Bowlers Must Not Curse or Wager

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 465, 21 September 1928, Page 10

Bowlers Must Not Curse or Wager

N.Z. COUNCIL’S EDICT SYDNEY WRITER’S COMMENT Dark things will be said into the beards of New Zealand bowlers in future, writes J.H.F. in the “Sydney Guardian.” Should a player put down a bowl on the wrong bias he will have to take care that no officials are in his vicinity before he gives expression to his thought. Perhaps he can say “dash”—or even “blow” —and get away with it. But no more. At the recent annual meeting of the New Zealand association an edict was issued against the use of bad language on the greens. A ban was also imposed on betting by players on the result of any game. PLAYING FOR DRINKS It has not been found necessary to pass such laws in Australia, although there is a clause that covers behaviour on the green. That does not imply, however that players refrain from having a little wager to prove their ability. In most cases the stake is cigars, drinks, or some such suitable medium. LUCK WON WAGER Jealousy of each other’s prowess induced two prominent Adelaide business men to play 21 up for a wager of £SO. With the score 20 points all, one of the players whose business is in motors, was lying game. His opponent, a piano-merchant, was so nervous that he could hardly stand on to deliver the bowl. With a great effort he threw the bowl at the kitty, and was fortunate enough to wick off three or four bowls and finish up by securing the shot and £SO. At least £lO was spent in the bar, but it is not stated that swearing was indulged in. There is a club in Perth, the members of which would not dream of playing without a “bob in” just to add interest to the game. Sydney players ridicule the idea that wagering is indulged in. One individual even went so far as to say that 90 per cent, of bowlers would not dream of playing for a cigar. WHY NOT THE BOWLER?

And, as to swearing—well, a golfer does not exactly beam when he foozles a drive, and a cricketer leap for joy when he is dismissed first ball. Surely, then, there is excuse for a bowler. There is a story going the rounds of the clubs this week of a player—rather a top-notcher, too—who sent down three deliveries last Saturday afternoon on the wrong bias. Surely here was just cause for an expression of opinion. But the offender just looked at the curving ball and sighed—three times.