ISLANDERS

Too Big A Hurdle For West Harbor

On Own Green

CALEDONIAN'S GREAT EFFORT

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Dunedin Representative.) The four rink between Green Island and West Harbor resulted m an easy win for the Islanders, who, on their own green, are distinctly aggressive. West Harbor could not catch the green for a long time.

TT'HE lead thus established early by i * Green sland, proved too big a handicap for the seasiders. In the Saturday Shield matches, the leading club, Fairfield, succumbed to a strong Otago attack, and Taieri, also well up, could only win one section against the Otago men. Mornington did splendidly, winning all its three sections, but even this performance does not rival Caledonian's which ran home victors m all five sections — a first-class effort. The leading club now for the Shield is Mornington, with a four points lead' over Fairfield, Kaituna and Taieri, the latter three all being equal. With Taieri meeting Mornington and Fairfield next Saturday, the position of leader may easily to changed, and as the weeks go by, it is probable that the Caledonian may be well to the fore. The Christmas Pairs Tournament at Dunedin is creating inquiry from many of those bowlers who will be staying In the city, whilst a few entries are li"kely to be received from outside "visitors as well as country players. The big score put up by Alex. Walker's team against Fairfield, was responsible for dethroning the latter club from the premier position for the Saturday Shield, but it still has a great chance of recovery. The Otago skip and his men must have been delivering the goods, to amass such a big total, and en passant, it may be stated the same Alex Walker is a jolly reliable skip, and very consistent m his play. The fifth round of the Four Rinks, m. which Roslyn met Dunedin, proved disastrous to the leader, Dunedin gaining the victory by a two-point margin. The supporters of both' clubs saw a contest which grew more thrilling as the game proceeded. In the early stages Roslyn were over twenty points ahead, but the dou~ Scottish team gradually made up the deficit and eventually snatched a win at the last kick. For Dunedin, Nelson's rink added to its fine record, and MacGillivray's team for Roslyn again proved its worth. \ ' The unique occurrence of three touchers on the jack took place m one of the rinks m the above game. One skip, with his last bowl, touched the head just enough to show daylight between the opposing toucher and his own side's toucher, thus making shot for himself. ,' The other skip, not to be outdone, also just touched the head with his bowl, and j again brought his side equal with the

original toucher made. The head was | drawn, neither side scoring. The Four Rink game Kaituna v. Green Island on the former's green, resulted m Kaituna getting a terrific fright, as with only one head to play, it was three down on the aggregate score. Fortunately, Shepherd (X), was able to make a tie of it with his last bowl, and an extra head saw his team bring victory to his club by a single point. The Islanders' luck was certainly out, as a club to be ahead m three rinks out of four, and then lose, is hard, especially when away from Its home green. They're a pretty hot lot, these Green Islanders. Bill Shepherd, of tea fame, is easily Kaituna's best skip m rink play. The draw, the drive, or the raking shot is each m his locker when required, and with each he is equally efficient. Give Bill a fair average team, and you will find him upsides with the best of theih.* Bill probably will skip the rink which will be after the "Adess" Shield this season. The New Year tournament at Invercargill will again see this city well represented, as many teams from the various clubs will be taking part. You bet they like to go, because the Southland greens are a treat to play on, and the warm hearted Southlanders know how to treat their visitors. A good fight took place m. the Four Rink go between the Valley and Balmacewen, the dalemen going -under by two ■ points to the "Ballymacs" after some strenuous bowling. ' Neither club has any chance now of winning the section, but either may eliminate another club with a probable hope. St. Kilda and "West Harbor also provided some spectacular bowling, the seasiders, on their own green, losing by four points to the Saints. Roslyn Club is sending a rink to the Dominion Tournament, with Bill Lindsay, the sinister handed player, as skip, with Frankie Jones as third. It's a moralthis team will be both heard and seen, if Frankie's voice is any criterion. Watch your G string if you play against him, or he'll get it. Some clay some member on the Dunedin Centre will bring forward the vexed question of unstamped bowls being played m the Saturday Shield matches. There are always some players with this kind of bowl, while others play with a bowl wearing an obsolete stamp. This practice .is unfair to the man whose / bowl is properly stamped, and should be firmly dealt with by the "head."