Topicalities In The World Of Sport

Northern Advocate, 1 March 1939, Page 4

Topicalities In The World Of Sport

WORLD’S SECOND BEST HURDLER Tommy Lavery, who is now ranked, according to American athletic placings, as the second best hurdler in the world, holds all possible records for the high hurdles in South Africa. Besides the South African records, he also holds several Australian * records and the British Empire record. He is also holder of the South African 220 low hurdles record with Burton-Dur;-ham at 24 l-10sce., and is the present Transvaal and Natal long jump champion. For the 120 yards hurdles Lavery holds the South African record of 14 3-10 sec., the Natal record' 14 2-ssec., the Western Province record 14 5-10 sec., the Orange Free State record 14 7-10 sec., tht Eastern Province record 14 4-ssec. Lavery established a world’s record of 14 seconds for the high hurdles in Australia which-was recognised by the Americans, but which has since been beaten by an Anferican by a tenth of a second. He also set up a New South Wales record of 14 2-5, a Victorian record of 14 5-10, a Western Australian record of 14 9-10 seconds.

SPORT GOES ON In the war-stricken area of Barcelona people still find the time and energy for sport. Though air raids are part of the city’s daily life, though shortage of food is acute, and though the teams are weakened by war casualties, the Sunday football matches still thrive and are attended by large crowds. The- Pelota courts attract hundreds of spectators several times a week. Bullfighting, however, is at an end. In republican Spain war has killed this sport, and it is doubtful whether it will ever be revived on a large scale. There has been a great reaction against it, as Spaniards of. all classes feel they have had enough bloodshed.

MAX BAER TO MAKE SERIES OF WESTERNS IN HOLLYWOOD

“Madcap” Maxie Baex% former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, swashbuckler extraordinary and erstwhile film actor, is to return to the screen, says an American message. The, boy who let the championship slip through his fingers because he chose the bright lights instead of the training camps, has been signed to make

a series of Westerns for Grand National Pictures. Baer has signed a five-year contract and was reported to be due in Hollywood to start work on his first picture early this month. The series will be done in technicolour and will net interfere in any way with Maxie’s efforts to win back his title. The former playboy-boxer, who is said to have reformed, will not use the proverbial six-shooter, but will rely on his fists to win the girl and chase the cattle rustlers. « * * * CYCLING STORY OF A DECADE A grim race between a cyclist and a huge cobra, with death as the stakes,

took place near Lucknow (India). The cyclist, Mohammed Sultan, was returning home when he saw the cobra lying across the road. Annoyed at having to move, the huge snake raised its hood and lunged at Sultan as he passed, missing him by inches. The cyclist pedalled on, but looking back a little later he found to his horror that the cobra was chasing him and actually gaining. In a few moments the cobra came along side the cycle, and taking advantage of a downhill gradient the terrified cyclist placed his feet on the handlebars to keep his legs out of reach of the snake’s fatal bite. A few seconds of tense anxiety passed. Then there was a sudden jerk. The cycle swerved, and looking down Sultan found that the cobra in the act of trying to bite him had become entangled in the spokes of the front wheel and been cut in half.

OPEN COMPETITION AT OLYMPIC GAMES?

Ridiculing the idea that all competitors in Olympic Games are amateur, a writer in a leading. Paris newspaper, “Le Jour,” suggests that the Olympic Games in future be open to both professionals and amateurs. He states; “Open competition between athletes, whatever their status, is preferable to the hypocrisy with which amateurism abounds.”

SCRUMMAGE LAW CHANGED There will be a change in scrummage law in Australian Rugby Union this year following, on a decision made by the N.S.W. Rugby Union. After seeing films from the English Rugby Union on the subject it was decided to agree with the English proposals that: (a) The law be altered so that the centre-forward’s foot can be advanced as soon as the ball leaves half- .. , back’s hands (the half-back standing about three feet away); (b) The first foot to be used to play the ball shall be the far foot of the second man in the front row.