BRITISH NOVEMBER SPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 4 (Supplement)

BRITISH NOVEMBER SPORT.

ALL BLACKS AND THEIR CRITICS.

The Racecourse " Big Three" — The Golf Ball Controversy Re-appears.

Our London correspondent this week refers to the All Blacks* first international match—against Scotland—which left the

critics still talking of the team's luck, and the public of the opinion that the New Zealanders are pursuing a policy of regulating their wins to narrow margins. Some turf, golf, cricket and boxing gossip of interest is included in the letter.

LOXDOX, Xovember 2S. THE AGA KHAN'S TURF WINNINGS. The racing season which has just ended (writes our racing specialist) will chiefly be remembered for the triumphs of Bahram, the Aga Khan's colt, whose feat in capturing the three classics, the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby and St. Leger, has not been equalled for 32 years. Xot only by his record but by the manner in which he won his races Bahrain proved himself a great horse, and from the public point of view it is unfortunate that he has already been sent to the stud instead of being kept in training to run in next year's cup races as a four-year-old.

The season has also been notable for the continued success of the triumvirate who have dominated the sport in recent years, the Aga Khan, Mr. Frank Butters and Gordon Richards. They have once more been the leading owner, trainer and jockey. It is the sixth time that the Indian magnate has been at the head of the list of winning owners. His total has fallen substantially as compared with a year ago, but it is still as high as £49,201. Of this Bahrain contributed as much as £31,32S as the result of his four wins. Sir Abe Bailey is second on the list with £23,27!). His chief representative was Tiberius, who captured the Gold Cups of Ascot and Goodwood and was undoubtedly the finest long-distance performer. Lord Derby ranks third with £18,090 and but for the toad luck of having his champion Bobsleigh lame and unable to be trained his stake money would no doubt have been considerably greater. In fact, under happier conditions, Bobsleigh might have compelled the history of the season to be written very differently. Perhaps the most striking feature of the list of winning owners is the low positions of the patrons of the famous Beckhampton stable. Neither Lord Woolavington, who died midway through the summer, nor Mr: Dewar had horses of the usual class, and I am afraid the position may not be greatly improved next year when Mrs. Buchanan MacDona'ld, * Lord Woolavington's daughter, is to carry on her father's activities.

Mr. Frank Butters is, of course, the trainer to the Aga Khan, and the horses in his charge have won as much as £59,000. He has 'been remarkably fortunate in having so many fine thoroughbreds in his stable, and in the last four years they have earned over £270,000. 'Usually a trainer receives 10 per cent of the stakes he wins and during this period the earnings of Mr. Butters are probably a record. Once more Gordon Richards has ridden over two' hundred .winners, his total being 210. Next on the list is Harry Wragg with 102. Curiously enough, if the backer had had a level bet of £1 on all the jockeys' mounts a profit would only have, been shown in the case of Wragg. HOW THE NEW ZEALANDERS BEAT SCOTLAND. The New Zealanders have not played the spectacular Rugby of former teams from the Dominion, and they have not fired the imagination of the public. Their record, too, is not an impressive one. Indeed, in match after match they have scraped home by such a slender margin that it has seemed as though all the luck of the game was on their side. It is true that recently they have improved and played more convincingly, but there was a strong belief that as soon as they met the national teams their limitations would he exposed. It was imder these conditions that the All Blacks went to Edinburgh to oppose Scotland in their first international Test, and it was generally believed that they would be defeated. But from the way in which they commanded the game there is now the strongest suspicion that all the time they have held a good deal in reserve, and that it has been through this that they have been able to pull so many games out of the fire when they were threatened with defeat. This, at any rate, is the impression of the public, although critics who have followed them in all the matches still insist that they have been an evtraordinarily lucky team.

Perhaps they had a little luck against Scotland. This was through the latter losing W. C. Murdock, one of their centre three-quarters, after they had taken the lead in the first half. During the time Scotland were a Man short the New Zealanders scored twice, and though Murdock later returned to the field he was not able to do himself justice, and-the balance of the fifteen was seriously disturbed. But Scotland were a disappointing fifteen. They were badly beaten forward, especially in getting the ball from the scrums. Indeed, I think the New Zealanders' heeling was quicker than in any previous game, and the speed of the pack in following up the backs to give support to the attack told considerably in their favour. The set passing of the backs was not difficult to check, but the team work as a whole was superior, and it was to this that their victory could be traced. The Scottish backs, apart from the trouble caused by the injury to Murdock, were handicapped in playing behind beaten forwards, and they did not dominate the game to anything like the extent expected. BIG PROFITS ON SOUTH AFRICAN TESTS. The popularity of the South African cricketers, and the all-round strength which they revealed, ensured the success of the Test matches last season. It was known, of course, that they . had resulted in a handsome profit having been made, but the exact amount has just been disclosed by the M.C.C. This was £10.088, and the authorities are able to distribute £.V>4 to each of the counties. To f roost of them this is a rare windfall and will help them to relieve their financial burden which has accumulated. How the South Africans have advanced in their public appeal, as well as in their cricket, is indicated by the fact that, when they were last here in 1929 the profit on the Tests amounted to only £7540, or less than half the sum made last summer.

Arrangements have now been completed for the coining of the Indians next season. They have been allocated three Tests, which are to be played at Lords, Manchester and the Oval, and, as in the case of the South Africans, they are not to extend over more than three days, except in the event of the first two being drawn. In that case the third at the Oval will be continued on the fourth day.

The Indians are to be invited to play all their matches under the new lbw rule, which is to remain in force, and it is expected that they will agree to this arrangement. It is not intended at present to alter the rule to embrace the new conditions. This will not be done until the Australians are prepared to accept them, but it is significant that its continuance in this country was unanimously approved. Indeed, it can now bo said that English cricketers, as well as those of South Africa, have been completely converted to it. The Indians, it is understood, will be captained by the Nawab of Pataudi, who has played for England both in this country and in Australia. In the circumstances it will be necessary for him to seek permission, and the authorities have not yet been approached in regard to the matter. It will be in time, however, if the application is made in the

spring. . The death of the Hon. F. S. G. Calthorpe at the age of 43, is a sad blow to cricket. He played for Cambridge University in 1913 and 1914, and after the war. in which he served in the Royal Air Force, he captained Warwickshire for nine years. He was a close friend of Percy Chapman. They were both members "of the team which A. C. MacLaren took to New Zealand in 1922-23, this being the first time that either went on tour. OUthorpe was an attacking batsman of an unusual type, and he was also a very useful mediumpaced bowler. THE GOLF BALL AGAIN. The golf ball has been a bone of contention ever since it ceased to be a floater. Year by year the manufacturers have increased its power of flight until now even the scratch amateur can make his 300 yd drives, at any rate when the ground is dry during summer. Indeed, it has been a matter of extreme difficulty to maintain the balance between the ball and the course, and it has only been done by lengthening the holes. To-day no'one accepts the position, as satisfactory. It is agreed that length is too easily obtained. But the handicap player "takes pride in his long shots, and lie' indignantly protests whenever it is suggested that he should sacrifice a little ""distance. Even with all the extra length he can attain he funis the game still difficult, and at times baffling. He is, in fact, a problem that tho authorities have not been able to solve. Inasmuch as he comprises 90 per cent of the players, his interests must be considered and safeguarded. In the circumstances, they have not attempted to curtail the flight of the ball even to fall into line with America.

A few years ago the Americans introduced a standard ball of larger diameter and also of less weight, but it was very unpopular. Immediately it was called the "balloon." and it took so many yards off the length of shots that plavers refused to use it. As a compromise the size was retained, but the weight was increased to that of the British ball, and this has proved more satisfactory.

It is' suggested that this American ball should now be adopted by St. Andrews, and in the hope of proving that it would be satisfactory it is to be put to a test in a match in which Oxford and Cambridge players will be on one side, and well-known amateurs on the other. But it will be hard to move St. Andrews because they know that the majority of players are strongly against any change. In effect they say "let the hall alone. It is splendid: it does not fly far enough for us." There, I think," the question will be left. BOXING AND BOXERS. Jackie Brown, the former flyweight champion of the world (writes B. Bennison) has had an unfortunate experience in venturing into the bantamweight class. He sought to take the title at the latter weight from his friend Johnny King, but he was battered into submission in the sixth round and though he displayed brilliant form in many respects he seemed incapable of landing a blow to disturb his opponent. Both live in Manchester and for three years they have been coached and managed by the same man. It was believed that Brown was the better boxer, but until now their difference in weight had kept them apart. As a matter of fact, owing to their close and friendly association I do not think they had any desire to meet outside the gymnasium. Indeed, although he was a party to making the match, the manager declined to be present owing to the fact that he could not be in both corners.

It was on a technical knock-out that Brown lost. That is to say, he was not counted out. But when.the referee very properly stopped the fight he, collapsed under a succession of rapid blows and was sitting on the second rope of the ring in a helpless state. He was, in fact, unable to raise a hand to defend himself and he was beaten beyond recovery. King was too strong and hardy for his opponent. From the start the men fought fiercely and Brown showed the greater speed. In fact, he piled up the points, and it. might have paid him better if with his lead he had been content to box his man instead of being ready at all times to take part in an exchange of punches. It was obvious that whenever King landed a solid punch Brown was hurt, and these blows had a marked weakening effect. Still, although the latter might have had a better chance if he had boxed on steadier lines, I think King would probably have worn him down and won by a knock-out. .The Heavyweight Battle. • The lowest charge for a seat at the Petersen-Harvey fight will be 12/, which, of course, is explainable by the big purse, little short of £10,000. At least that is what the promotion in its

entirety will cost Wembley. It may seem incredible, but it is none the less a fact, that the demand for tickets has been so large and persistent that places wijl be at a- premium long before the men are due in the ring.

The interest in the fight is extraordinary. I have seldom known anything like it; and it goes to prove that, as ever, there is an unlimited public for boxing of meaning, ajul purpose. Speculation as to the result is already tremendously keen. Only the slightest odds are obtaining on the Welshman. I cannot recollect a more generous Harvey market. His stock has certainly never stood higher. Critics and laymen alike are decided that, if he can reproduce form equal to that by which he defeated Eddie. Phillips at Plymouth, he will retake the title. It is unfortunate that, in view of the furore developed by the matching of the champion and his challenger, it is not possible to have a Wembley tournament next month as originally intended. There is any amount of material to exploit. Queue Of Big Ones. I cannot remember a time when there were so many heavyweights itching to light. Ambrose Palmer's departure for home, of course, had nearly all, to do with upsetting pre-arranged plans, but I am still at a loss to know why Tommy Loughran was not matched with Phillips, or Maurice Strickland found an opponent. Then there are the survivors of the £1000 competition, all eating off their heads, to say nothing of Cowboy Wenstob. whose victory over Pat Marrinan has given him new heart. Marrinan, as might be expected of such a thorough-going young fellow, is all for fighting the Canadian again. He swears that if it had not been for a badly damaged eye he would have pulled through at Belfast, a point upon which City promoters would do well to keep an eye. I mentioned to Tommy Loughran, in a talk I had witli him shortly after his arrival, that if Ireland could find a suitable opponent for him he would make a small fortune. Cannot Belfast induce the famous Irish-American to fight in her ring? En passant. I should like to say that last Monday I took a peep at Pat Desmond, who crossed St. George's Channel some .weeks ago, and is for the moment settled in London, together with one or more of his pugilistieallyinclined countrymen. Not Up to Hopes. I regret tO.tell my Irish friends that in what was his first professional contest he did little more than prove his courage. He was up against a potteries youth named Leese. and by the end of the sixth round he had been beaten. I was hoping for much from Desmond, and frankly I was disappointed with him. Ho has a deal to learn before he may hope to hold his own against even thirdraters. Still, he is of the stuff of a fighter, and J would not discourage him.

I would, however, have him realise that he- lias a long way to go before he may find anything near to fighting completeness. And that goes for Norman Baines al.so. It is true that Baines beat Jack Pcttifer for the second time at the beginning of the week, but lie is very crude. T saw no improvement in him. As for Pettifer. I- am afraid that for the purposes of fighting really worth while his stock is not high. He cut a rather pathetic figure. He was very brave, but rather inept, his enormous height and prodigious weight being of no advantage to him whatever.

Jjetween them seems to be easy. At any rate, Baines is keen for fights, and, unless Poord is otherwise engaged, he would do well t'«» accommodate him. It is a fight that would make a strong appeal to Leicester, if only because it would give Foord a mucb-to-bc-desired chance to wipe out the painful memory of Wembley. Larry Gains, of course, will not bo content until he has Foord in the ring again, and from what 1 have oathered a second fight between them will follow almost as a matter of course. First, however, I would have Foord take the soundings in the matter of Baines.

Before he took the ring Baines gave •it out that he proposed to go to America by way of improving his education. With every deference I suggest that he might find'all tlie knowledge and experience nt. home. T cannot see what the States have to offer him. I take it that he has duly noted that Ben Foord beat Larry Gains at Leicester, and by so doing made conquest of folk at that city., where he has for some time had his home.

I assume that the South African will ever .smart untifhe has turned the tables upon Baines. and, since I have no doubt that the Catford giant is quite sure that if they were to meet again he would be the winner, the way to a second match