BOWLS WITHOUT BIAS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 143, 13 March 1931, Page 7

BOWLS WITHOUT BIAS

Central’s Default.— Champion Rinks

WINDING UP THE SEASON

(By

“Armada.”)

Some of the clubs are still busy with nomination rinks and other club games, but the season’s programme so far as the centre “is concerned is near its close. There .is the play-off for the junior pennant to come. The senior pennant has concluded, for it is improbable that the one 'or two outstanding games will be played, as they will' not affect the leading club,. although, according to the official compilation of the table, Woburn takes’ second place instead' of Thorndon by . reason of Central’s default.

Well-deserved Victory. The champion of champions games are over. In winning the rinks event Hataitai secured a clean-cut victory over Woburn by playing better bowls. It was a team of youngsters, as bowlers go. Murrell, the lead, was a crack gymnast some 15 to 20 years ago,, and was leading well. Josephson, No. 2 for Watts, was reliable all through the piece, while Dr. Shore could invariably be relied upon if a difficult and delicate drawing shot was required. He was applauded from the bank on several occasions for his fine play. Watts was cool and confident, his drawing was a pleasure to watch, and on the two or three, occasions when his No. 3 was called for a. drive to take out a bowl his aim was wonderfully accurate. One likes to see the honours go round, and a win by Woburn would have been very popular, but one cannot detract in any way from the merits of the team which did win. ...» • * Error of Judgment.

Woburn made a gallant fight, and the skip, Jones, went down with his flag flying. His team had played three strenuous games , the preceding day to reach the semi-final, and Hataifai with the same number reached the final. Woburn and Wellington met in the semifinal, a splendid contest fought every inch of the way. Even the best of skips makes a mistake sometimes,- and Porteons. in his last shot, committed an error of judgmenti which cost bim the game. Woburn had a lead of one. and Porteous was lying one and had his second bowl, the last, in hand. The draw was open and not dangerous, and if he did not succeed in drawing a second he was still on even terms and would iiave bad a chance with another head. Instead, lie chose to drive to take out an opponent’s bowl, but as so often happens, the drive recoiled on the driver/ He did not catch the bowl squarely, shouldering off it into the head, knocking his own shot bowl out. and sending the jack forward for Jones to score two.

Wei! Played, Woburn! So Woburn passed into the final, but against Hataitai the skip did not get anything like the required support from his No. 2 and No. 3. Mulhollaud was going too far through, and Dempsey was often too narrow when called upon for a dead draw or" a slow resting shot. Only the skip played up to the mark, and he could not do all t.he work against such a strong team. Nevertheless, his performance in the champion rinks was a most creditable one.

Lyall Bay Skips. On paper the Bay rink should have won, for Brackenridge skipping, with Sherwood. Hazelwood, and Raven to support him. made a formidable rink. But four skips do. not: necessarily make a good team, and the Lyall Bay club has a 'membership strong enough to provide a

team of players who fill their usual positions. Consequently there was not a lot of sympathy wasted, on . them when they went down to Hataitai. Some of the members of the Lyall Bay club were not satisfied with the method adopted to produce the club champions. The rink mentioned was* selected, and then four other rinks , were picked with the idea of “beat that rink if you can.” , It is time the centre laid down definite rules as to . the manner of finding the club representatives in the champion of champions games. Central’s Default. The secretary of the Central dub, retone, has written taking exception to the criticism passed in this column upon its action in defaulting in the pennant games last ■ Saturday week to Woburn, Karon, and Newtown. The fact remains that it did default, that some of the teams which would have ;net its representatives were on the bank for want of a game, and that club games were played. An explanation may be. given, but it is difficult to imagine that it can be one satisfactory to bowlers generally. The matter was before the centre on Tuesday night, as reported in Wednesday’s issue. Some Hot Rinks. “Bert Lamb” writesA study of the membership rolls of the local bowling clubs indicates that some interesting rinks could be got together and would no doubl provide good sport for the "gallery.” A "red-hot” combination .would be forthcoming in Salt (Wellington), Pepper (Upper Hutt), Currie (Thorndon). and Ginger (Lower Hutt). Perhaps Tom Gray would turn up with a “bright” team consisting of Brown Green. White and Gray. But Stan Stone would be to the fore with a “hard” crowd in Cole. Wood. Steele, and Stone. This team should be able to bound along merrily: Lamb. Deare. Fox, and Buck. But would probably be “well done by Cooper. Potter, Cook, and Baker. . The following would. be rather unbalanced to make a good showing: Long. Shortt. Strong, and Little. But everything these four said would have to be taken as “gospel”: Matthew (son). Mark(s). Luke and John. “Teddy” would have some “ups and downs” with this team: Field. Gully. Hill, and Dale. . , , , . And it would be a cold job playing against South. Pole. Snow, and Hale. This team of tradesmen : Mason. Tyler. Nnylor, and Carpenter, would probably administer a good “hammering” to Howse. Topp. Castle- Walls. This crowd would be a hungry lot: Penney, Purchase, Little, Tucker, and would not suffer from the same complaint as Hart, Burne, Jolly. Rough. These men would be unpopular with their opponents: Wrigley. Wicks. Shore. Wynne. But these would be treated with due deference: Knight. Lord, Earl, King. Trade rivals might come together without getting their “rags” out: Woolley. Good, Cotton, Burns. And would be quite safe playing alongside Creeke, Fountain, Brook and Waters. This sweet combination: Goldfinch Innes: Rose Bush, would be more melodious than Avery Smellie Young Piper. The pen pushers could be represented by Wright. Card, Ledger. Page, but, might be “buried” by Hardie. Collier. Gardner, and Sexton. The Beautifying Society would send along Street, Lane. Park, and Lawn, with additional representatives in Hay. Meadows, Greenwood, Oakefi. These men would take no chances: ;

Banks. Lock, Gold, Sterling, but might be “beaten” by Reed, Batten, Staff, and Kane. » This team should ‘'put up” a suocl “game”; Fowler, Hunt. Herron, Eagles, but might be blocked by Jay, Walker. Cross, Fairway. This rink might be considered “infallible" : Warden, Parsons. Bishop, and Pope, but in the end Swan. Drake, Biird, and Raven would probable “fly in.”