ON THE GREEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 772, 19 September 1929, Page 13

ON THE GREEN

Bowls and Bowlers

(By

JACK HIGH.)

Is the annual blue-ribbon test of bowling in New Zealand—the Dominion tournament held annually in January of each year—too prolonged and therefore too strenuous for the entrants ? This is a question that has continued to exercise the minds of a number of members of the Dominion Bowling Council for some time past, and a motion couched in the following terms has therefore been tabled to obtain the opinion of bowlers throughout the Dominion: “That at the Dominion Tournament in 1931, rinks only be played; that there be a full week of sectional play the winners to go forward on the twolife principle; that in the South Island a champion singles and pairs tournament be played and a similar tournament in the North Island, the winners to meet at the Dominion Tournament; and that centres be circularised to this effect, without any recommendation, to ascertain their opinion ” Those players who have participated In all three events—singles, pairs and rink competitions—and have gone through to the post-sectional and final games, are fully aware that the prolonged time thus occupied is very wearying indeed, to say the least. Indeed, close upon three weeks’ continuous bowling is a severe physical strain upon those with even the strongest physiques. It has been noticeable on many occasions that contestants who have produced their best form in the earlier games have hopelessly fallen away in the later games, not wholly on account of the exhibited nervousness through the strain of contest, but mainly on account of being in a weary physical condition. That an alteration to the present system is pending with the consent of the rank and file of *he players in the Dominion has much to commend it. But does the remit go far enough’ Is it not time, now that the question of the blue-ribbon tests of bowling in New Zealand is to be opened that the whole system of finding the champions be placed upon a sounder and more thorough system than that which at present obtains? Indeed it might rightly be contended that the present means of finding bowling champions is totally inadequate for the purpose. The most the remit covers Cif adopted) is that it takes the subject a step forward in the right direction Those who would aualify to go forward to the final stages would naturally be the best pairs and singles players entering the opening tournament conducted respectively in the North and South Islands. But why not go ail the way and establish a true test of bowling for Now Zealand? Until every bowler in the Dominion is Involved and can thus participate in the final game, the champion bowler, the champion pair and the champion rink of the Dominion is not found. The Dominion Council can be highly commended for its faithful promotion of bowling in the Dominion. It has done splendid work in the past It can, however, go a step forward now and establish a true test of bowling for the Dominion. For this reason! therefore, the remit should meet with rejection, and another one framed to suit the requirements of bowlers throughout the Dominion. The second day’s section play of the tournament held by the Dominion Road Bowling Club was completed on Saturday, when three rounds were completed. The section winners were found outright, Section A being won by Robertson, Codd,. Campbell, Benson, and Section B being won by Gunning, Donald, Roberts, Ramsey, both rinks finishing with five wins and one loss. The final will be decided on Saturday next. This tournament has proved very enjoyable and successful, and the method of playing on two successive Saturdays enables many players to participate when they would be prevented by business ties from taking part in a midweek tournament. • • * Ponsonby’s tournament held last week was poorly patronised and attracted only six entries. The winners were Rolfe, Hill, Clark, Letham. This lack of support is a clear indication of the necessity of the Auckland Centre regulating the number of permits granted for midweek tournaments. In the past the centre acted on the principle of the survival of the fittest, and granted permits to every club so applying, provided the date applied for did not conflict with any centre fixture. The number of tournaments held has now grown to such dimensions that the use of the pruning-knife is essential, and the centre is widely adopting this course.

The writer recently paid a visit to the Grey Lynn Club’s fine property, and was pleased with the improvements made since his previous visit, and with those still in progress. What this club has accomplished in the four years since it took possession of this conveniently situated and ample area speaks volumes for the wisdom of its leaders, the energy of its working members of whom, however, it may be said in the words of Ben Adhem, “May their numbers increase,” and the liberality of those who have contributed so freely in money and equipment. The pavilion, a commodious twostoreyed building, compares more than favourably with that of many an older and financially stronger club. The social hall, which occupies the upper fioor, has proved a handsomely remunerative investment, and thanks to the untiring efforts of a small but enthusiastic social committee, has provided a revenue which has enabled the club to keep its liabilities well within reasonable grounds. The two greens have just been again top-dressed and there Is every prospect of both of them being in really good order by the opening day, October 26. The women's croquet lawn formed during the summer has been surfaced and sown, and is also well forward. Its banks have been turfed by Mr Fletcher, the green superintendent, who is also responsible for the planting of shelter hedges, all of which are doing well, so that in the near future the Players will experience the full benefit of these. It is hoped that before the croquet season opens, a separate pavilion will have been erected for the women users. A large soil shed is almost completed, as also is a new pathway from the Great North Road. Practically all the tried and proved Players of last year will' again be available; some former members are rejoining and it is reported that quite a number of men are joining up this season, so that the prospects of the club are justifiably considered brighter than ever.

MOUNT EDEN TOURNAMENT

A successful all-day tournament was held by the Mount Eden Bowling Club yesterday. The greens were in excellent order. Results are as follow: Section A.—Hosking, 1 win, 4 losses; Jenkins, 1 win, 4 losses; Bridgers, 3 wins, 2 losses; Thomas, 2 wins, 3 losses; Baiz]ey. 3 wins, 2 losses; Hallows, 3 wins, 2 losses; Flowerday, 3 wins, 2 losses. Flowerday won the section. Section B.—Loram, 2 wins, 3 losses; Parsons, 4 wins. 1 loss; Parker-Hill. 4 wins, i loss; Nash, 2 wins, 3 losses; Trayes, 3 wins, 2 losses; Keith, 2 wins, 3 tosses; Russell, 2 wins, 3 losses. Parker-Hill won the section. Section C.—Fraser, 3 wins, 2 losses; Me-

Pherson, 2 wins, 3 losses; Fletcher, 2 wins, 3 losses; Lundon, 3 wins, 2 losses; loss l, 3 wins * 2 loss es; Knight, 4 wins, 1 Knight won the section. Section D.—Allely, 3 wins, 2 losses; Gatland, 3 wins, 2 losses; Clarke, 3 wins, 2 losses; Morgan, 2 wins, 3 losses; Stan- - wins, 3 losses; Robertson, 4 wins, Robertson won the section. ELLERSLIE CLUB Teams have been entered tor the Ellersne Club s tournament next Saturday week by the following skipsSection A.—W. Gollan, H. Hay, May, C. Maher, D. Buckley, F. Wood, T. Price, P. diner° n ’ Harper ' Knight, R. Millen, GarToy - R - J - Allely, J. • Purdis, J- McKelvie, Paw®on - w - Watson, Venables, T. Dickson. Vi' Warren, R. Reed, Wilson, Moon, F. Preston. F. Ritchie and C. Lynch. NOMADS V. SHORE CLUBS The following teams have been chosen hiatches between the Nomads and Saturdaic PUna ar| d Devonport Clubs on Nomads v. Devonport.—J. Poole, J R. Lundon, w . Beckman, J. Whitehouse; J. **iss Ross . J - Christmas, J. SL Pickens, J. s. McMilhin, T. Fairbrother, C. E. Clarkson; C. ”ck®°D n wyi l e W ’ R ° SS ' J ’ C ’ TrebU - w K omads v. Devonport.—Rev. A. Drake, W. F. Hardley J. H. Colthurst, F. Stubbs; Z-lr Donnell Rev. w. P. Rankin. J. Ambury, J. W. Hardley; W. Boyne, E. Yearbury, A. H. Roylance, Rev. C. F. R. Harrison; H. N. Bell, W. Skinner, Rev. ■£> to Poseveare, H. K. Clayton; Meese, Platt, W. W. Edgerley, M. Young, lakapuna.—Arrowsmith, Hooker, Hunt S’ Neill » Pri ce, Veale, Hooper; Disk, Walters, Christey, Hanna; Coife, Waterman, Coulthard, Dunlop. MORRINSVILLE CLUB From Our Own Correspondent MORRINSVILLE, Wed. A good financial year was reported at the annual meeting of the Morrinsville Bowling Club, the overdraft having been . £SB and a commitment of £25 having been paid off. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. T. Martin, vice-presidents, Messrs. R. Branch and A. Skinner; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W. Hetherington; £reen superintendent, Mr. G. Howie; committee, Messrs W. Butler, J. Cameron, O. Soanes, F. S. Donald; sole selector, Mr. A. Needham; delegates to bouth Auckland Centre and Goldfiel Association, Messrs. R. Branch and A. G. Yardley.