BOWLING

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XXI, 22 May 1897, Page 641

BOWLING

We give in this issue a picture of the Ponsonby team of bowlers that won the championship fours of Auckland for the season 1896-97. This is the first occasion on which a championship has been arranged by the Bowling Association, and the young suburban club are to be congratulated on their win. Three teams representing the Ponsonby Club were very prominent in the Pennant matches, having to play off the final with the Auckland Bowling Club, which at present holds the honour. Appended are brief particulars relative to the players whose photographs we publish : — R. Ballantyne, the skip of the team, learned the game of bowls in Napier some six orseven years ago,and when but quite a young hand earned a reputation as a good single player. He is a very able skip, and a clever driver and drawer. H. W. Brookes, the third player, joined the Ponsonby Club at its formation some four years ago, and learned his first step under the guidance of the skip of this team and Mr M. McDermott. He is a fair all round man. A. S. Russell, the second player, is one of the most consistent players in the Ponsonby Club. He is always there or thereabouts, very cool and quick to take advantage of an opening. A. H. Brookes, the leader, is the youngest player in the Ponsonby Club, and like his brother, is only a four seasons’ player. He is looked upon as the best lead in Auckland, having beat all his men in each contest, anil is the largest prize winner in his Club.