THE WORLD OF SPORT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 19 June 1926, Page 3

THE WORLD OF SPORT

REVIEW OF ENGLISH EVENTS

(From Our Own Correspondents.)

cession, including the Jockey Club Stakes, with (lie filly, Tatra.

CHESTER CUR HOPE

Spitlicud, of course, becomes an automatic favourite for the Chester Cup, a. race which he won last year. It would he nothing new for a horse (o win the Chester Cup two years in succession, for Chivalrous has. achieved that distinction since (he war. It may ho recalled that in a previous article l described how Warden of the Marches and Nnldera disputed third position in the Newbury Spring Cup won by Rock Fire. Well, this pair together with Spams, was chiefly coiictrned in the destination of the City and Suburban spoils, principal honours going to .Lord Lonsdale's Warden of the Marches who was ridden by Steve Donoghue. Steve rode a well-judged race, for a hundred yards from homo Spams, from iho Manton stable, was in the lead and going well, hut a perfectly timed run on the part of Warden of the Marches was sufficient to take him to the front lo win by a. couple of lengths. A length further off Nnldera was third, and then came Gifted, the mount of Pat Donoghne. The King’s horse, Ruimymcde, and Grand Joy never showed up prominently, while (lie well handicapped Arcade once more proved a gay deceiver. leading into the straight, and tiicn shutting up like a knife. Tt is worthy of note that Donoghue, father and son, have carried off three of the four spring handicaps contested to date..

ANOTHER, SCOTTISH SOCCER WIN

i The Scottish Association footballer is . still supreme. In the gamo at Old , Trafford, Manchester, last week-end it i was hoped that his supremacy would i be broken down, hut, though only one i goal was scored, this was by Scotland. , Not since 1920 has England been successful in the annual international con- . test. All the luck of tho game was on the side of Scotland. They won tile toss, and so were able to play with a. raging wind behind them. How strongh it blew will he judged from (he fact that on one occasion the Scottish - goalkeeper kicked the ball the full . length of tho ground. Against this tremendous iiandicap tho Englishmen played with marked courage and perseverance, and it was to their credit that thev only surrendered their goal once. Then, five minutes before the interval, and the. change round, heavy rain fell, and just as suddenly tho win'd died away to a faint breeze. Thus England had to battle for half the game against the win, and then had , little or no help from it. But at the finish one could only reflect that Die Scottish win was* fully reserved. They were the better side, especially in their understanding and combination, the forwards playing together in a way that their opponents never seemed capable of doing. Their goal was a typical example of their clever manoeuvring. Gallacher, the little centre forward, tried to break through down the middle, but he was challenged by an English hack, and bored out to his right. Seeing that there was a possibility that Gallacher might win a position from which to pass across goal, Jackson, the outside right, inn into the middle where one expects the centre forward to lie. Sure enough Gallacher succeeded, just ns Jackson had anticipated, and when the ball arrived lie was unmarked, and Taylor, in the England goal was in a helpless position. So helpless in fact that, though Jackson only half hit the ball, it sufficed to score, going into the net off the side post. Though there were exceedingly clever players on tlve English side, they did not join together to make up a team as good as that which represented Scotland. Harper, the vonng centre forward, who was pitch-forked- jinto the match without even a trial, because of his feat of setting un a new scoring record for • his chili. Blackburn Rovers, was overawed by (lie occasion. He did himself nothing like justice, and, as was hound to happen, the front lino was out of gear. There was also weakness in the wing positions. The TTest part of (lie English team was the defence, and in Gooda.il.. tho Huddersfield man, we had the best back on the field.

ABE MITCHELL'S WONDERFUL GOLF

No American lias vet accepted the challenge issued on belialf of Abe Mitchell to a match over seventy-two holes in this country, and the wonderful form which he has already shown this season makes it unlikely that any visiting player will risk his £SOO, whir, hinust he put down to hind the match. Golfers in this country declared last season that Mitchell, despite his persistent failure in the championship, was the best player in the world. This season, when he has become, a private professional, and been relieved of all club.duties, he is playing in even grratci style. He. won the Ttoehampton tournament in such convincing manner as to make it dear that he was better than any rival at home. The matchplav stages of the tournament were decided in wet boisterous weather, hut. no mailer how strongly Ihe wind Mew, it made little difference to Mitchell. With his majestic power, he propelled the ball as though he had some mechanical aid. It flew as unerringly as a bullet from a gun. Even Duncan, who opposed him in the final, could not command the shots with anything like the same certainty, and in an ’eighteen-holes malcii' ho was beaten by three up and two to play. But Dun- | ran plaved under a severe handicap, as indeed lie has done for more than two J rears. During this time his wife has ibeeri gravely ill, and there has been no hope for her recovery. All the time he has tried to cnrrv on, and it is not. surprising that he has had a poor record. His wife has now died, and golfers have shown their sympathy with him ip his bereavement. On the day 'after he won the Roehamnlon Cup—bad Duncan been successful it would have become his own property—Mitchell opposed Edward Ray. in a match on the latelr’s course, for CIOO. Once more be plaved as near perfection as could bP conceived considering the rendition* Special hack tees Were Used for the match, and the course was .stretched to its utmost, but, with half a gale blowing, Mitchell went round in Iscvcntv. and at one time was as many a.; eiirlit up on Ray. Ray was dumbfounded. He declared that it was the first tb”" in his long career that lie i.,,,i i,„, n rnn n v as eight, down. "T d ’ '* : '■ anv onp could boat, me like this.'' be said. "Miteheß’s golf is : Mie best T have ever seen. There, is no player, either in this eountrv or Aivi'i'ici. who (.in lire wit 1 1 him.” To all intents and purposes the match was over at the half-way stage. and Mitchell, slackening a. little in the aft pi noe ii. won by seven and five. IT is play to the seventh hole, which measure? ’>?)!) yards, was amazing. Willi f"o : • with his driver into the teeth jff llu wind. In' placed the ball two raid:-' from Mie Hag, and van down the

pul fur a three. In thirty years’ gulf, 1 have never seen two such shuts. No wonder that I fay regarded his (ask as hopeless.

-... — '■-zzssmsLJ’ WET SI’ORT

LONDON, April 22. In quitn recent years (writes Centaur, our racing specialist) we have been (ill.lidv't witii some ppo'fnKingly bad days at Epsom in the matter of wca--1 her—Sansovino’s Derby Day, for inelanee. and when Ulula won the City and Suburban two years ago—and on file most recent occasion of the Spring meeting, both the Great ‘Met’*’ and the "City” were run in a downpour of rain. The long distaneo raco produced its usual surprise, but for a change tho "City” wont to one of the favourites — and the weather then did not appear to be as bad as it actually was ! The “Met” was won very easily by Kyra in the colours of her trainer, Captain Gooch. She had got the raco in her beeping almost as far out as Manna had, when lie won the Derby a- year ago. Having thus settled the gallant top weight, Lord Derby’s Spithead. she came in, full of running, towards the end of the two miles and a quarter to win by five lengths from the other just Inl'tnttioned. Spithead fiinished well clear of the third, Onyx ITT, who had very little to sparo of the lightly weighted Castledcrg for that position. One would be justified in describing the field as moderate. Spithead is far from being a great horse, yet he was able to pull to the 'rout, and show tho way. from the time they turned out of the straight. It is probable, too, that they did not go much of a pace, though it was far too hot for the grey horse Mendoza, who ran wretchedly. There is really no other word to describe the showing of this one, who at one time looked like starting favourite. He got awav all right, but tiiey had not covered- a furlong before he began to loso liis good position, and in a few strides was bust, of all. It almost looked ns though he bad .been struck into, but on mining the racecourse proper ho appeared to yrick up some lccwav, probably because lie was then overtaking some tiring and. beaten horses. Tt wn«. howeyer, a. very spasmodic rally, and Ini had ceased to interest his many hackers a, long way from homo. On this form he ir. hopeless as a Hat racer, and one .wonders how ho came to go so near winning the Queen’s Prize at Kempion. *•

AN EASY WINNER

Snitbead was still nrominent «s they made the descent to Tattenhnm Corner, where he was joined by the French horse. Onyx 111. The pair stayed in close company unlTl well into the straight, but all tho time Fox had been' lying well up with! Kvra. One could see, as they turned for home, that Fox was very satisfied with the way she was going. In .a stride or two she .was .past Onyx ni and immediately afterwards the argument with Spithead was shortlived. She went on, as I have mentioned, to win the “Metropolitan” more easily than it has been won for some years past. Kyra is a brc»wn mare bv Beau Bill from Maid of tho Vale. The sire was by William the Third, so that she is bred right on that side of her pedigree to stay a long course. She has rather ujfright fpasterris and probably the soft- going suited her, hut the best part about her is her fine depth and shoulders, while she is of the ‘vnrminty” sort that has not'too much substance to carry. Captain Gooch is a wonderful man in the training of stayers. He bought Kyra, originally out of a selling race, and it may be remembered that last, year he. won the Goodwood Stakes with Diapason, the three races in suc-

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS ARRIVE

Tho Australian cricketers had an overwhelming welcome on their arrival in London. They were met by over five thousand cheering people at tno station, and tlimigli it iwas ’Sunday, and they were tired after their fortright’s sight-seeing on the Continent, the tourists had to hold a reception in their hotel before they were permitted tr. go to bed. Unfortunately most of them had suffered from a strange form of influenza on hoard ship, and Grimn.ell lias spent the past week in bed in London. They are, however, all well again except the googlie bowler, and lie expects lo join his colleagues at practice next. week. As was to he expected, invitations to social functions have been showered on them, and until the season opens they are allowing luncheon they were, welcome by the I.Yiino Minister, and Sir James Barrie, usually so shy and retiring, came and pro posed "Cricket?" to which Pl)im Warner responded. There wore hn? morons references to what was called the "barrage” which Noblo and Clem Hill hud put up by their press articles, and Sir James Barrie sent shafts of wit shining through .them, p/eturipg Maurico Tate skittling Collins and his men all out, whilst Plum Warner told of a dream lie had had of the first Test Match. It. was half-past five on 11io last day. Jack Hobbs made u stroke between cover and extra cover, and. as [lie hall reached the boundary, England had won by five wickets. As Warner said, if was safer In dream than lo prophecy. The Australians visit Lords every day for practice at the nets. Unfortunately the weather, though not cold, lias been showery.

THE BILLIARDS TEST MATCH

Smith having won two of the three matches hv which the unofficial billiards “Test” with Newman was to be decided, the result was a foregone conclusion when tho final game was started. Smith had gained a lead of 6366, and it did not scorn possible for him ot he robbed of this huge advantage. As it happened, Newman won the final game in London, but ho regained only 881 points, so that on the full “Tebl” lie was beaten by 5,484. He had hacked himself for £SO to win the third game, and, of course, ho took !ns opponent’s money, but this was poor consolation for a very thoroygh defeat. It was a tame finish. On the first day Newman went ahead, establishing a lead of a Thousand points, and he was usually this number ahead. But never during the whole fortnight did Smith strike the form shown in the previous games. Indeed, it \ almost seemed a. slhough he was content to hang on to the lead lie had gained, and forfeit the £SO. Possibly this was a false, impression, hut the fact remains that his breaks were unusually small, judged by his own standard. At the present time Newman is defending his ofliCeial title as champion in a match against the younger player, Joe Davis, ins only challenger. As against Smith, Newman went away with a spurt, and at the end of the first day was over a thousand ahead. Since then lie hgs increased his lead, Davis being quite unable, to find his form.

BOXING AND BOXERS

Such was the form of Elkv Clark (writes Eugene Corn) at the begining

of 111!) week i!gainst. Kid Socks that lie would probably have beaten the best of bis poundage in the world. 1 doubt whether at anv time in bis career, be was in such fighting trim. And as lon-' as be lives, Forks —as game a boy as ever diew in a glove—will not meet eueli a, hard-hitting <>r a relentless fighter. It was a bout that. 1 enjoyed immensely. I lived every second of if, and 1 am sure that a, very large and distinguished gathering felt the same as I did. 1 eravo for nothing better, nothing more deeorous, nothing more completely in keeping with the spirit of sport. ]\lr C. 11. Douglas, who was referee, had not the least, trouble with either; lad : I did not see a single clinch _ to which exception could be taken. ’I liej one admonition was given to Clark—f osee that he hit with a closed glove—ami even then there was nothing dread- , fully wrong. Clark has gone far to help us to forget : our iiiililf-.'reiif championship standard. As we watched him, lie set us saying ; that at least our little men have not i forgotlep how to box and fight. And as for Kid Socks, there never was a I more worthy challenger. Clark, as I 'expected, was too Mirongi, physically land as a puncher, for the London youth, and the wonder was that Socks got ns i far as the very last round, and was , oiilv a (ride more than a minute to go. ' No other lad would have kept up for ■ so long, and no other lad would have ; held so surely to a fighting brain as he | did under the storm and stress of if all. ; The footwork* of Socks was a delight. He pulled out tricks that would have i been worthy of Pedlar Palmer, and there was high merit in the defensive [ battle which he was compelled to wage.

A CLEVER LOSER

I heard if said that Socks at the beginning was over-awed; that he was terribly apprehensive ; that he was even fearful of what would happen to him. 1 do not subscribe to that view. If Socks had carried the fight-, and had swapped punches as he was invited to do hv the Scot, he would perhaps have been" knocked out before half-a-dozen rounds had gone. For Clark was in his most devastating mood. Clark, perhaps ismai/ting under the memory of his defeat at the Albert Hall, so fashioned himself that he denied tho least scone to Socks for the making of points. He made it impossible for the youth to box as he did when they had the 12 rounds affair Kensington way. Clark made Socks appear to ho a foreign, an unnatural Socks, and those who were disposed harshly to' criticise tlie Bethnal Green lad for adopting safety tactics gave him small credit for seeing and realising that his one hopo of weathering the storm was by bringing tiredness To Clark, and then pulling out all he. was capable of in tho. wav of aggression. ! I have often remarked upon the j weight of Clark’s punches. Believe me! lie put every ounce of his power in his blows that, lie sent along last Monday night. His one-two punches were indeed mighty blows, and done more 1 effectively 'than I have seen for years.; Clark was obviously the master from the first round to the last. And now T suppose he will be contemplating having a shot at the world’s title.

FROM THE WEST COUNTRY

Next Thursday, at the Albert Ilall, we shall have a real opportunity of summing up one of our young hopes—this boy Len Harvey ,of Plymouth. Harvey, still in his ’teens, is now a welterweight, and, if I mistake not. he ivHi he a. heavyweight before his career

is finished. He comes from a grand Devonshire slock of big-boned men, and already, (hough a boy, his limbs are big’and strong. There is a clearness in his eye, a coolness in his manner, which icuiind one strongly of that other grand young boxer, .lack Hood. But Hood is almost fully developed as to style, and fully fashioned physically. The hoy Harvey, brilliant though ho is, is nevertheless still in an early stage as regards knowledge of tho ring and its ways, lie has- much lo learn. But, fortun.i 1 civ. nothing so far to unlearn. And in this negative respect he is years ahead, in my view, of tin; hoy who was deemed to have beaten him, Johnny Sulliva n. At the Albert Ilall llarvev will meet ;l finished and most «kilfu| oxpmieul of boxing in Harry -Mason, our light

weight champion, who, I suspect, 1s hinru c oniforlahle these days at tho I igher weight. Will Majsjnn ho ,too diver for him? I doubt it, for Ilav\(Jv"s defence •is his strongest point. But it may he that Haive.y, though natorally careful, will ho drawn by his wily opponent into rash attack, and, if this is so. Harvey will bo beaten, for Mason is a past master at making tho rushing* tearaway fighter look foolish. If Harvey takes my advice, ho will piny a waiting game, even as Mason will play it, and lead for the most part with his long and hurtful left. Do not expect Harvey lo survive this most j difficult lest triumphantly; but rejoin.* if he does. That, at any rate, is how I regard the contest, and I shall not he .a whit dismayed if Harvey lose:;. He has all his life before him.