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Star (Christchurch), Issue 18208, 15 July 1927, Page 12

Two applications for use of Lancaster Park for Rugby matches on July 20 were received by the Lancaster Park Board last night. One was for a match between the “Press” and the “ Lvttelton Times,” and the secretary of the board stated that this application had been received earlier than the other. “ It wouldn’t do to put the Press in the background,” jocularly remarked a member, when the question as to which match should lx* on the oval was being considered. The same member suggested that some of the regular Saturday players should be asked to report the newspapermen’s match. Another member: “ They'll get some of their own back, then.”

Son of an old Merivale player, Jack

Freear has joined the ranks of this club. Coming from Leeston, where he played for the local club and also for the Ellesmere county, he has found a position in the front rank of the Merivale fifteen. Freear is just 21 years of age and is well set, having achieved success on the athletic field. Ilis father played

for the club in 1911 as a wing threequarter.

OXFORD v. CAMBRIDGE CRICKET CENTENARY. In the last spring annual of “The Cricketer” there is an interesting article from the pen of the Hon R. H. Lyttelton on the centenary of the Oxford v Cambridge University cricket match, which was celebrated this year. Cambridge won the centenary match just concluded at Lord's by 116 runs. Thi. following is an extract from the article referred to:—• "Only four matches were played in 1 lie first eleven years, but from 1838 1 here has been no break, except in the four years of war, 1915-18. Altogether FS matches have been played, of which Cambridge have won 42, Oxford 36, ten being left unfinished. In the very early days it is probable that nothing but two-day matches were played, but this was sufficient, and, leaving out of consideration the first match, which was a one-day match so far as play was concerned, no match ran to a third day till 1850, and one was drawn in 1844 owing to l>a.d weather on the second day. Between 3 850 and 1880 an interval of thirty-one years, twenty-two matches were finished in two days, and seven in three, but since then very few matches have been finished in two days. NaturMlv the earlier matches were played in » cheerful and haphazard way. Kievwrignt played for Cambridge in 3 829, not because he was a Cambridge man, but because his brother was. Thompson played for Cambridge in 1836 at thirty-four years of age, having rowed in the first boat race in 1829. Oxford had only ten men in 1839—several began a match And were absent in the second innings, or were late and missed their first. No analysis of bowling of any sort was taken till 1848. which was in *lB 34. Much of the bowling was fast, the grounds were pretty rough, and extras ran riot. In 1836 349 extras were found out of a gross total of 479 runs, and Oxford gave away 70, which included 46 wides, in 1839. Nothing in the shape of pads or gloves were seen, but knee breeches and stockings were. Naturally, on what, in these days would he called bad wickets, there must have been some wonderful bowling feats. To bat well was difficult, because to bowl well was comparatively easy. Such was the type of cricket in the University match up to 1854—-small scoring, many extras and much effective bowling, and, Though it would be a strange sight to most modern cricketers and spectators, this series had attractions. Out of nineteen matches only two were drawn, both owing to rain, and the curse of modern cricket in the shape of unfinished matches was practically non-existent. Bowlers and fieldsmen were not worn out, and in aH probability few balls were left alone except wides, of which it must be < ouf eusEcd the supply was rather jdentifuL”

Only nineteen, Teddy Baldock is one of England’s sporting idols. Recently

after one of the finest struggles ever seen in this country, Baldock defeated Archie Bell, of New York, for the world’s bantam-w eight championship, at the Albert Hall. Bell’s undoubted right to the battle rested on his having beaten Vacca, who in turn twice beat Fidel La Barba, the easy win-

ner against Elky Clark. The American was, if anything, stronger than Baldock, but the extra cleverness of the latter gained him a points decision in what was a fierce, clean and rc markably close and clever contest of fifteen rounds. Cheers for Morrie. When Morrie Brownlie rose to reply for the Bay team at the dinner in Masterton on Saturday night, the scene almost beggared description. Tumultuous cheering and loud hand-clapping went on for quite two minutes before the Hawke’s Bay skipper could get a chance to speak. It was a great welcome and speaking with feeling, the Bay captain said that the warmth of the reception he received almost compensated for not having a fair participation in the game. Dealing with the game, he said that there was little difference in the merits of the teams on the day. It had been a good open game, with plenty of give and take on both sides, and he thought that the spectators got a good run for their money.

Suzanne to meet Boxer. A novel contest during Mdlle. Suzanne Lenglen’s professional season in London, has been arranged by Mr C. B. Cochran, who has fixed up a tennis match between her and Mickey Walker, the world’s champion middle-weight boxer. “ Walker is a good tennis player, although not in the same class as Suzanne,” said Mr Cochran’s representative. “ The match wlil be quite a serious one and will most probably take place at Holland Park.” x x Famous N.Z. Tennis Men. rhe New Zealand tennis championships this year will' be poorer for the absence of E. D. Andrews, who proceeds to England in a month or two In his absence (and possibly if he had been present) G. Ollivier should stand every chance of beating the record of five wins in the singles championship the performance put up by H. A. Parker, who won in 1895, 1902-03-04-05 (says ?. writer in the Dunedin “Star”). Ollivier won the event in 1913-14-19 22-24. A glance at the holders of the various events at the New Zealand championships since their inception reveals some famous names. First of all, of course, is that of Anthony Wilding, who won the singles in 1906-08-09. Next in order of fame is probably that of W. T. Tilden. who annexed the singles in 1920 and the doubles the same year with an equally famous player in W. M. Johnson. Norman Brookes appears as a holder of the doubles with A. W. Dun lop, another well-known player, in 1911, while in 1904, Randolph Lycett, later doubles champion at Wimbledon, won this event with Parker. Parker, with the exception of Wilding, is the most brilliant player ever produced in New Zealand. He won no fewer than sevnenteen New Zealand championships, and, in addition, annexed the singles championship of every State in Australia. His brother, J. B. Parker, has represented Wellington in recent years at both goll and tennis.