Blame the clubs, not centres, for small entries

It was a pity the women's division one interclub was all over in a day.

Congratulations to the Terrace End women for their win.

Being four points clear of second-placed Palmerston North and six points clear of last year's winner, Northern, certainly showed Terrace End's dominance.

They succeeded because of preparation and that other major ingredient, desire to succeed.

When I look at all the other results it is clear some clubs and players want to succeed and others are there for a day's bowls.

To have only four entries in the women's division is a result of the apathy of clubs and centre officials to interclub over many years.

As long as this attitude continues, our game will never reach the numbers of years ago.

Only clubs can make our game strong; don't blame the centre – they are your representatives.

Next Saturday, divisions one and four men will be completed and the following week women's division two and men's two and three will finish.

Under the staggered draw concept and with four rounds yet to play, the winners could come from a number of clubs.This Sunday at Northern, our men's and women's representative sides play Hawke's Bay in senior and development grades.

The first round is two singles, one pairs, one fours and the second round is two fours and the third round four pairs.

This is a curtainraiser to our annual fixture with Wellington, Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa on January 31 at a Kapiti club.

Usually the quadrangular event involves six players per grade, but with the change from triples to fours in the national intercentre, I would expect our teams to have seven players this year.

Selector Eric Watson has raised a few eyebrows with the selection of his team to play Hawke's Bay.

From the team of 12 that travelled to Wanganui for the Arnott Shield, eight have gone (four had to go because of the smaller team), but four new ones is a bit of a surprise.

The new players are Philip Skoglund, Chris Barrett, Craig Gush and promoted development member Shane Rogers. The four survivors are Pat Horgan, Steve Toms, Ross Ellery and David Walker.

The selection of Shane I commend. It is time he played against the best the other centres have to offer and see how he goes.

The other three are all past centre representatives with Craig's selection being the joker. But if he produces the form we know he is capable of, then Eric will have produced another winner.

The Manawatu development side is very short on experience.

Eric has picked some talented young players; the problem is that this season many of last year's team have graduated to the senior grade and with them the experience.

A rebuild is required. Let's hope that the few with some experience meet the standards required.

The team: Grant Simms, Cameron Nairn, Mark McIntosh, Mike Abraham, Ted Hodgson, Bruce Harris, Martin Hammond and Jacob Aldridge.

The women's teams were published last week.Last Thursday Terrace End had a full entry of 48 teams in their Christmas ham tournament. The weather wasn't the best, but the hospitality was top class, so let's hope their example can be repeated by other clubs in the New Year.A week or so ago I suggested it was time for a change in the administration and direction of our game. With this in mind, I have decided to make next week's column my last.

As a centre, we need the input from members who are in the age group required and have many years of play to come. I will join the group of watchers and waiters.Tomorrow the hearing involving our national fours representatives will be held in Christchurch. A change has been made to exclude the press and public from attending.

Good bowling, everyone, from skogsbowls@xtra.co.nz

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