Athletic Sports

Southland Times, Issue 22969, 15 August 1936, Page 11

Athletic Sports

BOXING RAINSFORD v. DE GANS. On Saturday next at the Civic Theatre Jack Rainsford, of Sydney, will be matched with Roy de Gans in a 15round boxing contest. In Rainsford the Southland Boxing Association has probably got the most entertaining fighter yet “imported” from Australia. He has never been knocked out and went fourteen rounds with the redoubtable Leo Kelly before he was forced to retire owing to a sprained ankle. He has fought de Gans four times for a win and three draws, and the newspaper reports of these contests state that the fights were sensational. De Gans is a wonderful boxer, but he must have an opponent to make him go all out from the first gong. And apparently Rainsford is the man to do so. The Australian is a fighter all the time, and followers of boxing will appreciate his style and forceful fighting. Since his arrival Rainsford has been at Tuatapere and has trained and sparred with George McKay. De Gans immediately went into strict- training after his last contest and will enter the ring very fit.

RUGBY FOOTBALL CENTRAL DISTRICT GAMES. (By “Full-back.”) It is expected that Winton and Central Star will meet at Winton on Saturday in a match for the Forde Cup. Winton has yet to meet the premier of the Western district for the Mitchell Cup, which is at present held by Orepuki. The match is to be played at Drummond.

The Central District senior side has yet to meet Northern district for the Stewart Cup, which is at present held by Northern. By reason of its success over Drummond, Winton takes the Hamilton Shield, the competition for which has been disappointing this season. The decision of the Central District sub-union to send a team to play Wakatipu, presumably at the end of the present month, was well received by players. Several who remember a trip to this district a few seasons back are enthusiastic about the proposal. At Tuatapere the Central District junior representatives were successful in defeating the Western District junior team in the first challenge of the season for the Mudge Shield, a trophy contested between these two teams for several seasons.

C. Calder and R. Thornbury, who secured places in the Southland side, received the congratulations of all local players. Thornbury, who was one of the outstanding backs on the tour of the Southland team last season, unfortunately suffered a lapse of form this season. Thornbury is a first-class winger at his best, but the fact that he has been compelled to play out of his position in club games has not assisted him in later representative games in the wing threequarter position. C. Calder has played good football in the district for some seasons. His solid defence has been one of the chief reasons for his success. The Winton-Drummond match was a disappointing affair, especially in view of the fact that a dry ball was available. The handling of the backs was weak, and several movements that should have gone a good deal further were checked in this manner. There was little cohesion among the backs of the Drummond side, and defensive tactics were adopted. The Drummond forwards packed a better scrum than the Maroons, and in loose work, too, they were seen to advantage. The Winton backs failed to function as a unit.

Young, a promoted junior, gave a good display behind the Drummond pack and was unfortunate in receiving a severe ankle injury. He is promising. Johnstone, at first five-eighth played soundly throughout, and O'Meara and Lindsay were always reliable. H. Southern and Chilton were able leaders in the scrum, and McDonald, Egan and Poole all played up to their best form. Souness was the mainstay of the Winton back line, although Forde and Reid made the most of the few opportunities that came their way. W. Murphy, Watson and Robertson were good workers in the Maroon scrum, while at times J. Murphy played his best. The fact that competition games have been interrupted by representative fixtures has caused some comment, and in other seasons an effort should be made to play all representative fixtures at the close of the season. The present difficulty is no easy matter to overcome, but a good number of players sitting on the bank for weeks on end is not good for the sport. SCHOOL MATCH AT CHRISTCHURCH. (United Press Association.) Christchurch, August 14. St. Andrew’s College beat Christchurch Boys’ High School by 12 points to eight.

BASKETBALL

AWARUA ASSOCIATION. MEETING OF DELEGATES. A meeting of delegates of the Awarua Basketball Association was held at Woodlands, Mr Hargest presiding. A return representative match with Invercargill second and third grade teams was fixed for August 22. The secretary was instructed to write the Southland Union inquiring if the match could be played at 1.30 on that date. Other representative fixtures will be played after the Emerson Shield Competition has been completed. The matches which were postponed on July 25 on account of the weather will be played on August 29. Regarding travelling expenses of reresentative players it was decided that expenses to Invercargill on August 22, should be arranged between the players and their respective clubs. For the more distant matches the association would bear the expense from the central point, Woodlands, the players finding their own transport to Woodlands. A further meeting of delegates will be held at the conclusion of the evening tournament on August 17. Matches for Saturday:—Rimu v. Roslyn Bush (Mr Cook, referee); Woodlands v. Morton Mains (Mr Hargest, referee); Hedgehope v. Mabel Bush (Miss Crengle, referee).