ATHLETIC SPORTS GAMES AND PLAYERS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26261, 4 November 1950, Page 3

ATHLETIC SPORTS GAMES AND PLAYERS

(By

MILES

The British open Champion

The British open champion of 1949 and 1950, A. D. ("Bobby") Locke provided a thrill for the golfing public of the South Island this week, and although he was not as colourful a picture as Norman von Nida, Gene Sarazen., Walter Hagen. Joe Kirkwood, and the young Victorian, Peter Thomson, he still showed that he was in the top flight of the game. Because he has won two British open championships in succession, Ix»cke Is an undisputed world champion, and ever if he did not provide golf as good as that which won him the two world titles, he did at least show his spectator that steadiness was more necessary than patchy brilliant play. Locke said that it was impossible for a player : to break 70 on every course he played. In tuning up for an open championship event* it was necessary to play for at least two weeks on the course. Thia period wa» necessary so that a player could adapt hinwelf to the local conditions. "At Troon this year, I played the course for 14 days before the championship, and I was completely at home when the tournament started,’* he said. Locke in all his exhibition matches has been completely relaxed. and. has not appeared to score well, but his policy of steady, rather than brilliant play is obviously that which is required to win world titles. During his stay in the South Island he was not as fit as he might have been, and at Shirley last Monday, in the very cold conditions, he still returned a tine scratch round of 73. At both Timaru and Shirley, he was not in the least perturbed that Woon and Glading were outdriving him. He still, more often than not, finished inside these two with his second shots. It would be difficult to give an accurate, description of Locke’s methods, because he was not striking the ball as well as he could, but the greatest lesson to be learned from the champion was the complete disregard of outside distractions. At Timaru, he lined up a six foot putt on a very heavy and uneven green, and the blaring of a loudspeaker in a traffic inspector's car on the road, did not deter him in any way. Since the game was evolved, short play has been the match-winning factor in championships, and Locke’s mastery and concentration have put him in the place he occupies to-day. Answers to Correspondents

Boxing Fan Greymouth:— (!) In 1837 the titles were won as follows;—» Fly-weight: H. Sheridan (Auckland): bantam: J. Parker (Wellington); Feather: K. Moran (Auckland), Light-weight: J. ColHrts (Msnawatu); Welter: D.(Poverty Bay); Middle: A. Sutherland (SMrthland); Light-heavy: T. Lester (Ashburton): Heavy: R Withall (Ashburton). Two All Blacks in B. McCleary (19S>-21). M. McHugh (1938) and K. Skinner (1947) ail won the New Zealand Heavy-weight Championship. Rugger. Timaru:— J. W. Goddard converted 10 tries and R. W. Scott nine; Scott potted two goals and kicked 11 penatty goals. Godrtard kicked four penalty goals. AX.A., Christchurch.—Tommy Donovan won on a foul against Barren, who was disqualified for Illegal hitting (a rabbit punch). F..S.A. Golf Tournament

The annual golf tournament of the Christchurch branch of the Returned Services’ Association will be hold this year on the Russley Golf Club’s links on November 19. The events include senior and Junior, championships, decided over 18 holes of stroke play, and a varitey. of other competitions. A new competition will be the Centennial Plate, for n trophy presented by Sir Arthur Donnelly, for veterans of world War I. This competition will be a handicap event for 18 holes of stroke play. Other events comprise a handicsp stroke competition for veterans of World War II for the Houlihan Cup, medal handicaps (senior and Junior), a teams match, a stroke competition for visitor* from outside Christchurch and a Canadian foursome bogey competition. This tounament is a popular event for returned servicemen in Canterbury and tn this centennial year it is expected that there will be a record number of entries. Wasted Wickets

When the Old Collegians senior cricket team lost three of its batsmen through run-outs on Saturday, it drew attention to a fault which crops up at the start of every cricket season with an amazing regularity. In their opening practices, cricketers pay attention to their batting, their bowling and—in recent years at any rate—their fielding. But just as regularly, it seems, the simple lessons of running between the wickets are forgotten or ignored. These can be and are understood by small children, but every season since the war has been notable for the number of batsmen run out in senior cricket. No batsman likes to give His wicket away but the batsman run out does just that end captains would not be wasting their time if they reminded their teams of the straightforward rules of running, calling, and backing-up. International Croquet

Centennial year attractions in Christchurch will include an international croquet contest between a team of English players and New Zealand. This is the first time an international team of croquet players has visited New Zealand. The English team is reported to be a very strong one with Hamilton Millar as captain, and including Humphrey Hicks, who has not lost a singles match in open tournament and whose handicap is minus six. New Zealand can put a strong team on the green for Included in the number available are:—A. G. F. Rom, holder of the New Zealand Championship, A Heenan (Wellington), former New Zealand Open Champion and winner of the English Championship Doubles when partnered by Mrs Kingsford (England), Miss Margaret Claughton (Wellington), former women’s Champion and present holder of the Gold Casket (England), C. Bryan (Wellington) a former New Zealand Men’s Champion, C. Watkins (Hastings). New Zealand Men’s Champion and Mrs W. H Kirk (Geraldine) New Zealand Women’s Champion. The first test will be held at Auckland on November 27, the second at Wellington on December 11 and the third at Dunedin on January 3, 1951. After the completion of the test the visitors will compete in the Centennial Tournament in Christchurch on January 17. Greyhound Racing

Greyhound racing is coming back to its own in Christchurch and the very good attendance at the opening of the season last week gives every promise’ of first class sport this year. There are so many dogs available now that heats and finals make up a full evening’s programme. The track at Athletic Park now resembles, in miniature, the Riccarton racecourse on Grand National day. For the * hurdles over which the dogs previously raced brush fences, with wings complete, have been substituted and five dogs racing abreast over the fences provide all the thrills of the fair. The dogs appreciate the change and race with confidence. The Canterbury Greyhound Racing Club has embarked on a big season’s programme with 538 yards and 448 yards races in preparation for the Canterbury and South Island Championships and a Centennial Cup meeting. Young English Athletes

Donald H. Oliver (Essex Beagles), aged 15. was awarded the “World Sports’’ performance of the month for August when he ran 100 yards in lOsec. Sylvia Needham, a 15-year-old girl representing Cambridge Harriers, threw the discut 115 ft 3in at the Southern Inter-Counties meeting. Sylvia Needham, who represented Britain France last month. U the youngest athlete ever to represent her country. Other outstanding performances were the 880 yards in Imin 58.4 sec by the 17-year-old, Brian S. Hewron, and 300 metres in 25.35ec by Margaret R. Brian, aged 17. Concentrating on young runners. Great Britain looks like again taking her rightful place in world athletics.

Tribute to Crieket Writer

Ern. W. Bartlett, Papanui. writes as follows:—"I have just read of the death of George Wycherley, well-known cricket writer, of Dunedin. My friendship with him dates back to our youthful days in Melbourne about 55 years ago. He was the captain of the Summerhill Cricket Club, a very successful junior team in South Yarra. Even at that time his fine nature and temperament made him an ideal captain. He more than once won both the batting and bowling averages. In the same team was W. H. (Billy) McCormack, who later played for South Melbourne and was manager of the team that toured New Zealand under Harry Trott. My brother. W. R. (Reg) Bartlett, later played for the Richmond Club. I joined Billy Mac at South Melbourne. George Wycherley left for New Zealand and I did not see him for many years, but I believe he did a lot for cricket in Dunedin, I am not very conversant with his cricket records in Dunedin, but I remember when I last taw him in the press box, during the Can-terbury-Otago match just more than two years ago when Otago won the Shield. He was the genial and kindly George and I t felt sure was held in very high esteem by the cricketers of Otago. The sport of cricket is better because of men like George Wycherley.**

Kiley Bennett Beaten

The mexican feather-weight champion. Ernesto Aguilar, clevely outpointed Elley Bennett. Australian champion bantamweight. at Sydney last week. Aguilar will have two more matches in Australia after which he will go to South Africa to fight Vic Tbweel, something of a marvel in his owr? country, where he won bantam, feather and light-weight titles in a period o£ nine months.

Pointers

The following is a useful list of points that should be studied on the ground before the match starts:—“ls the turf in good condition? Win it give when a scrum pushes? Will it cling to your boots? Is some part of the turf wetter or worse than any other? Aro there any flags flying? Which way doos the sun come round the stand? Is there a wind? If so how strong? How does it affect the kicking for touch and at goal? What effect does the stand have on the wind?’*—B. H. Travers in ‘ LeTs Talk Rugger.“

Playfair Pootbatt Annual

To the Seocer player or supporter of the English game the Playfair Football Annual for 19M-51 will be of profound interest, especially to the man who come from England and is still in touch with Home Country football. In a special article, Harry Ditton. a noted English writer, aays: "Professional Soccer Is the best organised and controlled sport In the world. You will probably be surprised at this statement, for I feel so very many people have completely false ideas about this great winter pastime.” After this statement Harry Ditton deals with the vexed question of transfers, the most contentious subject in English football. He explains fn detail the whole lay-out. Playfair Football Annual deals generously with club football and international games besides giving details of "Soccer's ups and downs,” "League standing," and “How Arsenal won the Cup.” Every Soccer man. player of to-day or old-timer, will find a fund of welcome information in this book which is published by Playfair Books. Ltd., London, t John Treloar*s Programme John Treloar. Australia's crack sprinter, has mapped out a long-range programme with his final aim the sprints at the Olympic Games to be held at Helsinki. He plans to leave for England after the Australian championships are completed at Hobart next Easter. The British championships, at which Treloar hopes to compete, will be held late in June or early in July. This will allow him about six weeks in England before his serious racing. Treloar. an engineering student, will further his knowledge of practical experience in his profession by working hii passage to England. Because of his international status John Treloar will automatically be eligible to compete in Continental competition after he joins an English club. This will mean that by the time the Olympic Games are held. Treloar win be acclimatised, more experienced, and possess a knowledge of overseas sprinters, and the cinder tracks on which the best times are made.