A GAME WITHOUT A GATE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1937, Page 6

A GAME WITHOUT A GATE

There are 280 players in the singles section of (lie New Zealand bowling tournament which opened in Wellington yesterday. When the players not in the singles but in pairs and links are reckoned it is probable that the numbers taking pari exceed those who would be brought together by a championship contest in any other game. This is partly accounted for by the fact that bowls is essentially a player's game. Jt has no gale and no gallery. Spectators there are, but usually lhey are themselves old bowlers, and lhey need little templing to come off the hank and show how the shot should have been played. In other ways bowls has all the qualities of true sport. It combines skill with reasonable exercise, not quite so light as some persons imagine, especially in an allday succession of singles or pairs.

The exercise element is sufficient anc yet not too much, so [hat howls cai muster enough players over seventy years to hold a tournament of ihei' own. Nor is the skill element sucl that Ihe champion will always be i champion. Differences in green! and weather conditions afTectinj greens always give the moderate player hope and provide the bes player with an excuse. Unfortun alely Wellington today is not treat ing the howlers well with tin weather; but there Avill he sunny days ahead and the bowlers will cheerfull) recognise that what is bad for plaj one day will be good for the green: afterwards.