THE SPORT OF BOWLING

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1934, Page 10

THE SPORT OF BOWLING

ON AND OFF THE GREEN

ALTERATION IN SHIELD PLAY.

IS IT IN PLAYERS’ INTERESTS?

LEARNING TO BOWL CORRECTLY.

(By

“Running Shot.”)

Year after year the same old hardy annual—the question of shield competition play—is brought forward at the meeting of the North Taranaki division delegates. Suggestions are made for an alteration in the method of play by keen delegates and, more often than not, their acceptance is granted with little previous thought to the beneficial or detrimental. affects that may accrue to the average bowler. The most striking point, however, is that after a season or two these new schemes are generally dropped and the old and well-tried tworound home and home games reverted to. At the meeting of delegates a week or two ago another new scheme, which entails playing shield matches fortnightly in one round, and so leaving room to sandwich in friendly inter-club games, was promoted and passed by a margin of two votes. However, owing to an oversight, the Fire Brigade delegates were not notified of the meeting and on a protest a fresh meeting to consider the scheme has been called. There are points both in favour and against the plan and the result of to-night’s meeting will be eagerly awaited. Disadvantages of Proposal.

Bowling in Taranaki has always been on a high plane and shield matches have been a strong factor in holding the keenness and interest of club members, but by playing only fortnightly and lessening the duration of the fixtures interest in the game will undoubtedly diminish and the standard of bowling seriously affected. Another point against the scheme is that where large clubs are drawn to play small clubs twice in succession quite a large number of players will not compete in shield games for a full month and without doubt this will cause dissatisfaction to the average class bowler.

Then again, take the friendly games aspect. These matches are most enjoyable, and have always been freely advocated. But unless a round of fixtures is definitely set down clubs will find great difficulty in satisfying their requirements, for the clubs first in will be the first served and the remainder left to fill theirs as best they can or stay at home. However, if the new style of play is adopted it is up to all bowlers to make the competition as keen and interesting as possible and thereby let it sink or swim on its merits. Advice to Beginners.

In bowls, as in all games, to become a good player one must adopt correct methods right from the commencement of play and, when a fault is detected, the player must concentrate on its correction or he .-'will fall into haphazard methods which speedily cause deterioration, and progress in mastering the finer points of the game is lost. To the beginner it must be emphasised that in actual play the delivery is ninetenths of the shot. The other tenth, judgment of green and length, comes with practice and experience and cannot be taught. The correct _ method of holding the bowl—or grip—is the first essential and it must be recognised right from the start that it is not the whole hand but the fingers and thumb which are used in bowling and, unless a man has learned to use his finger-tips, the most sensitive part of the hand, he will he lucky if he is within yards of the kitty. 1 Of the fingers, the three middle ones are the most important, the thumb and little finger being used to steady the bowl while it is being delivered and themselves taking no actual part in the delivery. The middle finger should be laid along the middle of the under surface of the bowl, pointing straight forward. The index and ring fingers lie alongside the middle finger, the distance separating them being a matter of convenience. The thumb and the little finger are placed, one on each side of the bowl in such a position that the bowl is held firmly, and yet comfortable by all five fingers. The exact position of the thumb and little finger varies. Many players have adopted the method of placing the thumb on the top of the bowl, but it is generally considered that the former method is tha To test the grip tire arm should be swung back and the bowl held upside down. If the player feels that the bowl is held securely in all positions, then it can be assumed that the grip is not far wrong. A feeling of comfort and security is essential, as it is impossible to deliver correctly if the player is afraid that the bowl may slip from his grasp at any moment. Ideal Delivery.

Having made sure of the correct grip, the bowler now makes ready to deliver the bowl. He should stand erect on the centre of the mat and facing the hand he is to deliver on. The ideal to be aimed at in the actual delivery is that the bowl should roll smoothly off the three middle fingers. To achieve this the delivery is made by a swinging motion of the arm, the bowl leaving the hand at the lowest point of the swing. The bowl should not be bumped on the green. This requires that the body be lowered by bending the knees. Most players take p step forward with the left foot, at the same time bending the knee. If there is a tendency to drop the bowl this can be corrected by bending the right knee still further. Until the bowl has left the hand the body must be firmly balanced on both feet otherwise unsteadiness will result and the delivery lf the correct length of step has been taken the right knee bent sufficiently, the right hand will be at the lowest point of its swing when opposite the left foot and It is* at this point that the bowl is actually delivered. After the bowl has passed from the nand there must be no attempt to check the swing of the arm. This “followthrough” is most important, as when the bowl rolls off the hand the three fingers are the last parts to touch the bowl, and if the follow-through is performed correctly the fingertips give “running side” to the bowl which then follows its correct course without any tendency to wobble. For a correct delivery it is essential that all movements of the body must be made smoothly and harmoniously. Jerkiness of any kind is fatal. Taking the Green.

The problem of the afnount of green to be taken is next to be dealt with. There are several methods such as taking a point on the bank or selecting a spot on the green and delivering the bowl over that spot and adjusting the green accordingly to the class of shot necessary, or if the kitty has been shifted. The best method is that in which the amount of green taken is decided by the stance on the mat. When getting ready to play a shot the player takes up his position on the mat so that he is facing squarely the amount of green he is to take. He then steps

straight forward in the direction his body is facing, at the same time swinging the arm straight, forward. If he wishes to alter his green, he turns his body more or less, to the right or left as the case may be. - . . Another advantage of this method is that in every shot, no matter whether a harrow or a wide green is required, the movement of the arm relatively to the body is always the same. Thus, if a beginner learns to deliver accurately, when •if comes to a playing shot, all he needs to do is to take up a position on the mat for the needed green, then knowing that the correct green is assured he can concentrate on the length. Acquiring Length. Having mastered the delivery and the method of taking the green, all that is left is the length. This, however, cannot be explained. Only by constant practise can a player develop accurate length, and two of the strongest factors in acquiring this is a correct grip and delivery. Labour Day Bowling. To accommodate bowlers over the week-end and also the Laboui Day holiday on Monday next, several competitions have be arranged by clubs. The most important fixture, and one that should have a large following, is the one-day tournament to be held at Paritutu 'on Monday. Entries close with the secretary, Mr. H. Jordan. Further afield at Hawera a one-day tournament is also to be held, while most of the New Plymouth clubs are arranging progressive pairs, etc., Club Memberships. Over the past three or four years the membership of many Taranaki clubs has been steadily decreasing and the resultant decline in club revenue has given not a few cause for consternation. By March, .1933, the membership of all Taranaki clubs had dropped to 1051, but over the last season the game has received a decided fillip and at March, 1934, had risen by 81 to 1131 members. The following is a list of the memberships of North Taranaki clubs prior to the commencement this season: New Plymouth 93, West End 69, Fitzroy 67, Pantutu 59, Waitara 54, Vogeltown 48, Lepperton 34, Fire Brigade 28, Urenui 23, Awakino 17.