BOWLING SPASMS

Observer, Volume XXXIII, Issue 13, 7 December 1912, Page 22

BOWLING SPASMS

[By " The Ditcheb."!

THE wind palyed old Harry with bowls on Saturday. Many were the exclamations of disgust when a bowl sent on a good course simply went against the bias. There were many surprises in the club fours played on several greens. The trundler with the heavy bowl has a big advantage in such weather.

Ponsonby and Epsom were at it hammer and tongs, but the western side carried too many hot shooters for their opponents. The games were well contested —the issue was in doubt at one stage, but when the maroon and golds got going they would not be denied. Ponsonby won on five rinks out of the eight. Two of the games were keenly fought out — Stichbury and E. Craig ran within two of each other, the loser having a bit of hard luck Lee and A. Jones also had a tussle, and Epsom just reached two up on the 21st head. These games were played at Ponsonby. The other rinks on the green were runaway affairs. Jack McLeod peppered Watkms to the tune of 39 to 9, while the unmerciful Wright gave Priestley no quarter—3l to 13. With Wright were associated Lye, Whyte and Harry Hemus. Ponsonby in an 8-rmk contest are as hot as mustard. Mt. Eden is the only club that could deal with them.

At Epsom, four rinks engaged the same number of players from Ponsonby. The whole of the games were dead even contests. W. Smith took on Fookes and just failed by four. Dr. Pairman, who is in good form just now, took a fall out of Gardner by one point. Crabtree, an ex-Ponsonby man, had a shy at Bell, late of Otahuhu, and got a single one as the result of good play. Edgar Walton kept up his reputation and his end by winning from Baddiley by 6 points. The visitors had a good time. The green was not quite up to Epsom's reputation, the grass being kept too long. Perhaps the idea is to nurse it for the 'Xmas and New Year tournaments.

Mt. Eden met West End in an interclub of eight rinks a side. The grand totals were Mt. Eden 121, West End 151. The tables were completely turned on the big club. On the day it certainly was not expected, but it was a fine game and the best won on the day. The trouble occurred on the West End green—the scoria lads could not get the hang of it. Over there Gill fell witn a great crash—2s to 8. J. Court was on the end against him. Then Vie Langsford took Surman by surprise and put double figures up against him. Hudson, from the mountain, was the only one to make a stand. He had Quinn to deal with and beat him by 8. When the news reached the young club there was great rejoicing. West End are going to plant a tree to commemorate the event.

The decision that Mr G. B. Osmond will operate as secretary to the Auckland committee for the N.B.A. tournament gives general satisfaction. Any one knowing this gentleman in the days gone by as secretary of the A.P.B.A. will remember that he was just the right man in the right place. The affiliated clubs met last Monday and made all arrangements for the N.B.A. big event, the above-mentioned bowler being selected to the busy position. With the large influx of bowlers that will be taking part, the billet will not be coveted by even an enthusiast.

An umpire has been appointed for each of the greens during the N.B.A. week. Up to date, W. Williams takes the bun in this position—he is to the manner born. Mr Rose, of Remuera, runs a close second.

A great treat is in store for oiir visiting bowlers of the N.B.A. Mr M. Casey, the President of the N.8.A., contemplates entertaining all hands at his private residence on January 10th to an evening garden party. The Casey family are in the van as sociable entertainers/

The Auckland green has been chosen as the principal scene of all important bowling events during the N.B.A. tournament. The committee did well

in this decision, as the green is very central and it is quite up to the traditions of the mother club to treat visitors in the kindest way.

In the general draw of the Auckland Club the winners are well concealed There is a big field and great games are in store for the many entrants. The programme is so large that one could hardly think that these events could be possibly finished in the season. However, " needs must," and the finals will probably be well up to time.

Dargaville green was to have been opened on December 4th. A large contingent of Auckland bowlers went up and would be sure to have a great time.

The Southerners got a big surprise when Hamilton beat them. I hear that they remarked that the Waikato clubs play a nice steady game of bowls and that the greens are quite up to anything they had seen. They played beautifully smooth and true.

The continual controversy re the bias of bowls is becoming monotonous. The green test or the table test is being discussed in all the bowling columns. There can be no doubt as to which is the proper and best test, viz., the table. This test must be reliable always, because the surface is true and invariably the same. No two greens are ever the same. The light and heavy bowl take different bias, although on a table they might be exactly the same. No finality has been arrived at as to the law on the subject, so the war of opinions will continue.

In an inter-club last Wednesday, Dominion Road v. Epsom, one of the teams got the limit on one head. The usual coat of paint to save the whole head was wanted.

Many a good shot was blown cut of its course on Dominion Road on Saturday. The Club Fours engaged the attention of the members and the green was an animated scene for several hours. Bryden felt the sting of defeat. West, the club's crack leader, on this occasion, skipped and he proved a hard nut to crack, for he brought his team of players well to the front—3l to 14. Gordon had another big win on the day. Savers, his club-mate on the end against him, did not get a look in. The final score was 29 to 12. Dr. Moir made mincemeat of Goldsmith by 25 to 17. Guthrie, Skelton and Williams held the fort with the doctor.

Grey Lynn were busy on Saturady. Some strenuous games were played and some only monkeyed with their games, not taking the matter very seriously. A good game resulted between Tom Mills and Fletcher—l9-17 to the firstmentioned. Johnson and Norgrove had a royal round or two. Johnson got one too many for the opposition. Ferguson and Rowlands put up good work for their sides, and the palm was by Ferguson. Two bolts were Healey 31 to W. Mills' 11, and E. Buckley potted G. Baildon by 9. Thomson, as third for the winners, played one of his best games.

Wanganui are having a three days' open tournament at 'Xmas, December 26, 27 and 28. No doubt they will have all their green accommodation taxed during the 'Xmas week. This club contains some of the best bowlers of the Dominion, and a good time is expected.

The N.Z. B.A. hold its tournament at Christchurch, beginning on January 20th, thus giving members time to take part in the N.B.A. tournament.

The Auckland Bowling Club will hold its annual "At Home" on Saturday next.

Club Fours at Auckland were the order of the day on Saturday last: The first round was nearly completed during the afternoon. Green opened the ball by giving Osmond a 3 point beating, and Carlaw had 6 to spare from Mennie. The struggle between Handcock and Dingle was worth walking a long way to see. Dingle just landed the game by one point.•■ Blanchard and Co. played Newburn to a stand still and won his game. Dr Neil met James, and being well supported by his team, put doubl efigures against the ex-champion of the club.