SPORT IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 21725, 21 May 1934, Page 12

SPORT IN BRITAIN

[From Our English Correspondent.] LONDON, April 4. SOCCER. As the encLof the Association football seasqn draws near the struggle for the League championship between Arsenal and Huddersfield grows in excitement. Upwards of 70,000 people watched James score the goal of the match between Arsenal and Derby County on Good Friday. The two points for the home team sent the champions to the head of the table, as Huddersfield had to rest satisfied with a draw on visiting Liverpool, each side scoring twice.' Arsenal’s lead was of short duration, for on visiting Stoki the • following day a draw was seen—one goal all. Meanwhile Huddersfield received Manchester City and scored the only goal of the fixture, so regaining the lead in the table. This success by Huddersfield was the more creditable because the team was reduced to ten men for more than half _ the game. M'Lean and Cowan both kicked at the ball simultaneously, and their legs became interlocked. , Both were hurt, the former breaking a leg, a serious blow to the player and the club, concerned. It is rather remarkable that two other ? layers broke legs on Satur.day—’earce, of Charlton, and Frame, of Manchester United; being the unfortunate men concerned. Association football is not a very dangerous game so far as serious accidents are concerned, and it is unusual that three such mishaps should happen on one' day as those referred to. Arsenal again went to the head of the League table as the result of a 4 'goals to 2 success when receiving a visit from Derby County on Easter Monday. Huddersfield was not playing, and Arsenal’s lead of two points is for an extra _match. [Arsenal wpn the championship.], . CHELSEA’S RALLY. Quite the feature of the holiday fixtures has been the splendid revival of Chelsea. To secure' six points in three matches, spread , over four days, stands out, and the Stamford Bridge Club may even yet avoid going down to the second division. The good work started at Portsmouth on Friday, when Chelsea decisively beat the F.A. Cup finalist by 2 goals to 0. The following day the team received West Bromwich Albion,, and in a well-contested game scored the odd goal in five. This fine form was maintained on Easter Monday, when the “ Pensioners” were at home to Portsmouth and /played great football to prevail by 4 goals to 0. If Chelsea continues to play this class of football the club' will remain in the first division for another season. CRICKET. It now seems certain that D. R. Jardine will not captain England’s cricket team against the Australians this summer. Whilst he is a great captain, it is just as well that he will not lead England’s team in the test. As the leader of the M.-C.C. team which last visited ; Australia he is naturally blamed for much of the'trouble which arose over the bodyline bowling. That unfortunate affair must be lived down and every ’effort made to ensure that no “incident” on the field of sport shall endanger the good feeling and co-operation between England and the dominions which have grown up from seed springing from the little island. It is early yet to speculate, but G. Walters, the brilliant young Worcestershire captain, would seem a very likely 'man to lead England in the test matches. He is a fine batsman, and has already proved his ability as a leader. QOLF. It has given very wide satisfaction to note how well Cyril Tolley has been playing of late. His experience in the United States certainly seems to have helped him, and his confidence when putting is very marked. Playing at Sandwich on Saturday, he beat a class field when winning the Cinque Fonts medal. He had ,a round of 69, the lowest ever recorded in this particular competition, and only one more than the record for the course. He reached the turn in 33, and his card showed no fewer than nine “ birdies.” Rex Hartley, last year’s winner, and Lister Hartley, his brother, tied for second place, each with a score of 73. The Hon. Michael Scott, the veteran British amateur champion, who will captain the Walker Cup team, could do no better than 80. Another interesting golf fixture during the holidays was the mixed foursomes at Sunningdale. _ The final brought Miss Diana Fishwick and E. Noel Layton into opposition with Miss M. Gourlay and Captain G. E. Hawkins. Each partnership represented a handicap of 4, so they met on level terms. ‘ Miss Fishwick and her partner struck their form at once, and were 4 up at the turn, and still led by this margin, with only five holes to play. They lost the next two holes, however, and looked like losing the next, but Miss Gourlay was very short with her approach putt, and the hole was halved; so that Miss Fishwick and Noel Layton finally triumphed by 2 and 1. CYCLING. Some exceedingly interesting cycle racing was seen at Herne Hill, London, on Friday. T. Merkins, the German champion, proved the outstanding star, and he won no fewer than five events. In an International Sprint Match against Dennis Horn, of Norwich, he ’ beat the Home champion in two heats. He was also successful in a 550yds invitation race, Horn being his nearest rival. Further success came his way in a time test trial: whilst he won -the Palmer Cup in a five_ miles point-to-point race by a margin or seven points. Altogether it a brilliant afternoon’s work by the German crack. Notable professionals m Harry Grant, of England, and T. Graffan, ot France, met in, a series of three matches, with motor pacing.' Grant was successful in two of the three races, arid so took the honours. ATHLETICS. The cross-country season was brought to a conclusion on Saturday with the decision of the intercounty championship, ruu over a five miles course at Fuislip. Staffordshire, the holders, were without several of their best men, including J. Holden, the international champion. This was owing to the cracks saving their energies for the A A. A. ten miles championship on Easter Monday. The race at Ruishp served to show that England has a noteworthy stayer, in Lance-corporal M. Frankham, of the 2nd Battalion, the Buffs. He was representing Kent; and forcing the pace, he ultimately finished an easy winner in 29min Then came A'. W. Penny and H.’ E. Footer, representing Surrey. The merit of the winner’s performance will be fully appreciated when it is remembered that Penny and Footer were third and fourth at Ayr a week ago. Frankham certainly has lots of speed, and he may prove a great track

runner, and possibly emulate other famous Army cracks, of the past. 6. W. Bailey, of the Talford Harriers. did not defend his title in .the ten miles’ flat championship, at Biriningham, on Easter Monday. This made matters easier for J. T. Holden, of the Tipton Harriers ; the international crosscountry champion. Tom Evenson, of Manchester, made a race of it for four miles, but then retired, and Holden scored very easily in 52min 21 2-ssec. J. Dougall, the second man, was nearly two minutes behind. The record .time for this race is 51min 31 2-ssee. set up by Sid Thomas in 1889. The British record is 50min 40'3-ssec. by A. Shrubb, at Glasgow, in 1904. BOXING. Harry Mirier,- the light-weight chainpion, who was so unexpectedly outpointed by Jimmy Walsh, of Binning, ham, recently; gained still another victory at the Blackfriars Ring during the week-end. He was opposed by E. Jamsin, a Frenchman, who has yet to make his name. It was soon clear that Mizler was the “ master.” and although the contest went its full course' of' the rounds, there was only one in it. Jamson was very game, whilst Mirier apparently made no real effort to go m and finish has man. . . . Few heavy-weight boxers in Britain gained more admirers than Bomb. Billy Wells. He was a clever boxer, and had be possessed more devil he would probably have been a world s champion. Apart from his boxing ,he was a fast sprinter, and is now a scratch golfer. He can do other things, as ho showed, when broadcasting a taik over the wireless a few days ago. He proved very interesting, and among the things lie said was that, from what ne could see from a ringside seat, he was satisfied that Len Harvey clearly defeated both Jack Petersen and Larry Gams. Wells further predicted that Harvey will win again, should return matches fae arranged.