NOTES ON THE PLAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 526, 17 January 1901, Page 13

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

The winners played a consistent drawing game, and Ponsford, the Gisborne skip, is to be complimented on the manner in which he worked his team. There is no doubt the best team won. General surprise was expressed at the poor display of the Mount Eden and Bluff Hill teamsVictoria (Wellington), although oily a young club, have a couple of promising players in Gooder and Heaston, and the same may be said of Maeterton with regard to Dupre and Elliott. Last year’s champions (Newmarket) although tieing for second place have shown much better form, and one of the team being asked for the reason of the reversal of form shown on the third day said '* it was too much hospitality.” Auckland were very fortunate, considering the scratch team got together at the last moment, but I hear that Towsey was a host in himself. Wellington seemed a bit at sea on the rinks, and notwithstanding changes being made in the order of players, they did not come up to expectations. One of the “snags” of the tournament was the Whataupoko team, who could play the fast game and draw with most opponents. Ponsonby did much better than was generally expected, and I shall not be surprised to see Brown skipping a team to victory ere long, for Tom is wry deadly on the draw. Palmerston North, with such men as Lissaman, Russell, Nash, and Cottle, should have given a much better account of themselves. But 1 am afraid the kindnesses received were too much for them, Hasting was looked upon as one of the best allround teams on the ground, and appeared for a time like filling one of the places.

jSNapier were weak from the start, and Evans does not appear to play the game as he did when skipping at Wanganui some two years ago. His drives were sorely at fault. ■~R~n.tt-.ij a young Gf-isborne club with old players, were among the last on the list, yet this chib managed to give its mother club a one point defeat. •On Thursday afternoon the tournament was suspended in order that the public might witness a match, Gisborne v. The Visitors. The game ended. Visitors 239, Gisborne 210. Only two of the Gisbornerinks were successful —those skipped by Ponsford and MbGowan against Hastings and Masterton. The tournament was abandoned on firiday afternoon owing to the gale, and at that time this is how the clubs stood : —

■ A. smoke concert was held on Friday night, January 11th, and was in keeping with the rest of the arrangements to make the visitors welcome, being a most fitting close to one of the most successul tournaments ever held in the colony. It might here be mentioned that hot luncheon was served on the green each day at ; 12.30, with every attention and comfort possible. Space will not permit of an accout of the smoke concert, but sufficient to say that everything was done that could be done, and everyone made happy.

Club Wins Losses Qisborne 10 1 Newmarket ... 7 4 Ponsonby 7 4 Hastings 7 4 Whataupoko... 7 4 Wellington ... 7 4 Palmerston North ... 6 5 Auckland 6 5 Napier ... 5 6 Bluff Hill. 4 7 Victoria 3 8 Masterton 3 8 Mount E den ... ... 3 8 Haiti ... 2 9