BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 184, 21 December 1912, Page 7

BOWLING.

The Masterton Borough Council are seriously considering the provision of n municipal bowling green. It is 11 years since the Australian bowlers were last—and then for the first time as bowlers—in this country (wrote an Ayrshire man during the presence of the New South Wales'bowlers in that part of Scotland). Bowling is not one of the games that naturally sends its devotees to the ends of the earth fired with the single ambition to win on the green. As a rule, the bowler, before he starts bowling at all, has reached the age of'the no longer young. In fact, bowling presupposes that a man has come to the years of full discretion, and excellency in bowling means, that.he who succeeds in attaining to it is either naturally calm and complacent or has been graduated in these virtues by force of circumstances. The game does not lend itself to the occasional excitements of the cricket field; it has no tendency to monopolise a, man's existence or demoralise his vocabulary the way golf does; it has no affinity with the wild joys of football, the sort of gladiatorial spirit that rouses the assembled throng to making what the indictments describe as a great noise and disturbance. And yet it would be wrong to say that it has not its devotees. I have known a few of them myself. There was a typical old gentleman in Ayr a number of years ago who thought nothing of walking tivo miles into town three times a day, and as often going home again. lie started early in the forenoon, he was on the green in the afternoon, he returned in the evening; and when at last he was called hence, one of his admirers, the sort of man who is seized occasionally with the sudden inspiration to which he feels nothing less than poetry can over do justice, compounded some verses of alleged song, in which he suggested that his bowls—the tangible evidence of earthly happiness—should, be buried with him, so that on his arrival in the Elysian fields, he might lose no time in beginning to "tak' green." In an interesting English work. "'The Complete Bowler," by James A. Hanson, a wonderful performance is given, 'whic} may probably entitle it to be styled "a world's record." In July, 1(107, the .Streatliam and London County Clubs played a three-rink match, which ended in a fie (01 all). A London County rink skipper by D. A. Ross finished 28 to -. against T. A. Davis' team. On two heads Ross got in the whole 8. The first time Davis lay the shot with Ross to play the last bowl. The shot was somo (Jin to the left of and level with the jack, but all seven bowls of London County were lying well around the mark and nearer than the second nearest of Streatharu. Ross decided upon a bold stroke. "With a firm draw upon the shot be sent it onwards, his own bowl taking its place without disturbing the jack, and so securing the 8. The other occasion called for still better work. At the lGth head Streatliam again lay shot, with London County occupying such a position that could the jack but bo carried several inches towards them there was a certainty of a bumper score. Once more Ross distinguished himself. He' saw that if he could cannon off the shot with his last bowl he might not only send it about its business, but pass on to the jack and carry it in the required direction. This is exactly what he accomplished. The "inwick" drove the shot far enough away to. be out of the count, and Ross' bowl then hugged the jack and bore it about 18in forwards and among the seven other bowls of his own men, again giving them 8 shot. Something like a skin, this!

ritzroy managed to got homo in the banner matc-fi against Inglewood on Thursday, although when 21 heads were gone it was anybody's game. The grcon was ia very good trim, but the heavy wind blowing made the play rather uncertain. Owing to the heavy rain in the morning the green was a trifle heavy, which was disadvantageous, especially to the Inglewood players. Fitzroy's record to date is two wins and two losses.

No reply has yet been received from Tiinaru by Mr. A. K. Smart in answer to his enquiries regarding the possibility of the joint South Canterbury and North Otago team including New Plymoutn in their forthcoming northern tour. When he wrote away, Mr. Sma'rt was practically assured, from private advice, that the tourists would put in a day at New Plymouth.

The New Plymouth Club has practically decided to visit Auckland on March 1 to play the Auckland Club for the cup subscribed to for competition betwen the two clubs. The visit will last a week, and in addition to playing Auckland for the cup* the team will play a match against the same, club, and likewise against the Onchunga, Epsom, Rocky Nook, Dominion road, Mt. Eden, West End and Grey Lynn clubs. Most likely liye rinks will make the trip. The Northern Bowling Association's tournament will commence at Auckland on January 7. Ninety odd entries have been received, as against 100 last year. Tt is understood that none of the New Plymouth clubs will he represented. On the New Plymouth green on Thursday, the junior club (West End) caused quite a sensation in bowling circles by defeating the redoubtable New Plymouth Club. It was a very hard game, and the West End Club are to bo congratulated on their splendid and unexpected performance. Indeed, thoy, were every bit as much surprised as were their opponents. The shower of rain which fell during the day took the lire out of the green, thus suiting the suburban players. The New Plymouth rinks had been used to a fast green for the past fortnight, and the heavy green upset their calculations. As bowlers, however, they should have been able to pick it up. It is the town club's first defeat, and should serve to instil interest into the competition for the banner. New Plymouth are now equal with Stratford.

Several matches have been played in connection with the West End Club's championship. J. D. Sole 21 beat, Fred. Xewell 15; Tichbon 27 heat Hill 15F. K. Xcwcll 18 beat Hill 15: Oliver l!) beat Hill 10. It is not a '■' sudden death" competition, and this explains the fact why K. .1. Hill's name figures in three of the matches. In the handicap s'nHes Lobb beat Hill bv 28 to 27.