SPORTS AND PASTIMES

Evening Star, Issue 18142, 5 December 1922, Page 6

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

{From Our English Correspondent.] LONDON, October 25. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. One reason Association football, and the struggle for the league honors in particular, is such a great public attraction is the manner big clubs are frequently upset by tho "outsider.” The very uncertainty of the game helps to make it attractive, and whilst, the downfall of a. popular team on its own ground naturally disappoints many local supporters, tho rank and tile of sportsmen admire a. team which can triumph over a handicap. At the moment there is no stopping Liverpool, the champions of last season being in excellent form. On Saturday the Anficlders were at homo to Cardiff City, the Welsh dub proving easy game. The early promise of the Cardiff players has not been fulfilled, and only Stoke stands between the club and bottom place in the table. —The First International.— The West Bromwich Albion ground was the venue of the England v. Ireland match on Saturday, upwards of 20,000 spectators being present. Experiments were tiro -order in the English side, two second division clubs being called on to supply players, whilst no fewer than live were from London teams. The newcomers performed creditably, particularly Williams (of Clapton Orient), who had a lot to do with the final goal. Chambers (oi Liverpool) scored both goals of the match. Tho first canto following a corner, whilst Williams made a Jong run along the touchline before centring to Seed, who returned to Chambers, for the second goal. Tho Irishmen nearly scored in the first half, when the wind was in their favor. Gillispio sent in one great shot which quite beat Taylor (the English custodian), bub the ball struck tho cross-bar. THE RUGBY GAME.

Both Oxford and Cambridge University Rugger teams were visiting London, on Saturday. Tho former just got homo against Old Merchant Taylors, but only by a single point, which is not a great testimony of their strength.. Another very interesting struggle was provided by tho Bristol v, Guy’s Hospital match. The medicals looked like winning up to a. point, but tho Bristol men improved as the game progressed, and eventually secured the honors by 13 points to 11—a very lino match indeed. One of. tho biggest struggles of tho week-end was between Llannclly and Swansea, tho former, at home, just winning by 6 points to 3. So far as tho season has progressed, it seems dear that there is a wealth of Rugby talent in Wales. The handlingcodo is also going strong in Yorkshire again, in spite of the great counter-attraction of Soccer. CRICKETING TOURISTS.

Before the M.C.C. team of cricketers sailed for South Africa last Saturday, F. T. Mann, who is the captain, expressed confident hopes that the team would render a good account of itself. Ho regretted that Hobbs and Hcarno were not included, yet considered he was fortunate in being asked to load such a powerful combination. Undoubtedly the side is a well balanced one, and it is seldom a touring team includes such a big proportion of talented amateurs. South African sportsmen will enjoy tho batting of such players as P. G. 11, Fender, A. W. Carr, G. T. S. Stevens, and F. T. Mann, who can rnako runs quickly when necessary. V. W. C. Jupp and A. E. R. Gillingham arc others who should do well, and they will greatly strengthen the attack. As to the professionals, with such batsmen as Russell, Mead, and Woolley, supported by Brown, Kennedy, and Sandham, some big totals should bo seen. A lot depends on how tho bowlers will perform on matting wickets; but the pace of Gillingham ought to prove a factor. Macauley, of Yorkshire, is on trial as a test player, and may turn out trumps. Then there is Woolley, Fender, Jupp, and Kennedy, so the bowling will not lack variety. Tho team may bo described as a really strong allround one, and though the present strength of South African cricket is an unknown quantity in England, it seems fairly safe to predict a successful tour for the M.C.C rr.cn. THE NEWEST SPORT. The great interest taken in the gliding contests at Firle Beacon, Sussex, last week suggests a great future for the newest pastime. When Mr Kaynham did a glide of Ihr 38miu early in tho week it looked l as though He would win premier prize. At the eleventh hour, however, M. Mancylollo (of France) succeeded In a flight of 3hr 22rain, beating the world’s record for a flight in an enginoless machine. He stayed up until it was dark, and indeed cmild only make a safe landing by the help of motor car lights. Another wonderful prcformanco at tho finish was that of Sqnadrou-lcader Cray, who made a flight' of Ihr oOniin in a machine which actually cost less than £l. Ho only brought it to the (lying ground over night, and tho performance shows that gliding may soon be a sport within the reach of the average citizen. Apart Ivom the sporting side of the pastime, it is hound to have a beneficial effect on air-flight in general. BLIND ATHLETES. Road walking races from London to Brighton arc popular in many circles, the latest affair being a race confined to soldiers who lost their sight in the war. It is but recently that blind sprinters beat crack athletes '(blindfolded) in a short disance race, and now walkers who have lost their' sight have shown ability as walkers which is astonishing. Saturday s race ended in favor of F. M. Cassidy, of tho Middlesex Regiment, who finished tho fifty-two miles in lOhr 45min 35sec, W. Birch, Ist Life Guards, coming next in lOhr 55min Msec. Six competitors heat tho twelve hours, which is excellent. It may be pointed out that the walkers were guided by attendants (from behind) by tho aid of a soft webbing to tho shoulder.