SPORT IN BRITAIN

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3715, 19 October 1926, Page 2

SPORT IN BRITAIN

LONDON, August 25. CRICKET. \ The final test match between Englaud and Australia did something liesides settling the question as to Avhich should hold the “ ashes.” All sorts ol doubts Avere expressed regarding the wisdom of playing to a finish, and many feared it Avould lead to dull play. We shall hear less of this in future, and it Avill be strange indeed if the authorities concerned fail to come to a decision as to Aviso regulations.

The opinion of many close folknvers of cricket is that four days.should bo alloted for test matches, and in the event of the issue depending on the Jast, then that should be played to a finish. Noav tliat the tests are over it can be said that the play shotved that the Homeland has regained a slight superiority oA'er Australia. The winning team could Jiave been strengthened by including a batsman-wicket-kceper, and also playing Tyldesley, the second best batsman of the season. On the other hand, it is related that the Australian team lias been handicapped through illness to some of the loading players. One of the most striking things about the last tost Avas the exceptional excitement, and it is said that Rhodes Avas the only member of the home side avlio did not “go off the deep end ” Avhen the match ended. The splendid manner the Australians accepted the result, and the real hearty congratulations they extended to the winning team, AA r as another pleasing note in these days Avhen losers so often make excuses. The splendid stand of Hobbs and Sutcliffe in the second in-

nings of England was the turning point of the game, and it was not the runs alone they made which counted so much. The far-seeing Hobbs purposely played the bowling of Richardson with the utmost respect, whilst the wicket would have bettor suited some of the other bowlers. The Australian skipper apparently “swallowed” the “bait” and kept Richardson on. Meanwhile tho batsmen just scored singles and kept up their wickets, whilst the turf improved. That is where experience

counts; and the brainy bowling of Rhodes also played a big part laterproof that these veterans are still worthy to lead England. They actually do so, the batting and bowling tables being headed by Hobbs and Rhodes respectively. FOOTBALL. As is usual at the start of a season, surprises are the order of the day, and some curious results have been seen in the Scottish League football matches. The Morton v. Partick Thistle match, ou the latter’s ground, was a remarkable one. At one time Thistle led" by 4 goals to 1, but the Morton men rallied so well that they put on four more goals without response, and won on the post. Both Glasgow Rangers and Celtic appear to be strong again. Rangers had a stiff task on Saturday, when called on to visit the Airdriconians, so that it was a good performance to share the goals, which numbered half a dozen. Celtic were at home to Cowdenbeath, and

registered 2 goals, without response from their opponents. The English clubs are busily at work with practice matches, in which new men are being tried out. There appears every likelihood ot big changes in some ol the teams, as indicated by the success of second teams against the first choice in some instances. GOLF. The ‘brothers Charles and Ernest Wbilcymbe are noted for doing well in the big golf tournaments, and wo bad another instance of this in the UHfOgs promotion at Moortown. near Leeds, a few days ago. They came together in the semi-final, and had a rare struggle, the match going to the twentieth green before Charles managed to win. He was called on to oppose M. 0 .Ngill, the Irish champion, in the final, and ho played so splendidly that lie beat him by no less than 9 and 8, in a match of thirtysix koles. The winner was successful in a I.ODOgs tournament two years ago, and as Krnest won a like promotion in jpo.'i, tlie family has done well in this class of golf. . . This is the boys week in golf, but as some of them stand 6ft 3in in height and weigh 14st, it would perhaps be better to change the title to the junior championship. Proceedings at Coombe Hill opened with the annual match between teams of eight from England and Scotland, and a rare struggle this provided. Scotland looked like prevailing when J. llamsden led by three holes at the turn in the deciding match. K. W. Buchanan, of England, then played so well that lie did not lose another hole, and his triumph by 2 and 1 enabled England to prevail by 4J matches to

The opening round showed the young players to ho very talented, as instanced by F. A. Simmonds, of Pntnev. going out in 36. Even then he did not win. as A. S. Anderson, of Hindhead, came home in 37, and won on the nineteenth green. Another feature was the doing of the seventeenth hole in 1 by F. H. Waters, of Loretto, a “boy” of 6ft Sin. BOXING. The big match of the week-end in London was between Jack Stanley, of London, and L. Wilms, of .Belgium, who met at The Ring. The home man set out to gain a quick victory, and in less than a minute ho sent his man down with a crash. Wilms staggered to his feci , but a few seconds later he again caught a terrific right to tire jaw, which settled matters. He certainly got up within the ten seconds, but was clearly dazed, and Ibc referee stopped the contest. BILLIARDS. The Billiards Association lias made its arrangements for the next English and Empire amateur championships. The country has been split up into fifteen centres for flic purpose of the former, in which qualifying competitions will be bold. Two players from the London centre and one from each of the others will then be drawn for flic competition proper, which will be staged in London. The Empire championship will again be decided in London, but after .1927 it will be held every second year, and in the country of the title holder, which seems a wise way to popularise amateur billiards. Entries are expected from South Africa and India, and, with the British cracks, will ensure an interesting struggle.

ATHLETICS. A feature of the athletic fixtures this week was the attempt of J. E. Webster to beat the three-mile grass track record at Stourbridge. The record is 14mm 22sec by Alfred Shrubb; but Webster’s chance was hopeless from the start owing to a high wind. Ho finished a good second in the special handicap, and ran the course in 14mm 49sec —very good under the conditions. Another big performance this week was accomplished by Fred. Holt, of Bradford, when winning the Settlc-to-Bradford Road Walk of thirty-two miles. Ho Avon by about a mile in the excellent time of 5h 20min Cscc. The performance of German athletes at the English championship meeting last month made it clear that the improvement of athletics in Germany since 1914 has been remarkable. Further proof of this Avas given at Basle, in Switzerland, last Sunday, Avhen teams from Germany, France, and SAvitzerland met in a big international contest. The Germans almost sAvcpt tlio board, and scored a total of 12JJ points to 89j by France and 03 by tlie Jiomo athletes. France only gained one victory—that being the high jump, in Avhich P. LcAvden cleared Oft 2.] in. SAvitzerland scored in the 400 and 800 metres, won by Imbacb and Martin, the former doing 48 4-ssoc and the latter Imin 54.Jsec —both good runs. It seems that Germany libs a line sprinter in Tvoernig, avlio registered 10 4-ssec and 21 4-ssec when Avinning the 100 and 200 metres races. The great Dr Peltzer simply outclassed bis rivals in the 1,500 metres race, and be Avas not in the least distressed when Avinning in 3min 59 4-sscc. This is equal to 4min 20sec for n full mile; and, remembering bis Imin 51 3-ssec half-mile at the English championship, it seems likely that he may heat Nurmi (if and Avhen he opposes the Finn) at 1,500 metres. It Avould be an athletic treat to see them in opposition, and the Avriter fancies Peltzer.