BOWLING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 4740, 20 January 1937, Page 2

BOWLING.

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. FOXTON PAIR IN SEMIFINALS. Defeating theJCelbum rink skipped by T. Gray twice on Monday, the Canterbury club rink skipped by R. Howarth Avon the rinks championship at the Ncav Zealand Bowling Association’s tournament. Howarth Avon the championship last year. The event has never before been Avon tAvice in succession by the same skip or the sanm club. The Petone pair, Hunter and Lowry, avoii the pairs, Timaru, represented by Winni’ngton and Manning, being runner-up.

In the pairs contest the Foxton pair, K. de Bidder and W. Trueman, shoAved up prominently, and finally secured third place, a very meritorious performance for young players who had not had previous experience in national championships. These t-AVo will receive the congratulations of club mates on bringing themselves and their club into such a prominent position.

Although distinctive honours have not been brought. back to Foxton by local exponents of the ancient game of boAvls at the recent Dominion tournament, they were “well up” in their games with the champions of other clubs. Messrs Trueman and de Ridder, in the doubles championship, ran into the third position—a highly com • mendable performance, Avhich put Foxton on the map. We convey to our local boAvlers heartiest congratulations on their performances and Avish them even greater success at the next Dominion tournament. The experience. gained by those participating in championship games is of value to local club players of ail grades.

A PLAYER’S IMPRESSIONS The preliminary announcement of the NeAv Zealand BoAvling Association’s annual tournament about tAvo months ago caused quite a flutter amongst the boAvling fraternity, and prospective participants began looking around for partners, for in bowling as Avith every other sport, congenial companionship is an essential element in the game. The closing date of entries revealed a large number of intending competitors from all oA'er Ncav Zealand and shortly afterwards each competitor received an . official pro gramme of the whole competition, singles, pairs and rinks, the players names being set out in alphabetical order, locations of the various greens, transport facilities and. order of play,' every - competitor thus being fully . advised before - hand, so that each one IktneAV where, Avhen, and against whom he had to play. The players' were divided into sections, each having to play a set number of games, at the conclusion of Avhich the Avinners of the various sections participated in the post-section play on an elimination basis. The official programme Avith its list of competitors also served a purpose quite apart from its official nature in enabling many old friendships to be renewed Avhile many new friendships were formed as a result of players meeting in friendly rivalry on the: various greens.

On arriving at the particular green at which the writer was to play on tre opening day, it'was impossible not to be thrilled at the presence of representatives of such a large number of clubs, each wearing his club’s distinctive colours. From the far North and from the far South they had come to uphold the hpnour of their respective clubs. Of past champions there was no lack, and many whisperings would follow the passing by of these stalwarts. Following the formal inspection of the,'bowls, play commenced in earnest and, with pauses for refreshments and lunch, continued until the section play had been completed, one day being allotted to the singles, two days for the pairs and four days for the rinks. At the conclusion cf these games the section winners were announced, after which post-section play proceed-' ed, the number of competitors thereby being reduced to more manageable proportions. Tw > rounds of post-section play broi ught about a still further reduc - tion, although even ' at that stage possible winners were not easy to pick. Round succeeded round until only a handful were left. As the number of competitors diminished so the number of spectators increased. Whereas in the section play the competitors * far outnumbered the spectators, as time wore on this position was very much reversed. Unsuccessful competitors together with friends, relatives and supporters of the vari r ous surviving players followed each succeeding game with the keenest interest, and appreciation of clever play by either side was generously given in a genuine sportsmanlike manner. Unfortunately, weather conditions unduly delayed the final stages of the tournament, but a tribute must he paid to the Dominion Association for the very efficient manner in which the tournament was conducted, in many casts under very-trying conditions. From all accounts the standard of play was quite up to that of any previous tournament and many close and exciting finishes were witnessed.

Over the whole tournament reigned a spirit of good fellowship and sportsmanship both in defeat and victory, and one cannot conclude this brief note without emphasising the fact that a gathering of this nature, bringing together as

it does, men from all walks of . life, does a great deal towards promoting that appreciation of the other fellow’s good points which is so desirable in everyday life. TRIANGULAR SHIELD CONTEST The second round of the Triangular Shield contest has been arranged to take place at Levin on Saturday 'of this Aveek. The following will represent Foxton Club: — - . Thomas, Huntley, Jno. Ross, and Thomson (s). Tutty, Dayman, Hoavo, Mattar (s).