BIG BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 13

BIG BOWLS

ENTRIES FOR DOMINION TOURNEY AUSTRALIA WELL REPRESENTED Entries closed on Saturday with the secretary (Mr. R. W. Shallcrass) for the Dominion Bowling Association s big annual tournament (to commence on January 7), which is to be held in Wellington—an event which is evoking unusual interest this season on account of the entente cordiale which has been brought about between New Zealand and Australian bowlers during the past year or so. The entries received are well up to the mark, but do not constitute a record, which perhaps is just as well, as these tournaments are liable to become a little unwieldy owing to the number of first-class greens being limited. The entries received number 256 singles, 220 pairs, and 120 rinks. The pairs and singles are well up. owing to the popularity of these fixtures with the Australians, who have contributed OS players, more than a fourth of the total entry. The “Anssies” have also entered 32 pairs and 10 rinks. There are four links less than were engaged in the Dominion tournament held in Wellington in 1925, but the number (120) is more generally representative, the falling off being in the number of local rinks. In 1895 one-third of the rink entries were from local clubs, and half the time local rinks found themselves playing others whom they had been accustomed to meet in inter-club fixtures on city or suburban greens. With the substantial entry from Australia, and a corresponding decrease in local entries, the balance struck is considered to be altogether favourable to an interesting tournament. The big tournament, which commences on January 7, begins with two days of singles, and follows on with four days of pairs, and then two days of rinks before there is any post-section play. Only two games (of 25 heads) of rinks will be played in the tournament. The Centre Tournament. Entries for the Wellington Centre tournament (which commences on Boxing Day at 9 a.m.) also closed on Saturday. The secretary (Mr. R. W. Shallcrass) has received 39 entries, and requires another one to even up the sections. This entry is a little below normal, accounted for by the fact that the big Dominion tournament follows closely on its conclusion. There are to be some interesting intercolonial games between Australia nnd New Zealand between January 3 and 6.