SPORT IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 19841, 14 April 1928, Page 10

SPORT IN BRITAIN

[l’aou Our English Correspondent.] , LONDON, February 29, RUGBY INTERNATIONAL. Between 50,000 and' 60,000 people saw England defeat France in the Rugby international at Twickenham on Saturday, the game being played under pleasant conditions. The start was sensational, the heavy and speedy visiting forwards having the best of the opening scrums, whilst France was .‘3 points up inside eight minutes, the result of a try. The success did not lead to better play; indeed, the visitors fell off through excessive zeal and enthusiasm, whilst the English forwards settled down to wear out their rivals. At the end of twenty-five minutes Palmer, of Richmond, went over for a try, which was his first in international fray. Richardson converted, and so England led. A little later the ball was kicked behind the French line, and Periton, of England, and two Frenchmen had a race to it. It was a near thing, and, whilst the referee decided Periton touched the ball with his hand first, a section of the crowd thought otherwise, and yelled “No try!” and so on. The incident was unusual, but nt least it would show Frenchmen that (he average English spectator at Rugby matches is not biased against visiting players. The try was converted by Richardson ; and during the second half Palmer and Periton scored other tries, one of which was converted, raising England’s total to 18 points. Towards the end of the game France scored the best try of the match. The ball passed from player to player in a really fine movement, and the extra points were added, making the visitors’ total S. The King was present, and ho went on to the field before the match started, where the teams were presented to him. THE SOCCER CHAMPIONS. Although Wales is under a bit of an eclipse in the Rugby world, reward has come in another direction, the international Association honors going to this part of Britain. The issue was settled at Glasgow on Saturday, when Ireland beat Scotland by a goal to nil in a wonderful struggle. The home forwards were constantly attacking, and the way the Irish goalkeeper saved the situation was wonderful. No finer exhibition of goalkeeping has been seen this season, and Scott deserves great praise for his work between the posts. He is the custodian for Liverpool, and ranks very high. The one goal of the match was scored by Chambers, who is in the Bury team, so that Irishmen associated with English clubs had much to do with the success of the visitors. Whilst Ireland was winning the Soccer match at Glasgow, the Irish fifteen was taking the honors in the Rugby international at Edinburgh. The visitors were decidedly superior, particularly at half-back; whilst the three-quarter line also showed up well. Ireland scored three tries, two being converted, whilst Scotland registered one try, the extra points being added, leaving the result 18 points to 5 in favor of Ireland. LEAGUE FRAY! There is a possibility of Huddersfield winning both the F.A. Cup and the League championship, the form of the Yorkshire club in recent games having been impressive. Called on to visit Bolton on Saturday, the Huddersfield players were equal to the demand, and scored the one goal of the match. Evorton slipped back a little through only drawing against their Liverpool neighbors, each scoring three times. As a result Huddersfield claim 36 points, the same as Everton, but with a match in hand. Cardiff City is not out of the race, with 2 points less than the joint leaders, a two goals to nil success against Manchester United on Saturday improving the situation. Leicester City received Arsenal and won by the odd goal,in five, and the winners also hold a forward place in the first division table. The race for second division honors is very close, the defeat of . Chelsea by two goals to nil, when receiving Southampton, having altered the situation. Manchester City drew, two goals each, when at home to Preston, and these clubs are only a point behind Chelsea, Manchester City with a match in hand. BOXING. London sportsmen had the choice of three interesting boxing entertainments on Monday, the National Sporting Club, the Ring, and Queen’s Hall being the scene of these. It seemed rather a pity that the same date was selected, and it hardly appears good management on the part of those concerned. Jack Stanley and S. lluggirello, of Italy, provided the star turn at the N.S.C. It was a remarkable contest, a hard punch in the first few seconds dropping Stanley for a count of eight. He was in distress when he regained his feet, but stuck it somehow, although knocked down again three times before the bell signalled the end of the round. Ho recovered somewhat during the minute rest, and gradually improved during the second round. The Italian was hitting hard, however, and scored another knock down in the third round. During the fourth round the Italian showed signs of being tired, Stanley’s blows and the efforts of the visitor to end matters now commencing to tell. Stanley improved, and in iho sixth round ho was on top, and got home somo of his best punches, which forced the Italian to retire. The end came as a surprise, the loser failing'to show up well when he ivas called on to stand punishment. Stanley had a great cheer when leaving the ring, and he well deserved this for his determination. The attraction at The Ring was the appearance of R Whalen, of the United States, who is expected to trouble the best'of the 10st (WOlb) boxers in Britain. Ho was faced by P. Richards, of London, but the latter was no match for the American. Whalen soon showed himself much the better boxer, and Richards appeared to be a novice, boxing much below his usual form. Another case of a man being just as good as bis rival allows him to be. The bout lasted ten rounds, when Richards gave up the struggle, although he was by no means finished. What is termed a “ blood ” match was staged at Queen’s Hall, Kid Burg and J. Donn being the rivals. They arc East London light-weights, and they and their immediate supporters have been disputing the question of supremacy for some time. Donn was certainly the better man at long-range work, his straight left punches frequently finding their target. Berg realised this, and tried other tactics, getting in close to his rival, and using short-arm blows to the body. The new methods paid, for very soon Donn was forced to hold and hang on to save himself, his blows not being hard enough to keep Berg away. The latter was certainly on top when the referee stopped the bout, disqualifying Donn for holding. BILLARDS. Tom Newman, failed to concede Joe Davis 2,000 points in 16,000 up in their match at Bradford. He was only 346 points behind when play opened on the last day, but Davis is particularly'dangerous when caught, and he outpointed the champion to prevail by 495 points. They are again trying conclusions, this time in London, and with Davis in receipt of 1,500 points. The latter made a fine start, a break of 474 on the first afternoon enabling him to claim an advantage of over 2,000. 'lowman did better on the second day, when ho had a break of 480 to bis credit, the closing scores showing him to be 1,287 iwints behind, so that the struggle is likely to be a close one. Should Davis prevail, he will enhance his prospects of winning the championship, which will shortly claim attention. Willio Smith overwhelmed Falkiner in their match, which ended last Saturday.: He conceded 4,000 inTB,OOO jip,

and took the lend before it was halfwav over. Continuing to show great form, he finally won by 3,243 points, testimony to the fact that lie is Jtn Inland's premier player, even though, he stands aloof from the. championship, which is a matter for regret. ATHLETICS. Cross-country championships of the Northern and Southern districts were decided on Saturday, both providing very close racing. The lormer, at Turk, was won by W. Beavers. York Harriers, who only headed H. Eckersloy (of Earlstown) by 10yds, A. Worrell (of Sutton) being a close third. The winner’s time for the nine and a-qnarter miles was 54min Issec, the going being fair. Two wcoks ago, in the Yorkshire championship, Sheffield United Harriers beat the Hallamshire Harriers for team honors, but the positions wore reversed on Saturday, Hallamshire scoring with 64 points, Sheffield United totalling 121. Hallamshire now appears likely to win national team honors again. The Southern race at Fhcnfickl. Essex,( attracted 343 runners, proof of tho flourishing state of the pastime. IT. W. Payne, of Woodford, winner six years ago, ran a nice race, and got homo first in 63rain 3Ssec, tlio course being ten miles. J. Stubbs, South London Harriers, was 6scc away, with H. Clayton, of Reading, 6yds further off. South London Harriers again won tho team honors- with 109 points, Surrey A.C. being second with 141. The latter must have prevailed but lor the breakdown of Horwood, tho best man of the team and the Surrey county champion. The sixth man to score finisher! in the sixty-second place, so that if Horwood had got home in the first half-dozen, as ho should have done on all form, Surrey would have won comfortably. Some excellent performances have been seen on the track at Oxford and Cambridge. F. P. Bowen, _an American from Hollywood University, is expected to do well over the low hurdles, even though he was beaten at Cambridge this week. _ When warmer weather sets in he will feel more at home, and perhaps get his Blue. Liv-ingston-Learmoutb has shown ■ 16sec over the high and 26 l-ssec for the low hurdle race, so that Cambridge will be well off in these_ events. Cambridge also has a good shotputter in R. L. Howland, who won this event at an intercollege meet this week with a putt of 44ft Klin. This is a record for Cambridge, and suggests that Howland may train on into a real star at the game. The best running at Oxford this week was by Leigh-Wood, who won a 440yds race in 60 2-ssec. For so early in the season this is fine, and he will give J. W. Rinkle, of Cambridge, something to do when they meet at the intervarsity sports later in the month.