SPORTING GOSSIP.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1112, 7 April 1930, Page 1

SPORTING GOSSIP.

New Zealand Cricket Tests. The recent games between the New Zealand cricket team and the M.C.C. eleven have been recognised officially as test matches. The definition of a test match as laid down by the' Imperial Cricket Conference in July 1926 is: “Test matches are matches played between sides duly selected by recognised governing bodies of cricket representing countries within the Empire.” This is the first time the official endorsement has been given by the M.C.C., which body,, despite the reso-' lution quoted above, is still in charge of the game, and performances of last season’s games may now be included in test match statistics. New Zealand, as a try-out, has been allotted one official test match for the coming tour of England, as against the usual five allotted to Australia and South Africa. That “Drop.” Murray, the Irish threequarter included in the British team to tour New Zealand, dropped a goal against England and gave victory to his side by a goal to a try. It is worth noting that in this game England se- / cured the ball from the scrum four times to Ireland’s one, yet went under. Those critics who expect the All Blacks to win the majority of scrums, kick into touch like a Mor- ' § •• # kel, win the tight mauls and maintain their general superiority in other phases of the game, all by reverting to the old kick into touch rule, should note this fact. 1 Spong’s Versatility. Writing of Spong’s play ,in the above match a leading English critic wrote: Spong was chockful of it (cleverness). When he found straight forward passing was of no avail he tried the short punt ahead trick; when; that failed there was the inside pass and the cross kick. But every, use met with the same fate—nine times out of ten—because whoever had the ball found an Irishman at hand to introduce him to Mother Earth with emphasis and decision. i Lure of the Pen. “ It looks as if there is going to be a serious shortage of selectors for the coming season,” writes a leading English sporting paper. “So many of these people are anxious to • write , for the newspapers,” it concludes with gentle sarcasm. Cricket Talkie. Application has been made to the Worcestershire Cricket Club by an English firm cf talkie picture producers for permission to “ take ” the first match of the Australian tour, which opens at Worcester. It is to be hoped the talkie will cease before leg-before-wicket vie- ,/ tims reach the pavilion! A Rugby Puzzle. “ It has puzzled a good many followers of Rugby in the North,” writes an English paper, “ as to why H. Wilkinson (selected to tour New, Zealand) has been overlooked for thd f trials and the game against Wales. The explanation offered in high; quarters is that while Wilkinson can make runs and get tries. . there are other points in wing-forward play in which he is lacking.” New Zealand critics should note the reference to wing forward play. Evidently “ shiners ” are to be found in the Old Country as well as in this Dominion. Nevertheless a man' who can “ make runs ” and above all “ get tries ” should be a fairly .certain selection for most teams.