ROWLING

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 10 December 1926, Page 4

ROWLING

AUSTRALIAN AND 1 DOMINION METHODS. , Australian bowlers are apparently responding heartily to the overtures or New Zealand in .regard to competing regularly in the tournaments ■of eaoh other, and there seems to be every promise that quite a strong contingent will be here next January (writes “Tnindler” in the Auckland: Star). It i® hoped that the party wall include Mr. R. T. Harrison, one of the most successful tournament winners in Victoria., and in more recent years in New South Wales, where he enjoys a wide hearing as bowling critic for the Sydnev Referee. He writes this week a most interesting letter, which fully supports the impression held here that the coming visit is only a preliminary to a regular interchange of competitions, which may eventually break down the barriers at present separating New Zealand and Australia, in many respects the foremost bowling countries in the world. The subject is of such vast importance from an international point of view that it will be a pleasure to reply fully in a- future issue to the questions raised, and also to those raised by the same writer in a friendly criticism of New Zealand in the latest issue of the Referee. No-ef-fort is too great if it will bring the two countries together, for it will result iji sodio of 'tTi© foremost business &nd. professional men in eaoh country visiting the other, not only to compete, but also usually to make an extended tour, whereas at present there is no regular interchange of visits between the two countries that will bring together men of wider experience _ than those who play football or tennis. Dear “Trundler,” I have been handed a couple of your excellent contributions to the Star, by a New Zealand enthusiast at present m Sydney, and as they, contain opinions on. most important questions, I would be glad if you would publish something from me in reply. . . The question of whether it is desirous, or correct, to have -one or both feet on the mat. is one that there is going to be a lot of debate over. Even since your Mr. McLaren won a singles event on the M.C.C. greens in Melbourne, the Victorians have had the knife m your custom of stepping off the mat. 1 might say that if I followed mvown inclination, I would like to get off the mat with one foot ,as with the drive shot it is a distinct advantage. My accuracy wia§ affected for a long time by my rear foot .slipping on a bad make of mat, and having received a bad rick, it caused a nervous, feeling for a long time. . ~ - , Rut viewing the question broadly, it must not be forgotten that there are a great many intelligent men outside of New Zealand, and it does not follow that you people are right in your attitudc any more than the* Australians. ” Let us look at the question from* the point of view as to what use the mat is intended for. I take it that it is a base, and should have its limits, the same as the lines in tennis, the baulk in'billiards, and that players should be restricted to such limits as the size of a. universally adopted mat provides for. If you are going to allow players to go beyond these limits, where will it lead to? Resides, your system inter feres with the fine points of the game. Assuming that a skip, or a. singles player, has used his last bowl, and put in a perfect block (one of the most difficult-, but one of the most effective shots in the game), what is the use of it if -some six-footer is allowed to step out half a yard further than the average player, and so nullify his good work? That alone condemns your system. In my games I bring off many good coups by blocking an opponent according to the bias ibis bowl displays. This would be so much waste, time in New Zealand. What have you to say to these two points I have raised? You speak of a “cramped Australian delivery.” You cannot apply that to Australia’s first-class bowlers. There is nothing cramped about them, and -it is all a mistake to take into consideration any man, whether he lives in Australia or the Dominion, who does not stand upright on the mat. My own particular stance and delivery is regarded as ideal, on this side, and no other standard should be set up. The kneeler, the croucher, the squatter, and those with other awkward styles are the unfortunates in the game, although some are very effective. You quote the English rule. Well, you know that old England is the most conservative in existence, and the antiquated styles of the Britishers who were here last, year proved that she is just as conservative as ever. It iis so- in all her sports. Your fifteen thousand bowlers may contend that the New Zealand style is the correct one. What of the 40,000 bowlers on. this side with at least equal intelligence to. say that the mat is a ba.se with limits? Would you brush aside their convictions? Our point is that your system i« open to abuse, but with our system a man may get results that would not otherwise accrue to him if hi* opponent was allowed a width of six feet- to- operate, instead of eighteen inches at the sides. The present generation of New Zealand howlers will never be converted to playing with, both feet on the mat, for the .simple reason that they could not do it—that is- to- say, could not get results. On the other hand, the Australians will l never agree to your system not out of .pig-headedness, but conviction. Your article on driving I read with the greatest relish. You .s-alPp that the man who is up against driving is he who can’t do the shot. He- is the fox without a tail; what he can’t have for himself, others must not do, ‘as. it gives them a distinct advantage. Cut driving out of bowls, and for my part you can have the game. When we come to consider that there, is a great variety of drives, from the very fast to the “bend” of about three feet,, and that each player has his own particular variety, any attempt t» limit driving would end in chaos. The skilful driver compels his opponetut to -respect him, and after all, the man who is game to take the risks should get the reward. The non-drmng crank is the most inconsistent man m the world. If he is in la rink, and there is a bunch against his side, and (his skip takes the jack to the ditch, or makes a dead end, he. is the. most pleased man on the side, and joins in the applause. No, sir, the ideal -bowler, to my mind, is he, who can s-ay: Outdraw me if vou oa-u, first, and if you succeed in that department I. will switch on to the drive, and if I miss it is my .funeral,” Apologising for tiespassing on your space, aiid still hoping to be with, vou at the tournament. I sittCOT ß s ’’T. HARRISON.