ON THE BOWLING GREEN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 4, 30 December 1912, Page 5

ON THE BOWLING GREEN.

1 On Saturday night two rinks oi Stratford bowlers will leave for Auckland to attend the _ North Island tournament, commencing on Monday morning. The rinks will be:--G. Sangster (skip), N. J. King, R. McK. Morison, J r; Masters. G. Smart (skip), W. McDonald, S.,M. Porritt, and T. C. Fookes. On Thursday afternoon the members of the Club are engaging in a “progressive' bowls,” trophies being awarded to the successful players. ' All bowlers are requested to play as many competititive matches as possible on New Year’s Day. 1 The Progressive Bowls (pairs) commence at 10 o’clock. Afternoon tea will be provided (members a plate). Ladies are specially invited.

THE WANGANUI TOURNAMENT,

(Per Press Association.) Wanganui, December 29. The Wanganui centre bowling tournament was brought to a close on Saturday, when Wanganui (London) won the" final, St. John’s (Gordon) hewing runner sup. .'The following are 'the principal results: — SEMI-FINALS. Wanganui (Hoggard, Keeping, Dickson and London (skip) 23 v. St. John’s (R. Gray, Robertson,. Scrivener and Soler (skip) 15. 1 St. John’s (Eijchings, Browne, Christie and Gordon, skip) 2.7 v. Feilding (Phillips, Plumtree, Morey, and Stewart, skip) 14) : ■ : FINAL. . , 1 Wanganui (London) 22 v. St. John’s. (Gordon) 14. _ t / '

“Jack” in the Otago Daily Times writes An idea is prevalent—a mistaken one, I think—that not to insist on the observance of, the rules and regulations it a sportsmanlike action. Now rules are mhde for ,certain eventualities to prevent friction and put players on an equal footing, and players should make themselves acquainted with these rules and observe them. The player who, having broken'a/ halo, takes advantage of the mistaken generosity of his opponent in not insisting on the penalty, behaves, I humbly submit, in an unsportsmanlike manner. Not so many years ago in an important match a Taieri skip at once returned a bowl that had been sent away on the wrong bias, and was commended as being a true sport. Now, in fairness to his rink mates, and in the interest of his club, he had no right to forego an advantage arising from the carelessness of an opponent and risk losing a •match for his club. Since that date others have followed the example, and now some players assume they have a right to have a bowl sent back after it has been sent away on the wrong bias. Quite recently in a club tie between an old pbtyer and a junior, the old player sent away his bowl incorrectly and at once roared out, “Send that bowl back.” It was his last bowl, the game was well advanced, and the shot was against him. His opponent, demurred, but was assured the thing was usual. On the second attempt the old.player drew the shot and eventually won a game which in all probability he would have' otherwise have lost. Rules are broken as the result of carelessness, or frequently—in the case of throwing the jack—for a purpose. In all cases the penalty should be enforced. Players should play the game to the rules' provided, and then there will be no friction.

In an interesting English work, “The Complete Bowler,” by James A. Manson, a wonderful performance is given, which may probably entitle it tt> be styled “a world’s record.” In July, 1907, the Streatham and London County Clubs played a threerink match, which ended in a tie (61 all). A London County rink skipped by D. A. Ross finished 28 to 17 against T. A. Davis’s team. On two heads Ross got in the whole eight. The first time Davis lay the shot with Ross to play the last bowl. The shot was some nine inches to the left of and level with the jack, but all seven bowls of London County were lying well around the mark and nearer than the second nearest of Streatham. Ross decided upon a bold stroke. With a firm draw upon the shot he sent it onwards, his own bowl taking its place without disturbing the jack, and so securing the eight. The other occasion called for still better work. At the 16th head Streatham again lay shot, with London County occupying such a position that could the jack but be carried several inches towards them there was a certainty of a bumper score. Once more Ross distinguished himself. He saw that if he could cannon off the shot with his last bowl he might not only send it about its business, but pass on to the jack and carry .it in the required direction. This is exactly what he accomplished. The “inwick” drove the shot far enough away to be out of the count, and Ross’s bowl then hugged the jack and bore it about 18 inches forwards and among the seven other bowls of his own men, again giving them eight shots. Something like a skip, this! ,