SPORT IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 20318, 29 October 1929, Page 4

SPORT IN BRITAIN

[From Ode English Correspondent.' l LONDON, September 11. THE TUIUTlio yearling sale? at Doncaster are always of big interest to all who believe that tho cultivation of the English thoroughbred is worth while. Everyone recognises that this is the day of mechanical transport, and the increasing of the speed record to 308 miles per hour yesterday is a startling reminder of how we progress. Still, there will always be wide interest in tho speed attainable by a man, horse, dog, and pigeon, to name the four racing games in order of importance, which are not attended with artificial aid. Tho opening ot the sales at Doncaster showed that there is no falling off in the demand for well-bred yearlings, though no very sensational prices were realised. The highest bid on the first day was S.lOOgns,, at which figure Mr Tattersall brought down his hammer when a chestnut colt by Sansovino-Celiba was the attraction. Tho next highest was 4,600 paid for a chestnut colt by Hurry On, whilst three othei youngsters fetched 3,ooogns or over, it is also a good sign that the total sum realised during the morning sales showed aji advance for a corresponding number of lots auctioned in 1928. Tims it can be asserted that the demand for the English racehorse shows no signs of falling off rather the other Way about, a highly satisfactory state of affairs in these days ot the motor, airplane and other modes of transport. Nor should it be overlooked that followers of sports have far more racing thrill* offered them now than in tho pre-war days. Greyhound racing and motor cycling on small cinder tracks are two illustrations, both of which have jumped into wide popularity during the past two years. More people arc attending race meetings nmv than ever and it is also asserted that the leading bookmakers, are handling more money since tho totalisator was introduced Tins seems to be fairly strong proof that racing is going stronger than evci and the efforts of tho leading officials to bring about lower charges is another step which should tend to wider popularity and support from “the man in the street.” CRICKET. Some keen followers of cricket can enthuse over tho finer points of tho game, but the average individual finds his greatest thrill in a dashing innings by a big hitter. Half an hour watching Gilbert Jessop, when the Gloucestershire “ croucher ” was at his zenith, gave wider pleasure than all the other batting as a rule. Thus it is but a truth to say that the big feature of tho batting of tho M.C.C. Australian team against Lord Hawkes team at Scarborough this week was the hitting of Hendren Tho Middlesex batsman was in a very aggressive mood and in one over from Rhodes, he scored 23 runs It is not often the famous Yorkshire trundler comes in for such punishment, but ho was not tho only bowler whoso average suffered through tho rapid scoring by Hendren. Mead of Hampshire was associated with Hendren and lie is usually a slow run getter, but the pace was fast enough when ho and his partner had fairly collared the howling. At any rate they put on 272 runs in 2h 3omin, or over 100 an hour. It is worth considering that this performance was in a first-class match, but yet a fixture which had no bearing on county championship glory. Certainly the conditions favoured the batsmen," hut it certainly suggests that better batting can he expected when there is nothing of great moment at issue. After all this is natural, an easy mind being worth a lot, no matter what sport or pastime may be concerned. Hendren made 156 runs and Mead 233, whilst Tate contributed 81, tho score board showing 553 runs for only five batsmen out. As Hobbs and Sutcliffe failed and only made h -uns between them it will bo realised what a change came over the scent when Hendren and Mead got going. It remains to say that they faced such talented bowlers as Rhodes, Peach, N Haig, V. AV. C. Jupp, and G. O. Allen. Another matter of interest was tho hitting of Tate, his score including five 6’s, and nine 4’s.

The opposition -was pot without honour, for R E. S. Wyatt played a capital innings of 106, the merit of which may bo better appreciated when it is remembered that the bowlers in eluded Tate, Larwood, Staples, and Geary. Wyatt is certainly a teat batsman and his average of 54.18 gives him third place in the table and easily leading honours among amateurs. Jack Hobbs heads the batting table at the moment and unless something very unfores'en happens, he rill ictain it until the end of the season, now so near. SOCCER. Pity the poor footballer, with a shade temperature near the liimtics. lb is more than unfortunate rat ‘no 1 ball starts so early and ends so late, but whilst professional clubs vie siWi each other in securing talented players, the question of revenue will enter into the situation and the clipping of the playing period would not find favour with officials. Some authorities think there would bo just as much interest in Association football if teams wore recruited locally and not brought in from other centres and other countries. Such a method would lead to greater pride in county or town and that would be a decided gain. It would also lesser tho expense and that would make it casiei to introduce reform in the direction of reducing tho length of the season Six months of football woulr. be quite enough (October-March) and tills would bo all tho better for other pastimes. _ The splendid form of Middleshorough and Grimsby is giving Soccer enthusiasts much to ponder over. These two clubs were in the second division last season am l vet they are fighting for leading honours in the first division now. Of course, these are early days to weigh up form, but when two promoted clubs are able to show 5 points out of a possible 6. ami 6 out of a possible 8, the record of Grimsby and Middleshorough respectively, it speaks well for the strength of second division football. It is also worth remembering that these learns have not been brought together by the expenditure of vast sums of money, though this does not mean outside talent has not been secured. Derby County is another, team doing splendiclly. To visit Bolton and beat the F. A . Oup holders by tho odd goal in three is ind°ed a win to be proud about. Besides this, the “ Beakites ” visitec 1 Aston Villa and shared the honours, each scoring a brace of goals. Seven points out of a possible eight in the first four engagements of the season speaks well for the ability of the Derby players. The talented Glasgow Rangers have met with a slight check in the Scottish League, the visit to Aberdeen having ended in a draw, each scoring a goal.

Young as tho season is, only Rangers and Kilmarnock have avoided defeat in the Scottish tournament. ATHLETICS. Although England has been defeated by France 'and Germany in • international athletic fray this year, it, is directly due to the unpopularity of the, field events. Tho English runners are all right some of the performances accomplished last Saturday being very pleasing. Cyril Ellis, the little Nottinghamshire miner, who has been at the top of the tree among “ milers ” for three seasons, added to his reputation by joining the select ranks of the athletes who. hold world’s records. That ho ran I,oooyds in 2min 11 l-sseo at Stamford Bridge last Saturday will have been widely broadcasted. How he did it will no doubt interest my readers. Four rivals turned out against him, T. Hampson* of Oxford University, 16yds start, being his nearest competitor. Starting very fast, Ellis ran his first 440yds in 54sec and the 880yds in Imin Msec. He had liis rivals beaten at 800yds, and went on alone to finish strongly in a second faster than ever before accomplished. Beyond doubt he started too fast, and an even pace of 57sec for tho first and second “ quarters ” would have left him in better shape for tho final 120yds. Ellis is a splendid runner, and it how looks as though il© is capable of beating other records, and also of holding his own against any “ miler ” in the world. Ellis has been asked if he can manage a visit to New York for the purpose of competing at one of tho big indoor meetings, but. whether this, can bo arranged depends on many things, including the sanction of tho Amateur Athletic Association of England. Whilst Stamford Bridge is a well-shel-tered ground, the surface of the track cannot bo _ compared with the one at Philadelphia on which L. Brown created his record of 2min 12 l-ssec in 1921, and which will now bo displaced as a world’s best.

Another noteworthy performance on Saturday was the win of 6. R. DunckJey in the 220yds level race at High Wycombe, ids time being 21 9-10 sec. He showed 48 2-6 sec for a “quarter” (moving start), at the England v. Germany relays, and if all go well with him he will be a worthy _ rival for J. A, T. Hanlon, tho champion, and Leigh Wood (who diet 48 2-sscc at Johannesburg on Saturday) when the next A.A.A. 440yds championship is decided CYCLING. A chapter of accidents rather marred the big cycle race meeting at Heme Hill on Saturday. It was promoted by the National Cyclists’ Upion, and is termed the Meeting of Champions. A collision between S. T. Cozens and E. H. Chambers in a heat of the I,oooyds level race led to the former having a badly-cut head, whilst Chambers broke a forearm. Cozens was to have met A. Mazairac, of Holland, in a special series of matches, they having finished first and second for the 1,000 metres world’s amateur championship in Switzerland a few weeks ago. J. A. Sibbitt took the place of Cozens, but was no match for the Dutch rider, who won two straight beats at 550yds and 800yds. Curiously enough, Sibbitt beat the visitor in the I,oooyds level race, they finishing first and second, with C. W. Horne, the ice-skating champion, in third position. Another feature of tho meeting was tho setting up of new record figures for tho hour, F. W. Southall covering 31m 1,455yds in tho time. BOXING. Tiio agreement of Len Harvey and Jack Hood to meet at Olympia on October 21 has given wide satisfaction. So many noted Brit’sh boxers arc out of the country jin '- -iw that it is all to the good that l> winter season will open with an attractive contest. [Harvey won.] Of recent events, a note may bo mado of tho form of L. Pinkns, who gave Pat Daly a great fight in their bout, at the week-end. Daly won, but his rival stayed the courseAs Daly can be matched against Te*d Baldock, the merit ot Pirkus will bo appreciated, and lie should he heard of again before long.