THEY TAKE IT SERIOUSLY

NZ Truth, Issue 1301, 20 November 1930, Page 16

THEY TAKE IT SERIOUSLY

BOWLS DEVOTEES AND THEIR GAME

THE POKER FACES

(From ."N.Z. "Truth's" Auckland Rep.) . MEW ZEALAND bowls players take 1' themselves and their far too seriously. Veteran Greg. Osmond, of Auckland, for instance, stands over the head, but shows no pleasure, bniy indicating where he requires a shot to be drawn. Taking his place on the mat, he plays with a long, graceful swing arid lets it go at that. That remarkably able exponent, Bill Bremner, is another silent player. Reserved and modest of nature, one could never Imagine. Bill m -his wildest moments bursting into joyous enthusiasm over any shot played. No better Illustration of this fine player's conduct caii be given than the - incident when an enthusiastic bow Ig r J. Kilgour brought his friend along to see Bremner play a final. ..•"..■ After watching closely a number »f heads, the spectator remarked: "Well; I wouldn't like to play him poker." . . Arthur Parsons' confident, resonw ant voice can mostly be heard well ■-. over the green favorably commenting on his team's shots. When he ; - ; does not approve of the quality, he • mostly thrusts his hands into - his - trousers pockets and turns 'his /back on the head to mark his disapproval... ;. When conducting his game, Jack Trus- • cott is always deadly m earnest. If, a bad bowl is played by. one of his team, he encouragingly remarks that the player will get it the next time.- And when Jack face's the head, he first throws his hat on the bank and delivers his "woods as if his life depended on the result of the game, - v Max Walker, probably the most grace- : ful and confident player the Dominion has ever seen, gives his ■ directions, m■ a clear and. concise manner. When he plays his bowls, he takes a few firm' steps up the green on his toes, bending * slightly from the hips, as if he were meeting a group of dignitaries -m some important University function. J Harry Clarke, that happy personality, adopts a bright optimistic tone, . praising the shots of his team freeryv and seldom shows any outward signs ' when the odds are against him. Dick ; Piikingto.n is another bright player.,'. ' " Norrie Bell has a confident tone. when he is conducting his game, and- his remarks are always short and crisp. Jack Kilgour can never be heard "furiously commenting. Jim ' Pascoe, " New Zealand's president, displays a nervous outlook. ■-■■.'-.! Jack Hardley plays his bowls as .if thj. results do not matter. The evidence .is fairly conclusive that New Zealand bowlers take the game too seriously. „-„...-