Sportsman's Notebook Young Players Impress At Squash Titles

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30192, 25 July 1963, Page 9

Sportsman's Notebook Young Players Impress At Squash Titles

The superb form ot the national champion, C. R. Waugh, and the fine impression created by the Christchurch champion, M. J. Simons, in his first appear* a nee on a North Island court, were features of the annual inter-island squash rackets match at Palmerston North last week-end.

In Simone, T. R. Johnsen (Palmerston North), the national junior champion, J. S. Walker (Hamilton), G. L. Bird (Timaru), and G. A. Davidson, New Zealand has its finest group of young squash players for many years. There were many matches in the 25 played, which were first-class in every way and played in the best possible spirit. But, unfortunately, it was also amply demonstrated how matches can be spoilt and opponents upset by court movements and tactics of crowding and over-swinging, and by failure to move away in order to allow sufficient freedom of shot. i

Although all matches were played under considerable pressure, with a New Zealand touring team to be selected, much of this was obviously unintentional, and perhaps some of the older participants cannot move as quickly as others. But the very experienced player, if allowed to adopt some tactics, can play his opponent at a definite disadvantage, and it is then that firm umpiring is vital in the interests of the game. Too Many Appeals In some contests there were far too many requests for lets, and a high percentage of these were followed by appeals to referees to reverse umpires’ decisions. It is clear that the standard of umpiring in this country is not high enough, and it is hoped that the efforts of the Christchurch club to provide a panel of competent officials for the New Zealand championships in September meet with success.

The major event on the tournament programme will be more, successful for firm handling of anyone who tends to offend, for many disputes can be ended even before an appeal is made by bold, intelligent duplication of the rule regarding penalty points. It is probable that in all the 25 contests at Palmerston North there was not a single instance of this rule being applied. For some reason it is still thought in New Zealand that a penalty point against a player carries with it the stigma of unfair play, that the offender has deliberately attempted highly ques-

tionable tactics to save a desperate situation. Perhaps in occasional instances this does happen, and there-is little doubt that if it does occur it can be promptly dealt with by the umpire. In England, the term is not now generally used. If a player prevents his opponent from making a shot which appears certain to be a winner, the umpire on request tor a let simply awards the rally to the non-offender.

Frequent requests for lets are unnecessary and undesirable. When Waugh met Bird, there was only one let, by spontaneous agreement: in the game between Waugh and Simons, there were none. These, and the fine five-game match between Simons and Walker, were notable examples of the contestants: proper consideration for each other and regard for the game. ¥ ¥ ¥ Brunner Chosen The 1963 West Coast Rothmain’s tournament represenitative to play Linwood on August 10 is Brunner. At present Brunner and Mairist are co-leaders in the West Coast Rugby League oompetitaon but Marist is unable to take part in the tournament. Brunner recently lost two of its star players, the fiveeighths, J. Menzies, and the hooker, J. R Butterfield. Menzies is at present in hospital injured and Butterfield has been suspended until August 31. The Brunner club has appealed against the length of Butterfield's suspension. The match against Linwood will be the South Island final and the winner will play Southern, of Auckland, in the national final on August 31. ¥ ¥ ¥ Title Contender With its wins over Nelson A and Marlborough, in the Canadian Goodwill Tourna-

ment held at Blenheim last week-end. Canterbury A will be tap contender for the South Island basketball title at Nelson next week-end. Teams competing in the South Island A Grade tournament are Nelson, Marlborough. Otago, West Coast, and Canterbury. Canterbury will be represented by a strong team comprising of I. Taylor (capt.). B. Taylor. H. Fellowes, B Curry (Rex), L. Rollinson. J Hudson (Rangiora). S. Chamberlain (Holy Trinity), and B. Regers (Rebels). ¥ ¥ ¥

Food For Thought One of the spectators at the New Zealand versus St. George Rugby League match at the Sydney Cricket Ground this month was Dr. Dannie Craven, top man in South African Rugby. No doubt it brought back memories of when he played for the Springbok Union team on that same ground Will this change his views on League players Rugby grounds in South Africa? It awoke memories of an event that happened in Great Britain—Rugby players were told they would lose their amateur status if they practised on a Rugby League ground. Another time a Rugby League board gave permission for a Union final to be held at a League ground provided the Rugby Union offered a ground in exchange. Although the League match was not even a senior game, permission was refused.