PLAYING TO KITTY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 7 January 1928, Page 11

PLAYING TO KITTY.

LEAKN TO PLAY. ADVICE OF NORTHERN CRITIC. There is much more in the game of bowling than appears on the surface, and the beginner is sometimes apt to think he has mastered the line point of the game, and indeed all the points, when, he can lay a shat alongside the kitty (says “Trundler” in the “Auckland Star”). - . All coaches seem to have their own style, just as all individual players, seem to develop different characteristics, even if they try to copy the style of the same "person. Just when the coaches are in the throes of giving their initial lesson a little book opportunely arrives from Australia, entitled 1 ‘ Learn How to Play.” This is apparently quite contrary to the objective of most beginners, for they generally think they must first aim at winning matches, but the argument is very logically worked. u.p by tbe- uu.tb.or, JMr . Gr. Duncan, of Ashfield, -who begins at the very beginning by instructing how to lay the mat, and he then devotes' oyer two pages to instructions on throwing the jack. Most beginners have a profound contempt for both these operations, and too often they are not corrected by the coach. The tendency is to concentrate on putting the bowl on the jack, and if this is accidentally done at. about the twentieth delivery their cup of happiness is complete; they have learned the game of bowls, and know just as much as those who- -have, been playing for 20 years. Nothing is further from the truth, for it usually takes some years for a beginner to find out how little ho knows, and it is false kindness to encourage him in the belief that he has mastered the game in the first lesson, for it makes it almost impossible for him to learn anything, and also for the match committee to handle him.

BEGINNING AT THE BEGINNING

The veteran bowler who gave tlie writer his first lesson insisted that if ho could learn tlie- correct delivery in two years he would be very lucky, and after learning that much it would be quite time to ‘ ‘ begin ’ ’ learning to put the bowl on the jack. Unfortunately, ncaTlv every beginner, if left to himself, will put the cart before the horse, and uxi trying to cultivate what does not matter at first —drawing the shot—he ruins his chance of cultivating what is far more urgent and important, a good delivery. THROWING THE JACK. Mr Duncan initiates his instructions on this point by making the startling assertion that “in learning to throw the jack you will determine your future style of play.” This will come as a bombshell" to many beginners here, and to veterans, too, for hundreds- seem to -harbour the impression that to take any care over throwing the jack is quite beneath their dignity. Many do not trouble to “deliver” it at all, -but pitch it so carelessly that it first -bounces half a dozen, times, while it is a matter of perfect indiff’ereeen to them whe-theT it finished in the next rink, in the ditch, or only half-way up.

How many matches are lost -through the sheer inability of a careless lead to throw the length directed by -the skip! Mr Duncan docs not need to -add that a skip should always- throw -back a carelessly thrown jack which finishes out of bounds, for this could not very well happen if -beginners followed his instructions.

The Ashfield tutor gives no- quarter to crouching or stooping. “Keep the body perfectly erect,” he says, and his words will be echoed in New Zealand, for there is universal condemnation of any -but the perfectly -erect stance in the Dominion, where practically all the best players assume this attitude. Supported by photographs, he describes most minutely the various movements in delivering -a. jack.

One point is worth mentioning. Mr Duncan describes stepping forward with the left foot in the orthodox way, and then swinging the right arm forward with the. jack, “at the same time making a second. step. ’’ Later on this is emphasised in these words: “ Release your hold on the jack after you have made the first step, and simultaneous with, vrmr commencing the second. Now quite an argument lias raged round this very point, for it seems to infringe the rule of' both, countries, requiring the rear foot to be on the mat at the moment of delivery, while reference was recently made to a movement in England to make the mle still more explicit and require the rear foot to he firmly implanted on the mat.

A lot of people maintain that a certain Dominion champion skip lifts has right or fear foot -before he releases his bowl, and there was .a good deal _or chuckling when last season’s champion of champions appeared from a photograph to -be doing this, both players thereby incurring the risk of a ‘ -burny 7 ibowi. t OTHER POINTS EMPHASISED.

The author urges the importance ol following through with at least three paces, if not more, carefully watching the curve of the bowl until it comes to rest. Some may question the value of this action, but it seems to be on all fours with the “follow through” m golf. It is all very well to say it makes no difference to the stroke, whether the club follows through or not, as both direction and strength are -already decided at the very moment of contact between the club and the ball. This may be s-o, but -the point is that neither direction nor strength can bo accurate unless the contact is merely an incident in -a long and perfect swing. And so in bowls: when once the -bowl is delivered it makes no difference whether the player takes three steps forward and watches his bowl, or whether he turns- round to light a cigarette. But accuracy can only be secured by trealting the actual release as one -part of a movement which commences from the erect position and ends with two or three steps forward from the mat, and Mr Duncan seems to lay very great stress -on the necessity for the greatest care in the whole process, each being equally important in obtaining a correct delivery.

AUCKLAND BOWLING CENTRE

TOURNEY

THE FINAL GAME.

As was generally anticipated, thp tourney of the Auckland Bowi’iixig Centre turned out to be one of strenuous and stirring contests and one that__wid he memorable for excellent conditions (greens and weather) and displays of good bowling. , ~ , For the final game Lamb had the moral advantage of two lives, a® well as a previous wide margin victory over 11 and all. The final game was little inferior to the bright display of the semifinal. The Rockv Nook team held on with flashes of individual work on the part of the lead, Sidler. and the skip, buckle, beyond making one or two notable shots, was not in the picture, while Pearce was none too steady. His play was in strong contrast to that of the' cool and collected Coltman Ean--lall must he given praise for a dogged resistance. He is a vorastile player, but mainly relied on the draw m the last game. . . Lamb’s team was again good, his 'end and two being the essence of steadiness. Coltman also pave a very f a 'i r display, and was particularly successful in nnv shots with a little pace on The skip himself was very steady, and was equally at home on a draw, firm, or run shot. He played a very well-timed running shot on the sixteenth head at a time when there was onlv three difference on the board and ho was three down on the head, inn-r-idering the shot bowl was glued fast behind the kitty, lie was fortunate to cmrrv the white right through to live ditch and fol.'ow on himself to score a time!v single. . , ~ The winning team, with the exeept of Brittain, who will be replawd bv A Coltman, will journey to C-linst-el,nrc'li to take part in the Dominion tourney. Considering iits recent isuccess. the combination should give a good account of itself. and it will cortainlv have the best wishes of all local enthusia sto.