BOWLING SPASMS

Observer, Volume XXXII, Issue 20, 27 January 1912, Page 22

BOWLING SPASMS

[By " The Ditcher."]

AT moment of writing, the Auckland Touring Team of bowlers had got as far as Timaru; and the hospitality tendered by the Southerners has been unbounded. Five matches had been played, with the result that two had been won, and three lost.

The team were glad to reach Wellington after the long train jouiney, although the fun was kept going merrUyf Tom Michaels and Dr. Moir were in good fig and numerous musical item* were given by the members of the team.

A fine trip was experienced to Lvttelton, although McWatters, of pleroafame, didn't like it too well. Fluent rehearsals of: the haka and howline songs were held, and Mr it. Walton (Mt Eden) gave a recital on Carol's organ, which was much enjoyed.

The team were met by Dr. Gow (President) and Mr Wood (Secretary) of the Canterbury Centre, and after being settled in their hotels, a trip was taken in a special car to Sumner.

Happily, the weather was fine when thf first game was started on Monday mining. Eight rinks were played ami it ie probable that throughout the tour this will be the strength in all fixtures. This will mean that only one player will have to stand down.

The Chrietchurch green was in splendid order, keen as could be wished for, orwi draw nc true. Our men got into t a b n eir SI quickly and when the totals were added, it was found that we had won by the big margin of 73 points. Only one rink went down —Bob Young's quartette losing by a point.

The team were the guests of Dr. and Mrs Gow, at Sunnyside on Monday afternoon, and a great time spent, Mr* Gow being especially assiduous ,in looking after us. The wind was a- bit gusty, but the green played well. After an exciting contest, y««>terbury won by six points. Kankin's team had a big win, beating Brakenridge's crack Sunnyside rink by 37 to 7. Dr. Moir had a good run, but Sutherland's rink went down with a flop—32 to 15.

Tuesday morning saw hostilities renewed on the Canterbury green, which were hardly as keen as those played on the day before. Brakenlidge'e rink got another slopping, Norgrove's four upsetting him by 8. ibe latter rang on eight to the Sunnysider in one bead.

Mclntosh had a rough passage in this game, Stark's united team settling him by 27 to 8. Rankin had another big win, putting down Barlows four by 36 to 13. The Mt. Eden champion was playing at the top of his form in Chrjstchurch, being splendidly supported by Braithwaite, Mcßride and Michaels. The finish caw the Auckland team win by 8 points.

The last match at Christchurch was played on the United green. This lawn is bigger than the ordinary run, and the Aucklanders took some time to get into it. Only three rinks got home, and we went down on the aggregate by 8 points. Thus two matches were won and two lost in Christchurch.

During the stay in the Cathedral City, the Aucklanders were treated splendidly by the Canter bury ites and right along the line it looks as if the team are in for a ripping time. A smoker was given one night and Tom Michaels made an Impressive oration.

The haka and bowling song have caught on wherever wo have been, and Manager Rankin's voice chows signs of cracking.

The team played in Timaru on Wednesday, and got a severe drubbing by over 40 points. It was a hot day and a howling nor'-wester made bowling somewhat difficult. Only one rink got home, that skipped by Dr. Moir. Rankin suffered his first defeat on the tour, and Archie Keyden, who took a turn at skipping, went down by 32 to 5. But our popular secretary was not a bit down* hearted.

The Timaru folks gave us a great time and a smoke concert after the match was greatly enjoyed by our men.

Five of our teams have entered for the Tournament at Invercargill, which takes place during our visit there.

Up to the present, the management has been excellent, and every one of the party is having a right royal time.

The Hospital Board got more than they bargained for from the Doctors the other day. The annual contest took place, and the Board are in sackcloth and ashes over the sad bump they got. Dr. H. Neil on the one end, with Coyle on the other, directed the respective sides to put them on, and well they did it; but the fates were against the Board reps, and they fell like giants of the forest before the woodman's axe.

Drs. Goldstein and Dudley are much improved players. Under 'the careful tuition of Hardie Neil, they have developed into trundlers of the wood second to none. This relaxation from the brain racking profession of a Doctor should appeal to all those engaged in the came line, and the different Clubs should have the majority on the roll of members.

While at Wellington, the writer had a peep in at the Te Hiwi Club. It is know all over New Zealand a? a nook that all should visit. This is sound gospel. All bowlers should take the tram out to Island Bay and see this pretty holding It is on the grounds of Mr Hill, Sr. (or " Dad," as he is known by the brotherhood), and is a three rink green. The membership is about 45, embracing the pick of the Wellington Knights of the Wood Disc Fine fellows we found them, or in the vernacular of the day, clean sports. The fun is fast and furious, and game follows game till daylight fades. All is harmony and good cheer —a religion that will elevate a man, and keep him up to the standard that will serve him all hie life* It is a keen separation to leave such good company. Our devout wish is that the Te Hiwi will live through the years to come, and that no ills may trouble the Hills in the Hills where nestles loved Te Hiwi.

Newtown are to be complimented on their double win, they having taken the Championship of the North Island and the Consolation—the big event skipped by Wylie, the other by Veteran Prince, who plays a shot with the best. With hid tried henchman Price, they are a tough pair to meet at any time. Auckland sends her best wishes to Newtown, and hopes to see her well represented at the N.B.A. Tournament to be held in the Queen City of the North next January.

The A.P.B.A. Touring teams have had indifferent lack only winning two matches, and getting a bad time on several occasions. I understand that Company were not the fighting strength of Auckland. At the same time, it is a monotonous thing to get a bump every time. They ought to hold their heads up with the practice they are having; on the other hand, they are being killed with kindness. I hear that the hospitality is unstinted, and that the trip will do a lot of good in a social sense. The Southerners are talking already of returning the visit before long. The weather has been delightful up to date.

The Inter-Club match Rocky Nook v. Epsom came off on Saturday—three rinkeon either green. The Nookites were on the whole seven points the better Club. Priestly had Budham of Rocky Nook in trouble all through, and wound up with ft dozen to the

good. There was little if any difference on the Epsom Green, but on the Nook Green E. Craigh was down 15 points and Clay and Jones three at four up.

H. Jenkin, F. Brown and Manson had the balance in their favour, all playing a nice game. They fell into line all at once at Epsom, and were hard to stop. As a club they are strong in a six rink trial.

Stormont's team in the Kocky Nook Club fours beat College's four in a business-like manner, putting them in their place. The difference between the games was 10, 27-17 being the total.

Wakerly is in a winning mood in the singles at Kocky Nook. When Jim is in trim, his opponents have a nice job to score. Butler is again something like the Butler of old. For a time he was off his game, but he smells blood, so take care.

The outing of E. Baildon by Jones in the Grey Lynn fours came as a surprise. On paper the loser had a fair team, but they are evidently a bit stale after the long task of the A.P.B.A. and N.B.A. events. The win was a popular one, as the leader, Porter, and his mates, Ewan and Prickett, are not often on the winning side.

Tom Mills in the Grey Lynn fours beat E. Walker easily by 30 to 18. J. Ferguson, Hughes and Bewcastle helped in the scuffle, just planting them on the blade of grass ordered. V. Casey £ot home by a point from Forrest in the same event —a hard game. The same player did not have such good luck in the Wednesday pairs, Rowlands having the honour of getting 9 to his credit. Porter lead for Rowlands and Jones for Casey.

In the Jubilee fours at Auckland, Tyler went under to Crowhurst. Neither team played up to the mark, soft things coming off. In the Hand-cock-Lambert match, the first-men-tioned had it all their own way, getting a lead of 13. Pearson had no trouble with Mennie, while Black put the extinguisher on Plummer in the same fours.

I notice Mr McLaren, of the Danedin Club, is in Auckland. He is a player of some note, always giving a good account of himself at home or abroad. He opened the eyes of the Australians some few years ago by getting on top in the Australian championship singles.

Willie Swales tasted the |dust in the West End fours. Will piloted them home in good style. Jim Hutchinson, of Ponsonby Club fame some years ago, helped the winner to put up the good score. Tonkin was his vis-a-vis, who also played well.

Wooller and Clerk had a win to their credit in the Murdoch Cup. The play was good. The Cup is for pairs matches, and creates a good deal of interest.

Baddely is going hot and strong in the Bemuera Championship singles. He is on the job, so Dingwall and Paterson had better pull up their socks if they want to block him.

Ens Baddely had a decided win from Jack McLeod in the Ponsonby fours. Parsons walloped Tom Watson after a tiptop game. Gordon beat J. Becroft without an effort. Kummer had no difficulty in leaving H. Hemus in the cold. Pel ham, a new member, put in some solid work, while Hawkins did some nice placing for the loser.

Tom Wilson, A. White, A. G. Fookes and W. Flower had a win to their credit in the Carlton championship. They were all easy, except the Fookes-Cutten go, when a solitary point separated them.

The event that startled the community last Saturday was the Edwin Stars contest, when Rocky Nook beat the Devonport crack four, and brought the silver gems over the water. The Nookites are likely to kill the fatted calf over the event. It happened that Rocky Nook juet sent over a four for a game, but they would not be denied, and put the invinciblee but of the hunt. They had a reputation that wonld frighten the general run of challengers, but it had no effect on

the callous Nookites, and they waltzed home with the trophies. Between clubs and their own members, 14 contests have been decided in the team's favour. The unsophistocated four that ventured over the briny were P. Smith, W. Williams, Hirst and J. Jenkins—the dad of all the Jenkins at the Nook. The Devonport team were Warren, Mitchell, Grattan and Mason. The score was 24-21.

Hebden's four (Graham, Fraser and Carson) had the honour of pulling the games out of the fire in the OtahuhuStanley match. The green played well and the games were rather closely contested, Davidson and Mclndoe finishing a tie.

Clay beat Blair in the Mt. Albert singles, but met Ma Waterloo in Nansen. This vet. put up 31 to 22. Big scoring in a four bowl go.