BOWLING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 53, 17 October 1911, Page 4

BOWLING.

I a TEE-CLUB TOURNAMENT,

(By Toucher.)

The decision arrived at by the delegates to the Taranaki Bowling Association at the recent meeting at Patea, to hold a provincial inter-club banner tournament, is one that should meet with general approval. At first I, with others, thought the scheme would not bo acceptable to several country clubs, inasmuch as it was believed the intention was for three rinks to play three rinks; but enquiry h-'s elicited the information that clubs will engage clubs just in the same manner as is in vogue now, with this difference, however-—the winning club will annex a trophy of really more value than the shield won at the annual tournament, as at the latter, at the most, only eight members of a club can' engage. The whole of the clubs of the province will bo drawn into the new scheme, hut matches will be played in sections—that is, New Plymouth, Fitzroy, West End, Waitara, Inglewood, Stratford and Eltham will try conclusions; Hawore, Waverley and Patea will do likewise; as will Mania, Pihama and Opunake. The winners of the south and central divisions will meet at Tiawera to decide which club shall play ,s '' the' northern ■winners—this latter encounter taking place on the Stratford green. I pre-

sumo that the play-off will be by the came rinks engaged in the original tournament. Looking at the matter from the broad standpoint of the general weal of the game. I think it is an excellent idea, notwithstanding that some clubs at the present time are in a much stronger position than others. The weaker clubs must make the best of the situation, and endeavour to enlist recruits of the right sort, so that in due course the tables may be turned. It is further understood that the tournament matches will take the place of the annual inter-club contests ; but this will not prevent clubs meeting clubs independently if they so desire. If there is anything wrong in the conclusions I have arrived at, it must ho attributed to the somewhat meagre information convoyed in the report of the meeting held at Patea.