SPORTS SNAPS

Evening Star, Issue 22768, 1 October 1937, Page 4

SPORTS SNAPS

[By Hooker.]

m. 65: G. J. ROBERTSON

One of the newcomers of class to Dunedin cricket within the past few years is G. J. Robertson, who came from Poverty Bay to reside in this city last year. Joining up with the Dunedin Club he immediately disclosed his value as an all-rounder, and his performances in all departments of tho game certainly stamped him as a probable representative player. Particularly impressive is his bowling, which is of the fast-medium type, right-hand, and on the one or two occasions upon which he was given the opportunity of showing his capabilities in matches other than club engagements he certainly showed form that induced many critics to wonder why he was not given a place in the Otago Blanket Shield team. His deliveries make pace off the pitch to a greater extent than those of the average bowler of this type, and he has command of an in-swinger which is decidedly disconcerting to_ the batsman, He is of the energetic type of player also, and does not easily tire. This applies also to his fielding, which is invariably keen and clean, and to

his batting, which has been particularly consistent throughout the time he has been in Dunedin. In addition to his playing qualifications, Robertson is a keen club man, and is this season holding several official positions in his club, amongst them being that of deputy club captain and selector. Altogether he is of the right type to help the game along in this province. His performances since arriving here, however, are only in conformity with his past record in. Poverty Bay. a record of which any cricketer might be proud. Jadk Robertson started his cricket career at the Gisborne High School, where he was a member of the first eleven in 1922-23-24, taking part in the Poverty Bay Association’s senior competition. He was also a member of the school Rugby fifteen in 1924, filling the position of full-back. After leaving school, Robertson had three seasons with United, three seasons with Old Boys, three with Civil Service, and for one season he - had charge of the association’s colts’ team. His last season in Gisborne he played with the Marist eleven. Robertson had a remarkably fine record in club cricket in Gisborne, putting together no fewer than 17 centuries. His most successful season was about five years ago, when he made over 1,000 runs in club and representative games, scoring five centuries—four in club games and 100 not out against Auckland. Three .of his hundreds were made in a row. In one season for Old Boys,'he took 112 wickets in club games at a cost of 7.9 runs apiece. Jack played regularly for Poverty Bay from 1923 until he left for Dunedin in 1936, representing that province more often than any other player. He took part in Hawke Cup matches against Wanganui (2), Taranaki. (2), Mapawatu (3). and South Auckland. Among the players associated with Robertson in the Poverty Bay team was Carson, the Auckland player who visited England with the New Zealand team, and Carson showed outstanding promise even at that Stage of. his, career. Robertson had several seasons with the Old Boys’ Football Club as a wing three-quarter, but an injury ,in 1927 in his first representative match cut short his playing career. This many-sided sportsman has years ot cricket ahead of him, but already he has shown ability at bowls, and in the Poverty Bay Club won several trophies for singles play, including the colts' ana junior championship. He met with a fair amount of success as a light-weight boxer, and performed well in the Poverty Bay championships, while he also showed out well as a middle-distance runner with the Poverty Bay Anta/teur Athletic Club.