“How Much Do You Want For Win Or A Draw ? ”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 21 December 1928, Page 12

“How Much Do You Want For Win Or A Draw ? ”

FRENCH AUTHORITIES SEND SECRET INVITATIONS TO BRITISH PLAYERS. SPORTING NOTES FROM LONDON.

(Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, November 8. Though there has been no official inquiry, there is no doubt that for several years amateurism in Association football on the Continent has not been as we understand it. There is now the strongest proof of this. Recently, London amateur players have received invitations to play for French teams. They could leave at eight o'clock on Sunday morning, it was pointed out, arrive in time to play in the afternoon, and be back on Sunday night. It was also suggested that if they made the trip no one would know anything about it.

game. The cost is little under £1 a day. Rival Varsity Rugby Teams. The attempt is now being made to weigh the Varsity Rugby teams, and it is not easy. But the general impression is that it will be a great match, closer than many in recent years. At the opening of the season it was thought that Cambridge, with so many old Blues to call upon, and with an embarrassing array of talent for the back division, would hold an advantage through their greater attacking power. At the same time there was the prospect of the Oxford pack being the stronger. If the Light Blues have lived up to their reputation, their rivals have done even more. for, while their strength forward is unquestionable, they have shown more ability behind the scrummage than they were expected to reveal. Bannerman, the Scottish international, is a most inspiring leader of the Dark Blue pack. He counts as much as Wakefield used to do when he was at Cambridge, and the team all round have shown fine form. Cambridge have perhaps been a little more brilliant, largely owing to the play of C. D. Aarvold, the captain, who may prove to be the best centre forward in the game. Recently he has been trying R. W. Smeddle, who is a Durham freshman, as his wing partner, and they have developed a fine understanding. In a recent match against the powerful Leicester fifteen, Smeddle scored four tries, and, on this form, he is likely to keep his place. Oxford have also found an excellent wing-three-quarter in Macpherson, the brother of the famous Oxford and Scottish centre. He may not have his brother’s outstanding ability, but he has pace, and he runs boldly, whilst his defence is sound. If the match were to be played now perhaps Cambridge would be slight favourites, but it would be a very near thing. A Thousand Runs In Test Match? The success so far achieved by the English cricketers in Australia has been most encouraging. Almost every man tried has justified himself, and, of course, there have been notable performances. In these circumstances, no one can envy the selection committee their task in picking the team for the first test. It will be difficult to decide who to leave out. Specially pleasing has been the batting of D. R. Jardine. His choice for the tour had the warm approval of every cricketer, because, in style and in temperament, he was peculiarly fitted for Australian conditions. The barrackers will find him a subject for their wit, no doubt, but he is the last person on the side likely to be affected. The amateur will not depart from his own game, no matter how much he may be ragged. He will go plodding along, keeping a dead straight bat and getting his runs when the opportunity serves. Australia have their Woodfull, a player, as we know, possessing inexhaustible patience, and we have our Jardine, who can play with the same restraint. We can call quits. It is suggested that all records will be broken in run-getting. Walter Brearley, the old Lancashire fast bowler, says we shall see a thousand runs in an innings. It is hardly a happy prospect, because it would mean that the team who won the toss would be certain to win, owing to the fact that even an Australian pitch would not stand all the scoring without wearing. As it is, it is to be feared that the toss will play too big a part, for the tests promise more than ever to be “ Marathon ” affairs, and the side taking last knock are sure to be handicapped by the state of the wicket.

The reason for this secrecy was that the visitor was to receive a bonus. Indeed, the players were asked how much they would require for a win or a draw. It was further pointed out that they would be met at the landing stage by a representative of the club, who would hold a yellow newspaper in his hand. This little plot takes one back to the old days when professionals were smuggled from club to club, and it was necessary to have them in safe keeping under lock and key. And there is no professionalism in French football! It is not known whether this French scheme has had any success, but there are possibilities of its extension. If a player’s identity can be hidden, and his visit to the French coast kept secret, what is to prevent a professional going over and playing as an amateur. It would, of course, be a perilous thing to do, because, if the authorities were to discover the plot, the player's registration would be cancelled, and he would cease to be a professional, and, of course, he would not be allowed to play as an amateur. Still there are some men with a spirit of adventure who would take the risk. Most Prosperous Year For Golf. Judging by the sale of balls, and other equipment, more golf has been played this year than ever before. There has undoubtedly been a considerable gain in women players. In London, which has become the centre of the game, the memberships of most of the clubs are full. Indeed, at the week-end, the congestion is serious. Take as an example the experience of the Wentworth Club. It was onlj’opened three years ago; it has already two full eighteen holes courses, and, in order to accommodate the members, a third is at present under construction. And the club is situated more than twenty miles from London! But it is a most attractive place, having been carved out of a pine forest, and in picturesqueness of view it is unsurpassed. It more nearly approaches the American country club than any other club in this country. An old mansion has been converted into a dormy house, where about thirty guests can be slept, and an even bigger house serves the purpose of a clubhouse. In this there is a large dance hall, and a dining-room capable of seating two hundred people, and each Saturday and Sunday dances are held. In addition to golf there are facilities for lawn tennis and other games. Moor Park, which was created by the late Lord Leverhulme, has also three courses; and Sunningdale, which is only three miles from Wentworth, Walton Heath and Addington, have each two. Curiously enough, though so much golf is played, most of the clubs have difficulty in paying their way. This is due to the fact that there is comparatively little play during the week. Most of it is crowded into the weekend, and it is impossible to make any substantia] reduction in the expenses at the slack times. This is unfortunate. It makes golf such an expensive