SIDELINES

Press, 12 July 1980, Page 20

SIDELINES

THE TOPIC of talk could only have been sport in Room 8, on the ground floor of St George’s Hospital late last week and early this. In adjoining beds, convalescing after each having had a cartilage removed, were two New Zealand representatives. In the right corner, Bill Bush, who insists his noted rugby career is not near an end; on the left, Mark Nichols, still only 18 but already

having made a major impact in road cycling. Both insist they will be back in their respective action before the season’s are out; and should there have been any argument, there was even a referee on hand. Vic Enipson, a member of a famous Canterbury rugby refereeing family, was in the same ward, also recovering from an operation.

A REFEREES’ exchange scheme in rugby between Canterbury and the Australian Capital Territory will be taken a step further today when John Girdlestone takes charge of the main mach at Rugby Park, between Shirley and Sydenham. Mr Girdlestone is ranked No. 1 iii the A.C.T.; he has been temporarily “swapped” with Rangiora’s Stewart Miller, who is now in Canberra.

THE SPECTACULAR men’s singles final at Wimbledon was the subject of conversation for the Canterbury amateur golf champion, Simon Robinson, as he walked down the sixth fairway in his match against Joe Gantley (Templeton) in the Woodward Cup competition at Rangiora last Sunday. On that hole, Robinson was 45m through the green and on a muddy barren patch; Gantley, after two superb shots, was 2m from the hole. But Robinson, too, has an ice-cold temperament similar to that of Borg’s and he played a shot of a champion. A perfect wedge shot went into the hole for a birdie and poor Gantley, not surprisingly, missed his putt. That left Robinson 4 up and he had an easy win.

RECENT EVENTS on international cricket fields might not make umpiring seem a desirable pursuit, but the testing task does have a fascination all its own. Serving umpires, and those who intend to take up umpiring, are recommended to read “Cricket Umpiring and Scoring,” by Tom Smith (J. M. Dent, 192 pp; $9.55). Mr Smith was the founder, and for 25 years secretary of the Association of Cricket Umpires in England. His work is a revised edition of the book put out more than 20 years ago by Colonel R. S. Rait Kerr, then secretary of the M.C.C. It contains the 1980 Laws of cricket, which include many revisions and changed interpretations. Mr Smith himself was one of those responsible for the alterations. The book is a handy pocket size, its material is clearly set out, and there is a foreword by John Arlott. NOT ONLY ... but also. Fred Titmus will join exalted company, but not limited solely to W. G. Grace when he plays first-class cricket again this year, the beginning of a new decade. (Well, some people say it’s the start of a new decade). The famed doctor’s career spread from 1865 to 1908, thus covering five different decades, and considerably more year’s than the .31 of Titmus, but the former test off-spinner has still played firstclass matches in the 19405, 50s, 60s and 70s. Two other old-timers to cover five different decades were Wilfred Rhodes, just (1898 to 1930); and Jack Hearne, who started 10 years before Rhodes and finished in 1923. Two other recent players who could perhaps too turn out for a match in emulation of Titmus are Jim Parks and Brian Close.

HAVE TELEVISION AUTHORITIES over-estimated the interest in Australian Rules in this country? That is the question rugby league followers are asking now that it is probable Television One will have direct coverage of the Rules grand final- in Melbourne on September '27. Rugby league supporters contend priority should be given to the Sydney rugby league championship grand final the same day, a match that could include several New Zealanders..