SPOTLIGHT ON BOWLS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19743, 23 September 1938, Page 11

SPOTLIGHT ON BOWLS

By "MAT"

Preparing for Opening- Day | The town greens have been the scene of great activity during recent weeks, particularly at week-ends, in preparation for the oflicial opening of the 1938-39 season on October 1. The Kahutia pavilion is beginning to show its true colour. Through the efforts of a small band of enthusiastic committeemen and members, splendid progress has been made with the painting, and it is hoped to have the job completed before opening day. A strong club spirit also exists at Gisborne. Hardly a week-end passes, even in mid-winter, without some evidence of work done to improve the appearance of the grounds and buildings. The flower beds and rockeries have received their share of attention, and they should provide a wealth of colour later on. • « * « Arthur Rusher Passes On In the passing of Arthur Rusher, the Poverty Bay club loses one of its strongest supporters. He was a member for many years, and the club often benefited through his generosity. The late Mr. Rusher possessed a bright personality, which earned him a large measure of popularity. News of his death last Tuesday came as a shock to his many bowling comrades throughout the district.

In 1931, Mr. Rusher presented a handsome cup to the Poverty Bay club for a handicap singles competition. Following is a list of the winners of this trophy:— 1931-32 H. Hughes 1932-33 G. Bennett 1933-34 .. D. G. Robertson 1934-35 T. W. Bayliss 1935-36 D. J. Duncan 1936-37 S. McKenzie 1937-38 A. G. Slight Each year Mr. Rusher presented the winner with a silver replica of his cup. Members of the Poverty Bay Ladies' Croquet Club also compete for a cup donated by Mr. Rusher. * * * * Kahutia Tourney Labour Day Kahutia is holding a full rinks tournament on Labour Day, October 24. Already several ' teams have nominated, and the outing should be as enjoyable as those held there previously. New recruits at Kahutia are receiving tuition every afternoon. They will appreciate the opportunity to learn something about the game before the season starts. In last Saturday's games at Kahutia, C. Holland proved that the new season holds no terrors for him. If the subject of an investment had fhown equal form, he would have had "two good wins." Even as early as this, some of the Kahutians are looking forward to attending the Ne\v Zealand championships in Auckland next January. * * * * Ballot for Skips at P.B. Poverty Bay club members select their skips each season by ballot. Voting will take place on October 1. In most clubs, the skips are chosen by the selectors. Rotorua has notified that no entries will be received before October 22

i'or its annual tournament in February. Last season this district was well represented, and already some of the local bowlers are hopeful of making a return visit. * * » • Old Man's Game? Thinking seriously of joining, a prospective player asked me whether bowls was not an old man's game. "Why pick on bowls?" I replied. "Don't old men and women play golf, tennis and croquet?" All this "old man's game" stuff makes us laugh. Give us a man of 25 or 30, and let us put a set of bowls into his hands to play through a Button tournament. The morning following the first day he would know that lie had been bowling. Modern bowling is gentle enough, but the constant strain of mental and physical exercise takes toll. A man must be fit to stand up to it. Few "matriculate" at bowls under three seasons, and few attain championship form under Ave. Visit any green to-day, and the sceptical ones will be convinced that bowls is just as much a sport for young men as it is for their elders. * * * * Chins Up Some players function best when "up against it." That applies to lots of things, and lots of people. Though your heart breaks, keep your chin up. If you keep remarking that "things are going against me," remember that it heartens your opponent. If the "gallery" doesn't give the glad eye, or the encouraging clap, that's the best evidence that it thinks you'll win. ** * * Members of the Kahutia Ladies' Bowling Club open their season next Thursday afternoon. An invitation is extended to all bowlers to be present.