SCRAP BOOK JOTTINGS

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 168, 17 July 1937, Page 11

SCRAP BOOK JOTTINGS

Diminutive Half-backs. Queensland Rugby enthusiasts claim that their scrum-half, Horan, of Toowoomba, is the smallest of his kind, being only sft. 4in. and weighing 9st 51b. The New Zealand record is held by A. L. Humphreys, the Taranaki half for the 1897 and 1903 All Blacks. He bumped the scale at 9st 71b, height, sft. Sin.

English International for New Zealand Marine C. Webb, a well-known English Rugby international, has sailed with H.M.S. Leandcr for New Zealand. The 1935-36 All Blacks will remember Webb, as he played for England against them at Twickenham. Webb also played in internationai matches this year. His clubs are the Royal Navy and Devonport Services. Webb will in New Zealand for three years.

New Zealand Voice. Mr. T. H. Dobson, writing from Horopito, North Island, N.Z.:—“With lots of olhers over here I wish to congratulate the New South Wales Rugby team on their wonderful win over the ’Boles. . . . You people seem to think that New Zealand and Africa are the cream of Rugby talent. Will we ever see anything greater than when New South Wales laid them low? Remember, New South Wales have beaten our boys many times. 4* 4- $ Badminton Success. There seems no branch of sport at which George Dickinson cannot shine. The ex-New Zealand Rugby and cricket representative has shone in other branches of sporting activity besides these, and nowadays he is one of the Otago Province’s best badminton players. Recently he defeated Abbott, the Otago champion. He is also a member of the Otago Badminton Association.

Canadian Rugby Enthusiast. In Dunedin at the present time is Mr. George Devve, w r ho has had a good deal to do with the promotion of Rugby in Edmonton, Canada. Mi. Dewe, who lived in Invercargill, met the late Right Hon. W. F. Massey on his visit to Edmonton in 1923, when he urged the late Prime Minister to do what he could to arrange for the All Blacks to visit Canada to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries. Mr. Massey readily agreed to take the matter up, with the result that the All Black team of 1924-25 passed through Canada from east to west, staying at Calgary and receiving the most enthusiastic welcome of their tour. Mr. Dewe attended a banquet given in honour of the All Blacks, and later with them visited Banff in the Rockies prior to their departure for Van- ■ couver.

INTERESTING NEWS ITEMS

The Springboks’ jerseys are sumbered 1 to 30, and they have 29 players. There is no number 13. *■ * ♦ Flyweight Boxing. Benny Lynch, the Glasgow Irish ■*>°xer, who claims the world flyweight title, was beaten for the second time by Jim Warnock, of Belfast, in an overweight match at Celtic Park Glasgow. A third meeting, involving the title, has been arranged. * * ♦ Coming Cricket Visits. Wisden records the interchange of cricket visits for the next five years, as follows: 1938, Australia in England; 1938-39, England in South Africa; 1939, West Indies in England; 1939-40, England in India; 1940, South Africa in England; 1940-4 L England in Australia; 1042, Australia’ in England. * * * No Football In Spain, With the suspension of Association football in Spain on account of the civil war, several of the leading players have left the country and joined French clubs. These clubs, however, still prefer English players! It is considered that they supply the finish and extra dash on attack which Continental teams lacs. - ♦ *■ Soccer Man’s Long Service. After 32 years with Blackburn Rovers as player, trainer, and coacil Arthur Cowell has parted company with the club. He played for England against Ireland in 1910, and was a member of Blackburn's League Championship side in 1911-13 and 1913-14. * * -r Notes Bowls President. The new president of the Auckland Bowling Centre, Mr. J. W. Truscott, has had years of playing experience and done a great deal of executive work. For many years he was a prominent figure in all major tournaments in which he scored many successes. Aypreciation was expressed at the annual meeting of delegates to the cen.re of the valuable two years* work done by the retiring president Mr. A. E. Whitten. * » * Well Known Referee. Mr. H. J. McKenzie, a member ot the well-known Rugby family, and a leading New- Zealand referee, is again taking ac.ive part in this capacity. Two representative matches during recent weeks brought the total number of these games he has controlled to the century mark—an enviable record. Mr. McKenzie refereed the second test match between New Zealand and Australia at Dunedin last year. * *■ ♦ Stan, McCabe’s Scoring. The annual report of the Mosmai District Cricket Club, New South Wales, provides an epitome of the great scoring by Stan. McCabe. In all first-class cricket he has made 10,099 ™ s ; the remarkable average o£ on'il 4 ' His Shef,ie,d Shield figures are 2948 runs at 89.33. In tests against England he has 1569 runs at 49.03. When it is realised how perfect In It’ 1 ® £ n i '’ igour ls lhe batting of £>ian McCabe, his record is extraordinary. * * * Frank Tarrant. Tarrant ' thc ' well-known Australian cricketer and organiser of Australian touring teams, has re-urn-ed to Australia from India to sign up E. Bromley, the ex-Australian test player, and a member or thc last Australian side to tour England, for a second tour of India. Bromley had a wonderfully successful season In India last year, and Tarrant has been commissioned by the Maharajah of Petiala fnrlh CUre Eromlo >'' s appointment for a iurtncr season.

British Empire Games. Advice has been received that a sculler will be included in (he team to represent England at the British Empire Games in Sydney next year, but f£ pa !^ cntly llot the intention of thc English authorities to be represented in either the four-oar or eightoar Empire championships. No mention of such crews is made in reference to the English team which, it is understood will comprise 46 competitors. Now Zealand will include a sculler, an eight and a four In It* team of 70 competitors, and It is believed that Canada will be represented by a sculler, at least. * 4 * Hagen’s Confidence. Walter Hagen, the famous United Sta’es professional golf player, now 45, arrived in England recently, declaring that “there was nothing more certain than that he would win the British open golf championship.” He reasons for this burst of confidence were that he was a bachelor again, and he was living the simple life. “I fooled them in 1929 at Muirfield by winning, when the boys said I was through, and I can do it again at Carnoustie,” said Hagen, wilh typical confidence. Hagen has won the British open championship four times. * * * Football Finances. Everton F. C. made a profit on last year’s working of £3332 15s 3d, compared to a loss of over £BOOO the previous year. The better return waa brought about largely by the longer run in the cup competition last year and owing to the fact that considerably less was spent in transfer fees than in the previous term. The amount taken up by players’ wages and transfer fees was £15,352 as against £20,407 the season before, gate receipts (£49,172) were up by £7102 and percentage of away gates (£5253) was also £1404 better.