Rubber rinks unpopular

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32361, 29 July 1970, Page 15

Rubber rinks unpopular

A FTER an existence of " only 13 years, the Lyttelton Ladies’ Bowling Club has been forced to disband. The club started with 16 members and for a number of years the total stood at 28. However, in recent years membership has dropped away and at the end of last season only five names remained on the books. The reason for the club’s demise was simply the fact that its rinks were of a rubber surface, said Mrs C. M. O’Donovan, who was the last secretary. “For some years we had been losing members to clubs with grass greens, and although we made the decision with deep regret there was no alternative but to close. It would have been impossible to hold club championships with only five members," she said.

Of the club's 14 foundation members, two stayed until the end. They were Mrs F. L. Welsh, who played a major part in getting the club established, and Mrs M. Mitchell. Mrs Welch had the honour of being the club’s final president and she also figured prominently at the last presentation of trophies. She won the singles championship, shared the pairs title with Mrs O’Donovan and was skip of the champion four. The five members left at the end of last season will all remain active in the game: four plan to join the Heathcote Ladies’ Bowling Club and the fifth intends playing at the women’s section of the Richmond Working Men’s Club.

were played with an apparent minimum of effort and maximum of effectiveness, showing his superb timing and touch. The final word on this game must once again go to Sobers and the amazing effect that he has on the game. The cricketing world well knows his diverse attributes, but few are allowed to see them all used over an extended period. Having seen the three tests so far. one still wonders if in fact this could be one human being. So far in this series he has taken his 200th wicket, made his 7000th run, and passed the total number of runs made by Sir Donald Bradman. Added to this he has become only the second man to take 100 catches in test matches. In the course of the latest test he took more wickets than any other player, but it was the manner in which he took them that marked him out With the old ball he dismissed D’Oliveira with a Chinaman. Greig with his orthodox leg spin, and finally Underwood and Snow with the new ball and fast in-swinging yorkers.