BOWLING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23072, 24 December 1936, Page 4

BOWLING

By Jack

FIXTURES December 25, 26.—Christmas Pairs tournament. December 25-28.—Alexandra Club's Christmas tournament. December 31, January 1,2, and 4. Southland Centre's New Year tournament at Invercargill. January 1 and 2.—Miller's Flat Club'* tourney (Singles and Pairs). January 4 to 16, 1937.—New Zealand championship tourney, Wellington. January 12, 13, 14, 15.—Riverton cen-

tenary tournament. January 16.—Club Day. January 27.—Public service tournament. February 13.—Elderly Bowlers* Day. February 13.—South Otago Centre tourney. February 13.—Final four-rink cham-

pionship. March 6.—Leads and seconds' tourney (commences). March 6.—Otago v. Southland (Harraway Shield) at Dunedin. March 6 and B;—Champion of Chanv pion Singles. March 11.—Dunedin v. Central Otago

at Dunedin. March 13.—Adess Shield, rink championship final: March 13.—Dunedin v. South Otago Centre, at Balclutha.

INTERCLUB CHAMPIONSHIP The interclub championship competition was continued on Saturday in extremely hot weather, there being an entire absence of wind. The conditions were the best experienced this season, and the greens were much faster than has been the case of late. In view of the approach of the tournament season, this provided players with a welcome opportunity of muchneeded practice on the fast-running surfaces. The result of the day's play places Logan Park and West Harbour equal at the top of the list with 48 points each, Balmacewen being a close third with 42 points and North-East Valley filling fourth place with 39 points. The following clubs secured the maximum points (12): —Logan Park, West Harbour, Balmacewen, Fairfield, Waikouaiti, Opoho, and Green Island. All the above are either one or twosection clubs, with the exception of Balmacewen, which plays four sections, and its performance was, therefore, a very meritorious one.

Opoho, the baby of the competition, is also deserving of praise in its showing in beating a section from the Dunedin Club. Players from the latter club who took part in the game have no excuses to offer, but are loud in their praise of the condition of the playing surface. One Dunedin skip expressed the opinion that the green gave every indication of being equal to the best in the centre in the notdistant future.

Saturday was a black day for Roslyn, which failed to register a win in any of the five sections. Roslyn went down to Waikouaiti (one section), West Harbour (two sections), and Balmacewen (two sections). Other clubs which failed to improve their position on the championship ladder were Taieri, Leith, Outram, Brighton, and Port Chalmers. The last-named is experiencing a lean year so far as championship successes are concerned, and has not yet recorded a victory. The Port Chalmers men, however, are true sportsmen, and the, winning of a game is a secondary consideration with them—they play the game for the sake of the sport, and in that spirit they play it for all they are worth. The following table gives the results of Saturday's interclub games and the total points scored to date by each club:—

GENERAL The Christmas Pairs tournament will be started to-morrow afternoon. This will enable players to have a leisurely morning and their Christmas dinners in their homes." The games will be continued on Saturday, and the tourney will be concluded on Monday.

A start was to be made this week with the top-dressing of the Logan Park courts, which should therefore be in excellent order for the resumption of matches and also for the Easter tournament. During the seven years since they were laid down these courts have stood remarkably well and have involved the association in very little expenditure. T. Callender, the well-known Kaituna player, who has been transferred to Christchurch, made his last appearance for his club on Saturday in the match against Otago. Though he does not make all his shots "according to the book," Callender is a very fine player at his best and should have greater opportunities to improve his game in Christchurch. He carries with him the good wishes of all Dunedin players. Donald Budge, America's top ranking player, may follow Perry into the professional division some day, but it will not be for "four or five years, and until he has helped bring the Davis Cup back to the United States." The 21-year-old youth declared that the entry of Perry "was a wonderful break for professional tennis." At the same time he expressed regret that the English sar was leaving the amateur ranks, saying, "I had looked forward to playing him again. Perry is a marvellous player and a great sportsman." PERRY'S FIRST MATCH Fred Perry will have his first professional match on January 6, when he will meet Ellsworth Vines in a special match at Madison Square Garden, New York. Afterwards, he will go on tour with Vines over the United States and Canada, the trip lasting until. May. Gates for the first match at New York are expected to amount to 50,000 dollars and Perry's receipts from the tour may total from 75,000 to 100,000 dollars. He will be touring under a combine managed by Francis T. Hunter, whom E. D. Andrews defeated in a sensational match at Wimbledon some years ago, and Howard Voscll, also a fine player of other days. Perry is building a home at Hollywood. He is, he told the New York Times, tired of living from a suitcase the year round. Helen Vinson, his wife, is also affected by the English climate, and Perry likes America. So, with a 50,000-dollar guarantee in his pocket for turning professional, he can scarcely be blamed for changing his status and earning cash to set him up for years when his forehand will not be so paralysing as it is now.

NEW STANDARD IN TENNIS BALLS A new standard of tennis ball accuracy and efficiency has been established. Dunlop technicians, after long experimentation, have produced a ball that has entirely revolutionised the old ideas This ball is the new 1937 Dunlop Fort, whose super felt gives a quicker and more accurate response. The toughness of the new ball ensures a longer accurate playing life. Play the new Dunlop Fort.—Advt.

One of the most improved greens in the centre is Anderson's Bay. A few seasons ago this green was a source of considerable worry to members, but they now have the satisfaction of knowing that they have one of the very best playing surfaces in the Dunedin Centre. The Southland Centre's New Year tournament will be commenced on December 31 with the Singles. As usual, there is a good representatjbn from Dunedin, and this would probably have been larger had not the annual Dominion bowls carnival followed so closely. The New Zealand championship tournament, which will be played in Wellington, commences with the Singles on January 4.

CENTRAL OTAGO NOTES Bowlers are now talking tournaments, of which there is a good number to select from, in this centre. Alexandra, Queenstown, Miller's Flat, and Bannockburn are holding tournaments at Christmas or New Year. A Clyde rink has entered for the Southland tournament—E. W. George, W. A. Harlow, P. Edmonds, and W. K. George, R. N. Paulin and J. L. Davidson have rinks at Alexandra, while a number of Clyde players will be taking part in the singles and pairs. Sections of the last two events will be played "on the Clyde green, which should be in good order after the week-end rain. This centre is in agreement with the proposal of the New Zealand Bowling Association to make a levy on each player of 3d over two years to help to defray the expenses of a picked New Zealand team to represent New Zealand at the Empire Games. Playing for the Captain Jolly Cup on Thursday last, Ranfurly ran the holders to a point. Wilkinson; with the help of a five, had a good lead on the twelfth head, 16—8, but a five to Ranfurly on the next head reduced the latter's deficit, but two twos and a three put Cromwell in the lead, 23—14, on the seventeenth. Ranfurly then held the mat to score four, one, two and one, and finish one down. Scores:—S. Fletcher, A. Stephens, E. Jelley, H. Wilkinson 23, H. Kearney, M. Beattie, C. M'Namara. R. Templeton 22. NOTABLE BOWLER A notable absentee from the Dominion annual tournament next month will (says "Kiwi") be Mr R. Rogerson, of Mount Lawley Club, Perth, Western Australia, as it is understood that his state of health does not now permit of his playing bowls. Mr Rogerson made the long trek of thousands of miles from the western side of Australia to Wellington in 1929 and again in 1933'. In 1929 his rink (which included Tatham, Nairn and Holmes) was the one on either side to win all three games in the test matches between Australia and New Zealand. Roberson's rink beat those skipped by J. Scott (Caledonian, Dunedin) at Hataitai, Maxwell Walker at Thorndon, and A. Smart (New Plymouth) at Wellington greens. In the three tests Australia was beaten by 175—113, 126—125, and 144—118. THE CANNY BOWLER One of the many bowling "don't's" is: Don't forget that your opponent may have a thirst even if. you have not. According to a story told by Mr J. J. Keith to bowlers at the Wellington Club's jubilee social, it is not always forgetfulness that leaves a thirst to grow thirstier. Mr Keith related his experience many years ago when he was matched against a bowler who was a "grouch, a grump, and as mean as he could be." During the game, said Mr Keith, other members of the team retired to the pavilion from time to lime, but his opponent stayed by the bank talking. Eventually Mr Keith invited his opponent to have some refreshment, although he was not on his home green, and the mean one assented. They entered the pavilion, but he refused drink or cigars, and eventually said he would be sociable by having a box of sweets, which were duly paid for by the visitor. At the conclusion, of the game the canny player suggested a final drink, and they went to the pavilion, where the host said: "Willie, get Mr Keith a whisky and soda, and, Willie, ye ken I take nothing to drink. Just take back this box of sweets and it will pay for Mr Keith's drink."

MUSINGS OF A BOWLING CYNIC A Novice.—A new convert to bowls who confesses he knows nothing about the game, and then becomes angry when you agree with him. A Substitute.—One accepted with faith, endured with hope, but seldom remembered with charity. An even worse substitute is—water. A Coach.—One who appears to agree with what you tell him. An Umpire.—A non-combatant who knows less about the game than either contestant. A Champion.—Ninety per cent, perspiration, 10 per cent, inspiration, the rest is luck. A Rink.—Four men engaged in a match where each is confident he is carrying the other three to victory, or that they are conspiring to accomplish his defeat. An Ideal Skipper.—One who tells his men he has an ideal team, when really he is inwardly heartily cursing the selectors for having wished such a tired, thick-headed, third-rate trio on him. LADIES' BOWLING NOTES By Skip The results of the last interclub matches are: — Port Chalmers 6 0.L.8.A. 6 St. Kilda 12 Roslyn 0 Anderson's Bay 12 West Harbour 0 Caversham 12 Leith 0 Green Island 8 Dunedin 4 Mornington 12 Kaikorai 0 N.E. Valley 6 Logan Park 6 St. Clair 6 Otago 6 The positions and scores of the clubs are:—North-East Valley, 68 points; Green Islarid, 67 points; St. Kilda, 61 points, with one match to play; St. Clair, 60 points, with one match to play; Mornington, 56 points, with one match to play; Dunedin, 52 points; Caversham, 50 points, with one match to play; 0.L.8.A., 50 points; Anderson's Bay, 46 points, with one match to play; Otago, 46 points, with one match to play; Kaikorai, 39 points; Port Chalmers, 36 points, with one match to play; Leith, 34 points; West Harbour, 22 points, with one match to play; Roslyn, 18 points, with one match to play; Logan Park. 12 points, with one match to play. On December 16 Mrs J. Morrison entertained the members of the Kaikorai Ladies' Bowling Club at her residence in High street. The even-t ing was spent in card-playing, the winners being Mesdames J. B. M'Connell, W. Wilson and T. Cubitt. After supper a recitation by Miss D. Morrison and a piano solo by Miss M., Ufton were much appreciated, and the singJng of "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow" brought a pleasant .evening to a close. On Thursday afternoon last Mrs Ufton, president of the Kaikorai Ladies' Bowling Club, entertained the members in the pavilion at a card afternoon. The prize-winners were Mesdames J. Jackson and G. Baker. As this was the last social function, Mrs Ufton extended the season's greetings to all members. The season's greetings to all bowlers.

a m a .S-8 * o o &2 Logan Park .. 2 12 48 West Harbour 2 — 12 48 Balmacewen .. 4 — 12 42 N.E. Valley .. 2 2 6 39 Dunedin .. 4 2 8 36 Fairfield .. 1 — 12 36 Kaituna ....•' 3 2 71-5 36 Roslyn .. — 5 — 30 Waikouaiti 1 — 12 36 Kaikorai .. • • 2 1 8 32 Caledonian .. 2 3 4 4-5 311-5 St. Clair .. .. 1 3 3 3U Taieri • — 2 — 30 2 1 8 28 Mornington .. Caversham 2 2 2 3 6 ai 4 4-5 26 2-5 St. Kilda .. .. 5 1 10 26 Anderson's Bay 1 3 3 24 — 4 — 24 1 — 12 24 Outram .. — 1 — 24 Green Island •. 2 — 12 18 Brighton .. — 1 — 12 1 24 8 Port Chalmers — 2 — —