BOWLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12266, 9 May 1903, Page 7

BOWLING.

THE ASSOCIATION PENNANT DISPUTE.

It will be remembered that the Auckland and Devonport Clubs played off for the pennant and gold medals, competed for during the Easter tournament at the Remuera green a fortnight ago, Auckland being declared the winnei. It was then understood that these trophies had been won by the Auckland Club, and much surprise was expressed when the association intimated that another game would require to be played to decide the event. The Auckland Club, believing they had already won the pennant, refused to meet Devonport again, and the association has finally decided that the Devonport Club are the winners through Auckland's refusal to play. The rules governing the pennant were badly worded, and this is undoubtedly the cause of the present dispute. Had the Norther*. Bowling Association's tournament rules been adhered to the pennant would now be flying at the Grafton green. The players were divided into two sections, and the' rule states that " the winning teams in the two sections will then play oft." Auckland was the winner in the A section, and Devonport came first in the B section. The two teams played off. Auckland winning, and the Aucklanders claimed the prize. The association, however, held that the next rule, which reads, "The winner of the inter-club tournament she.ll bo the club scoring the greatest number of wins," put Auckland on the same footing as Devonport, seeing that Auckland had four wins in the A .section against Devonport's five wins in the B section. Auckland, however, claims that having had four wins, and having beaten Remuera, in a tie, the two clubs were equal until the final game, when Auckland boat Devonport. Altogether, Auckland played seven games, of which they won six and lost one. Devonport played six games and won five, leaving Auckland in a majority of one. The association refuses to count the tie with Remuera as a win, notwithstanding the fact that their rule states that "in the .event of a tie, the clubs tieing shall play oil until one club shall I have a majority of wins." Under this rule Auckland has had a majority of wins, and, they contend, they should have been awarded the prize. An official announcement, issued by the secretary of the association, stated that the "final" game was to be played off between Devonport and Auckland on the. Remuera green, and the Aucklanders, being the victors, held that they had fairly won the prize under thp printed conditions of the tournament. A largely-attended meeting of members of the Auckland Club was held last week, and it was unanimously resolved that the action of the teams in refusing to play Devonport be approved, the meeting being of opinion that the pennant had been fairly won by then* representatives. We are informed that a full statement of the whole position, with a copy of the rules under which the tournament was conducted, was* submitted to the Northern Bowling Association, Wellington, for their opinion as to which club was the winner of the trophies. A reply has been received from Mr. J. H. Mentiplay, secretary, stating that all the members of the council he had been able to consult were of opinion that the prize had been won by the Auckland Club. Fortified with this opinion from the highest court of appeal in bowling matters, the Auckland Club are satisfied that they followed the right course in refusing to play Devonport. It is not yet known what action the Devonport Club will take in the matter.