Universities’ Swimmers May Compete At Centennial Games

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27572, 14 December 1950, Page 5

Universities’ Swimmers May Compete At Centennial Games

Sports Commentary

By the Sports Editor

Negotiations ae under way for the entry of the New Zealand Universities’ Water Polo team in triangular competition with Canterbury and Australia at the Centennial Games. The universities’ team will comprise W. H. Dyson (Canterbury), W. J. Jarvis (Otago), B. Hutchinson (Auckland), N. Chambers (Canterbury), T. H. Logan (Otago), C. Chambers (Canterbury), and A. Jarmey (Otago), with M. T. Butterick (Canterbury) and R. Blanchett (Otago) as emergencies.

This is a highly experienced combination. Logan was captain of the New Zealand water polo team at the Empire Games, and Hutchinson was a member. The Chambers brothers were swimming representatives at the Games and have won many national titles. Jarvis and Dyson have long been considered as outstanding among New Zealand water polo players. Dyson has represented Otago, Canterbury, Wellington and Waikato. Jarmey is a former. Wellington representative. Because of the form shown recently in backstroke competition, Blanchett has been included in the New Zealand Universities’ team which is to compete in tests against the Australian Universities early next year in Christchurch and Wellington. He has replaced W. Raines (Canterbury), who was the second string diver.

Memories Of Remarkable

Test

Blanchett will swim as first string in the backstroke, and his inclusion will release Jarvis for the freestyle “leg” of the Medley Relay (100 yards at each style). Blanchett will also be held as emergency for the water polo tests. When the two international teams meet in Wellington for the first water polo test, international races will be held at 100 Yards Breaststroke, 220 Yards Freestyle and Four-man Relay (100 yards per man). The New Zealand breaststroke competitors will be chosen from T. H. Logan (Otago), D. Dowse (Wellington), T. Eagle (Auckland), W. H. Dyson (Canterbury), and W. J. Jarvis (Otago). This list reads like a national championship neld and, for that matter, all have held New Zealand breaststroke titles in one class or another. For the 220 Yards Freestyle the competitors will come from Jarvis (Otago), the Chambers brothers (Canterbury) and R. Jolly (Auckland). The first three have been national • champions at freestyle, and Jolly is also one of the best men over a furlong m the country.

The Medley will probably comprise Jarvis for the 100 yards freestyle, Logan or Dyson for the butterfly, Dowse or Eagle for the breaststroke, and Blanchett for the backstroke.

The Australian Universities team will probably be managed by Mr C. B. Phillips, secretary of the Australian Swimming Union, who defeated the New Zealand champion, Noel Crump, over 100 yards some years before the war. The Australian team will not be selected until the Australian championships about the middle of January, but an indication of the possible personnel is expected shortly. Centennial Golf Titles

The Canterbury Centennial amateur golf championships, to be played on the Shirley, Waitikiri, and Russley links, will take place next year on March 3 and 4. A programme for the championships was approved at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Provincial Golf Association this week. The programme will be: Canterbury Centennial amateur championship (scratch event), 72 holes stroke play (36 holes on each of two courses); Canterbury Centennial amateur intermediate championship (scratch event, handicap grade 9 to 15), 72 holes stroke play (36 holes on each of two courses); Canterbury Centennial amateur junior championship (scratch event, handicap grade 16 to 24), 72 holes of stroke play (36 holes on each of two courses). Handicap events are also included on the programme, in conjuction with the championships. It has been decided to play the interprovincial tournament at. the Shirley links on February 28 and March 1 and 2. This tournament will be limited to 12 teams.

„A photograph 'of Australia’s first eleven sent to the Otago Daily Times revives thoughts of the sensational match in which this team was involved while touring England in 1878. It was played at Lord’s on May 27, 1878;, and followed the heavy defeat suffered by the Australians at the hands of Notts County. As a team, the Australians were despondent, particularly as they were going to face what was considered an all-England XI with such redoubtable individuals as the great Dr W. G. Grace. The Australians were led by Gregory. England’s opening batsmen were Grace and the almost equally famous A. N.. Hornby. Frank Allan opened the bowling and the slaughter was on. Grace drove the first ball to leg for 4. There was a derisive shout of laughter at Allan’s effort. The insolence of these Australians trying to show England how cricket should be

played! ... . . At the next ball the derisive shout changed to one of consternation, for Charles Bannerman caught the redoubtable W. G. The next Englishman in was Booth, and Harry Boyle bowled him with his first delivery. The next six overs saw the Englishmen add only two runs. But Hornby was gaining confidence and the score slowly crept up to 26. It was then that Fred Spofforth took over the bowling and cricket history was in the making, Hornby had reached 19 when Spofforth sent his middle wicket flying. Boyle very quickly dismissed the next three batsmen and the score was six down for 31. It was incredible! Sensation followed sensation. Spofforth, witt) the aid of Murdoch as wicket-keeper, performed the hat trick and the all-star English XI was out for 33. Spofforth gained six wickets for four runs and Boyle’s figures were three for 14. There was still time for Australia to open before lunch and from here the game resembled a Ripley anecdote. When the hour arrived Australia had lost three wickets for 17 runs. On the resumption of play the game took on the cloak of a skittling alley. The score soon stood at eight for 33, but Murdoch and Allan lifted the Australian’s hopes p little with a short stand. The Englishmen could not be denied however, and Australia’s innings closed at 41 runs. ... . ■ „„„ Grace again opened for the MCC and Spofforth sent his leg stump flying with his second ball. He had barely arrived back at the pavilion before he was joined by his opening partner, Booth—and then Boyle sent Ridley and Webb back to keep them company. The spectators were speechless. Four for none! , • _ The rout continued and the MCC were all out for the magnificent total of 19. Spofforth took four for 16 and Boyle six for three. In the two innings Spofforth had taken ;10./ for. 20 .and Boyle nine for 17. - • 1 Australia needed 12 runs to win, but Bannerman was dismissed with the score at one. Midwinter and Horan settled down and got the necessary 11 runs, although 64 balls were sent down before the English score was passed. The match was over at 3.45 on the first day, Australia winning by nine wickets. Could such a thing ever happen again?