SPOTLIGHT ON BOWLS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19884, 10 March 1939, Page 10

SPOTLIGHT ON BOWLS

By “Mat” 0..,,

Tokomaru Eay Tourney Tokomaru Bay's tournament last week-end produced one of the most, interesting finals seen on the Coast green. In a game that kept the spectators on their toes right to the end, S. McKenzie's Poverty Bay rink succeeded against 11. A. Armstrong’s Gisborne team by a single point. Both McKenzie and Armstrong won their respective sections outright, the former securing five absolute wins, while Armstrong tied with J. Walker, Gisborne, in the second round, 8-all. In this game, Armstrong was lying three shots close to kitty when the time bell rang. With little chance of drawing on to the jack. Walker asked his No. .8 to kill the head, and, like tlie good player he is Patrick did what lie was told.

Armstrong started badly in tire opening match against Hurlstone Tolaga Bay, but a three and a four on the last two heads put the issue beyond doubt, 12—8. The next game resulted in a tie, and in the third Armstrong scored freely to beat Bradley, Tolaga Bay, 16—1. The fourth round game against Savage, Tokomaru Bay, developed into a one-sided affair Horn tiie outset, the Gisborne team winning 24—1. J. Newton’s strong Kahutia rink looked like upsetting Armstrong’s chances in the last match, but again the Gisborne players came to light, winning 11—7. McKenzie won all his games fairly easily, except the first against Smith’s Gisborne rink, which fully extended the Poverty Bay players. He defeated McLachlan, Kahutia, 14 —9, Harries, Tolaga Bay, 20—2, Walker, Tokomaru Bay, 18—4, and Meredith, Kahutia, 15—9.

Splendid Final Flashes of brilliant play were witnessed in the final, especially on the last four heads. The teams were: G. McConnell, ‘H. Poole, A. Slight and S. McKenzie, Poverty Bay, and'E. 1 Forrest, J.l Nasmith, F. Williams and H. Armstrong, Gisborne. With two fours on the opening heads, McKenzie established an early advantage, and on the sixth led 10—2. Facing an uphill fight, Armstrong and his men settled down to their task on the seventh head, which yielded four to them. Two more on the following head brought Armstrong’s score to within two of McKenzie’s. The next head was the highlight of the match, the fortunes of both sides fluctuating with almost every bowl. Seven times the position of the head was altered, five of the bowls being touchers. A further point to Armstrong at this stage made the score 10 —9 in favour of McKenzie. Gisborne was lying shot on the tentn, when Slight sent the jack back for two. Requiring four to win on the last head, Armstrong played for a trail, missing the white narrowly the first time. With perfect green and weight, Armstrong’s second bowl picked up the kitty, which was jammed against one of his own back bowls. Had the jack travelled another foot, Armstrong would have obtained the necessary four counters to win. It was a beautiful shot, and one that deserved a better fate. The final score was: McKenzie 12, Armstrong 11. Sidelights on Tokomaru Percy Smith, Gisborne, did exceptionally well to record four wins in A section. His team comprised R. R. Baldrey, 1. J. Quigley and E. F. O’Brien, all graded twos at Gisborne club, but all good drawing players. Their only defeat was at the hands of McKenzie, who beat them 10—8. * * * * H. S. Short's Tokomaru Bay rink were the runners-up in B section. They went down to Walker, Gisborne, in their fourth game, 7—14.

Last year’s tournament was won by Armstrong, with McKenzie runner-up, so on this occasion the position is reversed. Reference to the prominent part played by both skips in tournaments conducted by the Tokomaru Bay club was made by the president. Mr. F. Thompson, when presenting the trophies.

More was expected of J, Newton’s team, who only two months ago won the Peace Shield tournament. They failed to strike form until the third game, but il was then too late.

Conditions were ideal for bowling last week-end, the day being warm and fine, with a light breeze. Although there were some bare patches, the green played fairly true. Taking into account, the unsatisfactory season and the small membership, the playing surface and grounds at Tokomaru Bay are a credit to the officials and members.

Much of the success and enjoyment of the tournament was due to the womenfolk, who provided delightful morning and afternoon teas, and tiiose who lunched at the green greatly appreciated the cup of tea served in the pavilion. In common with other out-of-town clubs, Tokomaru’s hospitality last week-end knew no bounds, and while on the subject, I would like to pay a tribute to (he local players who stood down so that all visiting bowlers would be accommodated.

Games at Gisborne Playing in the Horne Singles at Gisborne, F. Galvin outplayed L. Balfour 22—5, and O. R. Olsen defeated G. McGregor, 22 —9. , • ♦ * «r Both H. E. Bright and E. R. Birkctt •won easily, the former beating J. Alexander 21—8, and the other B. Hird 21—7. * * * * W. Morrison won at the expense of Bert Bragg 23 —15, while E. S. Molony beat G. Henderson on his handicap, after tieing 17-all. V * * * Although J. Walker beat W. Neal 18—17 in the Horne Singles, the latter won on Iris handicap. Neal led 9—o before Walker opened his scoring. * » # * Coastal Clippings Making a good recovery, A. Forrester defeated L. Henderson 21—20 in the final of the Tokomaru Bay club's Junior Singles. By beating A. L. Walker 21—13, H. S Short won A section of the Tokomaru Bay Champion Singles. He now meets E. Hankcy in the final, the latter having defeated J. J. Roberts 21—9 in the B section final. Short has won the Tokomaru Bay championship three years in succession, and two years ago he annexed the Gisborne and East Coast Centre singles title. Short, who has had more experience than Hankcy, looks like succeeding again this season. In the recent contest for the Smyth Cup, played on the Ruatoria green, the Tokomaru Bay representatives defeated the home teams by 10 points.

Horae’s Intermediate Title This year’s Intermediate Singles title at Gisborne green goes to C. Horne, who beat E. F. O'Brien in the final by 21 to 14. O’Brien was all at sea on the first few heads, and at the end of the sixth Horne led 14 —0. O'Brien opened his scoring with three on the seventh, and did likewise on the ninth, the board then reading: Horne 16, O'Brien 0. After obtaining a couple more points on the tenth, Horne went off. Taking advantage of his opponent’s lapse, O’Brien secured a two, three, two and a single to come within striking distance, 18—14. Just as he started with a four, so did Horne finish with the possible, for on the fifteenth head his four bowls were counters. Except between the tenth and fourteenth heads, O'Brien played poorly. He played too many narrow bowls, and his running shots failed to connect. On the oilier hand, Horne gave a fine exhibition of drawing, placing his bowls within inches of kitty time and again. * * * * Kahutia Comment C. Hands and S. Gooch, the only two-lifers left in the Kahutia Junior Singles, met this week, victory going to the former, 23—15. At the nineteenth head, Gooch required nine to win. Hands had three counters, and drew another, but Gooch trailed the jack for four. Gooch still wanted five on the remaining two heads, but Hands got three more to clinch the match. Moore (two lives) is scheduled to play Watt (one life) in the final of the Champion Singles this afternoon. Mesdames Dunlop, Davy, Corlet and McLaughlan, all members of the Kahutia Ladies’ Club, are visiting Napier. Last Tuesday they won a game against a strong Napier team. The unexpected defeat of Gooch and Patty at the hands of Dower and Dunlop in the Kahutia Intermediate Pairs gives several other teams a chance ot winning this competition.

N. Duley, who led W. McLaughlin 12-6 on the twelfth head in the Junior Singles, subsequently lost 20 —15. However, Duley is leading with most wins in the leads’ section of the Kahutia floodlight series.

After the Paine Cup had been presented to the Kahutia club, which defeated teams representing the Cosmopolitan Club on Tuesday night, the trophy was filled in traditional fashion with a Kahutia “cocktail,” of unknown vintage. Some of the players decided to sample the "cocktail.” which turned out to be a mixture of ale and salad dressing.

Poverty Bay Pars In the Poverty Bay Club Fours competition. the skip’s section was won by G. Moore with 12 wins, R. Graham (No. 3) with 10 wins. F. Sell (twol with eight wins, and A. Torric (lead) with nine wins. A. Slight and G. Bennett are the only two-lifers left in the Champion Singles. J. Graham has not been beaten in the Intermediate Singles, and A.. Torrie lias two lives in the Junior Singles. * * • • •Entries are coming in fast, for the open rink tournament to be held on the Gisborne green on March 19. One reason for its popularity is that it provides a splendid opportunity for the Burton Cup teams to try themselves out.

Members of the executive of the Gisborne and Ea.st Coast Centre will participate in a pairs tournament at the Gisborne green this week-

Intermediate Pairs Final R. R. Baidrey and E. F. O’Brien (s.), representing tile Gisborne club, captured the Centre Intermediate Pairs title last Saturday, when the final was played on the Gisborne green. O’Brien and his partner, who went through without loss, completely overwhelmed the Te Karaka pair, 11. Buckingham and W. McGrannachan (s.), to win 2G—7. Baldrey’s fine leading left O'Brien little to do, although the Gisborne skip was right on his game and played some splendid shots when necessary. The Gisborne men never looked like being beaten, and on the twelfth head led 21—2. Te Karaka scored a single on the next and three on the fourteenth, bringing-their lolal to six. Five more points to Gisborne on the following three heads put fhe issue beyond doubt, and the match ended on the eighteenth. The Gisborne pair won all four matches (three on the previous Saturday and reviewed in last week’s “Spotlight on Bowls”) by large margins, and they thoroughly deserve the title of champions. Both Baidrey and O’Brien, have shown consistent form throughout fhe season, and their success in the intermediate pairs premiership was fully anticipated. 9 V * * Champion Rinks To-morrow To-morrow, on Poverty Bay green, will be played the centre senior and intermediate links championships Poverty Bay (last year’s winners). Kahutia, Gisborne, Te Karaka and Wairoa clubs have nominated teams in the senior division, while only the three town clubs will be represented in the intermediate section. To defend Poverty Bay’s title, F Fredericks, R. Hickman, A. Slight and S. McKenzie is.) have been chosen. If Hickman is not available, A. Falconer will replace him. in L. m.rgenor, E F O'Brien. J. Park and I. Stephenson (s.), Gisborne has entered its strongest graded team. Kahutia has H. Wootton, R. Watt, C. Somervell and J. Newton (s.). while Te Karaka is sending in H. Buckingham, W. McGrannachan. D Manuel and A. Buckingham (s). The Wairoa rink is not known. Last year Kahutia won the intermediate fours championship, and their representatives to-morrow will bo S Gooch, C. Hands, J. Robertson and R Patty (s.). A. Lange, C. Smith, J Strawbridge and J. Campbell (s.) have been selected for Poverty Bay, and F Wiekens. T. Hall, I. J. Quigley and B. Butcher (s.) have the honour of representing Gisborne in the intermediate section. Umpires ’ Association Formed Partly as a result of the criticism of the umpiring in the Dominion tournament in Auckland last January, an Umpires’ Association has been formed in Auckland. Mr. F. A. Hosking, president of the New Zealand Bowling Association, who conducted the meeting, stated his firm conviction that it would have been an impossibility for 22 umpires to enforce the laws with equal impartiality and firmness, so it would only have led to endless feelings of unfairness if some had been lenient and others had risked unpopularity by enforcing the strict letter of the law. However, since an Umpires’ Association has been formed, the position will be d filer on t. Members will hold their meetings and decide on a definite policy, all acting alike.