ON THE GREEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 132, 25 August 1927, Page 7

ON THE GREEN

Bowls and Bowlers

(By

JACK HIGH.

Improvements for the game on the green are always most welcome—almost as welcome as a decent sunlit bowling day during this dismally impossible winter. Suggestions that have been freely and kindly made from time to time in this desirable direction to make the game one of absorbing interest are nearly legion in their numbers. But these have been mostly confind to the remodelling of rules, improving playing surfaces, and particularising on definite models in the selection and makes of bowls. Now, however, comes a suggestion which is made in all seriousness by a Southern bowling scribe, and which has a distinct note of originality. The suggestion is that the jack might have a bias as well as the bowl. WHY STOP THERE? This is quite good. The graceful arc that the howl describes seems to have definitely impressed itself on the scribe’s bowling fancy. But why stop at the jack? The bias could easily be extended to all things that roll on the green—the mower, and the green roller, for instance. Why not go further, and have a bias on every round thing that is on or near the green. Moreover, it would certainly be in strict keeping with the fascination of the bowl’s curve. One can in imagination hear the following conversation: “Catch the ‘spot’ or this cup of tea on the draw.” However, we must leave here further elaborations to the natural imaginations of THE SUN S readers, and hark back in all seriousness to the possibilities that can be explored with the biased jack in the game on the green. INTRIGUING POSSIBILITIES After the biased jack pursues its graceful curve and comes naturally to rest at the required length of head, the complications that may arise therefrom would have “nothing on” the bunkers of golf. Just imagine the jack in the trail shot, being dexterously trailed to a possible counter about 18in behind, and then travelling in a complete semicircle to an opposition bowl in front. Or another example—being driven aggressively out of the head, only to return again, still describing the fascinating arc and coming in ostentatiously to rest finally against an opposition wood about six feet in front of where it originally was. If the Southern scribe has accomplished nothing more, he has successfully found a fitting subject for a real bowlers’ nightmare. Probably from this joint of view, it has its most serious recommendation. As such it may be com mended to bowlers for exploitation after a heavy crayfish supper. A. N. SNEDDON, BOWLER The Ponsonby Club is losing one of its oldest and most valued members, in the person of Mr. A. N. Sneddon. Mr. Sneddon is leaving Auckland city to take up permanent business on his own account at Te Aroha. It can be said with certainty that all Auckland bowlers wish him every success in his new venture, and that it is their sincere hope that although he is going away from this city, we shall see him regularly at the Auckland Centre tournament. Mr. Sneddon has a great record of service to bowling. Besides being a bowler of no mean order, he has occupied every executive position of consequence in the Ponsonby Club, including committeeman, selector, secretary and president. He joined that club in 1901, and has been, with the exception of two years, in office ever since. But this able assistance to the furtherance of bowling in Auckland was not confined only to the Ponsonby Club. For many years he held a prominent position on the Auckland Centre executive, including two years as president of that excellent organisation. To-night, the Ponsonby Club members are giving Mr. Sneddon a farewell in their rooms. A big programme of excellent musical and other items has been arranged. It is expected that the occasion will fittingly mark the farewell to their old esteemed friend and fellow member. TEAM WORK At this period of the year, in view of the very extensive programme of bowling events that has been arranged for the coming season, it is quite natural that arrangements are being

freely entered into, in respect to the component members of teams. Already, some very strong combinations have been announced: not finally, perhaps, for it is still full early to broadcast widely the names of these combinations. However, it is not the object to discuss these possibilities; but on the other hand, it is the intention to lay down principles that may be a guidance for team work in future. Probably they may not be fully followed; but if not, they will at least find room for earnest thought and eventually find fulfilment in some team in time to come. While the individual standard of play in New Zealand has never been higher than it is at the present time, it cannot be said that attention to team work is given equal consideration. In other words, the development of bowling has been mostly centred around individual achievements, without paying as much attention to team work as its possibilities demand. Let it be said, also, that this is not stated in dogmatic terms, but with the object of pointing out the possibilities that might be explored in this direction in future. One of the primary advantages to be found in team work is the selection of bowls for the collective advantage of the combination. It may be pointed out that iu Scotland this is considered a first essential. When four players decide to make up a team, first consideration is given to the selection of four pairs of bowls, with the same weight, size and draw. UNIFORM GREENING This advantage will be seen at once by keen students of team work. Once the track to the head is found, it can be readily followed by all the members of the team. How often is it noticeable that the four members of a team have four distinct types of draw to their bowls and every time each respective player “puts down a bowl,” he is obliged to make a fresh track. With the Scottish system the track is observed from the lead’s first bowl and the other members of the team simply follow the course set. Other points are best enumerated. 1. The lead should have his second bowl at the right side of the mat in a very handy position. His first bowl he has in his right hand weighing up the full weight and carefully fingering it to allow utmost familiarity with weight and size. The jack in his left-hand and his position firmly established on the mat, make him ready for the indication of the length of head from his skip. At the necessary sign, the jack and bowl are changed over. lie plays the kitty which gives some idea of the green—whether fast or slow. Without taking his eyes off the head, the first bowl is played and he steps to one side to allow his opponent to bowl. The intervening time is spent in judging distance and draw, never allowing the eyes to wander from the length and draw. When he is ready to play the second, it is then accomplished with familiarity. 2. It is the “number two’s” duty to watch carefully the track of the lead’s bowi and place his two bowls at the right side of the mat ready for play. Having attended to these details, he is also familiar with the track and the length, knowing exactly the mistakes, if any, in the lead’s work. 3. The “number three” follows the same system as the lead and two. It will be seen that the team has great advantages in this system of play. If the lead fails, the number two has the correction from the failure. If the number two fails to draw the shot, the three has also the knowledge of exactly where their failures lay. These few points are really worth consideration and they should commend themselves for team work. Thomas Taylor, the famous bowlmaker of Glasgow, states that New Zealand players are more particular about the selection of bowls than any nlayers elsewhere in the world. The Scottish players apparently play nearest : our standard. But they make a close study of team work as indicated above. They do not particularise on individual types of bowls so much as on having a uniform type of bowl, for the whole team. As there are several very fine teams being finalised for the coming season, the above hints might reasonably be given a trial.