Bowls

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 31, 31 October 1928, Page 9

Bowls

(By

"No. 3.”)

SOMETHING ABOUT THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM HOW RINKS WERE SELECTED. It may surprise many bowlers to learn that the New Zealand bowling team which has just completed its tour and returned to New Zealand, was never given the opportunity of appointing either a manager or q captain. The duties of those offices were all centred in the president (Mr. J. W. Hardley), who, it is said, was also a member of the selection committee. It might be advisable in future touring teams of the kind for the Dominion Bowling Association to formulate a constitution which shalt provide for the fair distribution of offices, and not allow everything to be centred in the one person, no matter whom he may be. Mention was made of the Selection Committee. This committee only lasted for a certain time, when it resigned owing to certain circumstances that arose. When the team left New Zealand, no bowler with any knowledge of bowling standards considered it in any way representative of the Dominion’s bowling strength. As a matter of fact there were seven or eight poor players in the team, who had to be carried along, as they eould never be relied upon to play a good shot in an emergency. At the outset of the tour in England these players were, quite naturally, omitted from the teams by the Selection Committee more often than-others. Instead of taking this like sportsmen, it is stated, it was resented. They made the chain; that they should play as often as others in the team. Perhaps seventy-five per cent, of the team were against that attitude, as it reduced the playing strength of the team, yet such was the reluctance of members to speak up at the meeting held that the grousers carried the day (the president with them). It was decided that the team be divided into six groups of five players each, and that one of the five stand out in each match. The result of that action was that on several occasions three or four of the soundest skips and No. 3’s would be found on the bank, whilst a corresponding number of indifferent players were engaged. Following, this arrangement, the Selection Committee tendered its resignation, on the grounds that, having grouped the players as decided, there was nothing further for them to do. The arrangement referred to is reflected in the team’s record. Its playing strength was below that of the 1921 team.

Coining Dominion Tournament.. There is no mistake about the growing interest in the big Dominion tournament, to be held in Wellington, in January, the prelude to which will lie the test matches between New Zealand and Australia, to commence on January 3. Such is the interest in the event on “the other side” that the Victorian Bowling Association has issued and circulated a poster to all affiliated clubs, giving the dates of the closing of nominations, and the tournament itself. These nominations (in Victoria) closed on Monday last, and a meeting of nominees was set down for to-day (Wednesday). After such propaganda as this, a good entry of Victorian bowlers may be expected,, as a backing to the six rinks that are coming from New South Wales (as per letter from the N.S.W. president), Mr. John Scott, published last week). The Queensland secretary writes discreetly, stating that it is possible that some players from the Banana State may attend the tournament. “Some” and ’’may’ ’are dubious terms—they express a doubt. So far, nothing definite has been received from South Australia, but there is almost sure to be a representation from that State. Western Australia’s Team.

Contrary to expectations, Western Australia is to be represented at the January tests and tournament. The secretary of the Dominion Bowling Association (Mr. R. W. Shallerass) has received the following letter from Mr. Josh Hammil, secretary of the Western Australian Bowling Association, under October s:— , “Our meeting with Mr, S. M. Stone’s party, in Melbourne, and the happy day we spent with Mr. J. W. Hardley’s touring party, at Fremantle, have aroused reciprocal feelings between this State’s and the Dominion’s bowlers. As a result, about ten bowlers from here will be accompanying the Australian team to your Wellington carnival, and I trust Mr. Hardley will find it possible to consummate his expressed intention to get together a team to come to our Centennial Carnival, in October, 1929, when we expect about two to three hundred Eastern States’ bowlers. Anything I can do to secure a good team from here, will be done cheerfully.”

A Marlborough Revival. Those 'Wellington bowlers who visited .Marlborough last season will learn with interest that the Riversdale Club, then in pretty low water, has been rejuvenated under the name of the Marlborough Bowling Club, n number of members of the Blenheim club having, in a spirit of pure sportsmanship, hived off from that nourishing club to give a leg-up to the riverside club. Their efforts have been attended with wonderful success, and last Saturday week saw the revived club open its very much improved green with 51 playing members, and a very bright prospect for the season. There was a large attendance of members, and the president (Mr. D. Haswell) gave a resume of the recent history of the club aud told how it had been reborn. He stated that the club proposed to cater for lady players by devoting the green to them for' two hours every afternoon, save on Saturdays and holidays. The Marlborough centre concluded its season witli a credit balance of £2 17s. (id. The visit of the Wellington players cost the centre the sum of £l5 over and above receipts. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. I). Haswell (Marlborough) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. Wadsworth (Blenheim), .T. Murray (Kaikoura) and Healey (I’icton) ; executive, Messrs. Harvey and Mills (Blenheim), Kirby and Duncani (Marlborough), Renner and 'Watt (Kaikoura), and two members appointed by the I’icton club; secretary (Mr. Thomson (reelected) ; treasurer, Mr. Llanfear (reelected) ; auditor, Mr. K. J. Harvey (reelected).