ON THE BOWLING GREENS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 279, 24 November 1937, Page 4

ON THE BOWLING GREENS

PLAY IN NIXON CUP MATCHES

Wanganui bowlers were engaged in Nixon Cup games last Saturday, and the new system seemed to find favour with the majority. The gusty wind was very tricky at times.

Nixon Cup matches were played by five of the city clubs and Marton Club, the new system appearing to be quite satisfactory.

Wanganui. SI. John’s and Gonville completed their engagements, and Wanganui East and Marton have two more clubs to meet, the date for these games being set for December 4.

Gonville finished up with three wins, me tie and one loss; St. John’s with :\vo wins, two losses and one tie; and Wanganui one win and four losses. Wanganui East and Victoria Clubs each have two wins and one loss, and Marton one win and two losses.

It is only fair to state that the two big clubs, Wanganui and St. John's, selected their rinks apparently strictly to club classification, although the rules allow of skips being played as •‘threes” and leads being played as "twos.” This action would be appreciated by the smaller clubs, who had a larger proportion of their membership engaged.

The decision of the Marton Club to take part added to the interest of the competition and it is hoped that Waverley may take part next season; also Rapanui and Castlecliff.

With Christmas only four weeks away it is time for those who have not arranged their rinks to get this done at once.

Probably the shortening of the statutary holidays through Boxing Day falling on a Sunday will affect some intending entrants, but good entries are anticipated nevertheless.

Bowlers are again reminded of the necessity of having the test stamp of 1932 or subsequent date on their bowls, also distinguishing marks according to rule. Skips of the various rinks should make a point of seeing to these matters and so avoid the risk of unpleasantness.

Considerable latitude has been given for several years on these and other points, but the time has come for the Jentre executive to be more strict.

There are still some "narrow” bowls n use, some of which may be stamped according to rules, but if the bowls are palpably narrow drawing ones :hey are liable to be questioned by •Hub or tournaments officials. Cases nave been known of bowls being alter?d after the test stamp is fixed.

The old type of almost round bowl, ■vhicii, if put down with a "wobble,” .could run almost straight and never correct its run, is gradually disappearing. The sooner they go the better as they are an annoyance to players generally, especially to opponents. The newer models of all makes are of a shape that it is practically impossible for them not to correct the bad de--14 very of their owners.

Yet again is stressed the importance of having at least one foot entirely on the mat, preferably three inches from the front, at the moment of delivery. This should not be a hard rule to observe but many bowlers transgress unknowingly.

With the prospect of a dry bowling season green superintendents will have enough worry trying to keep their greens in good order, and the digging of toes into the green when delivering the bowls causes damage. Green superintendents would be quite justified in insisting that such actions be penalised.

The writer remembers a Dominion tournament at Auckland where an umpire exercised his powers and caused bowls so delivered to be stopped. It cost at least one player a game. No one in the game wishes to be officious but rules are rules and when damage, sometimes irreparable, is being done to the green, one cannot really blame those responsible for their care if they insist on the observance of the rule. I know that some players who do not have their feet on the mat when delivering their bowl do not damage the green hut it is a bad example to others.

In Australia BOTH feet must be on the mat when delivering the bowl and they are very strict on the observance of the rule.

If leads and twos observed the rule and retired to the bank when not playing they would help save the green also.

Seasoned players should know and young players should be told also not to “fan” out when watching the skip’s play. Frequently they cause annoyance to players in adjoining rinks. If they get on the bank they will not transgress in this direction either.

This criticism is not given with any carping spirit but simply with the idea of making the game more pleasant for all concerned.

Many players object to playing second in a team, thinking it is a slur on their ability. In a really good team the "two” position is a most important one, correcting when the lead has failed or consolidating when he has succeeded.

I am sure the genial Maxwell Walker will not mind my re-telling a story in this regard. "Max” was getting a team together in Auckland to compete in a Dominion tournament in Dunedin. He was short of a "two” and heard of a member of another club who might fill the vacancy. This player was approached and said he was available but wanted to know what position in the team he had to take. In telling him it was the second position Max stressed its importance, saying it was really the "key” position. "Yes, Max, probably it is, but I don’t remember you ever playing in this ‘key’ position.” He accepted, nevertheless, as would the writer if he had the chance, Maxwell Walker being one of the finest bowlers who ever played in New Zealand.

Psychologically, such a team has the advantage as, if they are defeated no one is surprised and if they are holding their own with a seasoned team the latter are more likely to be affected. More than one club skip owes his position to having demonstrated his suitability in the manner described. St. John’s Club Notes This week’s notes will be very brief, the date for finalising the A and B singles and pairs having been extended until Tuesday, November 23, preventing comment on the position. The club enjoyed its Nixon Cup games under the new system and the greens looked gayer than usual with the multi-coloured blazers of visiting rinks. St. John’s finished up with two wins, two losses and a tie (with Gonvillc). There was some doubt as to whether these games would count as full rink games and in consequence those taking part in the club rink games also were advised to play them as if they did count. It has since been found that they do not count in the club’s competition. The rinks competition will be continued on Saturday. Members unable to be at the green before 2 o’clock sharp would greatly oblige by notifying their intention of attending so that the start of play may not be delayed. One man’s failure to do so might upset the whole draw.

The Team’s Skipper. As in cricket and football, or any form of sport for that matter, a team must have a skipper, and in bowls that responsible position should be filled by a good all-round bowler and a player capable of promoting harmony and keeping a proper team spirit. He should be able to "size up” the men in his team and handle them accordingly. The skip who gets the most out of his team gets it by virtue of knowing by experience just what his lead, second and third are capable of doing. Many skips to-day are inclined to forget that they are only there in a controlling capacity and when the run of the game goes against them pass censure on members of the rink in a rather harsh and objectionable manner. No one knows better than the player himself when he has failed and is playing badly, and to have the result of his efforts broadcast over the green is certainly not encouraging. If these skips adopted a more conciliatory attitude and refrained from these caustic comments they would have gone a long way in getting the desired results. One matter which the writer would like to draw attention to is the careless and indecisive manner many skips are inclined to adopt when directing ! their men. Never offer the third a I choice of two shots; indecisiveness is fatal. Also make your instructions regarding any particular shot correct and definite. Always bear in mind that your man is at a disadvantage by not being at the head. Often a third will see and suggest a shot from the mat and generally it is a good policy to accede to the player's wishes as it creates confidence in his own ability and makes for team work.

Then there is the most important aspect of the game —the enjoyment one derives from it. Skips more Than anyone else have it in their power to make or mar the enjoyment of any game, and the match-winning factor should not be the sole objective. Treat your team and opponents courteously, and whether in defeat or victory give ( credit where it is rightly deserved. Always remember that the successful skip is not only judged by his prowess on the green but also by his popularity among his fellow bowlers. Wanganui Chib Jottings.

Another special appeal is issued by the committee to members to have their competition games played promptly. November 30 has been set as the first checking day, first and second rounds in the various singles and pairs contests to be completed by that date.

It is interesting to take a glance at the competitions board and absorb the lesson that bowls is a game which rarely produces consistency. Good players are just as liable to be off as the "mugs.” Here are a few jottings from the score board:—

A Singles—Cooke has beaten Tilley; Lowe has defeated Allomes; Williamson has accounted for Cramond; Engebretson has beaten Patterson (all in the first round). In the secand round Engebretson has defeated Cooke. B Singles—ln the first round Boulton defeated Hood; Norfolk beat Hammond; Collingwood has beaten West; Ryall has accounted for Kilgour; A. Tilley has beaten Bretherton; Cade has beaten Sperring. In the second round Hood has beaten Collingwood. C Singles—Hayward has beaten Young; Strachan has beaten Dr. Robertson. A Pairs—Goldstone and Gordon have beaten Allomes and McKay. B Pairs—Cade and Barclay have defeated A. D. Tilley and Strachan. Wanganui East Notes. With a view of having good turf for patching where required on the green, the working bee recently removed a pegola and trees and the space has been sown with special grass roots which, in time, will stool out and provide a compact piece of turf. This season, as was the same last year, the "No. 2” in lull rink play is being used as the lead, and was found to work with great success in winning games in intef-club matches. Some opposition to this system has recently developed amongst some members, and a meeting is to be held on Saturday to discuss the matter.

Owing to difficulty in the past in getting the competition off in time the Gordon pairs has, this season, been started much earlier. The number of pairs taking part are fifteen and are now engaged in the first round.

The selection committee is certainly alive to their duties and insist on all games being played to time. They are also making a special feature of punctual starting of play on Saturdays and ask that all names be in the

box by 1.55 p.m. By a punctual start the first game is finished earlier, which enables players to get off a second game, such as a singles or pairs competition game before darkness sets in.

Players who are not engaged in any evening play would confer a great benefit to others if they could come along to the green and act as markers in single competitions. It often happens that one marker tries to attend to two games at the one time. Assistance of this kind is much appreciated. The mid-week evening full rink competition which proved so enjoyable in the past will be resumed on Thursday evening of next week, December 2.