Sport and Sportsmen.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18624, 28 November 1928, Page 9

Sport and Sportsmen.

In a village match in England, a yokel, who was quite a good bowler, missed several catches off his own bowling. In fact, he did not seem to try for “c and b.” His captain shouted, “Jarge, wake oop an’ try and catch one o’ they hits.” The bowler retorted angrily. “Look ’ere, when I’ve bowled the ball I’ve done with hur, and I leaves hur to my field; what’s they theer fur?’* Ernest Macdonald, the famous Australian fast bowler, who now plays for Lancashire, remains the quickest matchwinning force in the game, given the “occasion,” and the atmosphere (says an English critic). Usually he is at his worst against Worcestershire! He asks for the challenge of a master batsman; the fires in him break out ravenously at the very sight of Jack Hobbs. A few weeks ago Hobbs faced Macdonald on an easy hearthrug of a turf at Manchester. Macdonald threw his years aside; his energy became new-born. He attacked Hobbs fiercely, spent himself in a violent onslaught on the wicket of the world’s greatest batsman. He got Hobbs caught for a few runs. And for the rest of the day Macdonald’s powers slept; long calm followed the storm. He is a bowler of most majestic disdain—a Prince Lucifer of cricket. Seldom does Macdonald seem moved out of a sovereign unconcern. Even when he bowls his fastest he does it all with the air of a man sublimely indifferent. X X X A “mug” cricketer has felt impelled to write to “Punch” asking w’hy cricketers cannot be given handicaps as well as those Johnnies at golf. “I have an unfortunate way,” he proceeds, “of playing a few seconds too late at the ball! I have never been put on to bowl except as seventh change, and fielding is my weak point, so I never get a chance of taking part in county cricket. But if I had a handicap of 96, say, my case would be different. A man who knocks up 96 in the pavilion before he puts on the pads or goes to the wickets would be an acquisition to any side. With the momentum created by my handicap I should no doubt frequently run into three figures. My fielding handicap would be an allowance of three dropped catches, so my first three catches dropped would count as three catches taken. How would the bowlers smile? Well, isn’t cricket a better game than golf, and wjiy should the cricketer be denied the opportunity of making a century and of winning a silver cup just because he isn’t a Hobbs or a Ponsford?” Sir J. E. Kynaston Studd, elected Lord Mayor of London, in succession to Sir Charles Batho, is a member of a remarkable family of cricketers. “J.E.K.,” as he was known, when playing for Eton, Cambridge University, and Middlesex, was a really great player in his day. He and his brothers, “C.T.” and “G. 8.,” were regular members of the Varsity eleven from 1879 to 1884, and they each had the distinction —a unique record indeed for three brothers to do so—of captaining the team. “G. 8.” did so in 1882, “C.T.” in 1883, and “J.E.K.” in 1884, while, in addition, “C.T.” played for England against Australia in 1882 at the Oval. On arrival in Sydney last week, Joe Kirkwood, the great professional golfer, made it plain he is in favour of the larger and lighter ball, that has for about four years been the subject of much discussion, research and experiment in Great Brtain, and LCS.A. Although the question has off and on been discussed, Kirkwood is the first man to make it a live question in Australia. He informed a Pressman that it was his opinion that the new ball would become the standard ball in U.S.A. in less than two years. The present regulation golf ball is 1.62 inches in diameter and 1.620 z in weight. The proposed new ball is 1.68 inches by 1.550 z. Generally the reason assigned for the necessity for a new ball is that the present one is driven too far by the champions, and it is too easily to manage, particularly in the wind.

A New York cablegram says that “Tiger” Payne, the negro boxer, who has fought with success in Australia, and who is now regarded as a contender for the world’s heavy-weight title, defeated George Larocco, in a hard ten-rounds' bout. Payne, who weighed I2st lib to Ins opponent’s 13st 71b, forced consideration of his claim to'a heavy-weight test as a result of his hitting ability, boxing brains and speed. Another fact is that the negro invariably gives away poundage, height and reach in his fights. Payne led throughout the fight -with Laroccq. jabbing, upper-cutting to the face and body at will, and forcing Larocco on to the defensive. He won easily on points. The Melbourne “Herald” of November 12 said: It was learned to-day that Mr Reginald J. Bettington, the N.S.W. player who returned to Australia with the English cricketers after nine years in England, had become engaged to Miss Marion Lowry, youngest daughter of Mr T. H. Low’ry, the New Zealand sportsman and racehorse owner. Miss Lowry is a sister of Mrs Chapman, wife of the English captain. Bettington was in the Oxford eleven for four years. He afterwards played for Middlesex, and gained fame as a batsman and googly bowler. Bettington cannot play for New South Wales until after Christmas. No plans for the wedding have yet been made. The Lowry family has become famous in the cricket world with two international captains in Tom Lowry and Chapman, and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that Bettington may yet captain New South Wales. A resident of Pahiatua has set himself the task of clearing the streams in that district of eels. To date he has actually caught 300 eels in the Makuri, and he and six others do considerable execution nightly with “bobs.” For some time he had been angling with stout hook and line for a particularly large eel, and at last he hooked it. He could not hold it, and rather than lose line and all, followed it down the ripple into the next pool, where he managed to get it out on to the shingle. The winner of the ell competition this year in the Pahiatua district is a lad named Morgan, who has taken out 181. The biggest eel caught there was by Mr J. Foot. It weighed 28£lb. Congratulatory reference to Mr D. F. Dennehy’s good showing in the recent election for the Christchurch East seat was made by Mr W. J. Trist at last evening’s annual meeting of the Canterbury Owners' and Breeders' Association. “Considering,” said Mr Trist, “that Mr Dennehy was absent and took no part in the election, it was a very creditable performance. I think, had he been here, if he had not won, he would have given the other man quite a good go for it.” Mr Dennehy was, last year, the president of the Owners’ and Breeders’ Association.