THE SPORTSMAN'S LOG

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6992, 19 August 1929, Page 4

THE SPORTSMAN'S LOG

Visions of absolute power—some referees’ reveries. * * * Johnny Leclcie knocked out —compulsory Sarron-der. # * # American tennis hopes sunk again —Davis (s)Cup-pered!, * * * The All Blacks played their last match for charity. They needed some charity themselves. * * H Harry Frost, old-time Canterbury Rugby representative, enjoyed himself immensely at the jubilee celebrations of Rugby in Canterbury. So did Jack Frost this week. # * * Hind scored a try for New South Wales against New Zealand on Wednesday week. A Hind let loose. * $ # The feat of taking all 10 wickets in an innings of first-class cricket

has been done often enough, but it is worthy of remark that A. P. Freeman’s performance of this kind, a week or so ago, was made against the champion county of last season, Lancashire. Freeman is a great bowler on English wickets, but was unable to

strike his best ' form in Australia A. P. Freeman last season. # * * Hockey Referees The members of the Australian hockey team speak very highly of the excellent refereeing which they have had on their New Zealand tour. Evidently the examination and grading of hockey referees throughout the Dominion have been fruitful. * * * Curious Cricket Match A cricket match for 1,000 guineas was played at Montpelier Gardens, Walworth, England, in 1796 between two teams of Greenwich pensioners. Eleven one-armed men met eleven onelegged men, and the one-legged men won easily. A return match had a similar result. So great was the interest taken in the game that a scene of riot and confusion occurred owing to the pressure of the populace to gain admittance to the ground; the gates were forced open, and several parts of the fencing were broken down, and a large number of persons having climbed on to the roof of the stable it fell in. Several persons fell among the horses, and were taken out much bruised. * * * Stout Players in Spirited Game In a certain town recently a match was played between a brewery team and a commercial house that specialises in the sale of the Highlander’s favourite tipple. The game, naturally, was a spirited one in the first half, and it was almost a ease of biers being need for some of the brewery representatives. Fortunately, however, the necessity was averted with “e’s." In the second half the B’s let go their bottled-up froth—-or wrath—and the tables were turned. The players, too, were frequently overturned. Two of them appeared to be what might be delicately alluded to as “water-logged,” so much so that a spectator remarked to his neighbour: “I see the —’s are playing the new game—two 'full’ backs.” The official scores at the finish were unobtainable; so it was agreed to call it “a draw.” If a return match is arranged, and the match made known it will bo another kind of draw. The pity of it is that it cannot here be revealed in what remote corner of the Dominion the match took place. * # * An Umpire’s Qualification The permit and umpire committee of tlio Victorian Football League has some knotty problems presented for decision. Some years ago a country association wrote, asking, “Can a delegate who has five sons playing in a team in our association be allowed to

act as goal umpire in our competitions?” The answer was “Any man who has five sons playing in one team should be above reproach.” * * * “Ward's Folly” The experiment now being conducted in England of increasing the height of the wickets to 2 Sin by 9in wide in county cricket matches recalls the fa.ct that similar experiments have been made from time to time. One of the earliest was in 1837, when, on the suggestion of Mr. William Ward, four stumps measuring 3Gin by 12in were erected as a handicap to the Gentlemen in the match against the Players. Although the Gentlemen disposed of eight of the Players for 17 runs only, they lost by an innings and 10 runs, and. the match became known as the “Barn Door Match,” or “Ward’s Folly.” $ •* * A Footballer’s Price The price paid for the transfer of a footballer in England runs into thousands of pounds. The men are under contract to ‘ the clubs, and their value is assessed on their drawing capacity. Last season in England, David Jack, of the Bolton Wanderers’ team, was sold to the Arsenal team for £IO,OOO. The previous record was £7,500, paid by Aston Villa team for Gibson, the Scottish international halfback. David Jack’s share of the sum paid for his services was £260. * * * “A Sportsman And A Maori” Harry Frost, old-time Canterbury Rugby representative and administrator, now an administrator of the game in Auckland, told

a, good story against himself, and illustrated the sportsmanship of the Maori race, at the Canterbury Rugby Union’s jubilee dinner last week./ “Once, when the Canterbury team was going to Wellington,” said Harry Frost, “I had as a cabinmate on the ferry

steamer that great player and man, the late Billy Uru.

Going to bed that night, Billy Uru had just pulled out his old night-cap and put It on, when I said to him, ‘Billy, tomorrow let - them see what you can do. You know, if you like, you can throw them to the other side of the ground.’ And Billy replied, ‘Harry, I’m surprised at you! If I’ve got to knock anybody about to get on In Rugby I’d rather not play.’ Billy Uru,” concluded Harry Frost, “was a sportsman and a Maori, and we’re proud of the Maoris.” • * • Dempsey’s Feeler There are many San Franciscans who believe that Jack Dempsey’s vaudeville tour is more to act as a “feeler

out” of public sentiment than for any other reason. They assume that Dempsey wants to fight because he can use the money, and before he accepts wishes to discover the trend of public opinion. If he finds there is a friendly feeling toward a fight in which he may par-

, ticipate, then, say these chaps, the \ Manasa Mauler will enter the arena ; again. * * * ! No Game for Girls ; Girls have been barred from fur* | ther participation in the American Legion's national baseball tourna- ’ ment. A year ago Legion officials , were almost panic-stricken when \ they discovered that 15-year-old | Margaret Gisolo was the regular first baseman on the Blanford, Ind., team entered in the tourney. The veterans pondered long, but could find no rule for keeping out i the girl, who was the star of the \ 5 team. She played. This year, * however, the rules were amended r so that only boys were. eligible. The rule will stand, it is added, i it being decided that baseball was ) only for boys, anyway.