Event demeaned by default

It was an unusual situation.

The Browns Bay triples team hopped on a plane and defaulted when it had a chance to win a national title.

The North Harbour-based team had pre-booked its flight home before coming to the New Zealand Club Championships in Dunedin and chose to ignore its obligation and commitment to play in the final.

It is true that because of rain the final started 90 minutes later than the scheduled start time, but it would still have been a tight schedule to catch the plane had the ''no time limit'' final started on time.

The Browns Bay players knew during the last two games of section play that they would miss their flight if they played in the final.

That was the time they should have withdrawn. It would have given the third-placed Burnside club, of Christchurch, the chance to play in the post-section rounds. Only the top two teams in each section progressed.

Playing in a national final would excite most serious bowlers. Winning a New Zealand title in any sport is the dream of any serious sportsman.

Bowlers are proud to win a club title and excited to win a centre title. Winning a national title sends them into ecstasy.

Defaulting a national final should be a no-no for any serious bowler. They made that commitment by starting the post-section rounds.

If a bowler is injured or becomes ill the team is allowed to bring in a replacement player.

The actions of the Browns Bay men's triples team demeaned the New Zealand Club Championships.

It should not be allowed to happen again.

 

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