Around the Greens

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30941, 23 December 1965, Page 5

Around the Greens

Beckenham held a tenuoua lead from St. Martins in the Manning Cup competition in the points table compiled to. December 18. Four teams (Morrison Avenue, South Brighton, Burnside, New Brighton) shared the lead for the Robinson Shield while R.SJI. I led the three fours. Manning Cup positions were: Beckenham 115.5 points, St. Martins 114.75, Dallington 112.5, Mt. Pleasant 110.25, Linwood 104, Spreydon 98.05, Belfast and Woodend 08, Elmwood 07.5, United and Cashmere 04.5, Christchurch 04.25, Canterbury 02.75, Hornby 01, Sydenham 00.34. Robinson Shield:—Morrison Avenue. South Brighton, Burnside and New Brighton 34 points, Shirley and Burwood 33, St. Albans, Woolston, Woolston W.M.C., Barrington, Riccarton Racecourse and St.

Martins 30. Three fours:— R.S.A. I 28, Dallington II and Fendalton I 24, Sydenham I 25.5, United I 24.5, Burwood 1 23.5, Linwood II and Opawa I 22, Barrington 21.5,

Christchurch 21, Shirley I 10.5.

Mr Seaton Porter, who died recently, was a prominent member of the Linwood Club which he joined in 1947 and from 1951 until his death was a member of the executive, and club president in 1962 and 1963.

As a player he had an imposing record. He won the colts championships in 1948 and followed this with success in the singles in 1956 and 1961; the pairs in 1963 and 1964, and was in the winning rinks in 1955, 1960, 1961 and 1963.

A most popular official and player he was always most kindly and encouraging to younger players. Sydenham Club

The championship matches are progressing satisfactorily and those who have qualified for the rinks so far include H. Deavoll, S. A. Smith, F. Wise, and M. Yugovich. Singles players who have qualified and are showing good form are R. Blackburn, R. Slack, T. Story and P. Vujieich. In the pairs R. Thomas and D. Thomson; D. Barron and C. Gibson; D. Mitchell and R. Fallon, and B. Horne and E. Nord have been playing well. Happy Visitor

Perhaps the happiest visitor at the Christchurch Working Men’s Clubs Christmas tournament was a duck which settled quite happily on the saturated greens while competitors huddled under shelter from the heavy rain. Although the rain spoiled the tournament most of the events were completed. Winners were:—skip: P. Carroll; runner-up; J. Doyle. Thirds: R. Staples; runner-up, K. Grant. Seconds: R. V. Best: runner-up, H. Emms. Leads: F. Henderson; runner-up, E. Davey. Notable Absentee

One of the most disappointed bowlers in Christchurch is H. P. Rennie (Fendalton), who is unable to compete in the national championships because of ill-health. Last season Rennie skipped his four to success in the champion of champion fours and would have been a strong contender at the national championships. World Championships

Centres have now forwarded their nominations for players to be considered for selection in the team to take part in the world bowls championship, which will be held at Sydeny next year. The selectors Messrs J. R. Smith (Christchurch), G. N. Boulton (Wanganui), and C Walker (Manawatu) have a very formidable task in making their selection. During the tournament they will be watching with great interest the players nominated by the various centres. Unlike Empire Games selection when seven players selected to take part in singles, pairs and fours, only five players are to be selected for the World championship to which will be added another section triples. In selecting players for the championship only versatile players can be considered as each player can take part only in two of the four sections played. This means that an outstanding number two might have ; to be excluded as he could not fill the role of lead or number three to the satisfaction of the selectors. This could also apply to a number

three. One bright side for the selectors appears to be that providing he does well at this time the singles player could be M. R. Buchan (Waikato Thames Valley) winner of the singles for the last two years. Buchan seems to have virtually selected himself. Problem

No national tournament could commence without a last minute problem arising, but in some way or other it usually is overcome. This year some country greens are being used and one of them is Amberley. Members of the Amberley club were delighted that their green should be one of those chosen for the tournament and after much preparation they received a tragic blow. Water in the district became rationed and so the club was not able to keep watering the green as would be desired but the members have risen to the occasion and there is little doubt that the green will be in first class condition for play. Fast Greens Surprised

Mr J. G. Russell, who has won the Scotland rink championships twice as well as the Fife singles and rinks visited the Christchurch Working Men’s Club green recently. The club’s fast green astonished him for in Scotland the greens have a good covering of grass and often are flooded before a tournament.

Unhonoured

To make a national tournament a real success there are many workers who are seldom seen or heard. These are the men, who do not take part in the tournament so that others may have the fullest enjoyment. These men attend to the taking of results from the many greens used and collate them on to master sheets so that it is known how games are progressing on all greens. Even when play is finished in the singles and pairs their work is not finished for it is necessary for them to prepare new draws for the next day’s play. There is another band of workers, who at times receive unwarranted criticism from players and these are the umpires. There is also another group, who give of their time freely for the singles. These are the markers.

It is always a difficult task to get markers for the early rounds of the singles. Very few will realise that 504 markers are required for the first two rounds of the singles but they are usually found.