BOWLING TOURNEYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 17

BOWLING TOURNEYS

' CRITICISM OF SYSTEM A correspondent, " Tourney," writes as follows: — . I "As regular competitor m the Christmas tournaments I feel that a serious mistake has been made in altering the system of post section play to 'the sudden death principle. 1 understand that the matter came up late at the annual meeting of delegates and, while one speaker advocated the change verv strongly, the majority appeared to take very little interest, and the decision came as a shock to some of the delegates. These people have only themselves to blame, as the delegates are sent there to discuss such matteis, and if they do not say anything they are i not doing their duty to their club or ; fellow bowlers as a whole. It makes no i difference that the motion carried was 1 a recommendation only. I hold that i the executive must take it as mandatory. It certainly has the authority to still adhere to the two-life system i if it chooses, but is not likely to do it and ignore the expressed wishes of the majority of the delegates. I fail to see what material advantage will be gained by the change. Certainly a few will be . put out o their misery sooner and the tournament will finish earlier. ! How many of the actual competitors really want this? And, surely it is these competitors who should be considered. I am inclined to think that many of the delegates who voted for the change have not played much in the tournament. 1 fully* appreciate the argument that it is difficult for some players to spare the time when the subsequent play is conducted under the two-life system, but I teel that there would he very few, if any, who could not arrange for the extra time if they were fortunate enough to qualify from the section play, and had a chance to win. " With the Easter tournament the position is altogether different, as the days are then much shorter and the weather more unreliable. Therefore, it is essential that this tournament should be curtailed to suit the circumstances, but. there is no necessity for such action in the case of the Christmas event, with long davs and pleasant weather. 1 feel that if a vote was taken from the actual plavers in the tournament there would 'be an overwhelming majority in favour of the two-life system and, as I pointed out earlier, these players surely are the ones to be considered. 1 would like to see a move made to retain the present system, and would suggest that the delegates reopen the matter at the next delegates' meeting and endeavour to have the motion rescinded. Some bowlers are under the impression that the executive will adhere to the two-life system, but thev must get this idea out of their minds, for, as I have already mentioned, the authority has no option but to give effect to the recommendation at the annual meeting."