SPORT IN BRITAIN

Dunstan Times, 13 March 1933, Page 6

SPORT IN BRITAIN

[Fmou Our English Corrbspondekt J

LONDON, January 18. TURF TOPICS. At this time of the year followers of racing are turning their thoughts towards' the Grand National, the big event of the season so far as steeplechasing goes. The English debut of Trouble Maker aroused interest at Birmingham this week, when the United- States candidate for the Grand National turned out for the Stayers’ Steeplechase over three miles. Mrs Somerville’s horse looked in fair condition and jumped the fences in excellent style, suggesting that he has been schooled over obstacles such as figure at Aintree. Mr Lang, an American amateur rider, was in the saddle, but it appeared as though he w r as mainly concerned in giving his mount useful work rather than gaming a place. Anyway, Trouble Maker was last, and nearly a quarter of a mile behind the winner. It is unnecessary to look on the performance as any guide, and we shall no doubt see the American showing to better advantage later on. It may be added that Trouble Maker was top weight, 12st 121b, a, big burden in the very heavy going. BOXING. Two terrific fistic contests were seen in London during the~ week-end. The Ring, Blackfriars, was the venue of the international bout between Del Fontain, of Canada, and Willie Unwin, of South Africa. The two Empire boxers gave a great display, and the courage of Unwin gained him well-deserved applause. Although Fontain was generally on top, his rival always came back and tried to make a fight of it. How he lasted through the fifteen rounds was a marvel, though the Canadian was a good winner on points. Another sensational contest at the Ring had Douglas Parker, of Sunderland, and Dom Volante, of Liverpool, as rivals. Each in turn looked like going out, both being bent on making a fight of it. Parker recovered from heavy punishment in the third round, and, fighting back, had his rival practically out in the sixth round, when the referee stopped the contest in Parker’s favour. The game loser collapsed when assisted to his corner. Big interest centred in the contest between Seaman ‘Rowles and Tommy Tucker, at the Crystal Palace. A year ago Hickman, the Booth boxer, won ‘ the Crystal Palace heavy-weight competition for beginners, but failed when meeting Tucker, of Preston, in a subsequent bout. Rowles, the recent winner of the Crystal Palace tournament, was asked the same question on Monday, and fie came through successfully. It was a very real fight, and the winner showed he cap stand heavy punishment. His right eye was almost completely closed after a brief amount of fighting, but he guarded it like a veteran and handed out some heavy punches in return. At the end of the ten rounds the verdict went to Rowles on points, whilst both received a great ovation. The success of Rowles encourages Ins admirers to believe he will make a big name for himself as a heavy-weight. It certainly is a fact that in Petersen, Doyle, and Rowles we have three heavy-weights who can take and give heavy punches, and who are no lievers in the gentle are of “ tapping and trying to win on points. A CRICKET PROBLEM. The unfortunate controversy regarding the leg theory of bowling, brought to a head in the third test match at Adelaide, may perhaps lead to a very necessary alteration in the laws. Opinions are always divided, and although noted cricketers may claim that batsmen should defend themselves from rising balls with their bat, this idea does not find general favour. Bowling to the leg wicket may often become bowling to the batsman, and on hard ground this becomes dangerous, as shown by the injury to Woodfull and Oldfield at Adelaide. Then a pitcher hits a batsman in baseball his side is penalised, and it would not be impossible to devise a corresponding penalty in cricket, providing the batsman was not standing in front of the wickets. One necessary alteration is that if a batsman stops a ball with his legs, winch would otherwise have hit his wickets, he should be ruled out, no matter whether the ball pitched straight or not. The bat alone should be used in defending the wickets. Bowlers should also bowl at the wicket, and any ball pitching outside a suitably defined line should be called a wide and count a run for the batting side. That Australian bowlers have exploited the leg theory mode or. 'bowling in the past does not make the matter easier, and many English sportsmen will trust' that another policy will be adopted in the future. ATHLETICS. Remarkable fields contested various county cross-country championships on Saturday, testimony of the great popularity of this healthy sport. A. ienny, of the Belgrave Harriers, won the Surrev title over a seven-mile course at Epsom. The Bucks championship went to L. A. C. Hennessey, of the Royal Air Force, Walton, whilst a soldier in L.-srg. A. Holmes, 2nd Lincolns, won the Kent race at Hartford. Still another soldier in Sergt. R. R. Sutheiland was first home in the Essex championship at Chingford, results which show the strength of the Services m athletics. Of other championships, that for the Warwickshire title at Coventry brought out some noted stayers, G, Forryan, of the Birchfield Harriers, proving successful. FOOTBALL. There were some astonishing results in the third round of the F.A. Cup last Saturday. The defeat of Newcastle (holders) when at home to Leeds United (3-0) was one, but nothing compared to some of the other happeninArsenal is looked on as the star club of the country, and thousands . of pounds have hecn spent in securing the services of crack players. Thus the visit to Walsall on Saturday was looked on as a picnic. Hie representatives of the London club trained on the most expensive lines, had sea air and golf to distract their minds from the game, and so on. Walsall, on the other hand, were said to train on fish and chips, with beer. It is reported that the expense of running Walsall for the season is less than £IOO. That a third league club, and one composed of

players who work for a living, can beat the most expensive'combination in the land is bound to do good. Most sportsmen would welcome the success of clubs | which succeed through enthusiasm rather than the power of the purse. ] Illness compelled Arsenal to take the field with several reserve players, but the defeat was duo to ths visitors’ inability to adopt the right tactics. The Walsall players did not stand »n ceremony, and robust methods were the order. They would not allow the Arsenal men to settle down to their usual scientific game, and the winners well deserved their success. It is satisfactory that the Arsenal manager and players gave Walsall full credit and made no foolish excuses. The failure of Chelsea at Brighton was another blow for London, but the splendid win of Tottenham at Oldham, where they scored 6 goals without response, raises big hopes for the famous “ Spurs.” The gate at Newcastle was over 47,000, with receipts above £3,000, this being the record for the day. BILLIARDS. Clark M'Conachy, of New Zealand, played the game of his English career when meeting Joe Davis in the opening heat of the Gold Cup Tournament. He set up a lead of 5,000 during the first week, and whilst Davis did bcttei during the second week, he was beaten bv 19,711 to 15,667. The winner is now meeting Lindrum, who concedes 6,000 points. The latter was quickly “ off the mark,” scoring 3,481 in the first four sessions while M'Canachy was making 1,683. Thus the world’s best player of English billiards quickly took a grip on the match and secured a useful handicap advantage. One of the big things of the billiards world this week is the meeting of Willie Smith and Joe Davis. These keen rivals have not tried conclusions for over two years, and it has given wide satisfaction that they have agreed to contest three matches. Should one man win both the fii’st and second he will concede 1,000 points in the final match. Davis soon found his touch and after four sessions led by over 1,200 points—quite a useful start. Davis, by the way, set up a new snooker record last week, his new figures being 109. Going to the table for his second effort, he cleared the board and again proved what an artist ho is at this game. There is a decided boom in billiards and snooker, and the new line shot rule is livening things up.