BOWLING NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue VI, 10 February 1900, Page 260

BOWLING NOTES.

Northern Bowling Association’s Century Tournament u pronounced success.

Newmarket win first honours, Wellington nnd Auckland following next in order.

The win for the Champion Flag and Howls verj- popular amongst the visiting clubs. • ■ ■

Mr Hannigan, skip of one of the Sydney rinks, was at the tournament held in Auckland some four years back.

Mr Porter, skip of the Newcastle team, re-visits Auckland after a lapse of 35 years.

The catering at both greens in the bonds of Mr Stillwell, Parnell, gave every satisfaction.

A record game was played between Ponsonby nnd Newmarket as regards the total scores of two rinks. Mr Kilgour’s rink (Newmarket) making 15 points, and Mr T. Brown's team (Ponsenby) scoring 13—making a total of 28 points for 21 heads—the best performance throughout the tournament.

Next to this comes the total of Mr Coleman’s rink (Gisborne) 12 versus Mr Brookes’ rink (Newmarket) 17— making a total of 29 points for the 21 heads.

Everyone loud in their praises of the management of the tournament. Thanks to Mr Kirker and his officers the affair was carried out in ‘’tip-top’’ style.

Mr T. Brown (Ponsonby). of whom I have previously spoken in these columns as a real good player, fully established the confidence placed in him by his club in making him skip of one of the rinks. Tom is one of the best drawing men I have seen at the tournament.

The veteran Paul, from New Plymouth was present throughout the tournament. Mr Paul has never been known to miss a tournament held in the North Island.

The match, New Zealand v. NewSouth Wales, played on Mr Kirker’s private green, Ponsonby. ended in a win for the New Zealanders.

Fully 300 visitors present at the New Zealand—New South Wales match.

Mr Jas. Kirker will ever be remembered by bowlers from far and wide for his generous hospitality during the tournament.

J. M. Geddis (Remuera) played a very consistent leader's game through out- the tournament. He also skipped a team through the first round for Stewart Dawson’s clocks successfully.

Mr Evans (one of Napier’s skips) has earned the reputation of being a very lucky player.

If you were to ask who was the most popular and genial bowler at the tournament the answer would be Mr Horrocks. of N.S.W. Things were always lively and pleasant in his rink. Mr Simmonds. President of Palmerston North Club, was present on the lawns throughout the tournament, bis happy remarks and attention to the players being much appreciated. A bowl must be wholly outside the limits of a rink before it is counted ‘‘dead.’’. Should any part of it touch or overhang the cotton it is counted "live." I give this ruling because it was awarded otherwise during one of the games in the tournament. H. Brookes made ties in three different games with his last bowls—against Remuera, Hawera and Bluff Hill—requiring two points in first two, and three in last, which lie got by drawing the “jack." A “tight go" was expected between Wellington and Newmarket, but the local men found that by drawing they could well hold their own, and won comfortably. Mount Eden had “hard lufk" in not being further forward in the averages. They play a very strong game, and beat Wellington easily. Grafton’s (Auckland) teams, skipped by Hancock and Ledingham, was the only club to defeat Newmarket, nnd the win was mainly due to the good play of Mennie and Dttnshea. Alf. Coutts played a very consistent third in T. Brown's rink for Ponsonby. His running shots were very telling. THE WINNING TEAM. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAYERS. Tn this issue we give photos, of the teams competing for the Northern Bowling Association's Champion Flag

and Shield; it is needless to say that the task of getting the men together and procuring pictures worthy of reproduction was no easy one, nevertheless 1 think Mr Walrond has done his work with credit, and obtained happy results. It may not be out of place to give a few remarks re the winning Newmarket teams.

Mr J. Kilgour (skip of No. 1 team) is a six season's bowler, and has been a representative at different tournaments for about four years. He is a real canny skip, with little to say. and can draw and drive with most players. Mr Geo. Heron was the first to instruct Mr Kilgour how to use the bowl.

Mr Geo. Laurie (third player), in No. 1 team, is a real good drawing man. and spoken of as the fastest driver seen in the colonies. He is rather quick in his movements, and sometimes hasty in his judgment, but can always be relied upon in a critical moment. The success of his team was in a great measure due to his accurate driving, driving. Air Southwell is a bow ler of the old school, good at placing his shots, and can also run the “jack" when it is wanted. He is a good single player.

Mr Haselden, the leader for the same team, is generally a bit on the strong side, but as the team played the back game. he was the right man in the right place. Mr Haselden had an unbroken record as a single player when a mdtnber of the late Parnell Club, often winning matches from behind scratch.

Mr C. G. Laurie (in the No. 2 team) is one of the best leads in Auckland. His strong point is that he can throw' the “jack” to within a foot or two of where he requires it. Throughout the tournament he had the best of every leader he met. Mr Laurie is President of the Newmarket Club, and to show the esteem in which he is held has been elected unopposed for three seasons.

Mr H. Kent, the No. 2, is a very nervous player, but can draw a real good shot when he likes. He also showed some of the teams that he eould play a fast one when his side was in trouble. Mr Kent represented his club in the. champion tournament held in Wanganui last year, when his team tied for third place. Mr A. H. Brookes, third player, is a very pretty “drawer," and is quick at getting the jack out with the running shot. He has a real good record as a single player, and can also fill the end of a rink with credit.

Mr H. W. Brookes, skip of the No 2 team, may be called the coach of the club, for he has taken a great interest in the preparation of the teams for the tournament. He is well-known to all bowlers—having been a representative at tournaments since he was a six months' player. He draws well, and is very deadly on the open “jack.”