BOWLS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22662, 17 March 1939, Page 8

BOWLS

NOTES AND COMMENTS [By “KITTY”! The West Coast with its abundant rainfall is peculiarly suited to the growth of cotula and other indigenous weeds, and results are achieved there which are not possible in Canterbury’s drier climate. That should not, however, discourage local clubs from persisting in efforts to establish the cotula in their greens, for “Kitty” is firmly of the opinion that weed surfaces are possible here if green committees will persevere. These remarks are induced by reading the history of the Granity Club, which has entirely a weed surface. This green was turfed with local weed in July, 1933, and opened for play in November of the same year. The green is 110 feet square and nearly 14,000 turfs, 16 x 8 x 1£ inches, were put down at a total cost of £39 —of which carting absorbed £2O. The club has had no bother since with repairs, and of no green laid down in grass can the same be said. Bowlers visiting Granity and other West Coast greens are extremely impressed with the surfaces there. Similar swards can be produced here, but not by the piecemeal efforts attempted by city clubs. A much more courageous policy is required. Christchurch bowlers realise fully the advantages and virtues of a cotula green and have the remedy in their own hands—of demanding that practical.efforts be made to secure it. The success of St. Kilda and other Dunedin greens in this connexion can be mentioned. With the top dressing season in sight the time is suitable for taking action. There are three methods of introducing the weed to the greens—by turfing, by planting pieces, or by seeding. With the unlimited supplies around our coastline from north to south, want of material cannot be offered as an excuse. 84-year-old Bowler Ten days ago a very pleasant occasion was celebrated at the St. Albans green, when members entertained Mr J. H. Kingsland to afternoon tea to mark his eighty-fourtn birthday. A special birthday cake was provided. The president (Mr H. P. Donald) presided, and in presenting the cake expressed the esteem and affection in which their guest was held by his fellow bowlers, and congratulated him on his health and vitality. Two recreations have contributed to Mr Kingsland’s robust vitality—gardening and bowls. Before coming to Christchurch 30 years ago, he was well known in Invercargill for his skill on the green and the wonderful results produced in his garden—wild grapes, tomatoes, chrysanthemums, and summer displays. He was often champion at leading shows, and his present garden at Aikman’s road is excellent. Yet gardening does not interfere with his regular appearance on the bowling green, where he can still hold his own with the best. At Linwood, a brother, Mr C. Kingsland, only a few years younger, still enjoys his game. Throwing the Jack Some good-natured argument has recently been heard on throwing the jack, and as a further contribution “Kitty” has been at pains to reach some finality in the discussion by an interpretation of the judgments of leading bowlers on the question of first or last bowls. It can not be said that this disposes of the custom entirely. It is given more as an aid to the reasons governing our experienced players in their preferences. Do they want to control the length of the end or do they consider the playing of “last bowl” to be more important? The following arfe the preferences of some leading bowlers. 1. Those who, winning the toss, will keep kitty always: B. Finnegan, W. Healey, A. Bryant, H. B. Oakey, G. Madsen, W. H. McDougali, W. J. Shearman, T. D. Lennie, S. Kennedy, A. Rollinson, P. Delargey, J. R. Smith, P. Munn, W. D. Ramsay. W. H. Almond. 2. Those who will relegate the throw to the opponent, in order to play last bowl: J. Turpin, J. Hayman, W. Wardell, L. B. Evans, A. Young, C. J. Morrison, J. Hadley, jun., W. Efford, D. Burns. F. C. Williams, J. Gagliardi, J. M. Giles. 3. Those who keep the throw for singles, but in other games want lr»st bowl: H. Wilson, J. D. Marks, A. Dey, W. Ives, F. Stcans. 4. A bowler who reverses this by taking first throw in rinks, but last bowl in singles; C. Spearman. An alteration of importance concerning throwing the jack is made clear in law 45, which states that the kitty if thrown into the ditch at any end shall be returned for the opponent to throw. Previously this did not apply to the first end, but in the revised laws this exception is deleted, and it is as well for players to note the alteration. Unusual Happening A most unusual happening marked the twentieth end in the Watson Shield game at Edgeware on Tuesday evening. Bryson, for Elmvrood, trying for a medium end, put kitty out of bounds. Kennedy threw for a long end, and the jack went in the ditch. Bryson, on his second attempt, again put kitty out, on the other side this time, and Kennedy started play on the fourth throw with the jack about 6ft from the ditch. The Watson Shield The challenge game between Edgeware and Elmwood in the Watson Shield series was a hard struggle between two champion teams, with the honours to the challengers. Edgeware was represented by Kennedy, Efford, Ives, and Gagliardi (s) and Elmwood by Bryson, Heley, Oakey, and Smith (s). Scores were even to half-time, but in the later stages Elmwood drew away, to win comfortably. Kennedy and Oakey were the most consistent, but all played well, and the game was interesting throughout. The next challenge is from G. Maddren, Christchurch, who will play Smith at Elmwood early next week. Edigeware’s Green It can safely be said that Edgeware has one of the best greens in the city. While the cotula weed is making progress there it has good grass, which has responded well to the attention given it by the superintendent, Mr S. Kennedy. For the first time this season, the Robinson Shield has gone into a subcentre district, Allenton having won it from Clements’ Barrington rink. This win will increase interest in the following game to-morrow, when a team from the Returned Soldiers’ Association will endeavour to bring the shield back to the city. New Clubs lately There is every possibility of two new clubs affiliating to the centre next season. Woodend will have had the benefit of a year’s play on its green. Woolston enthusiasts have been working hard on their new green, and should have everything in trim for a start in the spring. There should be no difficulty in. building up, a strong club in that district. Champion of Champions Next to the Easter tournament, the centre inter-club finals appeal most to local bowlers, and the series now being played always command attention. Therefore, Linwood and Canterbury greens will, to-morrow afternoon, draw many bowlers who like to see good play. The final of the pairs between Elmwood and Opawa is open, and whichever pair wins will receive

due credit. In singles play, nrnre than in any other test, the drawing game is pre-emineni, and there are many fine exponents in the finalists. Three rounds will be played, beginning at 12.30 p.m. CHRISTCHURCH WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT TWENTY-TWO PAIRS QUALIFY YESTERDAY Twenty-two pairs qualified in the sectional play yesterday in the pairs competition of the Christchurch women's bowls tournament. Matches were played on five city greens. The tournament will end to-day, when the pairs section will be completed on two greens, the final match being set down for the Sydenham green. Details of yesterday’s play are as follows, names of skips only being given:— Sydenham Section A—Britten (Sydenham), Greenfield (Timaru). four wins each; OlUver (Shirley), Heatherton (Beckenham), three wins each; James (Spreydon), Smith (New Plymouth), Tilbury (St. Kilda), two wins each; Sangster (Beckenham), Mclntyre (Leith). Arbuckle (Ashbury), Andrews (Palmerston North), one win each; Bonner (CastleclifE). four losses. Barrington Section B—Ashton (Oamaru), Brandon (Spreydon), four wins each; Gavan (Invercargill). Davis (Temuka). Jones (St. Kilda), three wins each; Ellis (Timaru), Cordery

(Linwood), two wins each; Hunt (Timaru), Neave (Beckenham), Sampson (Beckenham), one win each; Boon (Sydenham), Palmer (Oamaru), four losses each. Beckenham Section C—Adams (Oamaru), four wins; Paterson (Leith), McDonald (Beckenham), Bryant (Linwood), three wins each; Campbell (Sydenham), Stevenson (Timaru), Asher (Oamaru), two wins each; Hennessey (Spreydon), Hadley (Shirley), Foden (Timaru), Richards (Waimate). Allan (Castlecliff), one win each. Shirley Section D —Stewart (Dufiedin), Beveridge (Dunedin), four wins each; Robertson (Oamaru), Fletcher (Temuka), three wins each; Glass (Oamaru), Harrold (Shirley), Wilson (Timaru), Osborne (West End), two wins each; Gray (Timaru), Richardson (Beckenham), one win each; Buchanan (Linwood), four losses; Travis (Beckenham) defaulted.

Linwood Section E—Heenan (Dunedin), four wins: Holliman (Invercargill), McConnell i (Park), three wins each; Langford (Palmerston North), Davey (West End), two wins each: Tumber (Sydenham), Ramsay (Shirley), one win each; Wardlow (Beckenham), four losses. Section F—Seymour (Dunedin), Allan (Spreydon), four wins each; Reid (Oamaru), Reeve (Waimate), Tomkins (Oamaru), two wins each; Sewell (Timaru), White (Beckenham), one win each; Mclntosh (Shirley), four losses. DRAW FOR WOMEN’S TOURNEY The draw for the post-section pairs of the women’s bowling tournament, to bei gin at the Sydenham green, is'as follows: —Greenfield v. Allan, Fletcher .v.. Bran-

don. Paterson v. Adams. McDonald V. Beveridge, Jones v. Ashton, Davis Stewart. „ Byes: McConnell, Holliman, Seym?Hf’ Robertson. Hetherton, Gavan, Britten* Heenan, Bryant. Olliver.