BOWLS & BOWLERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1983, 13 February 1914, Page 5

BOWLS & BOWLERS.

; . UNIFICATION OF RULES. . [By "Jack."] V\ r ory interesting to all, bowlers were the speeches made at the smcke concert tendered to the visiting Australians at the-Wellington Club's pavilion on Men-

day evening. As the outcome of it, I to predict that before long a conference will be arranged between representatives of the Dominion Association and the . Australian Bowling Council with the idea of unifying the laws of the game as suggested by Mr. Leslie (Victoria) in his interesting speech. As to whether Now Zealand will bring itself to conform with the Australian two-feet-ou-the-mat law' is extremely problematical. One point every speaker missed in referring to the difference in the laws as to the method of the delivery of the bowl (as far as the action of the feot is concerned) is that the law in each country is the direct result of the di/ferent styles of delivery— styles that may almost bo called national in. character, reference to which has already been made in this paper. It stands to reason ' that if a player crouches down in a fixed position on the mat to deliver his bowl he has no inclination to leave tho mat; in fact, it would be a feat in acrobatics for him to do so. On tho other hand, the average New Zealand bowler stands straight up, takes sight, then steps forward_ wiih his left leg to , give the body a swing, as the bowl is deliveied.,Whilst it cannot be said that either style makes for superior play, I do not think anyone will question as to which style cf delivery is the most graceful. If.New Zealariders were given a 4ft. 6in. mat, arid strictly confined to it, I am afraid that the outer end of the mat ivould "get into their eye" as they delivered. Our style of delivery is as deeply ingrained in the mind of every experienced bowler as is the habit of stepping forward with the 'brie foot from the mat. It would be as difficult to break the one 'aV the .other. ' Mr. Leslie's argument that the stepping forward injures the green is not borne out in practice. A green "always begins to show the first .signs of wear much closer to the ditch, than'the spot where the matis laid. -.'•■■'

There is; a good deal more" in the difference .in regard to the laws applying to'"touchers," a point aleo raised by Mr. Leslie, of Victoria. In Australia a "toucher" is ' never dead.' In New Zealand it expires, as so.ou as it leaves the rink except when it lies in the ditch. At first glance it seems rather ridiculous to count a bowl as alive that is not'within the defined area of play, but it is no more preposterous to rule so thari it is to count a "toucher' as a live bowl when in the ditch. In fact, logically argued, the ditch is just as,much "out of bounds" as is the next rink, yet in New Zealand both . "jack" and "toucher"are alive in the ditch between tho'liues that define the rink, and dead if they are, over the sido lines on the green. ' The reward for a player getting a "toucher" in Australia is that his bowl remains alive wherever it rests, but the "jack" is dead as soon as it'crosses'the. side lines. The difference iu the laws may easily s mean the difference in the result of a game, as an out-of-bounds toucher may easily lie the shot .to a trailed' jack. The only real objection to the Australian law seems ■ to be the possibility ' of interfering with ope another's games,, through the invasion of .one another's rinks with stray "touchers." This may in-experience be found to be a trivial objection, but, it is one worthy of some consideration.

i' At the smoker, Mr. T.'Bush suggested that the visitors might tell them all they knew.about the permission of the use of composition ..bowls in matches. He. stated ■ that the conclusion to bar them had been arrived at by 'the Dominion. Association rather hastily, and in fairness to everyone it was a matter that required consideration., Many will agree with Mr. Bush. It.is a matter that will surely come up for'discussion if (ns suggested by Mr. A. Veitch) a conference is held in Sydney next year. It is understood that a great many composition Jkjwls use m Victoria, and' are grpwin.g3jiJ;/pbpu!anty,,in-;New South Wales, owing to' a 'player being ,able to get the full-w'eight into anysized bowl. ■'•:'.■'■.'.*

, THE DUTHIE CUP. . WON BY LOWER HUTT CLUB. • •Pleasantly jovial was the gathering that assembled at the Hutt Howling Club's green yesterday to witness the triangular contest for, the Duthio Cup between teams representing Wellington, Hutt, and Wanganui. The day.' was •somewhat dull, and a trieky wind tried the patience of the bowlers, but excellent games werd played, and a close finish added not a. little to the general enjoyment. .'This is.the seventh contest for this cup, the competition haying been inauguarted by the'-Hon. John Duthie, M.L.C., presenting a handsome silver cup for an annual test of skill between Wellington, Wanganui, and Lower Hutt. It may be of interest to know that,-at vai'ious. periods, Mr. Duthie was a member of all three clubs. The trophy cannot be won outright, the winning team being only allowed to hold it for a season, when it is again competed for. The day's games resulted in a win for Lower Hutt—their third win. Wellington Club lias held the cup throo , seasons, while Wanganui Club has held it'but one: All tho matches wero.keenly fought out, an'd not until a few moments before finishing time was the winning team apparent. At the luncheon adjournment Mr.- C. Callend'er, the president, of tho Lower Hutt Bowling Club, proposed the toast of the guest of the day (the Hon.' John Duthie), and in a happy little speech congratulated him on having thought of so excellent a means of honouring the three clubs and at the sain© time providing "a means of' bringing them annually together. Associated with Mr. Callender were Mr. E.-Moult,-vice-president of the Wellmgiton'.Club,- and Mr. L'. Cohen, president of the .Wanganui'Club. Mr. Duthie fit■tirigly.responded.. 'Among those present were; Colonel R.,J. Collins, a member of the executive of the Dominion Bowling Association; Mr. E.P. Bunny, Mayor of Lower Hutt; the Rev. Father Line, the Rev. J. Jones, and the Rev. Jas.-.M-'Caw. Tlie'visitors will be-the guests of Mr. J. Duthie at luncheon today, at his r'e3iderico,. Nai Nat. The , results of the various games are:— V AVelb'ngton v. Wangauui. Wellington—Bush, Leslie, Webb, Porteous, (s.), 27; Wanganui—Harden, Denefield, Collins, Cohen (s.J, I^. Wellington—Ballinger, Veitch, Thompson, Moult' (s.), 20; Wanganui—Gower, Nixon, Foster, Atkinson (s.), 19. , . Wellington, 47; Wanganui, 32. ' Hutt-v. Wanganui. . Hutt—Trevethick, Nicholson, Macaekill, O. SXevens (s.) , 24; Wanganui— Harden, Dennefield, Collins, Cohen (s.), 18. . . ■' ,

Hutt—Jones, Cudby, Hollard, Hendry (s.), 21; Wanganui—Gower, Nixon, Foster, Atkinson (s.), 23. Hutt, 45; Wanganui, 41. ' , Hutt v. Wellington. .

Hutt—Trovethick, Nicholson, Macaskill. 0. Stevens (s.), 28; Wellington— Ballinger, Veitch, Thompson, Moult (s.),

Hutt—Jones, Cudby, Hollard, Hendry (s.), 22; Wellington—Bush, Leslie, Webb, Porteous (s.), 28. Hutt, 50; Wellington, 38. JERUSALEM CUP. The following wiil represent Johnson,vill against Khandallah for tho Jerusalem . Cup on Saturday :— J. Rod, Harrap, Potrio, Cook (s:); Steele, Embury, Oriy Manson (s.): Waekrow, Bonld, Morgan, Turner (s.); Ferguson, Taylor, Hull, Sloan (s.); Smytlie, H. G. Robertson, Bethune, Wallis (s.); Mills, Jerusalem, Townshend, Thompson (s.).' ■The Khandallah Club will be represented next" Saturday by tho following teams: — • At home (for the .Jerusalem Cup): Mansfield, Watson, V. Bonrke, Gollan (s.); Stafford, Living, R. Plimmer. Dumbell (s.); Crump, Ttylor, Davy, Nalder (s.); Blyth. C. Aplin, Willans, M'Arthur (s.); Lai, Simmon3 Wricht,

W. Bourge, Vincent, Cuthbertson, M. P. Cameron, FlcmiiiE Qs) Away (against Wellington): Anderson, A. E. Budd, Thomson, J. A Plimmer (s.).

THORNDON BOWLING OLUB. The following players are selected to play for Thorndon on Saturday in a friendly match 'against Petono :— At Petonc.—Dnmbell, JohiiEon, Mitford, J. T. King (s.); H. J. King, Lbiigton, Gamble/ ' Conlin (s.); Murdoch, Stanford, Jones, Cohen (s.). At Thorndon.—Staff, Jameson, Spencer,'Munro (s.); Reeves, Upham, Thomson, Dixon (s.); Collins, Seaton, Chittey.Gray (s.). . \ Thorndon player's combined match at Wellington.—Freeman, J. P. Brandon, Jackman, Dimock (e.). Result, of a friendly game on Wednesday afternoon, Lyall Bay v. Thorndon.— Lyall Bay—Montell, Foster, Raven, Fairway, 21; Thorndon—Murdoch, Midland, Kilgour, Hogben, 14. Lyall BayDillon, Toomer, Burgess, Tonks, 19; Thomdon—Freeman, Gamble, Conlin, Chittey, 12. • A friendly two-rink match was played on the Thorndon Green on Wednesday between the Thorndon and Lyall Bay Clubs:—Lyall Bay—Mowtell, Foster, Raven, Fairway (s.), 21; Thorndon —Murdoch, Medland, Kilgour, Hogben (s.), 14. Lyall Bay—Diflen. Toomer, Burgess, Tonks (s.), 19; Thorndon— Freeman, Gamble, Conlin, Chitty (s.), 12. Total—Lyall Bay, 40; Thorndon, 26. NEWTOWN CLUB. The following- have been selected to represent 'Ncwtown Club:—Against Petone, at Petone, on Saturday:— Blenkinsop, W. Roberts, J. Roberts, Russell (s.); Middlebrook, Davies, Drew, Laws (5.).. ■Against Wellington, at Nowtown, on Saturday: Manning, S. E. Luke, Chegwidden, . P. Luke (s.); Remington, P. Roberts, C. M. Luke, Grenside (s.). Against Wellington, at Wellington, on Saturday: Chitty, Salmon, Flyger, Trevor (s.); Pankhurst, Gallie, Underwood, Prince(s.). Against. Hutt, at Newtown, on Wednesday, February 18: Fowncs. Craighead, Crosby, Castle (s.); Fisher, Caterer, Phillips, Porter (s.); Crengel, Read. Spiers, Wylie (s.); Talbot, Davies, R. M. Brackenridge, Underwood

, WELLINGTON V. ALLCOMERS. The /Seatoun rink for the Wellington v. Allcofncrs' match will be:—Bennett, C'ramond, M'Girr, Green (s.). PETONE CLUB RINKS, The follo.ving rinks will represent Pe'tone- against Thorndon on Saturday:— Away: E. Cooper, Colquitt, Gilmour, Curtis (s.); Carter, Wakelin, Fraser, Castle (s.); Hutchinson. Hey, Lewthwaite, Wearne (a.). At tome: Witclier, Battersby, Burgli, Ross (s.); Findlay, Andrews, Beynon. Marsden (s.); Johnson, Palmer, Hennie, Fowler (s.). In the Wellington. .Club match:— Wylie, Melhuish, Coles, Stephens (s.). ■Against Newtown at Petone (junior). —Wilson, Arcus, Dixon, Doneghuo (s.)Bartlett. Holmes, Maynard, Ward (s-). PENNANT MATCHES. The pennant matcli on Saturday between Seatoun and Khandallah was won by the latter club bv 5 points: The scores were as follow, Seatoun teams being mentioned in the first, instance in each case:— ■Magill, Webb, Buxton, Vance (s.), 17; Stafford, Simmons, Plimmer, Dumbell (s.), 18. .Carr, -Rodgers, Allender, 'Green (5.),.23; Aplin, Vincent, Gollan, Bourke (s.), 14. Wright, Crammond, Bennett,-Bradley (s.), 17; Mansfield, Watson, Wriglit, Nalder (s.), 30. Fuller, Richards; L'a.fls[iijj>r, J^pirr. (5,).,,.23; Anderson, Taylor, Cameron, Davy (s.), 23.

.80; Khandallah, 85.