Bowls RAIN DELAYS PLAY

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28537, 17 March 1958, Page 7

Bowls RAIN DELAYS PLAY

Committee Faces Difficulties

Rain on Saturady came at a most awkward time for the match committee of the Christchurch Bowling Centre, and caused the cancellation of the second day’s play in the open pairs tournament. This is the fourth Saturday since the beginning of the year that play has had to be cancelled. The cancellation of the games on Saturday now poses a big problem for the committee, and the open pairs may have to be abandoned. There are only two Saturdays left before the Easter tournament commences, and these days have been set aside for the champion of champions singles event. The champion of champion fours are uncompleted, with six fours remaining unbeaten. Some of the players in the champion of champions fours are playing in the singles, and this will hold up further rounds of the fours until they are eliminated from the singles. There are still 55 pairs left m the open pairs, and it will not be possible to complete these games before the Easter tournament. The open singles were held. up by rain, but some of these games were played in the evenings, but with such a large number left in the pairs this procedure would no* be possible.

The match committee will meet today to discuss the open pairs A precedent set some years ago when a tournament was abandoned may be followed, but as Easter is tnuch earlier this year the committee may try to complete the games on the two Saturdays after Easter.

The possibility of carrying on after Easter will depend on the number of greens available. Only three will be required to complete the tournament, but many clubs close their greens at Easter in order to topdress them.