Personalities In Sport

Evening Star, Issue 20979, 18 December 1931, Page 14

Personalities In Sport

[By H.P.S.]

Pen Sketches

No. XXXII.—S. G. M'DOUGALL. Over nearly a score of years one of tho outstanding personalities of Otago tennis has been S. G. M'Dougall, and after eighteen years of A grade tenuis lio still ranks as one of tho province’s most brilliant exponents of the game, Sid. M'Dougall’s interest in the game dates back to tbe clays Avhca, as a small boy, along with Gerald Black, he used to watch tho seniors in action on tho Roslyn Club’s courts. His active association Avith the game began a little later, his first serious tennis being played at tho Otago Boys’ High School about 1909. Tho first school tennis championship Avas Avon by Tom Young, aa'lio had tho makings of a fine player

but did not go on with the game, the. second by Gerald Black, and the third by 8. G. M'Dougall. The subject of this sketch started in B grade tennis with the Roslyn Club about 1911, and in 1912 he competed in the Otago and Southland championship tournaments, at which he won his first tournament successes. In 1913 he entered A grade tennis and also commenced his representative career about the same time. He has figured prominently in the Otago team in interpro-

vincial matches ever since. His play in the early stages of his tennis career was modelled on the tennis mainly of the late Anthony Wilding (the famous New Zealand winner of the world’s championship), who visited Dunedin about 1909. Sid. has occupied pride of place on the Eoslyn Club’s ladder since 1913, and his successes in championship events have been recorded in most parts of the South Island. Ho has won the Otago singles championship twice—in-1929-30 and again last season. He won the Otago championship doubles with Gerald Black, and the mixed doubles chaihpionsliip three times with Miss M. Eattison as his partner. This versatile player annexed the Southland championship on three occasions, the North Otago singles once, and the South Canterbury singles once. One of the most noteworthy performances in M'Dougall’s tennis career was Ids performance as a member of the South Island team against the Australians a couple of seasons ago. His grit, determination, and fighting spirit were never more in evidence than when he defeated Teague and Donohoe, the latter being the present holder of the Australian doubles championship. M'Dougall has a good deal for which to thank his brother, A. E. A. M'Dougall, who was first man for the Eoslyn A grade team -when the present champion was beginning his tennis in earnest and wdio did much to foster and encourage Sid. in developing his game. Sid. M'Dougall is noted for his general all-round strength in the game, his best asset being in his service, Ids ground strokes, and his forehand drives. His association with tennis has not been confined to his efforts on the court, for he has served on the committee of tho Eoslyn Club and was amember of the Otago, Lawn Tennis Association for several years. He occupied the position of president of the association, retiring from office at the beginning of the present season. One of the most popular men in Otago tennis circles, he has at all times shown a willingness to help and encourage the younger players, and it is interesting to add that he is convinced that in most departments the game has speeded up in recent years. In the old days players xiscd to specialise on one or two particular' strokes, but to-day the necessary equipment is all-round strength. M'Dougall is playing as well now as ever he did, and will bo defending his title when the next Otago championships are held. 4^4-4.1*4 afo A 4*ft itl >ti Jt* il~i I~L. ■i’t* affc j±i.

no surprise if he “ comes off ” in the following shield engagements. Tho wicket was not of much use to Blunt, whose six overs cost only 6 runs, and Cameron’s three overs added only 9. Cameron is not required; so much this season with the good supply of bowlers at Dunning’s command, but his med-ium-paced off-breaks can bo most effective. Coming to Dunedin’s hatting, one has to , confess to a feeling of great disappointment, and especially so with regard to Cavanagh, who is about due for a good score. “ Vic ” is keenness personified, but his luck has been out lor more than a season past, and as one spectator put it last week, " Cavanagh has to make only one mistake and ho is out.” It. was a good catch by Herons off Dunning’s bowling that brought about his dismissal on Saturday with only 2 against his name. One can only hope that he will soon emerge from the lean period which has dogged a good cricketer too long. ■ Reg. Cherry is a most effective opening batsman, and he played the right game,_ watching the good balls closely and picking the right ones to score off. Ho made some nice shots behind point, and was beginning to place well through tho covers when Moloney bowled him with his score 17. Ditchfield is a slow beginner, but a most useful man to any side, especially after he has played himself in, and his 29 on Saturday was worth more. He executed some wristy square cuts and also scored well to leg, but his backing up leaves some room for improvement. The most attractive cricket of the innings was provided by young Dick Torrance and E. W. Coupland, who made 28 and 29 respectively. The former went for the bowling from the start and shaped confidently throughout, being particularly strong with his on-side play. He is one of the most promising youngsters in the Dunedin eleven. Coupland drove hard, and found the gaps through the covers very neatly. Ho is a nice hat to watch and a good runner between the wickets. Both he and Torrance ran some smart ones. A colt of whom more is going to be heard is D. Langley, who capped a sound bowling performance by making 5 and 8 with tho bat, not out each time. He is not lacking in confidence, and played his shots like a batsman. Alec Regan held Carisbrook up for a while in the first innings to make 12, and is capable of making more runs than he lias done so far. G. Valentino has done . very little in the grade matches, and was never at home to the slow bowling on Saturday. Unless he makes a more impressive showing in his next match, he will have to make way for one of tho more promising juniors in the club. Carisbrook missed one or two catches in the field, but generally the winners’ out-cricket was well up to standard, and special mention should be made of tho ’keeping of Hercus, who is improving with every game. Blunt also took a couple of good catches in the slips, while it was a fine effort on the part of Don Allan tljat brought about the dismissal of Claridge. OTAGO BOWLING TEOPHY. The rules have now been drawn up in connection with the trophy that was recently presented to the Otago Cricket Association by Mr G. A. Wycherley to encourage bowling' in the province. They have been based on those of the Eedpath Cup, tho batting trophy for New Zealand competition. The trophy itself is for the Otago bowler with the best performance in each season, and the rules under which it will be awarded are as follow;—(1) It shall be called the ‘ ‘ Wycherley Trophy”; (2) the trophy is to be awarded to the Otago bowler whose performances during tho season in representative and foreign matches have, in the opinion of a special committee, been the most meritorious—the special committee shall consist of the selectors for the time being and one other who shall be appointed each season by tho Management Committee of the Otago Cricket Association, the latter providing for someone to be present when matches are being played away; (3) the trophy shall be held for one year by the player to whom it is awarded, and a medal shall be supplied by the' Otago Cricket Association, to become tho property of the holder of the trophy. ALBION’S FOUR-POINTER. By notching a four-point win against Kaikorai, Albion’s chances in the senior competition have brightened considerably. The team’s display iu this match should give fresh heart to its followers, who should witness an interesting and exciting match against Carisbrook on Logan Park to-morrow. The south end team has already lost one match to University, but by decisively trouncing Dunedin in its last match retrieved its position. To accomplish its inning’s win against Kaikorai, Albion was faced with the task of dismissing seventeen batsmen during the second day of play. This feat was all the more creditable in view of the purely defensive tactics adopted by Kaikorai. However, the clever attack of Shepherd, who disguised his deliveries and varied every ball, proved effective, and the batsmen never looked like getting the upper hand, though speculation was rife as to whether the last wicket partnership for the day could last till time was up. It was a close call, and demanded a great effort on the part of the Albion bowlers and fieldsmen. Albion’s work in the field in the first innings was quite up to standard, while some of the efforts were brilliant, but in Kaikorai’s second knock di'opped catches were frequent, though fortunately for Albion, the batsmen who were rewarded with another life, failed to appreciate it and lost their wickets very soon afterwards. Thus the dropped catches did not account for many more runs. Shepherd’s bowling was tbe feature of the match, and no doubt accounted for Albion’s victory. He had a very strenpous afternoon’s work, and was called upon to bowl thirty-nine overs, which included seventeen maidens, for 66 runs and nine wickets. Albion’s fast bowler, L. Smith, met with a greater measure of success in the first innings than in the second, his figures for the day being four for 34 and two for 44. S. Duncan’s slows were responsible for the falling of a wicket in each innings, but the Kaikorai men could not bo tempted into hitting him into the field. J. Vinnccombo bowled well for seven overs, and took two wickets for 12 runs.

The left-hander, L. Smith, was tried for four overs, and us only 7 runs were scored off him, he might have been given a longer trial with the ball, while It. Silver, who has so far bowled without any luck, might have at least been used, if only to relieve Jim Shepherd. In the loser’s first knock, L. Smith brought about the downfall of both Rennick (Id) and Constable (17) by taking brilliant catches in the slips off L. Silver, while in the second innings 11. Silver terminated Hood’s productive innings for 35 by diving for a hot catch off Shepherd’s bowling, and H. Miller figured in a fine effort when he accepted a high and difficult catch in the long field off Constable’s bat. D. Heenan did some good work behind the sticks, and a smart piece of work on his part led to the stumping of M'Knight, who over-balanced in attempting to play an off ball from Shepherd. At times Heenau’s acceptance of the returns from the field was not altogether too clean. While Albion’s fielding was definitely superior to that of Kaikorai’s, a big improvement is yet necessary. Barron, who is generally reliable when it comes to catches, had a day off, and missed several opportunities. A chance of running out one of the Kaikorai batsmen was afforded J. Allen, but on account of an injured shoulder the fieldsman was unable to make a smart enough return to the wickets. Albion -was also unable to call on Allen to assist in the attach, and his injury handicapped him to such a degree that a spell from the game might be recommended. On the first day of the match it was noticeable that the Kaikorai batsmen were inclined to encroach on the time limit' for replacing a player at the crease, but a word from the umpires brought about a much-needed improvement last Saturday. Credit is duo to some of the liill team’s batsmen for their smart running between the wickets ; it was indeed pleasing to see these juniors shining in this department of the game. BADCOCK’S GREAT FORM. No small measure of credit is due to Badcock for Christian Brothers’ win over University. In his side’s first innings he- came to light with a valuable score of 66 in a total of 195, while on the concluding day of the mutch he claimed all of Varsity’s wickets (except two men .who were run out) with the excellent average of 5.6. A further bright knock for 53 in the Brothers’ second innings completed a performance which strengthened his claims to be regarded as the foremost allrounder in the province. Badcock maintained an excellent length throughout the innings, and in turning them from the off he had most of the ’Varsity batsmen tied up completely. He fielded five men on the leg side, and this, of course, made it even more difficult for the men at the orease. Of the other bowlers tried Blair bowled well, and was unfortunate in not meeting with success, for he sent some good btuls down to Smith which just grazed his leg stump. The fielding of the side was keen, Toomey behind the sticks being particularly impressive. With the evident intention of knocking up runs quickly Blair and Badcock opened the Brothers’ second innings aggressively. However, Blair soon ran himself out, but Badcock proceeded in a rather care-free, reckless knock, and won the admiration of the spectators by collecting 53 in half an hour. He batted with great freedom, and it was a treat to see him follow through with the hat in all of his driving work. Many other masterful strokes helped his score, and he was only dismissed when Priest took a fine catch in the long field, though the dazzling sun was in the fieldsman’s eyes. Of the ’Varsity bowlers, Jolly and Gilkisou were the most impressive, though Cameron proved an effective change when the batsmen showed signs of staying. Jolly bowled Lynch and Cahill with good-length balls, and if this young bowler could only place a few more of tlieso just outside the off stick he would undoubtedly gain more success. Balls pitched on the middle and leg pin with an inclination to turn away would be severely punished by such a batsman as Badcock. The coach’s example of how accurate length and direction, with a suitably-placed field, can tie batsmen up and get them out was an object lesson to the discerning howler. Gilkison bowled well, and might have been used more, his five overs costing only 3 runs for two wickets. The Students’ work in the field was the equal of the Brothers’ fielding, and several excellent catches were taken, notably by Priest, Burt, and Hawkesworth. LEAGUE NOTES. Post Office met Shell last Saturday, aud had a most enjoyable game. Shell won by a small margin. In the first innings for Post Office no one reached double figures. For Post Office Baxter hit the first 6of the season. Henry was tried as a bowler with great success, taking eight wickets for 12 runs. Templeton could not get going with the bat, but is looked to for many runs. Reeves is the keenest man on the field, and has the makings of a good cricketer. Robertson is a good all-rounder. He is also a steady batsman. NOTES. With several of the first-class cricket counties of England doing without the services of some of its professionals owing to the financial stringency, it is pleasing to hear that the generosity of the one-time famous batsman, Ranjitsinhji, is helping to alleviate the burden of his old county, Sussex. The Jam of Nawanaga has notified the Sussex cricket authorities that he will meet the bill for the wages and expenses of four of the youngest and most promising professionals during the present winter. Ranjitsinhji has notified the four professionals concerned that they will be given a place in his team to tour India shortly, with all expenses paid and a bonus of £IOO at the end of the tour. The Otago team commences its first Pluuket Shield match of the season against Canterbury at Christchurch on Friday next. A Waitati correspondent writes: A friendly cricket match was played at Orokonui Home on Saturday between Waitati and Orokonui. This marks the commencement of a campaign to foster interest in local sport. Fine weather and a pleasant game were enjoyed by both spectators and players. Waitati made 115 and Orokonui 64. . - Many of the old frequenters of the North Ground will cherish happy memories of their association with

William Gibson (“Bill”), who was at' one time secretary of the Albion Cricket Club and also a senior player fop many years, distinguishing himself as a slow bowler and as a batsman. Bill Gibson is now Director of the Technical Educational Department of Hobart,and in writing to an old member of the Albion Club sends Christmas greets* ings to all his old pals, and announces that he is still interested in news of Albion doings, which lie receives occasionally from Dunedin papers. A remarkable performance was put up by a Green Island schoolboy in the final match for the B grade cup on the Oval last Saturday by Bruce Barnes,who was playing-for the unbeaten Green' Island team. Green Island lost the toss to Ravensbonrne, but were sent to the wickets and declared with seven wickets down for 103. Barnes took eight wickets for no runs, performing the “ hat trick ” with his last three balls.; Bavensbourne was dismissed for 7 runs.The fielding points for the third round of matches were:—Carisbrook 8, Dunedin 4; Old Boys 5, Grange 3; Albion 4, Kaikorai 0; ’Varsity 6, Christian Brothers 6. E. H. Bowley, of Sussex, former coach to the Auckland Cricket Association, and member of Harold Gilligan’a M.C.C. team in Australia and New Zealand, is likely to get just over £1,700 as a result of his benefit in the 193 T English cricket season. That is a splendid total considering the prevailing conditions (says an exchange). It is the second highest benefit in the history of Sussex cricket, Maurice Tate’s £2.000 in 1930 constituting a record for the county.