NOTES BY TOUCHER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 50

NOTES BY TOUCHER.

The majority of the bowlers for Invereargill left Dunedin by tho 8.25 train with the full intention of having a good time, and hoping for fine weather. There were no signs of bad weather until reaching Clinton, when there were evidences that there was likely to be a change ; but as the train zieared Imereargill the wind sprang up, and we thought the bad weather had passed over. On reaching Invereargill the visitors were met by the executive of the tournament — Mr Findlay, president ; Mr J. Rennie. vice; Mr Ham, secretary; and the committee ; while other bowlers were present also. After each member had deposited his belongings in his hotel, the North End Green was visited, the South En<3 being closed until the start of the tournament. After the visitors had had a roll up they left the green for others. Towards 6 o'clock, to the disappointment of all, the rain started, and fell in torrents. The meeting having been held and the draws decided each one left for his abiding place, hoping that the weather would clear and pi'ove fine in the morning. On Thursday morning the players assembled on the greens, but the rain was falling in torrents, and so it contimipd the whole day. intermingled with hail and sleet storms. The players on the North End had started, when the executive met and decided not to go on after they had played two heads. On the South End they did not start, the executive deciding to postpone the game until 1 o'clock. At 12 o'clock a heavy hailstorm was experienced, when the executive decided to postpone any play on th c South Green. All met on the North End_ Green, when those who had started continued their game, and those who had drawn on the South End followed. When they finished the North End started their second round. Some of the members amused themselves in the morning by playing rope quoits ; others, again, visited the water tower ; while some took the opportunity of visiting friends.

— Champion Rinks. —

R. Taylor v. J. Findlay. — These two teams had a very good game. At the sixth head the score was 7 each ; thirteenth head, 13 all ; while at the fifteenth head Findlay was 15 to Taylor's 14. When the last head was played Taylor managed to get 2, thus winning by 1 point. Hislop (Kaitangata) v. Scott (Roslyn). — This game was an easy victory for Kaitangata. Scores: Kaitangata, 19; Roslyn, 8. The Coalites proved too strong for the city club.

M'Laren v. W. Carswell. — This was an interesting game towards tn"e last. Seventh head, Taieri 9, Dunedin 4-; fourteenth head. Taieri 19, Dunedin 12, when M'Laren played two splendid shots. The sixteenth head saw the scores even, both teams playing very well. When another head had to be played, Carswell. on going down, saw that he was in difficulties, M'Laren just putting in a block. After a close scrutiny by Car-swell .aud M'lntyre a fine draw was suggested, Carswell failing in the attempt, leaving MTLaren a winner by 1 point.

Loch v. Sneddon. — This was the game of the day — a very hard-fought-out battle resulting in favour of Loch. At the^sevenUi head, Loch 6, Sneddon 8. When trie ninth head was played Loch was 16, Sneddon 13. The next head Sneddon trot 1 point by a fine draw. In the fourteenth head a calamity befell Loch. Sneddon was lying one, and an attempt made by Loch to take it out resulted in him driving the jack, and Sneddon added 5r5 r making the score : Loch 18, Sneddon 19. Loch then scored 1 by good play, making the scores equal. Another head was played, and good play resulted in Loch gaining the point, winning one of the best games anyone could wish to see played. Payne v. Mackie. — This ~ame was -started in th» rain, and after two heads had been r>laj*ed it was postponed until 1 o'clock. Payne having scored 4. On resuming Payne and his m&n played exceedingly well, winning- rather easily. Scores: Payne 20, Mackie 5.

Martin (Gore) v. Rutherford (Kaitangata). —Rutherford and his men played well. Scores: Seventh head — Gore 5, Kaitangata 3; twelfth head — Gore 10, Kaitan^ata 9; fourteenth head Kaitangata 13. Gore 10 ; rixteenth head — Kaitangata 17, Gore 10. Rutherford played a sterling game throughout, and the many twists and remarks coming from the Kaitangata &kip were amusing to the spectators on the bank. Erskine v. Leggatt. — This was among the runaway games played throughout the day. Legga:t and his men having everything their own way. as the scores show : Leggatt 30. Erskine 10.

Dall (St. Kilda) y. Allnutt (Roslyn).— Allnutt had the assistance of J. Gilmour (Dunedin) playing No. 3, and J. A. Millar not bsing- able to make the iournev. E. Wadie (St. Kilda) took his place. " The game throughout was in favour of St. Kilda, Dall and his men being consistent throughout. Scores: Seventh head — Dall 8, Allnutt 9; tenth head— Dall 14, Allnutt 11; twelfth head— Dall 19. Allnutt 13; fourteenth head— Dall 21. Allnutt 15; sixteenth head— Dall 22, Allnutt 16. Dall played some splendid shots.

On Thursday evening the bowlers met at the Club Hotel, wondering what was going to be done, as the rain had started to pour incessantly. A motion was proposed by Mr C. J. Payne, and seconded by Mr W. C. Allnutt, to the effect that the Singles be deleted from the programme-, and the entrance money in the Doubles be 10s per pair. On the motion being put to the meeting, it was carried by acclamation, not one hand being held up against it. The fntries for the Rink and the Doubles were taken, when record entries were obtained — for each Rink 36, Doubles 66. This must be a source of congratulation to the executive of the Invereargill Tournament Committee, and it proves conclusively that bowling is making great strides. Friday morning saw the weather beautiful, when three rounds were- playpd, and then a was made with the Doubles, two rounds being played, four being left in to play off the semi-final. Dall (St. Kilda) v. Taylor (South End).— St. Kilda had an easy win. Scores : Seventh head— Dall 9. Taylor 4; twelfth head — Dall 21, Taylor 5; sixteenth head —

Dall 21, Taylor 14. The finishes of the different rounds of this event I shall gne in next week's lotes.

In the middle rinks of the South End green, it was similar to playing on a mud surface rolled, it was so soft The lead and second players had to walk around the green, so as not to cut it up. In some ri'iks tiio bowls might bo e-ccn taking a course as if stoepleonasing. An occasional glance at the bwciis would sometimes show bowls lying half-way up the green.

— Notelets. —

Dall (St. Kilda) has put up a record to be proud cf. In e\ery gasn-e, with the exception of the one lost, he doubled his opponents' score.

This tournament has the credit of seeingthree Port Ai thur bombard-srs in Dall, Ham, and Porteous. To see this trio take a drive one would have thought that a pompom was coming. On one occasion Porteous and Dall in a drive drove the jack fully three feet in the air. ■When Rutherford's (Kaitangata) bowl is delivered, it is amusing to see his antics, and to h-ear the broad Doric he uses with a view to intimidate the bowl on its journey. He played well indeed in the Rink tournament.

The Caledonian colts are to be congratulated on their two wins. In fact, they are a credit to the club, and the older members n-ill. I think, be hiding themselves on the return of the colts.

Callender played splendidly. Sneddon and his men will think of the Caledonian colts for a while to come.

Harper (South End) may be credited with having won the match against Dall, for he was for ever on the jack. The last head of this game was one of the finest one would wish to see — a pocket handkerchief would have covered six of the bowls.

Roelyn (Scott) v. Taieri (Carswell), in the champion event, was a splendid game throughout. When, at the last head, D. Leslie drew a bowl on the jack, M'lntyre (Taieri) tried hard to shift it by driving, but without avail. Then Tate tried his driving power, and succeded. but left Roslyn still lying. Then Carswell. going down, tried with both bowls, but without success, thus leaving Roslyn a win. Leslie and Alcock (Roslyn) v. Keast and Dall (St. Kilda).— The latter team had to play to beat these men, who played a brilliant game. The ginning shots of Alcock were a treat to witness.

Allnutt had the misfortune in this tournament of being out of the Rinks Championship and Doubles, which has not been his, fate before at any tournament at the first round.

Sneddon, after having four wins, the same as Payne and Dall, in the championship, is denied the opportunity of playing in the semi-final.

Loch, having five veins in his section, is in one of the rinks in the semi-final.

T. Sanders should take not that when his skip goes down to play his bowl it is bad judgment on his part to start directing him when the head has not been altered.

Scott and Callender, the Caledonian colts. are to be congratulated on downing the Taieri Mackies ; but Mackie, sen., showed bad bowling spirit in chaffing Callender by asserting that his bowls were not up to the standard. Mackie should know that there i& a remedy laid down by the Tournament Committee.

Secretary Ham did yeoman service towards the success of the tournament, but, to my mind, a secretary should not piay in the tournament if he wishes to make the tournament a success. For example, on Friday the Taieri members left the green and went to dinner, as did also the skip of the South End team, while others were standing on the green waiting to play, but had to be content to wait until the absent men came back before the game could be started, thus making it very difficulty for borne to get Wieir doubles over. Some •who are engaged in both the rinks uill have in all probability to scratch their names. Saturday night saw several doubles playing in the dark, with matches to discern the bowls.

Demp&tcr and Greer had to start on three different occasions before they finished their doubles. Keast and Dall had to stop playinp their doubles on account of "darkness setting in — a state- of affairs which is not very creditable to the committee. The newly-formed Balmacewen Bowling and Tennis Club is being pushed ahead. At a meeting of the Executive Committee on Thursday night satisfactory progress was reported in "the enrolment of members. The preparation of the ground was discussed, My P. Y. Wales kindly undertaking to take levels and prepare a plan of the ground.