BOWLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 65

BOWLING.

Scaretartes are requested to forward ?3rtiou!ftri oi games played and of forthcoming matches.

NOTES BY JACK.

A Press cablegram from Sydney notifies that there is no chance of a New South Wales bowling team visiting New Zealand this season. This, of course, also means that there/ is no hope of a Commonwealth representative team visiting us this season — in fact, from the tenor of the communications sent to Australia, it would not be too much to assume that the cablegram had reference to a. Commonwealth teania and that the reference to a N.S. Wales team is a misreading. The news is disappointing, but not altogether unexpected, as only the most sanguine anticipated that the team would materialise. The fact is that there are too many attractions nearer home and too many calls upon the time of leading bowlers to hold out much prospect of their being able to devote the time necessary to making a tour of the Dominion. It must be .recognised that Id the Commonwealth, os elsewhere, the men of means an/3 leigjre — both necessary requisites whon a tour abroad is in question — are not leading bowlers in -the various States, and that the associations over there would not approve of a holiday-making team making the trip to recover the "ashes." Bur if the cable is substantially correct even the holiday-making team from New South Wales and • Queensland, which it was confidently, declared was sure to visit us, cannot be got together. It is quite evident that exchanges of visits between Australia and New Zealand can only be anticipated every four or five years, and that in all probability there must be some added attraction. learns from the Dominion may visit Australia oftener, because many of our bowlprs^ have friends and relatives on the other side whom they may desire to visit, but even that incentive may not prove sufficiently strong on future occasions.

The Four-rink Championship match between Green Island and N.E. Valley was a protracted affair. The game was commenced on November 28, two rink 9 aside, playing on each club's green. The play on the Valley green was interrupted by rain, and was not resumed until Friday last. On the Green Island green, however, the rinks there managed to play the 21 heads, despite the rain. M'Mullen put down Dunn by a majority^ of 15 points, but Buchanan had to lower his colours to Barnes by two points. On the Valley groeo M'Donald had 17 points' advantage over Kidd. while A. Young had a majority of eight over J. Spencer. A lead of 38 in a four^rink game conveys an idea, of onesid£dne&s. but those who saw the play say this impression is not correct — the Valley men put up a really good fight, so good that they may probably account for some rinks that may be considered stronger than themselves before the season is over.

The programme for the South Otago Centre tournament xm the Ist and 2nd January next is to hand, neatly printed on a handy card. The' programme is on the lines of last year, four trophies being provided for the first four in the rinks match, with the addition of a certificate to the rink which comes first. Prizes will be given to the first three pairs in the Darrs match, with the addition of a. certificate for the pair coming first. The Kaitangata, Stirling, and Balclutha greens will be all used if found necessary. As the tournament will be confined to two days, the committee reserves the riprht to debar from competing in the pairs match those players engaped in the semifinals and finals of the rink match. Should this course be found necessary the entry money of such players will he returned to them. Entries close on Saturday, December 19. «>o that those who wish to take part •should make' up their minds as soon as possible. Given fine weather, which is usually assured at this time of year, the tournament should provide a- most agreeable interlude for bowlers who desire to be out of town during the New Year holidays. In view of the defeat by Roslyn of the Caledonian Club in the four-rink championship game, more than usual interest was taken in the interclub match last Saturday between Roslyn and Dunedin. On the Bunedin green it was found that the four rinks playing there had tied, and there was some excitement over the result until news came from the Roslyn green that the Dunedin rinks there had a lead of 26 points. Of that load McLaren's rink, playiner against J. Scoular's rink, was responsible for 13. Sinclair had a lead of seven apainst Alcock and his men, while Wheeler had an advantage of five over Callendpr. W. Dall was down one to R. Crawford. On the Dunedin gr-ppn Gilmour for Dunodin was five down to Allnutt, and J. Neill four down to Wedderspoon. The veteran Hunter had an advantage of seven points over A. Matheson. another veteran, while Bentlov and his men were two up on R- H. Scott. That good players are at no disadvantage off their own green, so long as the preen ]ila3 - od on is in first-c l ass or<lrr, has been shown tvrioe o\er by tho Ro^lvn nla\prs. Thov <Weatod the CRlpdonians in the championship frame on the Caledonian green, and tied with Dunedin in the interclub came on the Dunedin erreen. There is nothing much wrong with the Roslvn sward, but it docs not play fo kindly a« some other greens. Recopni«ing this the Roslvn players. like true "ports, jumped at the offer of the Caledonian Club tc nlay the championship game on that club's preen. And 6o long 1 as a green in bettfj playinp order than their own 15 offered, ir is Tinrtcrstoo-d thry will accept all similar invitations. That is the fine spirit, in which such contests should be played. The game is one of skill, and the contest should, of course, take place on the convincing ground which should give the best opportunity to the skilful player to show what he ha<; in him. A grcn that does not play truly reduces the skilful player to the level ot the novice.

A rink of Otautau bowlors journeyed to Rivo.rton on? evening last wf-ek to tiv conclusions with a Riverton rink and tost the prroen. Tho Otautau players were : -J. Cordon (s). Kinsr. sen. and jun., and F. Crnv.ford. The Rive'rton players, who won a k©«n game by a majority of throo noints, -was mode up a*s follows: — Ttobin^n. Caveli, Tarlton. and S. Beer (s). Thr> Ot'uiHii men •pxr>r-< v ssed thpmselvps Jelisrhtfd with the outing, and the warm

I

welcome extended to them by Mr Petehell (president) and the Jtiverten players. A champion rink contest played among members of the Kaitangata Club has provided several keen and exciting games. On Wednesday last week J. Gage's rink won by two points from W. Brown's rink, and with two wins and one loss la on even terms with the rink skipped by H. Carson. From the accounts in the Invercargill papers it appears the Southland Club again disposed of Te Rangi, largely as the result of the manner in which A. E. Smith's rink disposed of J. Lock's team. The latter skip, who is rather partial to driving, only scored five points, obtained at the beginning of the play, to 327, put up by Smith and his men. M"Hutcheson, for Te Raneri, defeated W. Smith's team by 31 to 10, while J. Findlay defeated Rennie.

North End Club, Invercargill, sent a team to Mataura, and scored a win by 21 points. The green was in capital order and very keen. Sherwood," who has been playing in Dunedin of late, went down before J. Allan by 20 to 14. The cable reports that in the interstate matches played in Melbourne the New South Wales team won the rubber against Victoria. The limiting of ~the length of the greens as agreed upon at a conference held at the close of last season may have had something to do with this result. At any rate., it did not decrease the chances of the New South Wales players. In the play j-esterday for the Otago Ladies' Golf Club's senior medal the following were the best cards handed in : — Gross. Heap. Net. Mrs Butterworth .... 96 14 —82 Mies K. Rattray ... .91 7— 84 Mrs Mackie 96 12 — 84 Miss W. Scott 94 8 — 86