SCRAP BOOK

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 5

SCRAP BOOK

INTERESTING ITEMS FROM HERE AND THERE Benefit for Larwood’s Friend— Voce. Bill Voce, partner of Harold Larwood in some of the fast-bowling episodes of 1932-33, is to have a big benefit match this season in England. In the spirit of forgive and forget, Australians wish “Bill” a bumper testimonial with “house full” each day. New Zealand Football. There is apparently no need for team wrestling in New Zealand while we have our football. Recent occurrences make it fairly obvious that if you took the ball off the field it would be some time before the players noticed its absence. Wants to Abolish Scrums Altogether. A correspondent of the London Observer wants a drastic change, replacing the scrummage altogether by line-ups in mid-field similar to the throw-out from touch. The objection to this is that the game would no longer be Rugby Football.

Possible Doping of Footballers? Because of the increase in gland treatment for footballers and possible medical reactions, critics urge the English Football Association to appoint a commission to inquire into the subject. They point out that while Portsmouth and Wolverhampton supervise the treatment which the players undergo voluntarily, there is a danger of “doping” if the treatment is misused. The players, they say, should have the right to refuse any treatment to which doctors might object. Cutting Down Amateur Tennis Expenses. Mr. Holcombe Ward, president of the United States Lawn Tennis Association, made it clear in his presidential address that the amateur rules are to be strictly enforced by America during the 1939 season. “Instead of imposing the penalty after the offence has been committed, we are hoping to prevent the commission of the offence. And so, during recent months, we have started a campaign of education to explain both to tournament committees and to all ranking players just what expenses clubs may pay and players may receive without impairing their eligibility to hold tournaments or to play in them, and also the reasons for these amateur regulations.” Tennis Man’s Damages on Peculiar Claim. Damages amounting to 2368, including £llß agreed special damages, were awarded with costs, at Bristol Assizes (England) to a lawn tennis player, member of a Bath sporting family, who claimed that his chances of ever playing on the centre court at Wimbledon had been ruined as the result of an accident. He brought an action for damages for personal injuries against a Frome motorist. In summing up Mr. Justice Tucker referred to the plaintiff’s reputation as a player. “On the medical evidence as a whole, I have no reasson to suppose but that in a period of two years at the outside, he will be able to play a game every bit as well as he has done in the past. But his accident has interfered with his enjoyment of sports.”