SEARCHLIGHT ON SPORT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20034, 5 September 1939, Page 16

SEARCHLIGHT ON SPORT

Transferred Mr. Mackie, who has been a member of the Poverty Bay Rugby Referees’ Association since the beginning of the season, has been transferred to the Wairarapa district. This season the association adopted the practice that new memebrs who had had no previous experience of refereeing should act as touch judges so as to give them a belter chance of familiarising themselves with the rules. Mr. Mackie, who so far has not referred in the Bay, was very keen and, besides seldom missing a weekly meeting, he was always on hand to carry out his duties as a touch judge. * * «■.! * Eugene Criqui Honoured* At a recent boxing show in France, Eugene Criqui, former featherweight boxing champion of the world, was honoured by the bestowal of the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest award. Criqui won the title from Johny Kilbane, only to lbse it a month later to Johnny Dundee in a hectic battle, which saw the game Frenchman’s jaw shattered. Eugene, his hair now grey, has waited a long time for this recognition. He received a full five minutes of applause from the crowd of fans assembled. Criqui went to Australia shortly after the end of Hie Great War in 1918 and had a very successful tour. Among the men lie fought was Sid Godfrey, whom he defeated by a knock-out before one of the largest attendances seen in the Sydney Stadium.

(By “Four-Forty”)

Not Turning’ “Pro” R. L. Riggs, Wimbledon’s new champion, has been pressed io turn professional, but stated recently that lie would not accept any ofTer, says an English writer. "I do not think I will ever become a professional," he said. “There may be money in it, but I should stand io lose too many other things I like, such as coming here to Wimbledon and playing in • other English tournaments. I have had a grand' time over here, and I hope to be back next year.” * * * » Golf Champion The winner of the Open golf championship on the Poverty Bay Golf Club’s Awapuni links last week, H. D. Brisden, has made a name for himself in several branches of sport. When the 1924 All Blacks, who were undefeated on their tour of England, played in Auckland after a short, tour of Australia prior to leaving for England, Brisden was centre three-quarter for the successful Auckland team. The new champion has represented Auckland at h'oekey, and is also a good tennis player, * • * • Visiting Home One of the players in the Poverty Bfiy open golf title was Harry Priestley, who was defeated in the second round by the ultimate winner, IT. D. Brisden. Priestley is an old Gisborne boy and was educated at the To Ifapara School and the Gisborne High School, and at both places he showed great promise os a footballer. On beginning school teaching, he

was stationed for a time at Clive, Hawke’s Bay, and on numerous occasions he was selected to play for that province as an inside back. Like many more players in recent years, he gave the game up when in his “prime” and took up golf, a game in which lie has made rapid progress. • * * » 1 Footballer—Golfer I The full-back lor the combined I Bay of Plenty-East Coast-Poverty 1 Bay Rugby team that played the Springboks on the Oval late in 1927 was Morrie Davies, from the Bay of Plenty. He was in Gisborne for the recent golf championship and during his leisure moments was to be seen on the Oval training with some of the other "veterans” who took part in the Rugby match last Saturday. * * * * Has Beaten Fenske S. C.sVooderson did not compete at tile recent international athletic meeting in London, jvhen the mile was won by D. B. Pell. He will not run again this year. He has pulled a calf muscle, and has been advised to rest. :In fact, his doctor told him that if he jdid anything to aggravate the condition it would probably mean the end of his track activities, Wooderson now is going to point only for the 1500 metres at Helsinki next year . By the way, in connection with the recent mile fiasco at Princeton, it is interesting to recall that Wooderson met Fenske at 1500 metres at Milan, Italy, last year, and won easily. The American was third, beaten for second place by Luigi Beccali, Olympic 1500 metres champion in 1932. * * * » ! Blind Holes in One Holing in one at the blind hole is all I right, but it is not so thrilling as when one is able to watch the course

of the ball until it disappears. Still, E. J. Zeitch got some satisfaction out of the shot at Northbridge, Sydney, when he found the ball in the hole, for he had almost given it up for lost when it occurred to him to look in the pot. It was a fairly hefty smite, too, the distance being 239yds.

Some years ago there was a recurrence of ones at a blind hole at Concord, Sydney. There were so many that at last the players became suspicious and set a watch. Then it was discovered that an enterprising youngster had been dropping the ball into the hole in the knowledge that he would surely be rewarded when he broke the news to the gratified player. Then there was the case of Dr. Arthur Marks on the same course. He played his tee shot before those ahead had left the green, and one of these players, an alleged pal of the medico, put the ball in the hole. He was permitted to do the honours, which he did right royally, and his day was not spoiled, for the truth was not told to him until the following week. Then, on another occasion, a ball was assisted into the hole. As the player came over the hill he was congratulated on his splendid shot. “Fine,” he explained. “That makes me out in five!” * * * * Successful Comeback Ben Foord, former British and Empire heavyweight champion, came back hi the ring recently with a win on points in a 10-round fight with the giant American, Buck Everitt, at Johannesburg. It was his first time in the ring since George James, Welsh champion, knocked him out last September.