SPORT AND SPORTSMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 31 March 1931, Page 6

SPORT AND SPORTSMEN.

The bountiful crop of runs coming from England’s batsmen in the latest South African tests means that when the eleven is supplemented by H. Sutcliffe and K. S. Duleepsinhji, England will have a very dangerous combination for Australian wickets in 1932, states the “Sydney Referee”. M. Leyland is developing well. Being a lefthander, the Y r orkshireman is of greater relative value than if he were a right-hander. He is just the type to make awkward for a bowler of the C. V. Grimmett type. England will probabljr have two left-hand batsmen in the test games in Australia next time. A boxer is only as strong as his weakest link—and in the case of any athlete the most vulnerable spot is lus health. Once tamper with or undermine that, and the first step is taken towards extinction, not only as a boxer, but as a worldly asset altogether (states the “Referee”). The other week two boxers collapsed in Sydney without any apparent reason. Rus Critcher had just gone through w r hat was described as his usual training at Jack Dunleavy’s gymnasium, when he toppled over in the street, and required medical assistance; while Gildo, the Filipino boxer, suddenly became unconscious, and it was an hour before he regained his senses. There may not be the slightest significance in these incidents; on the other hand, they mav* be Nature’s warning to two youthful gladiators to mind their step* At any rate, it is to be hoped their trainers—and Harry Stone and Jack Dunleavy are boxing wise in their generation—took the precaution to see that they were thoroughly overhauled by a specialist before allowing them further to tempt Providence in the ring. There was a sequel to an incident at a football match at Linwood, near Paisley (England), in Januar3% at Paisley Sheriff Court, when Charles Whittet, of Campbell-Street, Johnstone, was accused of assaulting one of his opponents. The player was running down the field with the ball and was tackled by Whittet, but the player eluded him, and while in the act of passing was struck a severe blow on the face by Whittet, causing concussion. Sheriff Hamilton described the incident as blackguardly and an unsportsmanlike action, and he sent Whittet to prison for six weeks. The Canterbury Outboard Motorboat Club have arranged a fine programme of events for tlieir annual championship regatta at Akaroa. Many of last year’s champions are again racing, and the public should be treated to some spectacular and interesting racing. The club have benefited by their experience, and among other improvements there will be an automatic starting clock, and a new system of handicapping. The regatta will be a two-day event. The first race will commence at 9 a.m. on Easter Saturday, when four championship races will be run off. On Easter Monday three championship races will be held, including one thirty-mile marathon race. This race is on the style of a reliability. test, and should prove very interesting. Twenty -two boats have entered for the regatta, which means that all the fastest boats in New Zealand will be there to take'part in the championship races. Several new boats will be seen, including Miss Chief, from Wellington, which is capable of doing fifty miles per hour, and Merry Moments, the very fast craft from Lake Kanieri. What developed into one of the best finishes seen on the Avon this season was rowed between F. H. Brown and T. H. M’Combs in the first heat of the Canterbury Rowing Club’s single sculling championship last Saturday. Brown, who has had a great career as a rower, but has been more or less retired for the last two seasons, had a commanding lead at Cowlishaw’s Corner, and appeared to have the race well in hand. The younger man’s physical fitness told from then on, for M’Combs, sculling strongly, gradually made up the leeway, and won by a bare length. It was an exciting finish, as few of the spectators, seeing Brown’s lead when half the distance was covered, thought that M’Combs had any hope at all of victory. In the final M’Combs came in a length ahead of D. M. Patterson. M’Combs is stroke of the Canterbury College eight-oar crew that will compete at the interuniversity tournament at Dunedin next Saturday. At a meeting of the committee of the Union Rowing Club Mr F. D. Kesteven reported having received an offer for the club’s property at New Brighton, consisting of a section of land, boathouse and cottage. The amount offered was accepted, and Messrs Kesteven and Rogers were authorised to sign all necessary documents on behalf of the club. It was decided to hold 'the annual presentation of prizes on April 9, Messrs Kesteven, Rogers, Booth and Stubberfield being appointed to make all arrangements. The prize list as presented by the racing committee was adopted. It was decided to congratulate the Avon Rowing Club on the performance of their representatives in winning the New Zealand Championship Pairs at Wellington. The House Committee reported that all the boats had been thoroughly overhauled, cleaned, repaired and varnished preparatory to being p u t away for the winter. The honorary treasurer presented a balance-sheet which showed that, unless some unforeseen expenditure occurred, the financial year would close with a credit balance. ' The statement was considered highly satisfactory, in view of the heavy expenditure incurred in an unusual amount of repair work, and the purchase of additional plant.