Lancaster Park Crowd

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28321, 5 July 1957, Page 3

Lancaster Park Crowd

Sir, —As one born and bred in •Canterbury but now resident in Auckland, I was appalled and saddened by the partisan attitude shown by some of the Canterbury public to the All Blacks last Saturday at Lancaster Park. Surely, as visitors, and distinguished visitors at that, to say nothing of their triumphant tour of Australia, they were entitled to something better. I enclose my Canterbury tie, which over the years I have worn with pride but now have no desire or feeling to wear again after such an unsportsmanlike exhibition. Would you kindly consign it to the wastepaper basket, as this, in my opinion, is the only fit place for it to adorn? —Yours, etc., L. M. BLYTH. Auckland, July 3, 1957.

Sir, —In New Zealand fftotball Canterbury province is the Cinderella. All the worst sports allegedly live here. However, we had the experience of Dr. Craven coming here and telling us that “many” provinces had stated they did not bother about their own defeat, “provided you beat Canterbury.” Do your disgruntled correspondents consider this good sportsmanship or bad? Did your English correspondent ever hear of the All Blacks, not the referee, being booed while on the last tour? Of empty bottles being thrown at Bob Scott? Your West Coast correspondent makes me smile. I have been on the West Coast. Apparently some unfortunates, including an All Black, backed the wrong horse and did their dough cold. What a pity.— Yours, etc., TOM BRYCE. July 4, 1957.

Sir, —Why all this present outcry about the Lancaster Park crowd? Most of the barracking was simply good-natured fun. I only wish we could expect such moderate behaviour on all occasions. M. Trew says certain attitudes of spectators are “simply just not done,” but he must have a very short memory, for the Springboks had to put up with concentrated booing at all their North Island matches, in addition to one in the South Island. Surely if we New Zealanders have such a wonderful name for fair-mindedness we must have lost that “reputation so enviably acquired” (a meaningless expression, anyway) in 1956? Did M. Trew and others voice their indignation then? It would be interesting to know what line they would have taken had Saturday’s match gone the other way. —Yours, etc., B. July 4, 1957.

Sir, —Considerable representative Rugby has shown me that local crowds support the local team, especially when the odds are against it, as in the All Blacks

v. Canterbury match. We were no better or worse than the usual crowds that attend sport. Listen to any sport on the radio and one will soon learn by the roars of the crowd which is the local team. One crowd—until today—was above this—the gentle tennis follower. But, alas, to quote “The Press” of today: “A mighty roar from the Wimbledon centre court crowd today marked the entry of the 16-year-old British champion into the semi-finals.” I consider this highly improper. As host country their apologies are due and the crowd should be censured for their obvious delight. Critics of local crowds should take up this matter immediately with “The Times.”—Yours, etc., RETIRED. July 4, 1957.

Sir, —Those who rush into print and criticise the sportsmanship of present-day crowds at football should first consider the difference that exists. Radio, periodicals, and the daily press give an enormous amount of coverage and the result is a big build-up in interest. Crowds today are bigger than ever, and quite a number have spent some time at the local, thanks to the five-day week. The writer had the misfortune to be behind two noisy individuals who had money on the game last Saturday and their behaviour was very bad. As for the rest, their conduct was

exemplary. They did, of course, favour the local side but not unduly. If anyone feels that the standard of sportsmanship is slipping, let him visit Hagley Park any Saturday morning and he will see hundreds of youngsters, few of them in winning teams and all as keen as mustard, coached by enthusiasts with a love for the game. Mr Trew should know that even cricket is slowclapped by English crowds today.—Yours, etc., RUGBY FAN. July 4, 1957.