BOWLING NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11685, 24 November 1923, Page 10

BOWLING NOTES

fIRST CENTURY AT BOWLS IN THORNDON CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

TO-DAY’S FIXTUREB SENIOR PENNANTS—SECTION A, Seatoun v. Karori—2 rinks at home, 2 away. Lyall Bay v. Island Bay—2 rinks at home, 2 away, Victoria v. Hataitai—2 rinks at home, 2 away. Wellington, a bye. SECTION B. Hutt v. Kelburn—2 rinks at home, 2 away. Johnsonville v. Central—2 rinks at home, 2 away. Thorndon v. Newtown l —2 rinks at home, 2 away* Petone, a bye. JUNIOR PENNANTS—SECTION A.. Central v, Kelburn—one rink at Kelburn. Thorndon v. Johnsonville —one rink at- Thorndon Victoria v. Petone—one rink at Petone. SECTION B. Lyall Bay v. Karori—one rink at Karori. Island Bay v. Seatoun—one rink at Island Bay. Newtown, a bye.

THE WET WEEK-END PENNANT MATCHES TO BE PLAYED TO-DAY. Bowlers were very much disappointed at the weather conditions on Saturday last, particularly as it cleared up in the afternoon and conditions tnen were not at all bad. It was impossible, however, to prepare the greens in time to permit of play. But while howlers were disappointed, those in charge of the greens welcomed the beautiful rain, which proved of very great service. According to the conditions laid down all the pennant matches which were postponed last week-end will be played today.. If it becomes necessary to postpone them yet again, a date later in the season will be fixed by the postponement committee for playing the matches. GREENS IMPROVED CONDITION. It is reported that the Hataitai green is playing exceptionally well, and that the Lyall Bay green, which did not look promising at the commencement of the season, is giving more satisfaction than was expected. The Seatoun players, too, speak very favourably of their green. But, of course, the real testing time will he about the middle of January next. COMBINING BOWLS WITH BUSINESS. Mr Charles Norwood (president of the Victoria Bowling Club, Wellington), at present on a visit to Sydney, is returning via Auckland about the end of the month. Although Mr Norwood' is on a business trip, he hopes to visit some of the Auckland greens during his short stay in tho city, and he is assured of a hearty welcome from his numerous friends there. FIRBT CENTURY AT BOWLS GREAT SCORING AT THORNDON. SPENCER MAKE® 104 IN 19 HEADS. There was some, great scoring in’the opening game of the club championship at Thorndon. The match, was between Spencer, a member of the match committee, and Fisher, a qualified junior, this being his second season Half-way through the game the score was Spencer 75, Fisher 35. On the 19th head Spencer Srobably created a world’s record in owling, and registered over the century, the scores being: Spencer 104, Fisher 86. The junior player then made his great effort, UTged on by a number of amused church, Miller, MoKay, Hepburn, Cohen, Billings, Middleton, Tucker, Torrington, Dennis. Junior A.—Bognuda, Brown, Bolt, Hepburn, Davis, Cohen, Jackson, Morgan, Sifflet, Stevens, Tucker, Priddle. Junior B. —Matthews, Bryant, Gaff, Upchurch, Bolland, Hart, Kershaw, Collie, Collier, Swanson, Haigh. LYALL BAY. Third A.—Edwards, Clarke, Davis, Gilbert, Gardiner, Ellison, Forrester, Burns, Forbes, Haddock, Petrie. Third B.—Jones, junr., Mead, McKenzie, Eversleigh, senr., Bunney, Trilford; Davies, Nicholls, Forrester, Withers, Petrie, Trott. UNIVERSITY., Junior A.—Mackenzie, Evans, Kent, Anderson, Dighton, Hollings, Hain, Inch, Arndt, A. M. Wilson, Wiren. Junior B.—Webb, Creewell, Forde, Martin, Pope, J. Wilson, McDuff, Walsh, Thomson, Kelly, White; emergencies, Budden, Brooker, Dinnis, and Mitchell. KARORI. Junior. —Russell, Makin, Morris, Wilkinson, Shepherd, Keenan (2), Mansfield, Randell (2), McDonald, O’Brien. Third A.—Williams, Nimino, Hill, Blom, Knighton, Taylor,'Anton, Rollins, Pearce, Lux ton, Wilson. Third B —Eagle (2). Gaskin (2), Monk (3), Lewer, Bowler, Hawkins, Cox, Wildermott. Fourth.—King. McKenzie, McGavin (2), Hull, Rankin, Burkett, Daley, Shorter, Hutohings, Maolndoe, Ebon, Burnie, Mahoney. Boys.—McDonald, Nimmo, _ Barker, Whittair, Hadley, Cooper, Smith, Henderson, McKenzie, Hilstone, Adams; emergencies, Nimmo, Adams. UMPIRES' ASSOCIATION UMPIRES FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24th. SENIOR. Institute v. Midland, Basin Reserve, No. 1; Bock and Steele. Petone v. Old Boys. Basin Reserve, No 2: Sevan and Webb. Y.M.C.A. v. Thoradon. Kelburn Park, No. 1; Bailey and Francis. Wellington v. Hutt, Hutt, No. 1; McKenzie and Jenness. JUNIOR A. University v. Porirua, at Porirua; Cocker and Bowler. Old Boyß v. Midland, at Newtown Park, No. 1; Little and Hastings. Wellington College v. Johnsonville, College Ground, No; 1; Eglin and Tidman. Institute v. Sclwyn/ Kelburn Park, No. 2; Toomath and Pickering. Wellington v. Pelono, Petone, No. 2; Cleland and Gough'. Kilbirnie v. Y.M.C.A.,. Wakefield Park, No. 1; Jessup and Neilson. JUNIOR B. Y.M.C.A. v. Hutt, Hutt Ground, No. 2; Wickham and Brown. Eastbourne v. Central Mission, Wakefield Park, No. 5; Ohatfield and W." Hutchings. Wellington v. Kilbirnie, Kilbirnie, No. 1; Forsyth and Watta.

RAILWAY. Junior C v. Old Boys, at Duppa street —Boesley, Cunningham, Bmmins,. Gray, A. Cornfoot, Knapp, Mardon, McLeod, Niokless, Swan, H. Thompson. Third A v. Thomdon, at Kelbnrn, No. 4r— J. T. Collin, Furness, O’Connor, Howell, Williams, J. H. Wilson. Gill, H. A. Stewart, Mouat, Stokes. Third B v. JPetone, at Petone, 1.20 p.m. train —W. F. CollThs, Finlaysan, Hawk, Mechaen. Mitchell, Martin, Ogden, Ihrunn, C, G, .Wilson, Steel,

spectators, and on the 21st lread_ the game was all square, 105 each. This necessitated the playing of an extra head, in which Spencer scored nine points, and thereby won the match. This wonderful game was- the outcome of a brain wave received by the match committee, one of whom was giving a demonstration of the merits of this great innovation. The object was to show the world in general, and bowlers in particular, that the manner in which the scores in single-handed games have been registered ‘for hundreds of years past is altogether wrong; and that the Thoradon Club, notwithstanding its reputation for conservatism, is capable of making a highly desirable alteration intended to improve the standard of play. The method of scoring is, of course, provided by the laws of the game, as laid down by the Dominion Council: but the Thoradon Club is not troubled by such a trivial matter as this. Did it not produce last year’s champion of champions? Why should it not be superior to Dominion rules? Moreover, what hope has any other club when one of the Thorndon juniors can tie with, a veteran, who la able to register 105 points in 21 heads? •it would hardly be fair to give away the details of such an extraordinary innovation, but if there are any bowlers aspiring to become the champion of champions for the season, and hope .to be in it at the finish, they should certainly make inquiries from the Thoradon match committee as to the process by which they may make such an overwhelming score. WHAT IS WRONG WItA OUR GREENS? ARE THERE TOO MANY EXPERTS ? “John Bull” is naturally a conservative fellow, and is inclined to stick strongly to existing customs and habits. By some process unknown, there became established in connection with our bowling greens what are known as green committees, or green superintendents. In bye-gone days they may have been of some use; but, so firmly fixed has become their annual appointment, that most bowlers would stand aghast if any member stood up at a general meeting of a club and declared that they are a useless encumbrance; that the office should be wiped off the slate; and, further, that constituted as they are, they are a menace to the well-being of the green. Such a declaration (it is suggested) would, however, be very close to the mark, ana more power to the howler who is able to bring about a change in .the present system of control of our greens. To be on the green committee is an office sought after by every inexperienced members of the club. There is not a player who is not absolutely sure that he knows exactly what is the right thing to do to put the green in good order. Many do not aspire to the office of president, as they may not have the meanß or position to do justice to the office. Few wish to. be on the match committee, as it exposes them to much criticism; but everyone is willing to be on the green committee. It is always the fault of someone or something else if the green goes wrong. The result (it is contended) is that those elected to the 'responsible position of the care of our greens are ill-fitted for the job. A member of the club who may happen to live close to the green is often chosen as superintendent, so that he can persistently harass the unfortunate groundsman with absurd directions, and do as much mischief as it is possible for him to do, until he is displaced at the first annual meeting by someone else whose knowledge is probably a good deal , less. Is it a wonder, therefore, that in a great many coses howlers see their property going baqk under their very eyes; while to play on some of the greens requires the temper of an angel, or the patience of a Job. The faot of the matter is that “there are too many darned experts.” All that is required in the preparation, of a bowling green is the knowledge of what is the proper thing to do, and the industry to carry it out. It is time (it is argued) the offices of green committee and green superintendent disappeared, creating, as they often do, an unbearable position for a conscientious groundsman, and at times sickening him of his job by constant irritating and ridiculous interference. What is required is one real expert, to have charge of all the greens within the city and suburbs —a man who is capable of producing a really first-class green. By this means all the greens should be good, and one no better nor worse than another. Should there be anything wrong, the responsibility could then be quickly and definitely fixed. At present bowters can only growl—no one is to blame. COACHING BECINNERB AN EXCELLENT IDEA. A few copies of tho combined programmes of the Bowling Clubs m the Auckland Centro have found their way to Wellington, and have elicited interesting comment on the various phases ot the game that are peculiar to Auckland. One point that has come in for favourable mention is the system of appointing a club coadli for beginners; and it was noticed that the parent club, Auckland, had elected! as many as three ooaohes. It would no doubt be on excellent thing for bowling if this feature wero generally adopted by New Zealand clubs. It would prevent many an unforlunato tyro from adopting, through

ignorance, a false or cramped style, thereby effectively preventing him ever becoming a scientific bowler. Once a player settles himself down to his own idea of delivery—too often bad—it is practically impossible to get _ him to change it, unless, of course, ho is a very exceptional mortal. This view of the position is heartily supported by "Trundler” in the “Auckland Star.” Only last week, he writes, ho saw a beginner squatting down almost on the mat while preparing to deliver his bowl; and the beginner m question was quite delighted to learn that the accepted style of delivery is to stand' up perfectly erect until ready to step forward with one foot and deliver the -howl. He was also interested to know that it was not necessary to wobble his bowl, and that by holding it correctly he could ensure its running on an even keel. Of course, remarks “Trundler," this was on a green where there was no club coach, for otherwise he would have been taken in hand by the proper official at once. VICTORIA CLUB'S TEAMS TO-DAY’S MATCHES. The following teams will represent the Victoria Bowling Club in to-day’s fixtures: — Pennant, against Hataitai. Away: Campbell, Pole, Tucker, Snaddon (s); J. B. Martin, Jamieson, Luke, Hunt (s). At home: Thornley. Hatch, Foasette, Bolton (s); Bailey, Paul, Fraser, Jackson (s). Friendly, against Hataitai. Away: Griffin, Rodtmond. Baudinet, Betty (s); Madeley, J. TV. Martin, A heavy ’ist of police and summons J. Stevart, Clarke, Colo (s). At home: A. Dixon, Beveil, Scolon, Mitchell (s); Combs, Hanghtan, Chitty, Mack (s); Bawnsley, Forrester, Collett, Dement (s). Junior Pennants, against Petone.

While, W, J. Boss. Foas, A. Wallis (s).