Four Albury representatives at that meeting, myself included, believe he gave such an assurance and representatives from the Riverina and Wagga districts are in agreement.

Mr Beard said at a zone meeting in October last year that a motion was moved for Albury to abide by pennant conditions of play or opt out of the zone.

He claimed he held that motion up until after the meeting at Temora.

Twelve months on and the situation is little better.

Albury clubs voted at the annual meeting to start in grade 3, play four games before Christmas and have a 14 or 15-week season depending on the number of teams.

Mr Beard and the state match committee rejected that, saying pennant could not start before Christmas, there could not be 14 rounds and three teams have to remain in grade 2.

It was explained to Mr Beard that clubs want some pennant before Christmas so the season ends in March, like most summer sports, instead of continuing until April or May.

By having some play before the new year, it reduces the possibility of losing players to the neighbouring Ovens and Murray (Group 6) association just over the river.

The extended season helps clubs financially because getting bowlers through the door is essential.

There is no doubt many clubs are struggling in the present economic times and some in Zone 8 are close to shutting their doors.

It appears that some compromise for the coming season has been reached but that does not address the long-term issues.

Information about Albury’s pennant problems was sent to the Royal NSW Bowling Association for inclusion in the Zone 8 section of the state magazine last year.

It was vetoed and cut from the column so it appears that the state hierarchy is sensitive about the issue.

Albury’s disenchantment extends further with the state match committee ruling recently that an SS & A bowler can play club championships there and pennant with a Wodonga club.

There is a loop hole in a premier league rule which allows it but what a farce, and consider the implications for an association on the state border.

Some of the more militant members in clubs have suggested Albury should play its own pennants in the grades it wants and pull out of Zone 8 competition.

That would be a radical step with serious implications.

But as each year goes by with more problems, the push seems to be gaining momentum.

The RNSWBA suffered a significant loss of income last year and no doubt part of it came from players refusing to register and play pennant, preferring to simply play social bowls.

While the state powerbrokers continue to take a hard line, the numbers will dwindle.

It’s time they had a long hard look at the future, particularly for country clubs instead of pandering to the Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong areas along with big clubs along the coast.