Changeable weather tests bowlers

Press, 30 December 1988, Page 20

Changeable weather

tests bowlers

The weather, from the hottest conceivable to moderate ideal conditions then a complete washout, in three days has made for a testing and trying tournament for competitors in the Canterbury Provincial Bowling Centre's Christmas Fours. But, it has allowed the bowlers time to reassess and regroup in their attempts to take the title.

The 30 teams have had a rough passage to post-section play, with yesterday’s enforced rest, because of rain, no less trying than the first two days.

Because the conditions have varied so much the next playing session will become a whole new ball game. For those teams which have had an easy passage so far, the rest will be no help, while those who have struggled will have another mental barrier to overcome.

The draw for the sudden death post-section play will be consolation to few, for there appears to be no matches that might be considered ’ foregone conclusions. Not the least of these will be the draw last year’s winner, P. Meier (South Brighton), has received in finding his team up against that of W. Scrimgeour (Rangiora).

Meier was forced to work hard through his qualifying games and lost on the first day, which meant he had to scramble all the way to get through. Scrimgeour had no easy path, either, and is noted as a sterling opponent who often makes it difficult for those he faces. One of the hot favourites to do well, B. McNish (Spreydon), also has a draw — against F. Southern — which will bring him no great joy. The Riccarton bowler was

one of the early qualifiers, so will have the feeling that he is in with a chance. Theirs could be a most intriguing meeting. Equally, P. Doig (Papanui), who left it until the last end of his sixth match to qualify, when he played a heartstopper against A. Memory (Woolston W.M.C.) — who was also seeking to qualify — has a draw to test his nerve first up tomorrow. C. Wheeler (Kaiapoi) will be his opponent and there will be no respite in that match from the intense tussles Doig has undergone so far. T. Coup (Kaiapoi), a top bowler for many years, is to meet A. Briden (Spreydon) in a match that will certainly test Coup’s fund of experience. B. Johns (Sumner) has N. Anderson to overcome before he can proceed and that will also call for him to marshall all his resources. W. Fiecken (Beckenham) an intrepid battler will need to summon all his best shots against R. Ballinger (Morrison Avenue), while J. Saun-. dercock (Linwood) and L, Schafer (Redcliffs) face N. Kennedy (Papanui) and P. Duggan (Riccarton) respec-’ tively, in encounters that will, be among the most testing of the series.

With an extra day being, added to the span of the tournament, and the weather forecast to provide conditions that will add to the uncertainty, the teams will depend not only on each of the player's resources. They will be calling on their guiding spirits to aid with a rub of the green, or a timely breath of wind to bestow a touch of' good fortune on their endeavours.