THE SPORTING WORLD.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 414, 22 April 1913, Page 7

THE SPORTING WORLD.

February 21. FOOTBALL. — Soccer. — Thirty-one years is a pretty long periodto wait for success, consequently when Ireland beat England m the thirty-second international soccer match between the two countries there was some big rejoicing. The match was played at Belfast, and whilst the visitors did most of the pressing, there was a bit too much of the ultra-scien-tific work. Tricky play m midfield is pretty, but matches are won by the goals. The Irishmen went straight for the goal when they got the ball, and served by their pace, they managed to score two goals to the one by the visitors, so gaining their first win over England. No one was more hearty m his congratulations than Bob Crompton, who led the English side. He remarked: "The Irishmen have always taken their defeats like sportsmen, and Aye take our first defeat from Ireland m the same spirit." The winners were also delighted when they received a telegram of congratulation from the English Football Association. The Oxford and Cambridge match at Queen's Club was pla3^ed through under difficulties, fog making matters uncomfortable for all concerned. The Oxford men were soon a goal up, Hosie doing the scoring, but the equaliser was not long m coming, Foster sending m a fine .shot which found the net. Later on Hosie again scored for Oxford, which made Cambridge play up like demons, Miller being chiefly responsible for the goal which again made matters allsquare. The goal-keeping of Scot probably saved Oxford from defeat, the Cantabs^ doing a lot of attacking during the closing stages of the match. —Rugby.— , Turning to Rugby football, the defeat of Glasgow Academicals by Edinburgh 1 Academicals has given fresh interest to the Scottish club championships. It was the first defeat of the season for the Glasgow club, and the result again brings Edinburgh University into the running. A feature of the match was the fine form of J. H. D. Watson, captain of the winning side. He is English by birth, and it would not be surprising to see him wear the rose m the Calcutta match against Scotland. RACING SENSATION. The racing world got a shock when it became known that Tom Coulthwaite (the Hendersford trainer) and R. Chadwick (the stable jockey) had been " warned off." As most sportsmen are aware, this is the most severe penalty, and means that the trainer and jockey named will not even be allowed to attend a meeting under the jurisdiction of the racing authorities here ; nor, of course, can they follow their calling. The trouble arose through Bloodstone's victory over Dysart m the Champion Steeplechase at Sandown Park last Saturday. They met at even weights, the former just getting home. A few weeks back, when they met at Hurst Park, Dysart won, whilst Bloodstone was badly beaten. The powers that be were not satisfied with the explanation, with the result that they took the steps mentioned. Bloodstone belongs to Mr Bower' lsmay, who has been advised to keep a closer watch on the running of his horses m future. Bloodstone is top weight for the Grand National, and is evidently coming into form. Mention of the Aintree race is a reminder that F. Williams, an American, has been secured as jockey for Highbridge, the United States representative for the Grand National. He is riding for Mr Kohler's stable m France, and has pleased the critics by his ability. Thus we shall have a full-flavored American candidate for national honors, and with France also represented, -the race will be truly international. MOTORING. When Mr P. Lambert, the famous amateur motor car driver, so narrowly missed covering 100 miles m the hour it was ' confidently expected that he would soon gain, the distinction. He did not have to wait long, for m another attack on record at the Brooklands track last Saturday he crowded 103 miles 1,470 yards into the 60 minutes. The 50-mile stage was passed m 29min 2£sec, and throughout the performance everything went without a hitch. Lambert drove Lord Shrewsbury's 25 h.p. Talbot car, which Avas fitted with Palmer tyres. Tlie performance is a Avonderful one, and particularly when the horse-power of the engine is taken into consideration. It may be added that the Talbot is British throughout. LAWN TENNIS. It is indeed pleasing to see lioav keen the competition to Avrest the Davis lawn tennis cup from England is. With challenges from Australasia, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and Belgium, the season of 1913 is going to be a Avonderful one. We only want South Africa and SAveden to join m to virtually make it a Avorld's tournament. The pairing of the countries AviD take some arranging. For utility's sake it would perhaps be best for the United States and Canada to meet to decide Avhich should oppose Australasia. The winners could then try conclusions Avith the European champions (Avinners of the France-Belgium-Germany games), leaving the "top dog" to take on the holders. REMARKABLE BILLIARDS. Inman has taken on a hard task m trying to give W. J. Peall half the game m 24,000 up. It means that he must score 1,000 points at each session to Peall's .500. Inman shoAved great form on cofiimencing the second half of the match." He Avas nearly 700 behind his proper points, but by scoring 1,379 at the session, for an average of 91, he closed the gap. He ran into three figures seven times during the session, and only took 100 minutes to make 1,000 points. Inman is a great finisher, and though his task looks a big one, he may be on top Avhen the "game" is called , to-morrow. ATHLETICS. Matters of much importance m connection Avith the Olympic Games have claimed attention this Aveek. The British Olympic Association's annual meeting Avas held on Wednesday, the Duke of Somerset" presiding. He succeeds "Lord Desborough, Avho, having served four terms 2 feels entitled to rest. A new secretary m Captain WhitAVorth Jones has been elected, Avhilst the Rev. R. S. De Courcy Laffan, the past secretary, becomes a vice-president. Cap-; tain Jones is quite m touch Avith the Avork, having acted as assistant secretary for some years. No official announcement Avas made regarding the policy or plan to be adopted m regard to the 1916 Games. .During the course of the meeting the Thorpe disqualification was informally discussed, and it was felt that the American officials had behaved extremely Avell m the unfortunate circum-

stances. It was recognised that tho regrettable affair might have happened m any country, and that the Americans could not be expected to do more than they had done. This is entirely satisfactory, and should still further show our friends across the Atlantic that the English Olympic officials, as well as English athletes, are fair towards them, which should offset the unfair attacks from less than half a dozen prejudiced bad losers. — Cross Country. — The Midland Cross-country Championship at Derby on Saturday showed that F. N. Hibbins, the holder, is not m his last season's form. He could only finish thirty-second, so that his chance of retaining his National honors on March 8 looks small. The feature of the race was the brilliant running of H. D. Baldwin, the local crack winning by nearly a minute. He will certainly be a factor m thc National, which promises to be a very interesting race this year. —Crack Walkers. — 11. Bridge, England's premier walker, showed fine pace m the Lancashire Walking Club's 13^-mile road handicap. The champion finished sixth from scratch, his time being lh 49min 24sec. Further south, m tho Uxbridge Road Race of 7 miles 1,100 yards, H. V. L. Ross also showed to advantage. He was placed on the 30sec mark, but with Bridge elsewhere was the virtual scratch man. Going splendidly, he assumed premier position a furlong from | home, his actual time being 59min 40sec. AN UNUSUAL CAPTURE. The writer had rather an unusual experience when fishing m the Kennett, near Theale (Berks), a few days ago. He was spinning for pike with a Punjab spoon of quite 3in m length, when the bait was seized by a trout. It weighed, about 41b, and considering its lean condition and the strength of the tackle, the fish put up a good fight. Of course, it was returned to the water, and if the writer has the luck to catch it again m the May fly season, he expects the scales will record 61b or over. Theale, by the way, is a rare little sporting village. ' Though so small, it has furnished two amateur champion steeplechasers of England m the persons of M. A. Harrison (1886 and 1887) and Tom White (1889). They were both members of the famous Spartan Harriers, and did big things when wearing the club colors. Harrison, now farming m Canada, was one of the finest natural hurdlers and jumpers the writer ever saw. White shone at more than steeplechasing, and was quite equal to lmin 58sec for the half-mile when at his best. BOXING. The matching of Jack Harrison, holder of the Lord Lonsdale middleweight championship belt, has given much satisfaction. His* friends cannot understand his showing m America, and they confidently expect that he will do well against Harry Lewis at the National Sporting Club on March 17. If Harrison sticks to his natural style and goes m with vim, he will really trouble the American, hard hitter as we know the American to be. Harrison is a rugged boxer, but he can hit hard, and is not easily upset by punishment. Touching on coming events, the matching of Pat O'Keeffe and G. Carpentier is a big thing. The Irishman was a bit unlucky to be considered the loser against Private Harris, and he will be keen to prove his worth against the clever Frenchman. Coming to events close at hand, the return match between Matt Wells and Hugh Mehegan on Monday is being awaited with interest. The former claims that he was not at his best when beaten by the \ Australian, and both have since been, defeated by Fred Welsh. Mehegan is a real good man, and the writer will not be surprised should he confirm his ' previous victory. IN GENERAL. J. E. Taylor's break of 210 (150 off the red) during the semi-final of the Midland section of the amateur billiard championship is a record m connection with the competition. The international match for teams of two at the Monte Carlo pigeon shooting tournament served to show the French cracks to advantage. Count LareintzTholozon and M. Labiche were the winners, their scores being 21 and 22 kills out of 25 respectively, which gave a total of 43. Then came Italy 42, the United States 41, Russia 40, Belgium 40, England 38, Austria 38, and Germany 36, with the Argentine Republic and Hungary next. A capital struggle was seen m the hockey international between Wales and Ireland at Limerick, the home side finally beating the Welshmen by 3 goals to 0.

Excellent form Avas shoAvn by the Cambridge University golfers against the Oxford and Cambridge Golfing Society, the former Avinning by 7 matches to 6.