SPORT IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 20129, 20 March 1929, Page 7

SPORT IN BRITAIN

[lbom Oca English Correspondent.] LONDON, February 6. RUGBY FOOTBALL. Males appears to have a splcnclid lot of forwards this season. Ibis was well illustrated against England at Twickenham and made still more manifest at Swansea on Saturday, when 40,000 people saw the triumph of the borne side against Scotland. It was the first victory against Scotland in Wales since the war, and it was gained in a manner which has led many enthusiastic followers of the game to say the successful tcanj compares with sonic of the great combinations of the past. It was soon evident that the 'Welsh forwards were superior, uiid they carried the majority of the scrums. What delighted the hoint supporters was the manner tho men behind made use of their chances, and the handling of the ball and tbe excellent combination was far better than the Welsh back division has shown for a Jong time. _ As the Scottish lino was crossed four times, whilst the Scots never once crossed tiro Welsh line, the superiority of the home players was clearly marked. The Scottish forwards were excellent; although not equal to their rivals, the failure of the visitors being behind, and tho defence rather broke down. The first half was very evenly contested, and it was well advanced when Wales got a try. A. little later a free kick to Scotland led to a penalty goal, and a dropped goal soon after gave Scotland the lead. It was not for long, however, as Whiles got another try, and this being converted the home side assumed the lead. From that stage the Welshmen wore really on top, anti twice more crossed the line, to win by a goal and three tries (14 points) to 7 points. Tho outstanding man on the winning side was H. M. Bowcott, the Cambr.t'gc player being inspiring to tho rest of the three-quarters. The victory of Wales will have a stimulating effect on Rugby, and particularly so as notable Welsh players are constantly going over to the Northern Union game. THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP, One of the big surprises of the season was seen at Coventry on Saturday, when Lancashire unexpectedly defeated Warwickshire in a semi-final of the Rugby county championship. Tho first half was evenly contested, and for a long time afterwards the homo side pressed. Now and then the Lancashire players broke through, and two of the raids led to a score. Late in the game another Lancashire try was recorded, and when the *vhistle sounded “no side" Lancashire led by 13 points to 3, and so gained the right to appear in the final. Of other big matches, tho Army v. Blackhoath fixture provided a fine struggle. The soldiers appeared likely to fin easily at one time, but a Iasl» minute rally by the “ Heathens ’’ reduced the margin, and the end came with the Army victorious by 11 points to 6, ASSOCIATION. Sheffield Wednesday, leaders of tho first league, were engaged in a big match on Saturday, being called on'to visit Sheffield United. Local perbys are always a big draw, and a great gathering saw the two Sheffield clubs struggle for tho honours. It proved an even game, each scoring a goal, which was a creditable performance for ihe Wednesday. Meanwhile, both Sunderland and Blackburn won their matches and so drew a little nearer to the leaders. It was a big triumph for Sunderland to put on five-gools against their Portsmouth visitors, who failed to score. Blackburn also registered four goals against their Birmingham visitors, who got one goal. As a result Sheffield Wednesday leads Sunderland and Blackburn by 4 points—a useful margin at this stage of tho season. One of the best performances of the day was accomplished by Huddersfield wlien visiting Ever ton, the forjner winning hv 3 goals to 0. 'West flam also did Yell to prevail when visiting Manchester United, 3 goals to 2, and Aston Villa showed lino form when defeating I heir Burnley visitors by 4 goals to J. The prospects ol Chelsea in the second division of the League were improved on Saturday. The Stamford Bridge Club gained a fine win when at home to Bristol City (3-1), whilst Middlesborough had to rest content with a.division of the points when visiting Southampton, each scoring a goal. This gives Chelsea a lead of 4 points over Middlesborough. There were no great surprise* in the second round of the Scottish Cup, most of the notable clubs getting through. Celtic scored three times without response troru their L. Stirlingshire rivals, and Glasgow Rangers easily defeated Patrick Thistle, 5 goals to 1. BOXING. It is the opinion oi many good judges of boxing that Phil Scott shaped better in his contest against led Sandwina than in any previous bout he has been seen in. He was more confident than usual and showed aggressiveness and speed against bis vouitg rival. 'Sandwina started well, ami there was very little in it for two rounds. The third was decidedly in favour of Sandwina, and many o 1( the onlookers commenced to think Scott bad met his match. Ho evidently realised that be must make a big effort, and during the fourth round ho went after his man and landed many hard punches to the head and body. That Sandwina stood up under the attack, showed that ho is tough and can stand punishment. The round seemed to show Scott as the master and led most of the experts to think lie would soon win. Unfortunately, Sandwina hit Scott below the belt in the next round, and whilst it was a. pure accident, the rciercc disqualified him. It was an unfortunate finish to what hud proved one of the best contests between heavy-weights scon in England for a long time. Scott looked much bigger and heavier than his rival, and to many good judges, he appeared short of training. Indeed, such a good judge as Jimmy M’ildo has openly advised Scott to get himself into proper condition and then hasten off to America, in quest of the world s title. Meanwhile, there is a movement on foot to get Heency to meet Scott in London for the championship of the British Empire. Should the plans succeed, it will bo the third time they have met, and in view of what has happened since they last faced each other, the contemplated bout would arouse much interest. Scott got the award in both the bouts, but many think Heency quite held his o.vn in the second, and this, although he took the ring at a few days Joe Beckett being unable to meet Bcott as arranged. Should Heeny and Scott meet, many English authorities will fancy the dominion lighter, largely because Scott has not kept as busy as he might have done. It seems possible that Fred M'dr-tei. an ex-amateur champion, will soon be lighting for a professional title. _ Me met Sam Stewart, the official lightweight champion, in a contest at the

Albert Hall last week and clearly outpointed him. Whilst there was no title at issue, the contest ranks high, and Webster is certain to seek a match for the championship. Webster is not alone among ex-amateurs rUho have lately made good in the ranks of the professionals. Three other oxchampions in Cuthbert Taylor, J. Garland, and Ben Marshall have all recently come through professional engagements with credit, which suggests that amateur boxing in Britain is now at a high level. BILLIARDS. Willie Smith is the marvel of the billiard world. During his match against A. Peall last week, which he easily won, he made two breaks of over* a thousand, his 1,554 last Friday being the second best of his career. He is now meeting Sydney Smith, his final engagement before going on his tour to Canada and Australia. On the opening day ho made a break of 1,031, and went one better still the next day by putting on a great break of 1,509, tfio fourteenth four-figure effort of the present season. The amateur championship has now reached the second round, and it is arousing great attention. M. A. Boggin (who beat Wardle, the holder) had a fairly easy task against H. T. Ellis, whilst F. V. _ Stacey gained a sensational win against P. G. Eastwood, of Leeds. The latter was nearly 400 points in front when the last session opened, but Stacey made a great rally, to win bv 64 points. ATHLETICS. Of the young athletes who are coming to the fore-, much is expected of A. W. Simmons, of Dagenham. He recently won the Essex County crosscountry championship for juniors, whilst lii.s latest win has still further enhanced his record. This was in the Printing Trades’ cross-country championship at Eltluuu on Saturday, when he beat 105 rivals in decisive fashion over a fivemile course. Simmons is a worthyrecruit to the ranks of stayers, and he is counted on to make more progress in the still bigger events, which arc rapidly approaching. t Another interesting performance on Saturday was a ten-mile road walk at Bellingham, in which C. W. Hyde, the English track walking champion at seven miles, showed excellent form to get homo first in 78min losec. No fewer than 120 athletes took part, among them being L. G. Sandy, the Metropolitan Police champion, who finished third, his time being SOmin 4seo, E. F. Priestland, of Heme Hill, and the champion alone bentiim hinn It is now virtually assured tfiat at least two German teams will visit England during the summer and meet teams representing the ■ Achilles A.C. and also an A.A.A. team, which means the best England can field. Tin's will mark another step in international athletic fray, and as field events arc much neglected in England, the superiority of the Germans in this branch of athletics will probably turn [he scale in their favour.