BOWLING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 266, 13 November 1935, Page 6

BOWLING

•(By

"THE SKIP.")

Bowlers in Wanganui appreciated the weather conditions last (Saturday and took lull advantage of the bright sunshine which served as a welcome break to the drab monotony of rainy and blustery week-ends. Full rink competitions were launched by the majority of clubs in Wanganui and suburbs on Saturday. The Centre competitions will soon be in lull swing and these will occupy attention for several weeks to come. Thu Centre’s annual Ciiristn.us tournament will again cater for many local enthusiasts and a number of visitors toward the end of December. The announcement of the closing date lor entries may be expected at any time now, and these intending to take part in the tournament would be well advised to commence getting their rinks together. .Several of the clubs report that the rain has benefited greens considerably in the past couple of weeks, ensuring a prolific growth of grass and a thick swafcl for summer play. Last year’s dry season played havoc with some greens, but unless the wet weather causes greens to become- sour this season’s rain is sure to be welcomed. Members of the Wanganui Club have commenced their full rinks '’.competition and the draw will be announced their week for all the club competitions. Members will go on with these games immediately the draw is made available, and this should enable the (Competitions to be advanced as rapidly as possible. Wanganui East members got off the second round of their full jinks competition on Saturday. Weather condiz lions were ideal, the bright sunshine drying up the green and making for a good draw on both hands. A number of first-year players were observed putting in good work and their efforts won more than mere passing interest. Entries closed on (Saturday for the club competitions and the draw is posted in the pavilion. All first-round games are to be completed by November 23. These competitions have filled well, nearly all members competing. It is pleasing to note that a singles competition for “colts” is again in vogue. During the week members of the green committee have been hard at work and their efforts are beginning to bear fruit. By Christmas the green Should be at its best and should again uphold its reputation of being one of Me best in the Wanganui Centre. Evidence of the zest with which St. John’s Bowling Club members are entering into the season’s competitions was furnished by tdie attendance at the greens last Saturday, there being over 100 present. The greens are in excellent order, the new one looking a perfect picture. In the warmer weather—and that does not appear far off now—it is bound to prove a valuable asset when it is found necessary to spell either of the other greens. The season’s competitions are now in full swing, the draws for the various pairs and singles games having been posted in the pavilion. Full Rinks Competition.—This commenced last Saturday, 108 players participating. This excellent muster on a Saturday afternoon shows the keen interest being taken by members in this popular competition, played on wbat is called here the “Ponsonby ; system. A Singles.—Forty-three players have entered for this and the issue is very open. B Singles.—There are 38 players in this, the former C singles competition having been abandoned. Colts Singles.—ln this there are 11 first-vear players, who, no doubt, will have an interesting competition as each plaver plays eachy and should therefore gain much valuable experi-

ence. A Pairs.—This is the, “classic” of the various competitions, and soinr good games are sure to bo witnessed On paper the strongest pairs appear to be Wallace and Glover, Fleming and Kirkwood and Ormsby and H. Harris. There are 22 pairs in the competition and none of them “easy.” B Pairs. —Of the 14 pairs iu this, the strongest appear to be Barrowmain ana Kidd, both playing very well at present, i!nd McChesney and A. Pepper. C Pairs. —Twelve pairs comprise this event and the issue is very open. The winning pair may come from either r. Whitlock and Downey or Tremain and Boss. # Handicap Singles,—This is to be played later in the season, when many of the players have been eliminated from rhe above competitions. This year it is being played on the “sudden death” principle, so that finality should soon be reached. Timidity, or fear of failure and defeat, is a great obstacle in the way of success to a bowler. Ils antithesis, over-belief in one’s ability to succeed under all conditions, is another. Successful bowlers have overcome almost entirely—no one ever entirely con-que.’>--the fear of failure. That is the bogey of bowlers. That conquered (writes “Forehand’’ iu the Australasian) there is nothing but insufficiency of ability to prevent any player -winning the highest honours the game can offer. That is why the novice who shows skill enough to leave his contemporaries behind is warned by the Nestors in his circle to play competitive bowls as bften as he can, because, until he learns to accept defeat with equanimity he cannot expect to win competitions worth winning. The fear of defeat breeds nervousness. Nothing affects a bowler more prejudicially and more quickly than nervousness. It causes him to “pull” and “push out” “hand on to his bowl,” and deliver too soon. Nervousness and reason conflict. Reason is essential to bowling successes. The game is scientific. I have been told frequently by players playing a losing game that “that hand will not ‘work.’ I can’t get it at all,” and yet they have drawn occasional touchers. Nervousness made the statement. Reason, which, temporarily, they had abandoned would have assured them that what they had done with one bowl, another, similarly lx.-wled, would have done also. -Mr. H. P. Oakey, secretary of the New Zealand Association for the season 1935-36, has lost no time in getting out posters and pamphlets giving details of the games and information regarding accommodation. Board can be obtained in hotels from 7s to 20s per day, while some of the private hotels are quoting from 5s 6d to 12s 6d. Any bowlers desiring further information in regard to this tournament should get in touch with the secretary, c/o. P.O. Box 689, Christchurch. The champion singles commence on

Monday, January 6, and continue on the following day. Five sectional games are assured. Entrance fee, 10s each. First prize, trophy to the value c-f £5 ss; second prize, £2 2s. Champion pairs on January 8 and 9. Three-bowl games, five games in section play; entrance fees, 20s per pair. First prize, trophy to the value of £5 5s to each of the winning pair; second prize, £2 2s to each of the runnersU P- . The champion rinks continence on January 10, and continue with sectional play for four days, two games each of 25 heads per day. The postsectional play will continue on the t wo-life system, three games per day of 21 heads. Entry, £3 per rink. Prizes: Trophy to the value of £5 5s to each of the winning rink, and £2 2s each to the members of the rink getting second place. Entries close with the secretary on Tuesday, January 3, and all entries must be made on the prescribed form and signed by the secretary of the club. These special forms of entry may be obtained fre-m secretaries of all affiliated clubs. Special concessions are being arranged for rail and stearmen