BOWLS WITHOUT BIAS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 83, 2 January 1935, Page 6

BOWLS WITHOUT BIAS

Successful Christmas Rinks

DOMINION TOURNEY

(By

“Armada.”)

Wellington bowlers could hardly wish for a more successful tournameut than the Christmas rinks last week. The best of summer weather, complete organisation, and the entry of some of the centre's best players, brought forth play of high standard, section play as well as postsection play being Interesting for both participants and onlookers. Before the post-section play had been continued long the prospects of Watts’s team and Neilson’s team being the finalists appeared bright, but a decisive win was scored in only one of the last day’s games, and even up to the last delivery of the day it was doubtful who would win The tournament. The finalists were well matched, and were they to meet again the result could not be predicted. Both were in section C, and had met in the fourth round. Watts beat Neilson, 25-16, but the winners did not have things all their own way. They tied as winners of the section with seven wins and two losses each. Neilson’s other defeat was a trouncing at the hands of Lock’s Khandallah rink. The final scores were 26-8. On that occasion the Karori men found themselves on a rink and against a team which did not allow them to play their Usual drawing game. The Karori team (Dyett, Grant, Gilbert, A. K. Neilson) game third in the Dominion tournament several years ago. Watts was narrowly defeated by Key /Island Bay) and. Jackson (Seatoun), bv narrow, margins in both cases. Preparation at Auckland.

Good entries have been received for the New Zealand championship tournament, which will open at Auckland next Monday. Three hundred and eight have entered for the singles, with which the tournament opens, 276 for the pairs, and 164 for the rinks. It has been pointed out that the contests which take up the least time have attracted the greatest number, and that for the first time in the history of the tournament five full games are to be played on the first day, which also has made the singles attractive. Formerly, under the two-life system, from the commencement of the competition, many players had only two or three games in the singles. It is anticipated that there will be about seventy or eighty left in after the first day’s play, and about twenty after the second. In former years there have generally been about half a dozen at the end of the second 'day. The pairs will occupy the whole of one day and a portion .of the next. The whole tournament is expected to be over within a fortnight if the weather is favourable. The rinks have attracted the poorest entry. Two games, each of 25 heads, are to be played on each day, and an Auckland writer states that in that city, at least, that arrangement is not popular. Of the 164 rinks entered 78 are from outside Auckland Centre. Entrants of Note.

Outside players of note are Wilson’s Linwood, team, holders of the rink title. W. Carswell (Taieri), the champion singles holder, is also journeying north to defend the title he won in Dunedin last year. Other well-known players taking part include .Foster (Caledonian), N. Bell, sen. (Hamilton), Lobb (West End, New Plymouth), Hutchison (Dunedin), SkOglund (Stratford), Efford (EdgeWare), Gordon (St. John’s), Fruish (Hamilton), Dee (Nelson), Belcher (Bendall), Engebretser (Napier), Addess (iSt. Kilda), Willtinson (Cromwell). The Auckland players, Bremner, Parsons, Walker, Jury and Itobertson (Onehunga), will compete., . K, ■ . Wellington players in the singles are F. J. Adeaiie (Wellington), J. M. P»rackenridge■ (Lyall Bay), C. It. Ingram (Wellington),' P. McWhannell (Hataital), W. E. Orsborne (Wellington), M. Routley (Kelburn), and W. A. Wellings (Hataitai). Brackenridge, A. EL do Tourettes (Thomdon), J. M. Hale (Island Bay) Ingram, T. Johnson (Petone), McWhannell, W. Parkhouse (Wellington), D. H. Taylor (Island Bay) are in the pairs. Brackenridge, Brighting, Hale and McWhannoll and Parkhouse and Gilbert are Wellington skips of rinks entered, Australian Visitor.

Ths only Australian competitor will be R. T. Harrison, who will skip an Auckland club rink. Harrison writes in the “Sydney Referee” under the pen-name “Boomerang.” Commenting on his entry, “Draw,” in the “Dunedin Star,” writes as follows: —“Here is further proof that something is required in the way of alteration in regard to the laws governing tournament. If this tournament is to be a competition between clubs of New Zealand, then keep it «o, but if it is going to be a competition by any full member of a club either in the Dominion or from elsewhere, then let it be so. If any at the present time can understand the rulings of the New Zealand Council in regard to this matter they ar© more intelligent than most of tis. I understand that an endeavour will be made by one of the Dunedin delegates While in Auckland next month to have this question fully discussed With, a view to bringing forth an understanding rule in connection with representation at championship tourneys. It is about time something -was done in the matter.” , ' Rain in Auckland recently is reported to have improved l the condition of the greens, which were beginning to show the effects of the dry weather, and most of the grounds used for the tournament will be up to standard requirements.

Ruling on Tournament Conduct A letter, was received at the last meeting of the New Zealand Bowling Association from the Christchurch. Centre requesting a ruling as to whether mixed rinks were eligible to participate in open tournaments conducted by clubs. It was decided to reply that it is considered that the general conditions for tournament play as set out in the book of inles apply only to association and centre tournaments, and that to lay down a Iqird and fast rule that mixed rinks and pairs should not be allowed to participate in the club open tournaments would be too drastic a measure to adopt. Councillor Appointed. The vacancy on the council of the New Zealand Bowling Association caused by the death of Mr. E. T. Falconer has been filled by the executive’s appointing Mr. R. Hanning, of Dunedin, in his place, subject to confirmation by the council.