SPORT IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 18502, 8 December 1923, Page 9

SPORT IN BRITAIN

[Feom Ode English Coeeespondent.] LONDON, October 24. ATHLETICS. Mid-October is rather late to bold athletic championships, and it was not surprising that times ruled on the slow side in the seven-mile walking and ten-mile running championships of the Northern Counties on Saturday. The events were held at Newton-le-WiUows, and attracted a very good crowd, the Northern sportsmen being anxious to see how h. Harper, the latest winner of the A.A.A. open tenmile championship, would perform. ho easily did ho win that it was he could have greatly improved on the time of 55rnin Bsec. None of his rivals could give him a raco, however, and he very soon opened up a gap, and ultimately won bv over a quarter of a mile. That Harper is a worthy champion is clear, and he ought to have a blight future. As ho is only twenty years of age, it was just as well that he was not pushed on Saturday. Wo shall want all our best men for the Olympic Games, and it is wise policy that they conserve their strength 'between now and the big festival at Colombes. This particularly applies to youthful champions such as Harper, who ie sTi.ro to be called on for several big races across country during the winter. Given natural development, 1m ought to make a, first-class man at ton miles on the flat or across country, particularly the latter, as he runs with a short, pattering stride, which looks just fitted for heavy going. -Closely-matched Walkers. — The seven-mile walk, which was _ the other championship title at issue, provided a raco the like of which is seldom seen. Scarcely had the dozen competitors commenced their journey than _ three drew away from the rest, and a thrilling struggle was seen. Each in turn would gain a few yards, only to bo overtaken by the other two. So the race progressed, with the trio apparently equally matched. No change was the order when the last mile commenced. but when it came to the final effort F. Smith, of the Lancashire W.C., drew out to win by a dozen yards from C. Coulson, of Sheffield, in 55min 49soc. R. Bridge, of Chorley, the holder of the walking title, did not defend his honor, nor could K. Kenrick, the ten-mile holder, turn out, he having entered the ranks of the professional runners. —Olympic Games Plans.—

Matters are moving in regard to plans for the Olympic Games. It will not be long before training centres are opened at two grounds in London, whilst others are likely to he arranged for in some of the big towns all over the country. That seems to be the general idea, and it is only on matters of detail that there is much difference. The British Olympic Association has appointed a special committee, with Lord Decies as chairman, and the gentlemen concerned have been hearing the opinions of old athletes and others closely associated with the game as to the hast methods to adopt. The writer appeared before the committee a few days ago, and urged the setting up of advisory committees, composed of old amateur athletes, who should be given certain districts. England is not the same as America, or, for that matter, the nations of Europe where athletics are new. The same methods will not fit in every country, and in Britain, where certain ideas are deep-rooted, it will bo necessary',to advance slowly. Thus a committee of old amateurs will meet with greater attention and consideration when they try to bring about very necessary changes at the public schools and Varsities (as applied to athletics) than if a professional coach acted in tiie matter. An athletic director who understands athletics thoroughly, and who also has good organising ability to supervise the training centres and the advisory committees, is what is needed, and if we are to see Britain's flag hoisted often this is the necessary programme. THE PAPYRUS ADVENTURE. When Mr Ben Irish undertook to send Papyrus across the Atlantic for the purpose of trying conclusions with the best of the American three-year-olds, most judges of racing thought he was taking big risks How the English Derby winner pleased the American judges so much tlrat the odds against him shortened from threes to evens is now well known, and_ many British sportsmen commenced to think the colt had a chance. Thus the news that Zcv had won easily came as a. disappointment to many, though the best judges were not surprised. The English colt seems, to have done very well, all things considered, and it will ho hard on Mr Irish should Papyrus go down in value in consequence of the defeat. He practically stayed with Zcv for one and a-quartcr miles, and as the mile time was Imin 40 4-ssec, and that for nine furlongs 2min 7 5-sscc, this means good going. Moreover, though beaten oh some five lengths, Donogluio could have been closer had ho not cased his mount when defeat was certain. The winner s time of 2min 55 2-ssec is excellent for one and a-half miles, and it is enhanced by the fact that rain had made the track heavy. That Zcv is a high-class racehorse is clear, the time being faster than our Derbys are run. True, the courses uro different, and it would bo_ difficult to compare the Epsom course, with its rises and falls and the sharp Tattenham Corner, with the level dirt track at Belmont Park, where the two turns aro gradual, with two long straights. Just how much Papyrus was handicapped by the change of conditions is difficult to say. As already pointed out in these notes, the trouble of taking corn and water across the Atlantic for the horse was so much wasted. That was quite unnecessary, as good corn and water can be scoured in America. Ear more important matters were neglected, and it is really difficult to understand the mistakes. The greatest necessity of all was to arrange so that the colt could he walked about the deck for two hours daily. With tan and special rubber shoes this should have been possible. Nor can one understand why those associated with Papyrus allowed the colt to wear smooth racing plates, when American opinion, which means a knowledge of the conditions, was all in favor of shoes which afforded a grip of the ground. It has been an interesting experiment, and to carry it out fully Zev should come to England and race Papyrus soon after arriving. An international horse race is an excellent idea, and it is to be hoped we shall have another next summer,with an American colt trying conclusions with our best over here. SOCCER. England and Ireland have met thirtyeight times at the Association game, but only three times has victors’ crowned the efforts of the Irishmen. They well deserved their success at Belfast on Saturday, for though the visitors opened the scoring, the Irish players were not long in showing their real ability. For pace, dash, and energy the palm must go to the Irish team, and it was no surprise when the scores were made all square, nor when Crofts put on Ireland’s winning goal with twenty minutes still to play. Much of the credit must be accorded to Gilispie, of Sheffield United, who led tho Irish team in splendid fashion. His dash and judgment had a lot to do with Ireland's win, and he has never played better. If tho winners can show the same form against Scotland and Wales, then the chances of taking the international championship will be good. It may be added that nine of the Irish team are playing with League teams in England, Scotland, and Wales. LEAGUE FRAY. There was a slight closing up among tho loaders in the premier division of tho League on Saturday. Cardiff City met with a partial check when at home to Preston, each team scoring a goal. Meanwhile Notts County could do no better when at home to Everton, here, again, each putting on a goal. Thus Notts County missed a chance of drawing level, Cardiff, with 17 points for eleven matches, still leading by a single point, and also

with an unbeaten record to the time of writing. , ~ With tho f-wo leading teams notching only a point each, Huddersfield and Sheffield United drew closer. The former beat Birmingham (1-0) cm the latter’s ground which was excellent, whilst Hie United were successful when receiving Burnley by the odd goal in three. One of the best wins of tho day was Arsenal’s triumph at Bolton, the I .A. Cup holders going under by 2 goals to 1. Aston Villa also dropped further behind through tho success (1-0) of M est Bromwich Albion when at home to their famous local rivals. RUGBY. The feature of Rugby on Saturday was tho narrow defeat of Newport when visiting Leicester. Tho visitors wero without lour regular players, and even then'they lost by only 7 points to b. The homo team scored a try and a dropped goal to a converted try, to it was indeed a near thing. Tims Leicester has accomplished the downfall of Newport, a club which lias had a long series of victories over its rivals.

Blackheath accomplished a big thing by boating London Scottish by u points to o—the first defeat of the .Scots tins season. Another great game was seen between Guy’s Hospital and Bristol, the latter side winning by 10 points to 6. As usual, Guy’s included several noted South African players, and it speaks well for the strength of Rugby in tins West of England that the Medicals wore beaten. Both Oxford and Cambridge Universities were engaged on Saturday. Gainbridge found the Harlequins much too ■good for them, tho latter giving a him display to win by 29 points to 12. A notable feature of the game in whah Oxford met Old Merchant Taylors was tho number of overseas players taking part. The Dark Blues seem rich in visitors of talent, and a good match would be Overseas v. Tho Rest. In tin; match under notice Oxford bad four South African, two American, and ono Australian player doing duty, and they weie prominent in tho success by 14 points to 6 GOLF. Miss Joyce Wethcred has been very prominent in golf circles during tiio past few days. With Mrs 0. Hambro (handicap 5| as her partner, she played splendidly in the ladies’ foursome competition at Ranelagh. In tbo semi-final they were 1 down to Mrs Mac Nair and Mrs Hethcrington, with 1 to play, but yet managed to win at tbo twentieth hole. They easily beat Mrs Knight and .Mrs Page (14) in the, final by 5 and 4. Miss C. Leitch was among the' competitors, and showed good form.

Miss Welhered distinguished herself again on Monday by doing a hole in I when a partner with C. J. Tolley in a mixed foursome competition at Worplesdon. It was a. marine shot of 115yds over a pond, which she played with perfect judgment.