BOWLING

Evening Star, Issue 20309, 18 October 1929, Page 14

BOWLING

[Bj McASCKiP.]

Though nob so fortunate as those elubs which chose October 5 for opening Jay as regarded the weather, Balmaccwen, Leith, and Green Island players were able to start in moderate comfort on Saturday last, and in each case an encouraging beginning was made. Mr David Leslie, Balmacewen’s new president, had the pleasure of welcoming a large number of visitors, including Messrs R. 11. Todd and 11. Hanning, representing the Centre Executive. Mr I). Bennie’s artistic work in the way of decorations was praised by Mr Leslie, and he paid compliments to Mr R. Wallace (greenkeoper) and Mr C. Harrison (supervisor) for the fine green provided. After Mrs Leslie had sent away the first howl an enjoyable game was played. An incident of the afternoon was the unveiling by Mrs J. Nexbit (wife of the immediate past president) of photographs of two deceased gentlemen who had clone great service for the clubMessrs Walter Wright and IV. H. Millin. Nothing was left undone by the ladies in charge of the refreshment department. Leith Club’s picturesque green was very gay, and full of players. In plain view of the Wood ha ugh Valley road, the assemblage made a striking picture, and caused many a passer-by to pause and wonder whether it was not worth while to take part in what was evidently so enjoyable a pastime. Mr R. Ferguson is the president this year, and with appropriate remarks he welcomed the many visitors. His hope that a fitting pavilion will soon be erected must have heen echoed by his fellow-members. That accomplished, things should go _ well with the baby club, for its green Is improving rapidly. Cr Begg spoke on behalf of the City Council (Leith green is one of the few on a public reserve), and Mr I). C. Cameron (president of the centre) expressed wishes for the club's success. The ladies dispensed plentiful refreshments. Green Island players also had a good time, with many visitors, who found a good green awaiting them. Tim president (Mr J. C. Lindsay), alter a, few remarks of welcome, called attention to improvements made since last season, and alluded with regret to the loss by death of two old members. Messrs J. M‘Alullan and A. H. Smellie. Mr J. Harclie spoke for the centre. Mr W. H. APLeod on behalf of Caledonian Club, and the Mayor of Green Island (Mr W. T. Smellie) also spoke. The local band played pleasant music, and lady friends attended to the afternoon tea. Three ladies’ clubs made a start this week, all under good conditions. The Dunedin Club ladies had a great many ■visitors on Tuesday afternoon, among them Air C. J. Payne (president of the association), who in a characteristic cheery little speech thanked them in anticipation for the support they were going to give him at tournament time in January next. Airs A. Gillies (ladies’ president) rolled the first bowl, and a pleasant game followed. On the same afternoon the Otago Club ladies began. Mrs G. Beath, the president, had the pleasure of welcoming many visitors. Air D. C. Cameron (president of tho centre) said he was pleased to he present, and Mr Allan Young (the auen’s president) expressed best wishes for the success of the ladies’ section. An enjoyable game followed. On Wednesday afternoon Leith Club ladies had their first game. Atiss Dippie (president) receiving a large number of visitors. The mayor (Mr 11. S. Black) was present and made a few remarks, referring to the attractive surroundings of the green. The mayoress sent up the first bowl, and the green was then filled with players. Invitations received to the openings of five chibs to-morrow—Anderson's Bay, St. Clair, St, Kilda, Caledonian, and Port. Chalmers. With fine weather there are bound to lie largo attendances at each. Invitation io opening of St. Kilda Ladies’ Club on Wednesday next also received. A copy of the booklet of fixtures, complete as usual, is acknowledged from Secretary R. Hanning. There is a lot of information in it. and elubs have all their games for the season clearly set out. Cavershom this season is trying out a fresh scheme to find the championship) rink. Wednesday evenings have been set apart for rink play, those present being assorted by ballot. One point each player is given for a win, and at the end of the season the successful quartet will be those with most points. With characteristic enthusiasm this club’s players have already started on their competitions. The Thistle holders had to meet a. challenge team last Saturday, and were forced to yield the trophies to Paine. Lowry. Love, and Stubbs (s). Two further challenges are on the board. Last evening the Ladies’ Bowling Association decided to bold three test games against a team of Victorian .ladies who are coming here about the (middle of February. These will bo played prior to the animal tournament. Green Island and St. Clair affiliated to the centre, and the draw for the interclub matches, which start at the end of this month, will be out in a day or two. The question of uniform dress was discussed, and the delegates have one or two recommendations to make to their clubs. Before starting play at Kairuna green last Saturday afternoon Mr IT. S. Reid, in the absence of the president, announced the deatli of Air J. T. Gibson, a valued member of the chib. The gathering stood bareheaded for a minute as a mark of respect to his memory.

II IMS TO BEGINNERS. The man who lor the first time associates himself with a howling club will find that for a start, if selected to play in a rink match, his position will be first player, known as “the leader,” or second player, known as “ No. 2.” iHoth these positions are onerous, though not requiring necessarily the experience of third player or skip; but any howler in first or second place should remember that he may win or lose the game for his side ; therefore it is essential that he should always do his very best. This week a few words of advice to first players (reprinted from Melbourne i Bowls’) are given:— 1. If your first bowl is lying shot, hut slightly short, and in the draw on either hand, then bowl, if practicable (that is, if not blocked), to rest your own bowl on that hand. You may promote your own bowl a little, or. better still, just touch it on either side, and so secure a good position for both your bowls, escaping the penalty, for a bowl that •would otherwise have been a little 100 strong. If yon bowl on the other hand you may, by being a little strong, take the kitty away from your first,_ arid possibly not secure as good a position with your second as you already had with' your first; nor even, unless you trail, any decent position at all. You are’ much safer in short in touching your own shot bowl than in - touching the kitty. 2. If your first bowl is resting on the kitty so that on disturbance the kitty will go directly back, then,your second must be at 'the back to receive'it,. ' Ji

yon bowl on to your toucher lightly, and make two of it, that is good, but not so good, as you may thus be creating a target ; but if you bowl short, unless very close up indeed, so as to protect, then you will have practically thrown your bowl away. -J. If, again, your first bowl is actually touching the kitty, bub not directly in front of it, so that the kitty on disturbance is likely to be pushed diagonally further on, then, if the end is long (and especially if your bowl and the green are drawing well), bowl on the hand that will take you in the same direction. If you are strong and pass your objective you will have the desired position; and if a little short you will have good timber for your side to rest on and promote. A strong or a narrow bowl on the other hand will almost certainly put you completely out of the picture. But if the green is very fast, and the end is very short, this method will be dangerous, and will require scrupulous care. You have then to avoid resting on your own bowl, for a slight impact on your first might easily push. th 6 kitty on perhaps a yard, which is quite a big distance in a very short end, without advancing your own bowl even an inch. This would, of course, he dangerous to your own side, and therefore the more you must rely on your own skill and accuracy to win position. In Such case it may be better, unless you can trust yourself not to blunder on to your own bowl, to go for position on the other hand. (To he continued.)