TOPICAL TATTLE

Evening Star, Issue 22528, 22 December 1936, Page 5

TOPICAL TATTLE

NEWSY NOTES ON SPORT [By H.P.S.] Test Match Scores. Before the present series of tests the three highest individual scores made against Australia on test fields were; 287, at Sydney, in 1903, by R. E. I'ester, of Worcestershire; 251, at Sydney, in 1928, by W. A. Hammond, of Gloucestershire ; and 231, at Johannesburg, 1936, by Dudley Nourse, the famous South African. All-round Sportsman. A. Lang, who for several seasons past has figured prominently in country cricket, has been transferred to Wellington (says the ‘ Dominion ’). A product of Palmerston North Bpys’ High School—a nursery from which many fine cricketers have graduated—Rang represented Alanawatu when still in Ins ’teens, and on his transfer to Masterton two seasons ago linked up with Old Boys, and immediately represented Wairarapa. A fine, forceful bat with an attractive style, he has a pile of centuries to his credit. H© is also handy with the ball and alert in the field.' Jiang has also represented both Manawatu and Wairarapa at Rugby in the five-eighth line and at full-back. He has joined Institute in Wellington. He intends to play Rugby with Wellington next winter. Drastic Action. They take drastic action in South Africa if a Rugby referee is subjected to undue barracking by players. After a recent game one of, the men was warned off for life, and two others were informed that they would be similarly penalised if their future actions on the field are the cause of complaint. Action on the same lines in New Zealand would have the effect of ridding Rugby of many undesirable elements. Unlucky Cricketer. R. E. S. Wyatt is one of the unluckiest, cricketers living. The injury at Clare, South Australia, when the ulna bone of his left wrist was broken by a sharp, rising ball from M’Kay, was the twelfth he has received in cricket—two fractured, toes, broken bone in foot, fractured jaw, two fractured ribs, broken bone in back of hand, broken thumb, three fractured fingers, broken bone in wrist. From Tennis to Golf. Mrs Helen Wills-Moody, who gave up championship tennis to design dresses, has taken up golf. She is receiving lessons •at the Burlinghame Country Club, where the professional, Harold Simpson, says that she has “ the strength, the muscular co-ordina-tion, and the temperament to become a real star. Mrs Moody is only just starting, but she is doing exceedingly well.”First Ball With a History. The first ball sent down by E. L. M'Cormick in a test against England got a wicket. It was the first strike by Worthington against Australia, and be was out to it (says the Sydney ‘Referee’). It was the first ball bowled in a test against England with Don Bradman captain. It was also the first 'time W. A. Oldfield secured a wicket first ball in a test against England. It was, therefore, a first ball with a history. Perry’s Professional Tour. The promoters of Fred. Perry’s first professional tour have arranged for the champion to play 40 singles matches against Ellsworth Vines, former amateur champion of America and Wimbledon, between January and May. Their opening engagement will be on 1 January G at Madison Square Garden,'New York, where 15,(XX) spectators can be accommodated. Later the two players will visit Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, and California before appearing in Montreal, Vancouver, and other Canadian cities. Perry is reported to have signed the contract which changed his status more than a fortnight before the public announcement was made. The news was held back pending the signature of Vines. Both Vines and Perry will share in the gate receipts on a percentage basis after the proportion for their guarantee has been deducted. Perry has, only contracted to take part in competition match play and to make appearances at tennis receptions and radio talks arranged by the promoters. He reserves all profits from motion films, newspaper articles, and trade endorsements. The guarantee on the contract was £IO.OOO. Golf Precedent. A precedent will be created in the English Golf Union international trials at Wqodhall Spa next year, when players will be sent out in threes, instead of couples. This practice has been followed extensively for some years in Australia and America with advantage, but has not hitherto been adopted in England. It is believed that players in threes take little more time than couples, and makes it possible for a much larger field to compete without loss of daylight. Record Breakers. “ Unbreakable ” records are still being broken by Finnish athletes. Sunnar Hoeckert, who won the 5,000 metres at the last Olympic games, won a twomilo race at Stockholm recently in Bmin 57 4-10 soc, breaking the record held by the American Donald Lash. Tim great Paavo Nurmi’s record for two miles was Bmiu 5!) G-lOsec, which was once thought to be quite unbeatable. Iso-Hollo, another “ dying Finn ” (who won titles at both the 1932 and 1930 Olympic Games), is also breaking records. In a 15,000 metres (nine miles 564}yds) at Helsingfors be beat the world’s record of 46min 49 G-lOsec, by 4 2-10 sec. also breaking records for seven, eight, and nine miles. Tennis Fixtures. Canterbury will defend the Wilding Shield and Nunnerlcy Casket against a challenge by the Northern Zone (Waikato and North Auckland) on January 8 and 9. Contingent on Canterbury retaining the trophies, Wellington has issued a challenge, and has asked that February 5 and 6 should be pencilled as the dates. Phelps and Barry To Meet. - There will he another match for the sculling championship of England on Easter Monday, March 29, the start taking place at 2.15 p.m. The contest was arranged at a meeting held at the offices of ' The Sporting Life,’ when Eric L. Phelps and Lon B. Barry signed articles to row over the championship course for £2OO a side ami the title.