BOWLS IN DARKNESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23615, 27 March 1940, Page 8

BOWLS IN DARKNESS

EASTER TOURNAMENT PLAY BY ARTIFICIAL LIGHT CARLTON GREEN INCIDENTS Owing to play in the Auckland Bowling Centre's Easter tournament being delayed by rain yesterday morning, an extraordinary spectacle was witnessed in the evening of important matches at the Carlton c üb's greens being finished in darkness. The final of the executive fours was being played on a rink immediately opposite the entrance drive when darkness set in about 6.45 p.m., with the result that the players had difficulty in following the run of the bowls accurately. The question of stoppage of play arose, but a disinterested player hit upon the idea of turning on the headlights of his motor-car, and under these conditions the last five heads were played. In view of the shadows cast by the lights, the final head was played from the same end as the preceding one, in the direction of the lights. The teams competing in this match were Mount Albert and Epsom, the latter winning by four points. Less fortunate than the finalists in the executive fours were the players taking part in the semi-final of the intermediate fours. These teams occupied a rink immediately in front of the Carlton club's pavilion and they were compelled, to play the last three or four heads under even more difficult conditions. In order that players could locate the position of the jack, spectators struck matches and held cigarette lighters to indicate the correct directions. This match, between Otahuhu and Balmoral, produced close and exciting play, Balmoral winning by the narrow margin of two points. Players in both matches could have ceased play when darkness set in, but in order to prevent their attendance at the green for part of another day they agreed to continue under the adverse conditions.