BOWLING

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 8

BOWLING

| . BY

JACK.

The British visitors have been criticising our two-life system, and <tlso our section system, saying they prefer “sudden death,” so that it is rather refreshing to learn that the two-life finds favour in the eyes of Mr 11. Husband, captain of the Scottish section of the touring team. He says that it is gradually getting more popular at Home, and that they are thinking of introducing it as jkhe official system in Scotland. The British bowling tour has now come to an end. and nearly all those who made the journey to the Antipodes are how or. their way back Home. From the Britishers’ point of view the tour has been a successful one, as they ■won the majority of their games in Australia and New Zealand. In New South Wales they won the “ rubber ”—a very creditable performance. Of course, they wert> not all champion bowlers, and at no time did they profess to be. With only three Internationals out of a party of 40, they could not be expected to be other than u medium class of bowlers. Thciv tour has been a most strenuous one, too much so, in fact, and in future when teams conic here from abroad it is sincerely to be hoped that they will not be mad* such rush affairs. The wonder is that on this occasion the visitors stood up to it so well, as they were not all youthful by any means. Considering the size of tho party—4o men and If ladles—the manager, Mr Walter Wake, has not been holding down a siuecure, •nd one can realise that he will thoroughly appreciate the holiday lie and Mrs

Wake are now having. It is their intention to see more of the Dominion before going Home. During the latter part of the tour Mr Wake has been incapacitated with his right hand, an excessive amount of handshaking having had a like effect on him as that which the Prince of Wales experienced on his world-wide peregrinations. Such is the penalty of being a jolly fine ‘•sport” Undoubtedly the visit of the British team has dope a wonderful amount of good in cementing the ties of Empire and in the making of new friendships, even if neither side has learned a great deal about bowling as a result of it, and it is to be hoped (writes No. 2 in the Wellington Evening Post) that it will not be long before a New Zealand team makes another tour of the Old Country. When our team does go Home it should be a smaller one than that of the British bowlers w'ho have just left us. A party of 50 or 00 is too unwieldy to manage with ease, and it would be surprising if Mr Wake did not find that out while the British party was being chased about all over the place. It is to be hoped that one result of the visit will be the early constitution of a real, live International Board through which the negotiations for tours between one country and another can be conducted. With such near neighbours as Australia, of course, New Zealand should be able to make its own arrangenwnts for trans-Tasman visits without reference to the board, but such a body could be of use in promoting tours between the two Hemispheres. It might also do something useful in codifying the laws and rules of the game. At present these are somewhat “rafferty,” and each country seems to go as it pleases. This is not altogether

satisfactory. England has one set of rules governing the length of the head, ani. we have another. Why not the same? As Mr Wake remarked in conversation with the writer, New Zealand has “collared” the game from the Old Country and adapted it to suit itself. That is all very well, but now that there is a prospect of international visits becoming more frequent, there does seem to be a case for attempting to reach something like uniformity in the matter of rules. At the same time, the International Board, when constituted, should not spend the whole of its time legislating. Rules there must be in any game, but it is always possible to become too “finicky” in this respect, and to indulge in the manufacture of rules just for the sake of doing so. In the opinion of some bowlers it is just a question whether there are not too many rules already, and “No. 2” has heard complaints that some of the delegates to tne Dominion Council spend too much time in between meetings furrowing their brows in the endeavour to find some fresh minor amendments to bring forward when next they have the opportunity. This may or may not ho the case, but it is a danger that should be guarded against, especially on an international controlling body. One of the happiest notions on the programme of tho smoko concert in Wellington, at which tho British howlers were entertained wero verses (written to the lilt of “Come to tho Fair”), entitled “Como on tho Green.” composed by Mr J. J. Roberts, of the Wellington Club (writes “No. 2” in the Evening Post). Very cleverly he managed to introduce tho name of every player in the British team, and in sovertal instances to introduce personal touches that were hailed with delight by the visitors. The following verses are a sample:— Of Soots thero are twenty: from Glasgow come seven—

Heigh, ho! Come on the Green; There’s one hails from Wishaw, a young bridegroom, “ye ken”— Heigh, ho! Come on the green. There’s a Stephen, a Baird, and a Thomas Miekel, Wee Jarnsie from Bathgate, good stories to tell— So it's come, then, Jarnsie, my man, On the green in your pride in the morning; You’ve “Mair” time for play, it’s your birthday to-day— Heigh, ho! Como on the green. Now, Morrison, Brodie, Lawson, and Inglis— Heigh, ho! Come on the green. By bringing your wives, see the good things you miss— Heigh, ho! Come on the green. Which Bryson and Fleming and others did find For Maoriland’s lassies are loving and kind— So it’s come, then, Hunter, just man f> On the green in the pride of the morning. Your judging of rugs. George, was just the just thing— Heigh, ho! Come on the green. And till Father Time claims the throw of the jack— Heigh, ho! Come on the green. We hope to this country you’ll .always come back— Heigh, ho! Come on the green. To meet all vour old friends whose friendship is dear, And make many new, as you’ve all done this year— So it’s conic, then. Wright and your men. Back with Husband and Thomas and Millar—“Farewell,” not “Good-bye,” let’s all merrily sing— Heigh, ho! Come on the green. AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. - SYDNEY, February 22. The fifth Australian bowling carnival, which attracted 774 entries in the singles championship and 246 in the rinks, commenced in fine, hot weather, and will conclude on March 6. Prominent among the New Zealanders who have entered for the .singles, the preliminary round of which was played to-day, are Messrs Melbourne, Orchard, Vic. Casey, G. Farrow, and Parsons, all four of whom won their way through t, tomorrow’s rounds. Casey and Parsons received byes. Melbourne Orchard and Farrow had easy victories. Both the latter were in good form, Orchard going ahead from the early stages of the match and drawing shots perfectly. He conceded his opponents only eight points. Farrow had even a more decisive success, winning by 23—4. The New Zealanders, by special permission of the Australasian Bowling Council, are playing according to their own association rules A number of local bowlers think that the association has overstepped the mark in granting this concession. Rain marred play in the afternoon, but no matches were postponed. The first round will be played to-mor-row. It is expected that the final will be played on Friday, when the rinks championship commences, for which New Zealand has" entered two rinks, to be skipped by Orchard and Parsons. Both are strong quartet's. The following were to-day’s scores: A. Parsons (New Zealand) received a for-' feit from Bunyan (New South Wales), Col?[uhoun (New South Wales) received a foreit from Harford (New Zealand), M‘Kinnon (New South Wales) beat J. Butler (New Zealand), 21—8. Langley (New South Wales) against Brabant (New South Wales) was struck out. Orchard (New Zealand) beat Rummell (New South Wales), 21—8. Farrow (New Zealand) beat Watt (New South Wales), 23 —4. Packard (New South Wales) "beat M'Lean (New Zealand), 22—8. Vic. Casey (New Zealand) received a forfeit from Gartrell (New South Wales). R. Melbourne (New South Wales) beat N. Casey (Fiji), 21—12. When the first and second rounds of the single-handed championship of Australia were being played the greens were heavy as the result of overnight rain. Following to-day’s play, Melbourne Orchard, Vic. Casey and A. Parsons are the only New Zealanders who will compete in to-mor-row’s rounds. Farrow was eliminated by a mediocre New South Wales player, Pickard. Farrow could not adapt himself to the heavy conditions of the gre and his'opponent had established a commanding lead before the New Zealander found his game. Orchard and Parsons, particularly the latter, played excellent bowls. Parsons on his form to-day is anticipated to be one of the finalists. He won both his matches by 23—5 in each case. He struck form from the first head and never left the issue in doubt. In the second round he defeated Coloquhoun, a solid Sydney bowler. Orchord’s margin of success was not nearly so decisive as it was yesterday. He was five up in the first round and six up in the second .ound. The New Zealander was off colour in the eaTly heads, and his opponent led B—l. Orchard from this stage played finely and brought off some brilliant shots, winning 22—16. Gustafsen, who holds the title, continued in good form and is now Parsons’ most formidable opponent, being equally at home on slow and fast greens. One hundred and twenty-eight now remain in the competition and by the end of tomorrow’s play it is expected that the number will lie reduced to 16. The demisemi and semi-finals will be decided on Thursday and the finals on Friday. Scores:— Round one—Pickard (New South Wales) beat Farrow (New Zealand) 21—13; Orchard (New Zealand) beat Biggs (New Soutli Wales) 21—16; Parsons (New Zealand) beat. Paul (New South Wales) 23 -5. .Round two.—Orchard beat Short (Queensland) 22—16; Parsons beat Colquhoun (New South Wales).23—s. SYDNEY, February 24.. The bowling carnival was continued in fine, cool weather. Th third, fourth, and fifth rounds of the Singles Championship of Australia were played. Sixteen bowlers, including Parsons, of New Zealand, now

remain in the competition. To-morrow night the number will be reduced to two. The date of the final, which was to have been played on Friday, has been altered to Monday. Melbourne Orchard was unfortunate to draw his countryman, Parsons, in tho fifth round to-day. The game was closely contested, but Parsons’s superior drawing shots decided the issue. Orchard had shown food form from the early stages of the carnival, and it was expected that lie would be in the 16 to contest to-mor-row’s semi-finals, lie won his matches in the third and fourth rounds in a convincing manner, and it was a pity the association could not have placed the principal representatives of the States and the Dominion in different sections of the draw. Parsons continued his good form of yesterday, and registered a praiseworthy feat, defeating in the third round T. Harrison, one of the best singles players in the State. The most points that any player had scored against Harrison up to that stage was five. Parsons opened in brilliant form against Harrison. He won the first six heads, and led 13 to love. The New Zealander played short heads, and his drawing shots were splendid. Harrison won the seventh head and threw long which disconcerted Parsons. Harrison scored 11 points before Parsons found his length on the fourteenth head. The New Zealander then forged ahead to win 23r—--13. Tile green was slow, which interfered considerably with Parsons’s play. His bowling under the circumstances was remarkably good. In the semi-final to-morrow Parsons will meet W. Barr, of Victoria, who was run-ner-up in this event in 1912. If Parsons succeeds in this match he should have an excellent chance in this event. There were several surprises to-day. Gustafson, the present holder of the title, was eliminated by Costler, of Victoria, in the fourth round. Costler is now considered Parsons’s most formidable opponent for this year’s title. With the exception of Western Australia and Tasmania, all the States and the Dominion are represented in the demi-semi-finals. Scores : Third Round.—Parsons (New Zealand) beat Harrison (New Sbuth Wales), 23—13; Orchard (New Zealand) beat Brown (South Australia), 21—12. Fourth Round.—Parsons (New Zealand) beat Gabriel (New South Wales), 21—7; Orchard (New Zealand) beat Pickard (New South Wales), 22—10. Fifth Round.—Parsons (New Zealand) boat Orchard (New Zealand), 21—19. February 25. Play was further advanced to-day in fine, hot weather when the single-handed championship was brought to the final stages. The final will be contested on Monday. The surprise of the day was the defeat of Parsons in the seventh round. Parsons up to this round had played splendid bowls and it was generally expected that he would take the title to New Zealand. In the sixth round he showed the same form, and Bower (South Australia) who was responsible for his elimination was not given a change against the New Zealander in the seventh round. Parsons opened well and with the score at 9—l in his favour it was expected that Bower would be decisively defeated. Play in this match was commenced at noon when the heat was terrific. This affected the New Zealander and on the eighth head when he led 9—l his bowling became erratic and he seemed to have no command. Once, when playing a short head, his bowl found the ditch and on numerous occasions he was yards short. On another occasion when he was lying two he trailed the kitty on to his opponent’s wood. It was unfortunate the players should have been made to play in such heat as th .. was plenty of time in the afternoon to play the remaining matches. The New Zealander failed on both short and long heads, although on his previous play he has not an equal on short heads in Australia. On every occasion Parsons thew the jack very short and twice the measuring tape had to be used. Parsons, however, on each occasion was a foot over the limit. From the ninth head onwards Parsons bowled erratically and only added three points to his score. Bower was beaten in the semi-final later in the day decisively. Parsons by his fine sportsmanship made himself very popular. Scores: — Seventh Round.—Bower (South Australia) beat Parsons (New Zealand), 21—12. Semi-finals.—Clarke (Victoria) beat Bower 31—12; Oastler (Victoria)) beat Picket (Victoria), 31—22. AUSTRALIAN BOWLING COUNCIL. SYDNEY, February 24. At the annual meeting of the Australian Bowling Council all States were represented. In regard to the much-vexed question of standardisation of bowls in regard to shape and weight, the recommendations of the Australian Bowling Council Standard Committee were adopted unanimously and a resolution was also carried that the rules should come into operation in three years’ time from the present date. It was also decided that the next Australian Carnival should be held in Melbourne at Christmas, 1927. The following one will be held in Tasmania if tho Tasmanian Association is prepared to carry out the event.