BOXING.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1210, 3 December 1919, Page 3

BOXING.

. A few years ago the victory of a Frenchman over an Englishman in a boxing match would have created absolute astonishment. The performance of Carpentier and other French cracks, however, in recent years have taught us that our near neighbors arc now doughty opponents in the boxing ring. We had another illustration of this through the result of the bout between Walter Ross, of England .and Criqm,- of France. There wore some peculiar features in connection with this match, mainly due to tho excitement of the spectators. Up to about 14 rounds tiiere was very little to choose between the two men. From that stage, however the- Frenchman asserted himself, and towards the end of the 14th round he had his rival in great difficulties Ro SS was plucky, but his strength was gradually sapped through the punishment he had received, and he was sent to the boards towards the end of the round. His seconds thought that he was knocked out, and so did most of the spectators. Actually, however, only seven minutes had elapsed when tho end of the round was announced by the ringing of the 1 boll, which gave the Briton another "life."' -Meanwhile tho seconds of the men were in the ring, .and there was considerable confusion when ths referee ordered th* men to fight on. Although it was apparent thai; Ross wa3 well beaten, Criqui had no alternative, and he again sent his man down with a blow which ended matters. rhe winner recently defeated Noble, and it is quite evident that he is a good man. Thus it will bo seen that British boxers are not likely to have an easy thing when they meet French rivals in the future. Another important match this week brought Harry Reeve, of London, and Harold Rolph, of Norfolk, lato of the Canadian .Forces, together in a 20 rounds bout. Neither man showed particular science, hut both were eager from th» commencement, and hard punching was the rule. It was surprising how the men .stood the punishment, and every round loked like toeing the last. Naturallv their exertions took much out of them and towards the end both wore very tired indeed, and m (he 19th round Rolph in particular was staggering all over the ring. Ho just avoided a knock-out, however, and was;on his feet at the finish, when Reeve gained the decision on point*.

CRICKET. i Another cric'scfc season lias run its course, and, as readers of these notes are no doubt aware, Yorkshire claims the county championship. It falls to the lot of Hendren, of Middlesex, to show the way among batsmen, and he lias the excellent average of 61.29. J. N. Crawford. of Surrey, who has made a reappearance after several seasons in Australia, is a very close second with an average of 61, with Ilobbs, of Surrey (average 60.32), and Mead, of Hampshire (average 55.48), next on the list. Probably Ilobbs must be put down a.s the batsman of the year taken on all-round form. He has the largest segregate of 2,594 runs, which lie has scored in 49 innings, in six of which he was not out. The highest score of the year stands to the credit of Ducat, with

;■ total of 306 not out, and thia footballcricketer has had a. very good season. Turning to the bowling averages, Hardy has taken 18 wickets for an average of 13, but though he tops the table his performance cannot be compared with Rhodes, who claims 164,' wickets at an average cost of 14.42. Then comes J C. White with 128 wickets, average £>-.5:. The bssL. all-rounder of the season is Woolley, the Km: man having scored 1,083vnns, with a.n average.of 41.61, and taken 123 wickets at an average o/. 17.15. It. may !> t: addtkl that Rhodes hasXsc:Ored 1.23 V runs, with an average of 34.36 ; "\k&that Jiia all-round performance..*hows he is "still a.-great power in the cricket world.-