THE INVERCARGILL TOURNAMENT.

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

THE INVERCARGILL TOURNAMENT.

(By Our Sfe*iax Rei>oetek.)

INYERCARGILL, April 20.

The -entries for the ordinary rink tournament totalled 36, constituting a record, and 64- Doubles made another record for that department. The Singles have been dropped so that the Champion Rink Match might be got off.

The weather was so atrocious on Thursday morning that no play was possible until 1 o'clock, and then only at the North Eiid green, which played surprisingly well

Section C.

Leggatt had a runaway game against his clubmate Erskine, scoring 30 against 10. There was a ding-dong battle between Lock (Gor-e) and Sneddon (Kaituna). With three ends to go, Lock was 4 points to the good. He was lying- 1 shot when the skips went out to play, Sneddon having- a nsst of 4near the ditch. Lock, with his second bowl, attempted to draw instead of piaying at the back to mix them, and the result was almost fatal, as the Kaituna. skip drove the jack and scored 5 points. This made the Gore team 1 down, with two ends to go. J. Sanders put his bowl just an inch or two from the Jack, but O. J. Wilson, who had been leading in great style for Gore, got in a toucher. This was broken up by T. Sanders, who scored the shot. Lock, with his last bowl, ca-me to the front in beautiful style, drawing within six inches of the jsck. Playing off. Wilson again placed his bowl fair m front of the jack, three inches off. and it was not disturbed until Sneddon, with his first bowl, just turned it over about 15 inches from the jack. Look chew to within eight inches, and Sneddon failed with his last bowl, Gore thus getting a well-earned victory. D. M'Pherson played a capital ?anw for Sneddon. T. Sanders has one very objoctionable feature as third player. In spite of the fact that his skip had just left the head, he invariably shouted advice as soon as ho went to the end. Finn (Balclutha) just managed to snatch victory from Esson (Stirling). With the Balchuha skip's la=t bowl to go, Esson was lying game, but

Finn made no mistake. He split the 2 lying shots, and scored 4 points, winning- bj that number.

Section B

Haiti (North End) \va^ drawn against Smith (Southland). With one end to go, Smith was 1 up. and when M'llwrick (third player for Ham) played his la«t bowl the Southlanders lay 2 shots. Mac. . however. with a good shot helped by a slice of luck, took both out, and Smith Mas unable to save the game. Ham winning C. J. Payne ran clean away from T. A. Mackie, scoring to the tune of 20 points to 5. Kaituna all played well, and gave Taieri no show. Rutherford (Kaitangata) won his game against Martin (Gore). Martin was 1 up at the twelfth ond, but aftor that Rutherford monopolised the scoring, and won by 16 to 10.

Section A

The champions (M'Laren and Carswell) were opposed. Each side scored a 5, and then Carswell ran to 9. M'Laren, with a 5 and a single, made matters even Then Taieri took charge for five ende. making the score 19 — 9 with only four ends to go. This majority, with such a strong rink a* Carswell has, was looked upon as sottli'ig the game: but then the Dun-cdin team came with a. fine rally, scoring 1, 2. 3, and a 4-, and the game was a tie. There was a great crowd on the bank to see the playoff. When the skips went out to play M'Laren was lying 1, and he contented himself with putting in blocks. He managed this part of the business so successfully that Carswell was given a very difficult task to attempt — too difficult, indeed, — and the Taieri we»t down by 1 point. It was a splendid uphill fight, and the victors deserved the hearty congratulations the.y received. Gibson, the Taieri lead, played beautifully for the greater part of the game, but throug-h nervousness afc the rally of his opponents, or some other reason, he failed badly towards the end of the game.

J. Findlay (North End) was drawn asrainst the Southland veteran R. Taylor, and after a big fight Taylor had scored 7 before Findlaj' opened his account. With the last end to go, Tyalor was 1 down, but his third player (Rennie) drew a Ee~auty right in front of the kitty, and Taylor put in another. Findlay drove, but failed to alter the position, and fhe game ended in favour of Taylor by 16 to 15.

Scott (Roslyn) went under rather badly to Hislop (Kaitangata), the scores being 19 — 8. It was a runaway game right through.

Section D,

J. Porteous and J. E. Taylor, both of the Southland Club, were opposed. It was considered that the former would get home, but. Taylor and his men played up capitally, and eventually won by 6 points — 17—11.

The Clinton team (Garforth) played a good game against Moore's team, and succeeded in getting home by 14 to 9. The St. Kilda representatives and Allnutt's Roslyn rink had a came remarkable (among other things) for its great length. Dall won somewhat easily by 22 to 16. The next round is in progress, but could not be got off owing to the condition of the Southland green, making it necessary to have all the play carried on np to the present on the despised North End green, which has been playing well lately. The following are the results : — CHAMPION RINKS.

J. M'Xattie, D S. Thomson, R. Wesney, J. Legatt (Southland) 30 beat W. H. Sebo, J. Lock, J. D. Yates, R. Erskine (Southland) 10.

Wilson, D. Dcwar. TV. P. Craig, T. Lock, (Gore) bSat' J. Sanders, D. M'Pherson, T. Sanders, T. Sneddon (Kaituna) by 1 point after a tie.

A. Latthnore, A. Hayward R. Dunne, "W. Finn (Balclutha) 1" beat A. H. Anderson, D. Boyd, A. N. Hislop, E. Esson (Stirling) 13.

T. A. Wallace. J. AHen, W. M'llwrick, J. Ham (North End^ beat W. Martin, D. Bissett, A. R. Porter. W. Smith (Southland).

H. W. Reid. E. Sutcliffe. F. Smith, C. J. Payne <Kaituna) 20 be°t V T . Allen, D. L. Christie, D. Mackie. T. Mackie (Taieri) 5.

R. Carson, E. M'Fadgen, D. Alexander, J. Rutherford (Kaitangata) 16 beat C. Hanna, E. D. Bust, C. Smith, A. Martin (Gore) 10.

J. C. Short, W. Durie. H. C. Foster, W. M'Laren (Dunedin) beat D. Gibson, A. C. M'lntyre, J. Tai+. W. Carswell (Taieri) by 1 point after a tie J Taylor, A. D. Miller, J. Eennie. R. Taylor (Southland) 16 beat J. Johnston, T. Kingsland J. C. Ho-*se. J. Findlay (North End) 15.

O-. Midd'emass, D. Middlemass, T. Middlen.ass, J. Hislop (Kaitangata.) 19 beat D. LeslieF. Garret* 4 n A'lcook. R. H. Scott (Roslyn) 8.

W. Mtinson, P. L. Gilkison, A. Harper, J. E. Taylor (Southland) 17 beat J. Murphy, S. Hunter, J. Porteous (Southland) 11. H. Nelson. C. Cnfi* H. Sheddon, H. Garforth (Clinton) 14 beat J. Parlane, — M'K>chnie "W Taylor, W. Moore (Milton) 9. H. Srneaton, C. E. Keast, F S. Stokes G-. B. Dall rst. Kilda) 22 beat C. Matthews, J A, Millar, J. Gilmour, W. C. Allnutt (Roslyn) 16.

_, April 21. Inere was a capital meeting of bowlers after the pay yesterday. Mr C. J. Payn< suggested that if the committee would abandon the Singles, members would gladb double their entry money for the Pain The assembled players with one voice a^p< pauded this, and therefore the Sinjpe^ have been dropped out. The games •*■•« proceeding without a sigrn of friction, everything going ike clockwork. Friday turned out a fine day, and rinks and doubles have been grot off without anj loss of time. Only 105 minutes have been allowed for the completion of games, and the consequence is that all the ties are kept u^. to time. One of rhe most exciting finishes was that n which T. Lock beat the Southland veteran Robert Taylor. When th« third players went to send their bowls down. Southland -was lying. But Crai^ played a beautiful shot, and just managed to score for his side. This position waC not altered, and Gore won. In the nexi match Dall's St Kilda team disposed oi ihe Gore r-hampions very easily, a though there was some capital play shown by the defeated ones. Ham (North EnJ) had three easy wins over M'Lean (Southland). Moore (Milton), and Martin (Gore). Dali and Ham meet in the semi-final.

M'Laren. after beating Hislop (Ivai-tann-ata), went under rather badly to Dall by 10 points. Carswell had a close go with J. Lock (Southland), viinninsr by only 3 points, but he ran away from Erskine (Southland). His nt-\t match \vd^ acrain^t Finn (Balclutha), winch ho won by 17 to 11. He played off a£fain>t his clubmate Mackio this afternoon, ami won after a tie on the last end.

Sneddon won his first game with plenty to spare from Porteous (Southland). At one stage of the game the score stood

11- -1. The final result was 13—7. In his next game he again ran away from his opponents, winning by 20 — 9. He th'm engaged a team of colts from the Caledonian Club. Callender stuck to him capitally for some time, but was even\mlly beaten by 6 points. RINK MATCHES. First Round. T. Maekie (13) beat J. Allen (10). W. Stead (16) beat J. Findlay (15). J. Esson (16) beat A. Rutherford (13). H. Datum (14) beat W. Wesney (9). W. Carswell (17) beat J. Lock (14). Second Round. W. Finn (H) heat R. Scott (9). C. Hannah (15) bsat A. E. Smith (:2). J. Callender (13) beat J. C. Andersen (12). J. Legatt (18) beat J. Fodish (14;. W. M'Laren (14; beat J. Hislop (12). J. Ham (16) beat W. M'Lean (7). . A. Martin (19) beat W. C. Allnutt (17). T. Lock (18) beat J. Greer (14). W. Moore (15) beat H. Garforth (13). R. Taylor (16) beat C. J. Payne (12). G. B. Dall (15) beat J. E. Taylor (12). T. Mackie (12) baat W. Stead (11). J. Essoo teat H. Darton (lO>- i W. Carswell (sti* beat K.-ErekiMe (6). j W/Finn (14) beat K. &cott (9). ] A. Hartley (19> beat Sheddon (12). j T. Sneddon (18) beat J. Porteous (7). Third Round. A. Martin (12) beat J. Leggatt (10). J. Hain. (l3) beat W. Moore)' a. T. TLock (11) IJeat H, Taylor (10). G-. B.Dall (20) beat W. M'Laren (10). -T. Snedaon f2O) beat A.. Hartley (9). W. Caxswell (18) beat W. Finn (11). T Mackie (14) beat J. Esson (14)." J. Oallender '1") beat E. Hannah (14). Fourth Round. Ham (17) beat Martin (11). Sneddon (14) beat Callender (11). Carswell (12) beat Mackie (ll). April 2?. The -weather on Saturday was a trifle cold, ' but fine, for the bowling tournament. The North End green is in the pink of condition, and all the important matches will be got off there on Monday. Robert Taylor (Southland) won section A,. C. J. Payne tied with Ham (North End) in Bection B, T. Lack (Gore) won section C, and J. E. Taylor, with a mixed 2S T orth End and Southland team* lied with G-. B. Dall in section D. The two ties will be played off on Monday morning, when Lock meets Taylor, and the survivors of the two ties play against each other. In the semi-final of the ordinary rink match Ham meets Dall, and Carswell meets Sneddon, so that Monday's play is likely to provide plenty of entertainment. The surprise packet of the champion tournament has turned up in J. E. Taylor'« local team. He has with him W. Manson, L. Gilkison, and A. Harper, the team being got together the day before the match in order to make the section complete. In the section games lie: beat Porteous by 6 points. Against Garforth he .iust got home by 1 point. With the 'la'st;,en'd to go 'against Moore (Milton) he -was I down, but managed to score 2 points, «nd therefore won. His 'game against Alliratt was another close finish, as the score at -the end of the fifteenth end was 14 all, but the local rink lost v at the sixteenth end by the bare majority. In eact of these three games the score was the same, 15 — 14. Then came the game against Dall. At the seventh end the game stood- 9—49 — 4 in. favour of Dall, but Taylor got in a 4 and 1, making thescore even. With one end io go the St. Kilda team was 1 up, and with. Dall's last liowl to go Invercargill lay first shot and thirds In attempting to score Dall pushed up the third shot into second place, leaving Taylor's team victorious "by 1 point, this making the fourth game decided by the bare majority for this particular rink. Allriutt's link has gone under very sadly, the only game won being that against J. E. Taylor, which he won by a single point. Dall's^ team is play--- a capital game, and everyone was surpr to see it go down to Taylor's rink. E jver, it will have an opportunity of avenging the defeat on Monday morning. Section A was looked upon a« containing the greatest" number of strong rinks, and it is fc noteworthy fact that the wins and losses are more" evenly distributed than in the other sections, Robert Taylor being a straightout winner with a score of only four games. Sn-eddon has four games to his credit in section C, but as Lock went through without a loss Sneddon is out of it. Carswell was thought to have a vefy strong rink, but, in the champion match at least, he was soon lost to sight, and shares with J^ffnutt the melancholy satisfaction of winning only one game out of five. MTJaren won his games a?ainst Scott (KoraJyn), Carswell (Taieri), and Hislop (Kaitangataif. Had he succeeded in •slie last game against the local rink skipped by J. Findlay he would have tied with R. Taylor; but his men did not support him sufficiently well, and. although he played a good game himself, he was unable to overcome the handicap that such a failure gave to his opponent, and the local rink won by 4 points. Findlay and his men were, of ooxirse, straining every nerve to^_ accomplish this result, so that R. Taylor's rink might T>e left -winner of tlie section, and they are "to be congratulated on having played a really good «?ame, some of Findlay"s shots being particularly good. In section C. Sneddon and Lock had things nretty much their N -own way, except when the fornipr met Erskine (Southland). In this game Sneddon started oft with a '3, but in the second end JSrskine got in 6 points, the Kaituna skip failing in an attempt to break up the head. The sixth end resulted in a dead heit. At the nintE end the score wa=s 9 all. Er.skine scored five wirls in succession, and at the j thirteenth end had a majority of 3 points, but I two singles to Kaituna left the lost end to be T>layed with a difference of 1 Point. Sneddon's xa&n played ive]] in -the sixteenth end, and it looked as though they w^ra goiner to set three or fcur phots, but Evskine. with a firjf draw, got second nlace. ranking the wine % tie. In +he r>lay-off J. Sanders eofc in a beauty, lust behind the jaok, and H was never disturbed. Snedclon winning. Erskine and Leegat each had srood team*;, and were •expected to do -wolT. hni^ excentins in the •match a?ainpt "Kai+.una, expectations were hardly realised. Lock's team is a very strong onp. <«id rverv Tnar> i=i iiiayirj 01 well. Thev-e will be a erreat "sro " in the chanioion finals bfiweei +he fo"r «ec+.J<->rt winnerf

In Section B Rutherford's (Kaitanga+a) team had pei-formed woE<3e">-fu I lv well. It mad» a capital fiisrht^agaiust Ham. and afterwards sgeinst Mackie. losing each by <->rily a few poinLs. In his match neainst Pavne, J»owever be performed as wpll hi* raking Shofs being- so good that, -wdth two ends to go, lia was 10 points to the good, and everyone thought the same was over. So it oug&t to have^been, of course but Kaituua got in a 6. arc! wh<«» "Ru+b^forcl Tvennrpd to rjlav his last bnwl Kaituna lay 4 shots. Payne having trailed the VHtv by a WpV heavy draw. Rutherford's bowl ran wopfully narrow and should li-we been lost but in ifs course it •truck one of his own bowl<?. -outting it into fourth place, and this left Kaituna beaten by • single. It was hard luck, for Kaitangata

only saved the game by an absolute fluke. Ham won his first four games, and then played the fifth against Payne. It was a capital fight for the first half of the game, but after that the Kaituna representatives diew away, eventually winning by 18 to 11. The following are the results. —