BOWLERS FOR SOUTH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 198, 21 August 1943, Page 8

BOWLERS FOR SOUTH

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DUNEDIN RECORD EXCEEDED (By TRUNDLER) The best news on the bowling front this week is that a record number of players will visit Dunedin in January to compete in the national championships. Eleven rinks are going for certain, compared with eight entered for the tournament of 15)42 (which was suddenly cancelled owing to transport restrictions) and only three rinks for each of the three previous tournaments in Dunedin. against nCi nine fn ?936; but it is already ahead of the 10 rinks who went to Dunedin in 1926. They were attracted by the opportunity to visit the exhibition, or to play against one of the six rinks of British bowlers who toured New Zealand and Australia during that summer. These 11 rinks may be increased before entries close to equal or beat the South Island record, for at least six other members of various clubs are thinking of making the journey if they were invited to Join other rinks or can make up rinks '"'complete rinks were published last Saturday. and two more are since advised:—W. Whittaker, J. R. McCulloußh. A. Connew. G. A. Deare (Carlton). T. Avery, A. Lennie. C. G. Maher, Noel Donaldson (Ponsonby). In addition to these six complete rinks the following five skips have nearly made up teams, the personnel of which will probably be announced soon:—W. Biemncr (Auckland). W. Uro (Auckland). S. R. ShtrrifTs (Mount Eden), T. A. McClymont (Ponsonby), C. E. Brooke (St. This is a satisfactory position, especially when it is recalled that it is only three weeks since the council of the N.Z.B.A. decided to hold the competitors usually'knew several years ahead! It 15 expected that more of the North Island councillors than usual will compete in Dunedin, for only the most urgent business was transacted at the special meeting in Wellington on July 30. as it was limited to one day, and only Consequently the half-yearly meeting of the council, always held during the tournament, will be far more important than usual. Plans for Next Season

The various match committees are now busy making up programmes for the coming season. They will bear in mind that 1944 is a Leap Year and not make the mistake that was seen In 1940, when some clubs had all their dates after February 28 a day out. The most interesting news from the capital thil week is that the Wellington centre has decided to reinstate the Saturday senior and junior pennant competitions, and also the midtion of resuming the country pennant competition was deferred until next meeting. A large majority defeated a proposal to allow ench club to send its best rink and pair to the centre's champion of champions' tourney without qualifying by actual competition. This is not surprising, for the Auckland centre tried this some years ago for the Bendigq Bowls, and it was ruined by some clubs nominating a team while others qualified by competition, just like they do in the singles; so the scheme was abandoned. Mr. R. E. N. Matthews, for he w.as at the recent meeting of delegates, where he appeared to be as well and active as usual. His interest in the game goes back for many years, for although he was not keen on competitive play his services were appreciated in an administrative capacity. the Rocky Nook club for 1931-32, and was also president of Edendale for 1939-41, during the peviod when his advice and assistance proved so useful in connection with the club's move from Royal Terrace" to Gribble-Hirst Park.

No eames were played last Saturday, so all the fixtures stand for this week as previously advised, including post-section play in the R.S.A. tournament at the Transport green.