Tournament organisers will be praying for clear skies today after rain forced the postponement of play on day two of the 51st annual South Pacific Bowls tournament yesterday.
With more than 400 bowlers due to compete in the pairs yesterday, wet weather forced officials to move yesterday's matches to today.
They had the luxury of utilising New Year's Day, with the knockout phase of the fours now to be held on the first day of 2010.
Zone 16 Match Committee Chairman and carnival organiser Brian Gibson said while there was no need for panic, it was important games went ahead today.
"The program stays on track - as long as we don't lose another day," he said.
"We've really got to go on regardless of the weather because it would be a real drama not to. We can afford a day but not two."
Although play has gone ahead in the rain in previous years, many of the venues for the South Pacific have had new greens laid and greenkeepers were concerned with the workload.
"A lot of the greens are very soft," Gibson explained. "Some of the greenkeepers didn't want to play. Some clubs would have played if we really had to, but for some to play and some not to causes too much drama."
Some players were upset that the pairs had been postponed.
"I can't believe they called it off - we've played in worse conditions over the years. I've played in torrential rain over the years. People come from far and wide to play in this tournament," one said.
Officials were happy with the running of day one of the tournament on Sunday.
"It went well - there were a few little teething problems," Gibson said.
"It's a new match committee but we got through day one."
Singles play begins today.
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