A Notebook of Sport

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22765, 18 July 1939, Page 6

A Notebook of Sport

Another Rugby Acquisition In the Christchurch Club’s list of players for the senior Rugby matches in the last two weeks there has appeared the name of a new player, J. Ballantyne. Unfortunately for the club he has not, on either occasion, been able to play, but he is expected to be a regular member of the team in future. He should be an asset to Canterbury football, for he has been a member of Southland’s successful Ranfurly Shield team for the last two seasons, usually as full-back, but occasionally as centre three-quarters, a position he has. occupied in his club fifteen. He is a very reliable goalkicker. In the Christchurch Club he will join another noted Southland player. W. L. Crawford, who was transferred to Christchurch early in the season. Centennial Relay Race Offers of support are already coming forward for the committee organising the centennial relay from the Sign of the Takahe to Akaroa on the King’s Birthday week-end, June 1-3, 1940. A circular is to be issued shortly to every club in New Zealand giving details of the race. Already advice has been received that Dunedin and Wellington teams are keen to come. There is prospect of a big field. Table Tennis Leaders Canterbury lawn tennis players are playing an important part in the related sport, table tennis, which shows no signs of losing its popularity in Christchurch. The Canterbury Table Tennis Association’s ranking list is headed at present by C. Angas, provincial lawn tennis champion for many years and still, in the absence overseas of A. D. Brown, Canterbury’s best player. B. A. Barrer and M. J. Souter, also prominent lawn tennis players, are second and third respectively. The women’s ranking list also contains several players known in the lawn tennis world. The ranking lists at present are as follows: — Men—C. Angas, B. A. Barrer, M. J\ Souter. F. Levenbach, L. Meier, J. Saville, R. W. Sharp, D. Meier, M. McGillivray. V. Cowper. L. Muirson, D. Dalziel, H. Mcllroy, I. Henry, G. Lein, W. Vaughan, E. Lees, A. D. Sandman, C. J. Lamb, G. Rowland. Women —Miss M. Cramp, Mrs Muirson, Miss P. Andrew. Mrs E. M. Peppier, Miss L. Smith. Miss E. McClinn, Miss M. Peppier, Miss K. King Miss B. Hawkins, Miss M. Laing, Miss J. Potter. Miss J. Hussey, Miss N. Pearce. Miss N Smither. Miss M. Murphy. Gillies to Retire C. C. Gillies, All Black five-eighths in 1936 and one of Otago’s leading players over the last few seasons, has retired from representative play. Gillies has advised the Otago Rugby Union's selectors that he will not be available for forthcoming games, as he does not intend to take any further part in big football. Gillies, who is a school teacher in Otago Central, will be a loss to Otago football, especially if T. Berghan does not play this year. New Zealander’s Destination A New Zealander had the unusual distinction of playing for the Lords and Commons recently, in the annual match against the Houses of Parliament staff at Kennington Oval. He was H. G. Vivian, who recently arrived in England to join Sir Julien Cahn’s team. The New Zealander was, of course, not qualified to play for the Lords and Commons, but he did so at the invitation of Lord Ebbisham. The teams played 13 a-side, but at the last moment two members of Parliament were unable to turn out, and Sir Julien Cahn, a great friend of Lord Ebbisham, suggested that Vivian should play, and the New Zealander was given a warm welcome. "We were honoured and delighted to have him,” said Lprd Etobisham. Vivian made only 10, but later he took a turn with the ball, capturing two wickets. The Lords and Commons won by 8C runs, making 187 for 10, declared, against 101 compiled by the Houses of Parliament staff. Lord Ebbisham took four for 34. Athlete of Promise Most interesting performance in the Halswell cross-country race on Saturday was W. J. McDowell’s run into third place. A member of the Rovers team, McDowell has every chance of finding a place in the Canterbury team to go to Hastings for the New Zealand championships on August 12. Earlier in the season he won the B grade m the Kennett cu"> steeplechase. His run on Saturday indicated that he had made rapid improvement. He is a strong, well-built athlete, who appears to be good on both hill and flat country. Two Promising Backs Now that Waimairi will be losing the services of R. K. King and J. Clark after the next match, it must have been more than encouraging to the club’s supporters to see the high standard of the play on Saturday of J. Anderson, first five-eighths, and J. Wickens, centre. The former is improving with every game, and now he is a good allround inside back. Wickens, both on attack and defence, kept the chain balanced, and made it an attacking weapon instead of a defensive one, as it has’ been in most games. The forwards have undoubtedly been responsible for the team’s high position on the championship ladder, but now it seems as if the backs will also have a say.