Bowling

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1931, Page 19

Bowling

By -No Tiro"

THE VETERANS

ANNUAL GATHERING

WIN FOR CENTRAL RINK

Veteran bowlers from aIJ parts of tlie city and suburbs and from as far afield as Palmerstou North, MastertoJi, and Napier, took part iv the Wellington Bawling Centre's annual competition for players of 70 years and over -on the Wellington Club's greens yesterday afternoon. The entries "were well up to those of previous seasons, and the mild and pleasant weather, combined with the hospitality accorded the veterans, resulted in the fixture being a complete success. The winning rink was determined by the difference in the scores in each game. The honours went to the Central rink (Jensen, Warner, Diehl, and Green), tlie run-ners-up being the Kclburn rink (Worrall, Neil, Clater, Inglis). . At the conclusion of the competition the president of the centre (Mr. H. G. Mayer) congratuated the winners and runners-up and Mrs. Mayer presented the gold medals to the Central players. Following are the detailed results, with the combined age total of each rink in parentheses:— Lyall Bay: Jones, Wilinhurst, Hawortk, Moran (297), 30. Plinimerton: Anon, Gyles, Gray, Wright (295), 17. .Lyall Bay: Shei-«-pod,. Shoro, Goul : deu, AVolland (294),-177/ ISfewtown: Helliwell, Bigg,-Luke, Hunt \295), 18/ Victoria:; Kedstone, Stevenson, Possette,\Pole (298), 22. Hataitai: Hutton, Bullard, Dement,- Hcndry (300). 17. Victoria: IFvde, White, Barrcll. Madeley (296), .17. Oddments: O'Neil, Walls, Tregonning, Innes-Jones (295). IS. Petonc: Tlosie, Fitzgerald, Oakley, Cometti (293), 16. Hataitai: Clark, Lambcrg, Welch, Wain (296), 17. Newtown: Pctersen, Boberts, Thomson, Powell (314), 21. Pione,ers: Haylock, Mills,' Bibby, Brackenridge (300), Newtown: Lonsby, Scaton, Blenkinsopp, Phillips (302), 27. Old Settlers: Anderson, Kobinson, Coltmau, Ballinger (288), 11. • Kclburn: Worrall, Neil, Clater, Inglis, (291), 29. Khandallnli: Nichols. Bridges; Taylor, Bennett (297), 12. Kelburn: Brown, Zander, Ivory, Young'(297), 22. Karon: Bradnoc'k, J. Sunley) Campbell, IS. Sunlcy (299), i 20. j Palmerston North: Aiken, Frew, Step- j henson, Pickering (296), 30. Wellington: Brice, Robson, Montiplay, Gallic (291), 16. Mastcrton: Uigg, Finlnyson, Pinkney, Wilton (306),' 16. ■ Wellington: Bluudell, Faulkner, Hildreth, W. H. Bennett (298), 25. Cosmopolitan: W. Smith, Itowc, G. Smith, Hunter (295), 25. Victoria: Danby, Barnicoat,. J«mieson, Scott (297), 21. ' Central: Jensen, Warner, Diehl, Green (292), 32. Eastbourne: Battersby, Dawson, Levi, Gilbert (2SS), 12. ' Wellington: A. Bennett, Haldanc, Hamilton, Berry (293), 22. Island Bay: Ross, Mackay, Webb, Gray (303), 15. Wellington: Townsend, Bush, Davy, Brown (301), 22. Seatoun: Stacc, Magill, M/Girr, Lonsdale (294), 22. Dominion Tournaments. If the Dominion tournament -in not to become too unweildy something rn..stio will havo to bo done in tho airangement of the programme. As the conditions now stand the tournament is just what Mr. Tom Yatcs, of the New South Wales Bowling Association, described it, " a test more of endurance than skill." Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., of Palmerston North, has suggested that tho pairs and singles competition should bo separated from tfro rinks matches. This would tend to cut things down some what, arid would, perhaps, receive some modicum of support1 in Wellington, where enthusiasm for singles and pairs is not quite as strong as in other centres.v Of course, some of the provincial centres may be anxious to secure a portion, of tl-e Dominion tournament for themselves, and may like to have the pairs and rinks allocated, to them; but if this were rlone it would practically mean having two tournaments, and' in theso! days (ft business stress few bowlers would be able to.spend'th.o.time to,take part in more than x)'ne. Dominion gathering, although it; is perfectly tru?. that many of them do. attest! tournaments at Easter; and- other times. If the provincial centres wore given. the pairs and singles, however, tho tournaments would have to: tie played ! in, those places possessing ample green accommodation for.: those desiring to compete, and the*.gatherings would have to take the form of "movable feasts," which would mean much in travelling expenses to those living at a distance. These difficulties might militate against the success of such a new departure. A. prominent Wellington bowler who1 has devoted much thought to this ques-\ tion of the Dominion tournament suggests that it would be"*a good idea to alter the date from January to February, because the weather in the latter month is more settled. There is much to be said for this, as many bowlers do not like going to the January tournament because it comes so soon after the Christmas holidays. School' teachers would be affected by a change to February, but it is doubtful whether the number of teachers who compete is sufficient to warrant the retention of January. Surprise was expressed by the bowler that the Auckland executive had gone back to "the bad old system of short games and time limits." In his opinion, also, another justifiable cause of complaint was that the competitors were asked to play on the same greens on the two days of section play* He points out that in Wellington, if a pair were drawn, for a distant green on the first day, they were placed on a centrallysituated green on the second day. There was also no difficulty in making all post-sectional games 21 heads. That also avoided making some players on the second day continue into practically the dark, whereas others wero going forward without doing anything more than sit on tho bank. It is in regard to tho rink programme, however, that the bowler makes a bold proposal. It is that two, games of 25 heads per day bo played for three days, arid that post-section play should be on the "sudden death" principle. This would certainly enable the tournament to be cut down considerably and would give tho be3t players a better chance of emerging champions than the present system docs. From all accounts tho outstanding rink at the rocent tournament was that skipped by Professor Maxwell Walker; yet it was forced to succumb from sheer inability to stand up to the heavy strain imposed upon it. By the time the post-section play was well advanced Professor Walker's rink—and others —wero suffering from staleness, and this told against them in the end. To cut down tho rink play in the manner suggested might bo open to objection, but it would overcome the contention of Mr. Yatcs that the tournament is a test of endurance rather than of skill. What do others think about it? Lyall Bay Club. One of the most interesting singles games took place on tho Lyall Bay

green on Tuesday' evening, .when- Perc. Hallam met J. Lawrie. Both players were on their game, and it was neck and neck throughout. On the 20th head, the result was 20-19 in favour of Hallam. On the 21st head Lawrie equalised matters 20 all, and extra heads were played. On the 22nd hoad Hallam was lying the shot, and Lawrie killed tho head. On • the 23rd head Hallam was again successful in drawing the shot, which Lawrie drove off with his .third bowl, leaving him tho winner with one up, : 21-20. ■ The players received a splendid ovation from the bank, for their skilful exhibition.1 The result, of this match leaves throe players to contest ..tho championship honours, J. Brackenridge, Lawrie, and Hazlewood. Brackenridge had two lives, having gone so far unbeaten. Lawrie and Hazlewood, with one life each, will play off tho semi-final, and the winner will meet Brackenridge for the final contest and possession of the cup for 1931-32. Secretaries and Treasurers. The annual contest- between the secretaries and treasurers of the bowling clubs in the Wellington Centre for the trophies presented by Mr. Sam Potter, of the Wellington Bowling Club, was played last week, and resulted in a win for Messrs. Widdpp and Wright, of the Kelburn Club, who defeated the Khandallah representatives by a margin of 18 points. Newtown were not far bchijid,]being 17 points up in their game.' There were ,16 pairs engaged, and a most enjoyable, time, was spent. This is'one of the popular, fixtures of the bowling season, and it was a happy and sporting thought which prompted Mr. Potter, himself a, _ most popular bowler, to inaugurate it. Tampering with Bowls. Recently the Dominion executive sent out the following notice to clubs: "The official bowl-tester for tlio Auckland Centre, having intimuted that some bowls, after being stamped with the official stamp, have been interfered with, the executive desires to draw tho attention of all bowlers to rulo 32 of the constitution and rules of the association, which provide for tho disqualification of any player who may be found guilty of wilfully altering N a bowl after it has been stamped by the official bowl-tester of the centre." It is said that where there is smoke there is always fire, and it suggests that even in Auckland there are bowlers who are not above using a "poker," i niiys an Auckland bowling writer. But, ! rj;'.> circular does not appear to be definite enough, or the rule lacks clarity. Tt would be a hard proposition to provo that a bowl was wilfully altered by a player using it, unless tho fact were to be presumed, owing to a player using the bowl. The stamping of the bowls may bo, and is, necessary, but tho fact that a-bowl may bear a stamp should not save the bowler if it 4/10=! not draw to the standard. That should bo made clear to all bowlers — that tlie stamp is not the essential feature, but the draw. Tf a bowler has a pair of bowls, oue of which takes a yard or more less of green than the other and has been playing regularly with them, one requires 'a good deal of convincing that he is not aware of the fact. Record? How is this for a record? On the Canterbury green. <,recent;ly Walter Raphael and his 'partner were playing off a pair game' in their championship competition. On the-.last head \they had to get Jive to.tie or, six to win. The play was going against them, and when it eamo to the last bowl Raphael was at a loss to know what to do. He ultimately decided to drive "and hit the head. He sent ten bowls into . the ditch, also the "jack." Tho six bowls left on the green were his partner's and his own, and they won the game by one point. It may be mentioned there were no '^touchers" amongst the bowls. Australia has set up a new record in bowls. In a recent game a bowler drove, killed; the head^: scattering the bowls to such an extent, that one ran into the next rink and.drove the kitty out. He thus killed two heads with one shot..■ . :•'■;' •'- :■ , v■' ..•„■'' ', , TJhe Kookaburra Scoffs,, "To the scoffer there was a ..-fitting' close to recent boiling.niatehcs on the South Brisbane Club'sSgreen'," says an Australian paper; '" Teams,'; each , 16 strongj-'-Tepreisentiitiye^-sof^^tiiiev-p'arliiig ■Downs, Wide Bayj the Siiuth;'.Qoiuit^aud Central Queerisland)::ineV:ia tho .piorning and againf in.theiikfternporii;: and with darkness fast^coiniiig 'ion. eight men on one portipri;i.p| |he <big- green were still' striving, for - yiptoryv i Suddenly in the :;gjobin, the laugh ; of, a kookaburra ■fras t heardi; anil :.^he:; bird was noticed ■sit.tijtg; <on,' : the -'arai of the flagpole,*' A-fw^ecpndgvlater;;hej;-was joined by. an^JMr^\and;;:botli<':Jaughed long and Idudly ? ;presumably;,at ■.,-;■,'■ tho spectacle -of ser^ous-jnihdod; jnen centrating all their;;thqughts and'^energies on pOTSuaamgiwiiatseenied to Be big dark-coloiirejd; marbles '■'■'ip crush a little white one; ;No wonder ,bowlers speedily packed up and": wont home.: The fact that they had played ; the last of the scheduled 25 ~ends: was, of course, merely an excuse for v leaving the green." ..',-. , .r . . • . ■ - Bowling Problems. ' ■- The Dominion bowling tournament at Auckland, says the "New Zealand Herald" has proved that umpires in this game must be as conversant • with the rules and as quick,to give decisions as umpires and referees in o*-'ier sports. An incident occurred on a green during the rinks section play when a skip played out of his turn. The umpire was in a quandary po he ordered the head to be Heplayed. This decision was wrong as the rules provided that when a head has been disturbed the opposing side (the skip usually acts) has the right ito replace tho jack or bowl and bo the sole judge as to its original position. In another instance a. jack was knocked on to tho bank and. it rolled back on to the green..The umpire declared the head dead^ The rulo reads: "If a jack <or a bowl be driven by a bowl in play against any neutral bowl or other object either on the green or above the level of the bank it shall bo dead notwithstanding that it comes to rest within tho boundaries of. the rink." . . ■