ROUND THE RINKS

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1936, Page 2

ROUND THE RINKS

[By MODERNIST]

Whangarei Halfday Tournament

-With an entry of thirty teams and running surface especially prepared by Greenkeepe^, Gumming everything in the.! garden Was lovely until Jupiter Pliivius put in his contribution to the day’s fun which meant disappointment' for all players. The tourney has been adjourned until December 19, entries to stand unless cancelled.

Pavilion Palaver. Saturdays rain, meant a pavilion crowded with disgruntled trundlers who spent an hour or two in animated

discussion of bowling matters generally including of course “Modernists” contributions to the pastirhe. One argument of general interest was in connection with the Buxton Shield Competition and its clashing with Whangarei’s Annual Tournament. As some of the contenders were not on sound ground, even the Centre official card is in error on the 'subject, the histpry of this competition is appended.

Buxton Shield.

Tips handsome trophy was given by MrX.T. Buxton for competition among the bowling clubs of the Bay of Islands electorate. The (Centre’s official list of trophies hasVitr tfiat this competition is open to the? five, northern clubs only byfcthis i_g npi Correct, Hikurangi is eligible t6 r cofnpete although they hdve not. availed themselves of the privilege. The*tourney is held by the various clubs in rotation and will be at Russell on. Boxing Day, its inception being, at Kslbiohe when Russell, Wright, Stokes, Arhdge and Graham, defeated Reyland, MoTgaiTT Reed~ “arid * Stafi McKenzie, Kawakawa.in. .the..final and became the first holders. During;;the competition a meeting of delegates was held and the playing date was altered to clash with Whangarei. This was done in ignorance and the Centre allowed it to stand. The majority of keen players dn the North . are,'realising that they should be at Whangarei oh Anniversary Day and endeavours are being made to get over the difficulty.-.

Tournament Teams. Another interesting controversy centred round the strongest tourney teams of the past few years, some of those mentioned being the combination

of Haigh, Judd and Orr. Stan Cribble’s team comprising Morrish, Bill Stewart and Almao, who had a great spin. Kensington’s crack crowd, Cliff Horne, Simons. Pearce, Coburn’s quartet. Bob Allan, Sothern and McMahon who were hard to beat. Modernist suggests that possibly the strongest combination of the last decade was Telfer, Sothern. Whitelaw and Orr (skip).

..; ' Drive. versus Draw. This contentious evergreen had an airing arid some of the diehards could not see any merit in a “straight un," Without driving, bowls would lose a great deal of its charm—gone would be the possibility of retrieving the position with one hit —absent would be those clever tactics to defeat the smitery-the ‘battle of with would be no more,, the pastime would be patronised by unprogressives out mainly to take the air and enjoy the surroundings. Driving is the fizz of bowling brought in by the younger element who will yet improve the game 25 per cent by taking charge and removing some of the anomalies that at present clutter up the rule box, and fetter the wheels of progress.

One prominent player suggested a trial between a driver and a draw shot artist. The driver to score each time he hit the white, the draw shot

man lo have the honours if he drew within a twelve inch circle. The. contest to be at various lengths. Given a fast green “Modernist” would have his tuppence on the driver.