BOWLING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18259, 18 August 1921, Page 6

BOWLING

NEW ZEALANDERS IN IRELAND. AN IMPRESSION AND A RECORD. (Special to “Chronicle.”) BELFAST, June 16. The following notes by “Jack,” in the “IBeltast News-Letter,” covering our expediences in the Emerald Isle, will, 1 feel sure, prove of interest to our fellow bowlers in New Zealand:— I write these lines on Tuesday evening, with the last farewells of our visitors still ringing in my ears. is always a sadness in parting scenes and, although such a short time with us, our New Zealand friends had grown into our affections, and it was with a real pang of regret that we saw them leave our shores—a regret intensified by t’he , thought that to many of us it was indeed a last farewell. From their arrival to their departure we tried to give them a good time, filled with Irish kindliness and hospitality, and I think we succeeded. Some of us were continually in their company, and we learned to appreciate those sterling qualities which go to the making of men the world over; and we found them not so unlike ourselves—indeed, they might be Ulstermen, but for a more refined accent in speech. Then president, Mr M. F. Barnett, is a thorough old-world gentleman, his short, friendly speeches being much ap- , predated, while theiir vica-president, Mr G. S. Gordon, also created a favourable impression by his i espouses to our words of welcome. Their secretary, Mr J. D. Sievwright, is a most accomplish-' ed and versatile speaker, his reply to the Lord Mayor’s remarks at the civic welcome benng masterly in its diction, and eloquent in its enunciation. Mr A. E. Renouf, who acted as court jester, is a host in himself, and baffles desciiption. As leader of the Maori song and dance, he is inimitable, and when clothed in the robes of a city father, he made, if Cruikshank’s pencil is to be trusted, an admirable understudy for Mr Bumble in ‘Oliver Twist.” Mr J. A. Doherty, who sings the song of greeting, has a fine baritone voice, and knows how to use it. I might go on inr definitely with these personal descriptions—enough to mention that the members ot the team aie a set of good fellows, to rub shoulders with whom is a liberal education. I will not attempt the impossible task of describing the ladies —they were all (harming. One of them grew- so “fawn” of “Jack” as to call him “deer,” but his “hart” was well-night broken when he discovered that she was distributing her favours impartially, and that there were other “deer“ nibbling in the same pasture. Though a little nervous on account of the unfortunate happenings in the city during their visit, they enjoyed themselves, and were as sorry to part with us as we were to lose them. We learnt many interesting facts about New Zealand, the most striking being that it is the finest country in the world, w here young men of energy and perseverance can make a modest lortune and retire from business at the age of 45 or 50. The fact that so many young men can make such an expensive trip as this bow ling tour proves the*assertion. Which brings me tc the point where 1 must say a lew- words about each of their n atches, and record results. On the Wednesday morning of their arrival they motored direct to Larne, where the urban council received them and gave them a right royal welcome. 1 was unfortunately unable to accompany them, so cannot describe the afternoon match in detail. 1 expect they were wearied with their constant travelling, and did not give of their best on the green, Larne defeating them by 128 to 103. There was only one successful link, that skipped by J. D. Sievwright, who, in the Irish matches, proved himself the outstanding skip of the team. The detailed results are : H. J. Bray (N.Z.) 11, v. J. Walker (Larne) 23; W. Efford 13 v. R. Minnis 18; J. A. Doherty 18 v. H. H. Smiley 122; T. M. Stewart 10 v. J. Ross 26; J. >D. Sievwright 30 v. M. Thomson 8; G. S. Gordon 21 v. J. F. Barklie 31. Totals —New Zealand 103; Larne 128. After an entertainment which corneluded with an exercise on the light fantastic toe, the visitors ’ retired to rest in the Laharna Hotel. Next day they motored from Larne in time to play the match against the Private Greens •’League at the Cavehill green. Ben Madigan (which 1 may explain to my New Zealand friends is the Irish name for the Cave Hill) behaved very badly. He stormed and blustered and shed tears and did his best, to disconcert the enemy from a far country. He muttered : “You may have your 12,000 feet Mount Cook, and your active volcano, Tongariro at home, but we will see avhat a/1200 feet Irish hill can Ido to circumvent your attack on our bowlers.” He drrve the players in to tea with a squall, but, afterwards though the wind continued high, the rain ceased, and the game was finished without iurthc’- interruption. The visitors led by 5 shots at the fifth end, ly 9 at the tenth, by 2 at the fifteenth, and won by 123 to 113. Under the cincumstances one could not judge of the abil- | ity of cither side, the vagaries of the bowls being at times laughable. Did 1 dream, or did I ieally hear a New Zea*land skip whisper?— “Weak is the Pfford’ of my hand, And wide my closest shot For, when I lain would kiss the jack. A blast drives me to pot.” The biggest win for New Zealand was G. S. Gordon’s 27 to A Dickson’s 10, and for the League, D E. Gardiner’s 28 to H. J. Bray’s 15. At the tenth end Davy Gardiner was do*vn 6, then he commenced to Bray, and made short work of him, scoring 21 shots to 2 during the remainder of the game. The visitors’ method of play is for the skip alone to stand at the jack and direct each of his three players in turn. aJI three going up the green as the skip travels down. It saves time and looks well, but the play of the third is never so good as when he has a picture of the head in his mind when delivering his bowl. Details — : G. S. Gordon (N.Z.) 27 v. A. Dickson (Private Greens’ League) 10; T. M. Stewart 20 v. W. Irvine 17; W. Efford ]8 v. G. Kirkwood 19; J. I). Sievwright 22 v I. McAvoy 19; J. A. Doherty 21 v. Dr. Rusk 23; H. J. Bray 15 v. 1). E. Gardiner 28. Totals —New Zealand 123; Private Greens’ League 113. The real test of the playing powers of the visitors took place on Friday afternoon at Belmont. The weather was beautiful and the green in good condition. The Irish team was a strong one, though it might have been strengthened by the inclusion of a number or players who had already got, or were to get. a match. But we had decided to distribute the honours over as wide a field as possible. The game was restricted to four rinks, and it was soon apparent that the visitors were really fine bowlers, experts at drawing or driving, especially on short ends. The totals were 17 all at the fifth end, New Zealand led by 36 to 32 at the tenth, and by 53 to 51 at the fifteenth. Then