ON THE GREEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 855, 26 December 1929, Page 10

ON THE GREEN

(By

JACK HIGH.)

It is from small beginnings that big tu, cess is often born and in the presence of the huge inter-club pennant competition now occupying .the attention of no less than 1,104 participants, bowling in Auckland can record such a circumstance. Some years ago, when tho organisation of the sport had not bv nnv means reached tile high standard of development that it has today, a number of smaller clubs experienced . ontinuert difficulty in arranging visits with sister clubs, known in tho bowling world as friendly inter-club events. The situation was a serious one. Club executives faced their season’s programmes with these social events noticeable for their absence, and for this reason many of their members migrated to larger clubs where tho events were staged and found a permanent place on the programmes. This situation called for action and the natural place to take such a weakness in organisation was the Auckland Bowlins Centre.

Facing the problem, the centre executive took the two main points into consideration —the matter of giving as many players in the combined clubs participation and that of making the games as interesting as possible from a bowling point of view—and designed the inter-club pennant competition. These were the factors that governed tho formation of the competition and all the clubs were drawn in on this basis. , . Many attempts, however, have been made from time to time to bring the competitive element into the event as a dominating factor —to make the competition a test of bowling strength between the clubs. Indeed, it is on record that delegates from the respective , lubs have gone to the annual meetings of the centre with many requisitions from their clubs for a reconstruction upon tltis bas,s. IDlscussion there has waged hotly around the point. But all to no avail, tl has been found that the two elements would not mix. And finallv the whole matter of arranging the manv details with due regard to the original underlying principles have been wisely left in the hands of the centre executive. * * *

In this work that efficient and capable "body has shown commendable ability and when last season it fell to the lot of the Helensville Club, witli its small membership, to win the ultimate honours and hang .the pennant in its pavilion, it was a clear indication that the job bad been done on democratic lines —giving this small club an equal < banco with the largest in the competition. In accomplishing this work the first consideration was the playing strengths of the clubs, and much knowledge has been displayed in this respect. If a club has been weak, its quota of participants has then been lowered and if a club lias shown outstanding strength the quota has been made on the highest basis. In the latter respect it may be stated that one

Bowls and Bowlers

club lias been granted up to 90 per cent, of its average attendance. This has been the governing factor in the allocation of teams, thus giving all the clubs an equal opportunity for annexing the concluding honours. Therefore the inter-club pennant competition was never designed for, nor can it ever hope to fulfil, the purpose of a test of bowling strength between tho clubs in this centre. But as an aggrandised inter-club event it is a complete success, and a credit to the bowlers of this centre. It is the duty of the clubs to maintain the true spirit of its splendid purpose. Moreover, its existence is a wonderful example of bowling organisation, and is a model influencing the sport in many places outside of this centre. It remains, therefore, for the clubs to uphold its spirit, and not regard too seriously tho opportunity of placing the pennant in their respective pavilions, but to take the fullest opportunity of having well-contested games of bowls, with neighbouring clubs in Auckland. That is fts true purpose.

Auckland is a club that has been showing remarkable interest recently in competitive bowling, and the reflecting of ""this interest in the fine points of the game is being evidenced in the competition. Time was. and not so very long ago, when the club did not even participate in the event. The recent development shows how even the old order can change. That smart little club, Hillsboro, camo home an easy third, while Ponsonby showed some of its old fighting spirit that day. Otahuhu is to be praised for its position attained last Saturday. And, strangely enough, Takapuna, Epsom, Stanley, and New Lynn are bundled up on the 50 per cent, mark just as t.he club fours in the A section are placed. However, it would not do for all participating clubs to be on the 50 per cent, mark, as the spice of the event would not be there.

But it is always interesting to watch tho results of the play. Tho spice of speculation as to the ultimate result is always present. Last Saturday the Waitemata Club had a day out, and romped home again for the second time this season. The members of the club are delighted with their success.

Papatoetoe came an easy second, this club clearly showing that it lias fine mettle among its players. Carlton again this season seems set for a good position in the race to pull off the honours, Helensville coming next, and Rawhiti, Glen Eden, Rocky Nook, West End, all bunched on a handy 50 per cent, of wins on the day. In the B section, Manurewa had a clear 100 per cent, of victories. But a day off for the two teams participating may just as easily place them down ori the list.