BOWLING

Opunake Times, 15 October 1935, Page 2

BOWLING

NOTES AND COMMENTS PAEK CLUB OPENING. (By ‘‘Couch”). Those eight local players who were privileged to . attend the above on Saturday were thorough ly satisfied with their outing. All expressed surprise at the early keenness and smooth-running of the Park green, and were very appreciative of the Park Club’s great hospitality. The weather was ideal, keen games were enjoyed by all, and the visitors were catered for in every respect. For them it was a real “treat.” Western Division Rink Matches A meeting of delegates of the

Western Division was held at Opunake, the following clubs being represented : Okato, Opunake, Pihama and Auroa.

Mr F. Julian, convenor of the meeting, and Centre representative, was voted to the -chair' v It was decided to play two series in the Pinks Competition, commencing with the first round on Saturday, 2nd. 2jr°v em ib' er - The following clubs each nominated two rinks: Okato, Warea, Opunake, Pihama, Auroa. This means that a by# will be necessary each round. The draw will appear this week. The following resolutions were adopted:— (1) Drawn games to stand. 25 ■ heads only in each game.

(2) In event of ivet weather 34 heads out of 50 to have been played, otherwise match is replayed. (3) No player who takes part in the Wednesday rinks competition of the Southern Division to be eligible for play in the Saturday Western Division rinks competition. Players for Selection Opunake players must_now decide whether they wish to be selected for the Wednesday or the Saturday rink matches. The Wes* tern Division’s third resolution clarifies the position. Four rinks are required for Wednesdays, two other rinks for Saturdays. This means that about half the, memberswill be catered for itq match play. It is sincerely hoped that games will be arranged for those not selected. Choosing Bowls. In order to play our best game, our delivery must be easy and smooth. It is essential that we select a bowl which we control, and generally handle with pleasurable ease and confidence. No matter whether wooden. rubber or Henselite bowls are preferred—the size anfl “feel” are the all important factors, together with a reasonable bias. Some players argue at length (and get nowhere) about the virtues of the various materials, but Individual judgement is best —• su.t vi urself. Do not be bustled in matter of choosing bowls. To “feel” a bowl is to touch it away with the finger tips. A keen green is essential for this. Early in the season ‘punching” rather than “feeling” is the order, owing to the heavy state of the greens. As the greens become keener so is the “feel” or ‘touch” acquired, enabling us to draw within inches of our object. Obviously, a bowl behaves

very differently as the green is heavy or keen. Thus it is wise to test a new set of bowls for a whole season before deciding to acquire it. Never rely merely on an ’’October test.” Changing Bowls. Many experienced players often desire to quit their bowls and acquire a new set —often of a different material or bias. Each playt r, of course, will recognise his own needs and special likes n- dislikes. However, the next paragraph is worthy of attention. How r often do we notice cases such as the following ? A player becomes dissatisfied with his play, blames his bowls, and decide on a new' set. He fries out his new set, plays tw o or three “rattling good games” with it; and makes the purchase. A w'hile lat ;r he “goes off” and cannot regain form or confidence. He is very soon back on his “good old set. Several such cases may be quoted. The delusion lies in the fact that “a change is as good c s a rest.” Try a. strange set of bo#ls for fun, and notice, almost invariably how' well you shape. The very act of changing freshens up your play. Equal Weights. It is important that the W'eigbts of all four bowls correspond, and remain stable. Even a fraction of an ounce makes a big. difference on a keen green. The". composition has an advantage over the wooden on this score, hut the latter has compensating features. To mention one, the wooden bow'l has more “life” than the composition especially on a heavy green. Poker'Bowls.

A “poker” bowi is a distinct disadvantage on a keen green,, particularly when short heads are played. The distance the “poker’ bond has to run is than that of the wide-drawing bowl to the same objective, so a very delicate touch indeed is required, the player tending to play “over the head.” Again, it is ''much easier to block from the head a'“poker” than a “wide-drawer.” 'Also a poker bowl annoys players with reasonably wide-drawing bowls, often leading such players astray, in.their efforts to gauge the correct green. It is a good policy, therefore, to choose bowls of a wide rather than of a .narrow bias. We often hear “a lead needs only a narrow-drawing bowl.’ The error of this will be pointed out later.

Useful Tests. Players, old and new, try these

simple your bowl from the ground, using onl y the fingers of your playing hand so that you have your natural grip, and are ready foxplay, without further adjustment?

(2) Ditto, after immersing the bowl in water (or upon removing ft from the winter oil-bath) ? (3 y Employing the driving grip, swing your bowl in your playing hand from your side, straight forward, bringing it u£ levef with your head. Give half-a-dozen or so good long swings—drawing the .arm well back, and swinging well up to head-level. New Players. New players or players without bowls should make arrangements So that they have access to a set of four bowls—not merely a pair, or two pairs. By commencing the season’s play with four identical bowls much confusion and disap. pointment is avoided, and a more ready grasp of the game with quicker progress is assu£d. Players who have hcplrliseasoß or two's bowling have a good idea of the gSCmef and of which bowls they prefer. For those who intend p urchasing bowls (or even borrowing them), the following points are offered for their study, and help perhaps: (1) Choose whichever material appeals to you. (2) Pick bowls that are on the small side rather than a handful. This will enable you to cultivate a finger grip which most players prefer to “palming the bowl.” (The tests set out above are useful). (3) Avoid sets with little bias or of unequal weights,