THE SPORT OF BOWLING

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1934, Page 9

THE SPORT OF BOWLING

ON AND OFF THE GREENS FRANKLIN WHITE CUP HELD. NEW YEAR HOLIDAY TOURNEY. (By “Running Shot.”) The draw for the third series of shield matches to be played on Saturday is as follows:— Awakino and Urenui v. New Plymouth, at New Plymouth. West End v. Vogeltown, at West End. Fitzroy v. Lepperton and Fire Brigade, at Fitzroy. Waitara v. Pari tutu, at Paritutu.

Avery Cup Matches. The second round of games in connection with the Avery Cup Tuesday competition will commence next week and the draw will be the same as in the first round with the location of play reversed: Fixtures for next Tuesday are:—

Fitzroy v. West End, at West End. New Plymouth v. Paritutu and Fire Brigade at Paritutu. Franklin White Cup.

Taking advantage of the break in shield bowling the Waitara Club issued and contested the first challenge of the season against New Plymouth for the coveted Franklin White Cup, but were easily accounted for by New Plymouth after a stern contest. This competition can be termed the cream of Taranaki bowling as it brings together the four best rinks any club can field, and Saturday’s teams were no exception. On paper each club’s rinks appeared to have been carefully and evenly selected, and up to the tea adjournment neither side could find a weak spot in the other’s defence, the scores being 39-all. It was only in the second half when pressure was put on by Freeman and Higgs that the Waitara men wilted away, and New Plymouth forged ahead to win comfortably by 21 points. Of the four Waitara rinks none were as strong as that skipped by Hamlin, and Griffin’s rink put up a fine performance to win by a point, 24-23. For Griffin, Patrick, a left-hander, and H. Smart were drawing perfectly, and but for their fine exhibition the New Plymouth rink would have collected the loser’s end of the purse. Nosworthy played a good game for Hamlin. The Freeman-Weir contest up to the 10th head was a doughty struggle _ with Weir holding a slight advantage. Visions of a tight game were rapidly dispelled after tea, Bill Freeman and his men completely outclassing the opposition to pile up a hefty score of 30 to 17. Chittenden drew Higgs and went under by 10 points, this result in a large measure being the result of Higgs’ fine bowling. Charlie Sampson did his best to pull the game out of the fire, but Higgs repeatedly beat Sampson’s shots and gave the Waitara skip no latitude. It was a good win, and Alf. Higgs is certainly playing as well as ever. Playing opposite A. K. Smart, L. Sampson set off at a great pace and had chalked up ten points before Smart could get going. A good recovery by the New Plymouth rink, however, saw the game evened, 17-all on the 17th head. On the 23rd head Smart was three up on the board and six down on the head, but with his last bowl made no mistake and drew a beauty to save the whole six. The final score was Smart 26, Sampson 21. Charteris and Brough supported the Waitara skip admirably. Ford and Hooker were the weakest of the New Plymouth quartette. I Taranaki’s Holiday Tournament.

A popular fixture among Taranaki bowlers, and one that is already creating considerable interest and activity, is the New Year tournament which will again be held bn January 1 and 2, 1935. This event has always been recognised as an outing for all and sundry, and not to be taken in as serious a light as the “open” tournament at the end of the month. It also provides scope for the average player who cannot find a place among clubs’ “big fours” in the Taranaki “open,” too enjoy a day or two’s holiday bowling, and at the same time whet the appetite of those who are contemplating entering for the more serious engagements ahead. Section play on the first day will consist of three games of 21 heads, while three games of 16 heads will be played on the morning of the second day. Post-section and finals will be of 21 heads on the sudden-death principle. Only members affiliated to the Taranaki Bowling Centre are eligible for this tournament. Entries close on Saturday, December 22, at 8 p.m„ with the secretary, M-. A. Adam, Egmont Street, New Plymouth.

Championship Table. The following table gives the position of the various clubs in the Saturday shield competition. The only undefeated clubs are Awakino, West End and Fire Brigade, and each of these teams has only played two matches, whereas the majority of the clubs have, already played one combined match. Fitzroy, however, is on equal terms with the leaders and should be, on last year’s form, knocking at the door when the end of the competition is in sight.

Diggers’ Cup Contests. During the week-end the West End diggers’ team had a very busy time defending the trophy against Fire Brigade and Eltham, and were successful in both encounters. The Fire Brigade challengers caused the West Enders little anxiety, the latter winning comfortably by 24-14. The Eltham contingent were, however, of a much stronger calibre, and gave the West End team a great go right to the last head. In fact the last bowl played by the Eltham skip might just as easily have won them the game. He gave a fine display throughout, and might be termed a trifle unlucky. The score 17-16 was a true indication of the teams’ merits. The Eltham rink comprised Bluett, McKay, Jackson, Clemow (s). Next week-end the holders will contest a challenge from the Stratford Club.

One-day Tournaments. The popularity of one-day tournaments is again evinced this season by the large number of entries received, and at Inglewood, last week several entries were turned down on account of lack of accommodation. At least two more fixtures have been granted to Fitzroy and Waitara, and both should prove extremely popular. The Fitzroy tourney will be held next Thursday, December 6, and the usual conditions will apply. Entries close with the secretary, Mr. E. Dingle, on Monday, December 3.

The Waitara outing is set down for December 26. There will be six games of 10 heads, not five as appears on the notice issued to clubs, and entries close with Mr. L. H. Sampson on December ZL

West End’s “Turkeys.” With the completion of the second round of the “Turkey” pairs competition being held at West End some light has been thrown on the probable finalists. Out of 18 teams only five now remain in. Of these Billing looks to have the best chance for he has only to win his next game and he goes into the final on a bye. The remaining four are all capable of playing good howls and the next two or three rounds should be full of interest. Results are:— Second Round. M. May and R. Boulton beat Dunn and Charters, 29-17. Sims and Turnbull beat Graham and Ward, 28-5. Conaglen and Billing beat Putt and Hargreaves, 29-22, Hawkes and Mason beat Preston and Casey, 26-22. Kurta and Lee a bye. Third round: Boulton v. Lee; Turnbull v. Billing; Mason a bye. Fitzroy Club’s Activities. Tire Fitzroy Bowling Club has arranged a large programme of events for competition among its club members, and these should keep players fully occupied for several weeks to come. The competitions comprise championship singles, junior championship, handicap singles, “Christmas Goose” handicap singles and two pairs competitions. The “Goose” games are well on the way and the results of matches to date are:—Jenkinson (3) beat Russell (6) 21 —14; Simpson (12) beat Brinsley (5) 21— Jackson (3) beat Simpson (12) 22— 18; Coombes (1) beat Russell (6) 21—14; Jackson (3) beat Jenkinson (3) 21—18; Robertson (2) beat N. Kibby (12) 21—19; Campbell (5) beat Brinsley (5) 21—20; Lyall (4) beat Harvey (scr.) 21—17; Coombes (1) beat M. J. Smith (8) 21—17; S. Kibby (12) beat Chapman (5) 21—8.

The handicap pairs for the John Gilmour Cup is played on Thursday afternoons. A good beginning was made last week, when eight pairs competed. The pairs competitions for the Smith Cup is somewhat of a novelty. Matches are played any evening after 5 o’clock. All competitors have two different handicaps—as a lead and as a skip. Any four may club together for a game, which is of 13 heads. The winners at the end of the season will be the two with the best percentage of wins to games played, provided a certain proportion of all games is played. Results to date are; S. Kibby, four wins and no losses; Harvey, three wins and one loss; Jenkinson, three wins and one loss; N. Kibby, two wins and no losses; Campbell, two wins and two losses. Waitara Defeats Tariki.

Playing in the Central Division Thursday competition Waitara collected another scalp to its belt, defeating two Tariki rinks by 10 points. Both games provided keen bowling and the issue was in doubt right to the 21st head. Here both Waitara rinks commandeeered the score board and registered nine points on the last four heads. Cuming defeated Rumball 26-20 and Chittenden finished with a four-point lead over Hucker. A Visitor’s Impressions.

In conversation with “Running Shot” last week a visiting Wanganui bowler expressed surprise at the manner in which Taranaki bowlers are catered for in comparison with other centres. “Just think of it,” he said. “Three competitions a week, numerous one-day tournaments, big fixtures at New Year and at the end of January, and another at Easter; also all the incidental friendly matches. The wonder is that you manage to get through them all.” Taranaki bowlers are certainly well served, and this is in no small measure due to the live body at the head of affairs. Vogeltown’s Heavy Green.

During the progress of Vogeltown’s one-day tournament the heavy nature of the green was adversely commented on. This, however, was as nothing compared to the state of the green last Wednesday for the playing of a Gilmour Cup match. By the look of the green it had not seen a mower for a week and as for playing a draw shot, this was totally out of the question. It was a case of “up and at ’em.” This may be quite all right for ordinary club play, but when competition games are being decided the teams should at least receive the best offering. Even if Vogeltown has the saving of its' green in view, there is no reason why the green should not be cut down, leaving the ends fairly long for about six feet out to take most of the wear and tear through constant play.

P. W. D. L. Pts. Awakino ... 2 2 0 0 4 West End ... 2 2 0 0 4 Fitzroy ... 3 2 0 1 4 Fire Brigade ... 2 1 1 0 3 Vogeltown ... 3 1 1 1 3 New Plymouth ... ... 2 1 0 1 2 ... 3 1 0 2 2 Waitara ... 3 1 0 2 2 Lepperton ... 2 0 0 2 0 Urenui ... 3 0 0 3 0