SPORT AND SPORTSMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18338, 15 December 1927, Page 9

SPORT AND SPORTSMEN.

The appearance of J. Taylor, the Nelson pro., in the team which met Marlborough last week, was looked forward to with keen interest, but unfortunately he did not bat long enough in either innings to get really set, and was dismissed rather cheaply. His bowling, however, was worth seeing. Taylor's performance with the ball, it is contended, lends point to the recent arguments against the inclusion of pros, in amateur rep. teams. In the first innings his average worked out at 12.3 runs per wicket, but in the second, when Marlborough's fortunes were at a critical state, lie bowled for the remarkable average of 4 2, his figures reading 13 overs. 8 maidens, four wickets and 17 runs.

A swimmer worthy of special mention is W. Farrell, a youth of great promise, who won the fifty yards novice handicap in the excellent time of 27sec (comments the “New Zealand Herald"! in reviewing the form displayed at the Waitemata Club’s carnival. In the 50yds club handicap, although rehandi* capped from 4sec to lsec, he was second in his heat, but did not gain a place in the final. This was his first appearance in open competition. Farrell was the winner of the King’s College championship for two years in succession. He swims with a perfectly orthodox six-beat American crawl, and his swimming is characterised by a very high body position—lie planes out of the water to his waist. His shoulders do not dip, and offer no resistance to the water. As a result he is able to take advantage of the hj-dro-planing principle, minimising body resistance and increasing speed thereby. In training swims Farrell has been covering 100 yards in about 62see, and when he improves his dive and turns it will cause no surprise if he betters 60sec. Such a performance w’ould place him in the front rank of the Dominion’s sprinters.

In England, some time ago, there was held a conference of amateur rowing associations convened by the National Rowing Association (established 1890 and affiliated to the British Olympic Association) to consider the adoption of an amateur definition which would be acceptable to all concerned. The following definition was agreed upon:—

An amateur oarsman, sculler, or coxswain is one: (a) who has never rowed, sculled or steered for a money prize, declared wager, or staked bet; (b) who has never taught, pursued, or assisted in the practice of rowing, or any athletic exercise, as a means of pecuniary gain; (c) who has never knowingly rowed, sculled or steered with, or against, a professional for any prize; (d) who has never been employed in or about boats as a means of pecuniary gain, namely, as a seaman on sailing or auxiliary craft of any kind, or as a boatman, waterman, lighterman, fisherman, or builder of racing (local interpretation), rowing or sculling boats; (e) who has never sold or raised money on any prize won by him.

Miss Doris Magee, hundred yards intermediate swimming champion of New Zealand, and record holder, came back to Auckland recently. Asked about the coming contests in Sydney between Miss K. Miller, of Dunedin, and Miss Edna Davey, of Sydney, Miss Magee said it was very difficult to say who would win, although it was certain that the race would provide exceptional in terest. Miss Magee said there were some promising girl swimmers in Sydney, and that the times credited to them were remarkable. Some of them hajd prospects of developing into Olympic champions. Miss Davey had an excellent style, but swam very low in the water. She had great stamina, and regularly trained over long distances. During her stay in Sydney, Miss Magee was made a member of the Telephone Girls’ Club. She said that the widespread encouragement of ladies’ races was responsible for the present high standard of girl swimmers in Australia. There were many who were remarkably efficient. This was probably due to the fact that special attention was given to weekly test races, which were arranged for lady members of the various clubs.