ON THE GREEN Bowls and Bowlers

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 676, 30 May 1929, Page 6

ON THE GREEN Bowls and Bowlers

By JACK I-lIGII

(By JACK HIGH) Set in an intensely crowded background of brilliant bowling victories is the name of the famous Ponsonby skip, Arthur Parsons. Moreover, the mere mention of his name is sufficient to conjure up immediately vivid memories of almost countless final gaines where this player of international fame was to be seen dominantly fighting out the concluding honours of oft-time lengthy and most strenuously contested tournaments, from small local club events to those blue ribbon tests for Dominion bowling supremacy. Indeed so many victories are to his credit that it would be quite impossible to review accurately the names of the first flight of Dominion bowlers without placing the name of Parsons among the foremost exponents of the game in the Dominion and even Australia, and perhaps the whole world, so prominently and familiarly has he figured in bowling over the last decade. And in reference to this notable player, it has been frequently advanced by pessimistic commentators that like unto the stars in the heavenly firmament even bowling luminaries will shed their brilliance with the inevitable passing of time—that the masterly skill of co-ordinating hand and eye on the bowling green must bow to maturing years. And for a time indeed it looked as if this dismal contention were lamentably true—that it was impossible for Parsons to come back to his old-time form. But during the past season he has notched a small victory here and another creditable win there, adding further by a good display in tho recent Dominion tournament in January last; while those who were present on Saturday to watch the contest for the trophy competition—the Edwin Stars—witnessed one of the most brilliant come-backs that has been staged in bowling for many a long day; for Parsons was back to his oldtime form again. The old time-hon-oured skip was confidently at his best once more. Supported by a good team comprising Allen, Richardson, Somervell. he met a challenge from Carlton, including the players, Clarkson, T. Mountain, Kilgour, Wishart. Although the latter team played exceptionally well it was not in the hunt for the coveted honours. Indeed. it seemed quite impossible for them to score at certain stages of the game against the deadly work of Parsons; lor time after time he would change the score against him to his favour by his old-time brilliance, bringing spontaneous roars of applause in appreciation from the bank. Of his side they all played good bowls. Allen, Ponsonby’s popular secretary, in the lead- i er’s position drew excellently throughout find was an outstanding player in the game. He was supported well by Richardson and Somervell, while, when it looked quite impossible to draw the shot, the old-timer would draw to bare inches. Never, for quite I some time past, has such bowling been witnessed. If Arthur Parsons can retain this form Auckland will witness many tournaments again going to the credit of this giant of the game in the past.

Probably all bowlers who have entered the numerous tournaments conducted by the Auckland Bowling Centre are familiar with the genial Te Papapa skip, Mr. J. J. Donnell, for his pleasing personality has been one of the bright spots of those pleasurable events. And his appearance on Saturday in a new role as the able organiser of a very large party of “Nomads’’ visiting the Mount Eden Bowling Club was another instance of a bowler who prefers to ’"Fflay the game for the sociability that is oft quoted as one of the main features of the popular sport. It was no wonder then that Mr. Donnell was the recipient of many congratulations for the amaz-

ing growth of his team. Indeed it may be said with accuracy that it was certainly the largest team of players ever organised from the clubs in Auckland. In this respect Mr. J. Findlay, president of the club, when welcoming the Nomads, made special mention of this feature and described it as the strongest party ever got together as it included several Dominion champions and representatives of Parliament, also members of the medical, legal and educational professions. Professor Walker and Mr. J. W. JTardley responded on behalf of the visitors, and both expressed their personal pleasure at being linked up with a party that placed sociability first on the bowling green in preference to keenly contested games for definite honours. Much interest centred in the name Nomads, and Mr. Hardley found much pleasure in the fact that he heard Professor Walker define the name. Nomads, as a name given to a body of men who always desired sociability. The only definition he could find was that they were a hody of men who wandered about in search of green pastures. If that were the definition then they were indeed successful; for the Mount Eden greens presented a pretty picture of bright green sward that afternoon, and the Nomads were singularly successful in their search. Certainly the event of the match was a great success, and Mr. Donnell announced that it was the intention of continuing the wanderings to Onehunga next Saturday,. in view of the query raised at the last meeting of the centre, delegates requiring information as to who controlled the three winter challenge trophies competitions—the Denison Pins, the Edwin Stars and che Jordan Pins—it will be of interest to bowlers to know that a suggestion was tabled at the last meeting of the Auckland Centre Executive that that body takes charge of the competitions in future. The _ suggestion after careful consideration was turned down. It was explained that the competitions were inaugurated under special conditions laid down by the donors of the trophies without reference to the Centre Executive. That they were successfully carried over the respective periods that they were in existence is beyond doubt, and the Centre Executive saw no reason that there should be any change in constitution or running of the competitions, nor did the Centre Executive see that it had the power to assume such control at. any time.

The annual meetings of the respec- ! live clubs in the Auckland Centre are due to take place within the next few weeks. Then is presented the time and opportunity for all bowlers to adjust their differences in the government of their clubs. Furthermore, matters which have rankled in the minds of members during the past season are given full opportunity for ventilation and, if worthy of consideration. adjustment. Moreover, officers for the ensuing season are elected at these meetings. Bowlers, of course, can be relied upon to be studiously careful in their selection, for a good selection means much to the harmony of club life and. indeed, the general welfare and future advancement of the sport. For each bowler has his responsibility when he considers that he is not only a member of bis club, but an integral unit of a nationwide organisation of bowling.

As is usual, the Carlton Club is the first in the Auckland Centre to hold its annual meeting and also as usual it will set an example to all clubs in the matter of an unusually healthy balance-sheet. The club seems to be able to hug a good balance-sheet just as easily as its members can hug the jack in keenly-contested frames.