BOWLING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 821, 30 November 1905, Page 12

BOWLING.

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The weather on Saturday last was all that could be desired from a bowler's point of view, and notwithstanding the counter attraction of the Auckland Show, there was a good muster of the lovers of the trundling game at the different greens, and some first-class form was displayed by aspirants for representative honours.

H. iNewman, well known as treasurer of the Mount Eden Bowling Club some four seasons back, has written to a friend in Auckland saying that four teams are coming over from 1 oowoomba to play trial matches with all the local Auckland clubs if possible. After doing the rounds of the city, etc., they intend to visit Rotorua and other scenes of thermal beauty. Bowlers, and especially his Jiount Eden club mates, will be pleased to give Newman and his friends a hearty welcome.

In our present issue we give a photo of Mr W. Fletcher, President of the Carlton Bowling Club. The gentleman mentioned is and has been a keen sport in all forms of athletics, and was at one time a player in the well-known Wellington-Poneke Football Club. Mr Fletcher plays a good shot, and his genial and good-natured manner make him a favourite with his club mates. He has represented his club for championship honours both at Wellington and Auckland. ■* * * ■*** *

Do I understand aright that the match committee of the Auckland Bowling Association have passed a rule to the effect that there shall be “no change in the club players in pennant matches”? If my memory serves me truthfully, and I am sure it does, on the motion of Messrs Rankin and Nicholson it was decided that “match committees of clubs should have the right to change their players as often as they deemed necessary.”

Now, it does seem “arbitrary and petty” that a few representatives should sit and over-ride the ruling of a tribunal composed, as it is, of some of the most prominent and far-seeing men in the city.

Had President Myers been present at the meeting of delegates when these matters were discussed, I am sure he would not have received the motion. It does not take one with the smallest amount of judgment to see the object of this move, and I have no doubt it was hatched in a quiet corner by some “shrewd and tactful tactician.”

There is one redeeming feature in the whole business, and that is “that the matter is to be referred to a full meeting of delegates to confirm the same.” The bowlers of Auckland generally will be very short-sighted indeed if they do not direct their delegates to vote the matter out in as short and decisive a manner as possible. * * * *

Bowlers, reflect a while ! Almost to aman the bowlers of Auckland rejected the grading scheme. Now you have a proposition that “a man shall be graded a leader, a second, a third, or a skip for a whole season.” Such is the contention, I take it, of the motion brought forward at the meeting of the match committee delegates. How many bowlers are there, and especially young, promising players, who will be content with being graded in the inter-club competitions in this way ? Another thing, where does the so-called champion club come in if you are not allowed to play your best to the best advantage ?

In the face of the foregoing the proposition of Mr C. G. Laurie (Carlton) should have been put and carried : “That the winner of the pennant flag this year be not known as the champion club.” * * * *

The following trophy games were played at Mt. Eden during the week :—Championship Singles (best out of three, games): Simpson 21, 22 v. Walker 12, 14; Mercer 15 v. A. W. Jones 21 ; Brimblecombe 11 v. Young 21. Handicap Singles : W. P. Baker 17 v. Wickham 21 ; Surman 22 v. Walker 2 ; Kissell 18 v. Hosking 21. Pairs : Blakiston and Garland 19 v. Nicholson and Surman 16 ; Gill and Esam 17 v. Dunlop and H. 0. Brown 31 ; Simpson and Ferguson 21 v. Woolier and Phipps 15. Fours : Renwick, Hosking, J. W. Jones, H. 0. Brown (skip) 21 v. Miller, Blake, Surman, Brookes (skip) 16 ; Wickham, Downing, Ferguson, Brimblecombe (skip) 11 v. Woolier, R. Burns, A. W. Jones, Rankin (skip) 43. Club Games : Robertson, Little, Noton, Martin (skip) 22 v. Gill, Davis, Coe, S. Bums (skip) 14 ; Simpson, Blakiston, Pooley, Tutt (skip) 17 v. Myers, Mackie, Garland, Mercer (skip) 20 ; McGowan, Garratt, Walton,

McGregor (skip) 29 v. XV. P. Baker, Culpan, La Roche, C. C. Baker (skip 18 ; Phipps, Monk, Walker, Young (skip) 24 v. Bedlington, J. 0. Brown, Kissell, Hooper (skip) 22.

Brimblecombe says he has played bowls for some years now, but never in his life did he see such good play against a side, and such a run of bad luck to that side as fell to his lot on Saturday last. He certainly met a strong combination in Woolier, R. Burns, A. W. Jones, Rankin (skip).

Mercer got a bit of a surprise from A. W Jones in the Mt. Eden championship singles on Saturday. The latter won the first game by 21 to 15.

Renwick, Wickham, Woolier, and Robertson were leading well at Mt. Ttden.

Harry Seabrook was a bit too good for Harry Surman on Saturday. Poth players were acting as thirds for Brown and Brookes respectively.

Simpson,who has taken to bowls again this season, met and defeated Walker in a championship singles by 21, 22 to 12, 14. “Simmy,” as he is better known by bowlers, is a hard nut to crack when in form. .

The Carlton management are evidently studying the necessity of giving their younger players a chance as skips and thirds, for I notice the old veterans Lawrie and Ki.lgo.ur are filling the positions as leader and second.

In handicap singles at Rocky Nook, Small 22 beat Hodgson 18. In the championship singles (first game) Wakerley 16 beat Rathbone 13. Both games were fought throughout, and the play was of fairly high merit **. * *

The holders of the Bartlett Buckles on the Ponsonby Green —Parsons, Sneddon, Buchanan, Osmond (skip) 27—were challenged by Diddams, Clarke, Webb, Watson (skip) 19. The game was keenly contested throughout, and some very pretty change of play was displayed by both siders. Sneddon played a strong game for his side, and Webb, for the losers, was in good form

In the Champion Fours, at Devonport, Armstrong’s team beat Eyre’s by 20 to 15, Mitchell’s four defeated Harty’s by 27 to 17, and Glennister’s quartette lost to Harvey’s team by 20 to 24. In the club Doubles Glennister and Mason defeated King and Harty by 16 to 15, and Mynott and Ralfe scored a win against W. Crosher and Gardner by 22 to 16.

In the Champion Fours at Rocky Nook Dutton’s team beat Hodgson’s by 19 to 17, after a very interesting and close finish.

Bryden, of the same club, also had a win from Ellisdon’s four by 17 to 16.

Haselden, in the same competition, skipped his four home against Cutler’s quartette by 19 to 15.

It is seldom in club fours that the teams are so we’l matched as is indicated by the scores above. Perhaps it would be a good idea for Rocky Nook to work up their combination in inter-club contests somewhat on the lines of thir club fours.

G. Court is said to be in great nick at Remuera this season. « » * *

Rev. Beatty carried. too many guns against Stevenson in a fours at the Remuera rinks The scores were 20 to 12.

Only two rinks on the go at Onehunga on Saturday last. Wins were secured by J. Neil and E. Wright.

Sorry to hear that C. G. Brookes, for some time secretary and sole selector at Mount Eden Club, has decided to give the game a season’s rest. Charley says he is so often out of town on Saturdays that he cannot give the time he would like to the game.

Ronayne (Carlton) is credited with being one of the most improved players on the green this season, and is looked upon as a certainty for the inter-club contests.

Harsnape (Carlton) is still keeping up his reputation as a player, and skipped a fours to victory ag’ainst Carey by 22 to 13.

Cahill. of the same club, is credited with a big win against R. McCallum in a fours contest. The scores were 30 to 18. Jim says he couldn’t go wrong, or his men either.

The pairs match for the Jones Buckles, on the Western Suburb green, was a very exciting and close finish. The holders.

Parsons and Crabtree, were challenged and defeated by Baddily and Sneddon by 21 to 20 ; a remarkably good game throughout.

the adjourned meeting of the Hamilton Bowling Club was held on briday evening last. The financial report showed that the club had slightly improved its position during the past year. The club started with a balance of assets over liabilities of £24 15s 9d, and closed the season with a balance of £5l 6s. The amounts owing to sundry creditors total £76 9s 6d, an increase of nearly £56. In addition there is owing by the club £3B received in loans from members of the club, and a further increase of £8 in the outstanding debentures. This shows an increase in total liability of £lO2. Against this, however, there is an increase in the assets. Many of the deben-ture-holders, who are the principal creditors, have surrendered their debentures. This will greatly relieve the financial pressure. It was decided to raise the subscription from £1 Is to £1 Us 6d.