Bowls teams ‘too large'

Press, 14 September 1976, Page 6

Bowls teams ‘too large'

A move to cut by half — from 64 to 32 — the number of reprsentative bowlers for home matches which comprise morning and afternoon rounds was made at a meeting of the Christchurch Bowling Centre last evening. It came from Mr W. R. Wilkinson, who attributed the centre’s poor record in annual games over the last few years to an excessively large number of players selected. He said that if the four annual matches. against Dunedin, North Otago, South Canterbury and West Coast, were seen as friendly matches then the present system was possibly acceptable. But if they were considered truly competitive — and there was evidence to suggest that they were —

,then it was essentia] that I (the number be reduced. . Mr Wilkinson said that | while there were other ways to improve “the present antiquated system” he would suggest that for the coming season the number of players chosen for home games be 32, not 64. This would mean that the same players would contest the morning and afternoon rounds, instead of fresh players being brought in for the afternoon round, i Mr G. T. Cotton, the chairman of selectors, said the top players were catered for in the inter-centre Rothmans tournament and this seasoni 32 would be chosen to meet! New South Wales. He said! he believed there were I enough strong bowlers ini Christchurch to justify allarge selection for matches which were, in his opinion’i I fairly social.

I At the suggestion of Mr J. |D. Gillespie, it was decided | to defer the matter until next (month so that delegates could ascertain the feelines of their clubs. Sponsorship.— Mr H C, Collett announced that Rothmans had agreed to sponsor the next Dominion txiurnament in Christchurch, in the 197.-78 season, to the extent of $4OOO. This money, he -said. would enable the ;organising committee to meet rising costs. Singles venue. — The Woolston WMC. will be the ;venue for this season's -Johnny Walker national champion - of . champions (singles tournament. The ■ dates are March 18 and 19. (Advice was also given thal victory in the event now (qualifies towards a national 'gold star.