“PLAY THE GAME.”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19247, 26 February 1925, Page 5

“PLAY THE GAME.”

BUT CONCENTRATE AND TRAIN EOS VICTORY. SPORTSMEN ADVISE ENGLAND. OLD COUNTRY WORRIED AT “LUST KNACK” OF WINNING. Play the game for the sake of the game, but concentrate on winning. That is the verdict of representative English sportsmen who have been asked what England should do to regain the “lost knack of winning. ‘ ’ Lord Harris says: “There ’ ■ very little between us and the Australians, except luck.” LONDON, Feb. 18. The London r.vcning News has asked prominent sportsmen what is England’s best policy, in view of the fact that she has lost the knack of wi~ning —whether te continue playing for the sake of the game, or to concentrate on winning, like America. Lord Harris, the well-known cricketer, soys that it is impossible to further concentrate on an uncertain game like cricket. “There is very little between ourselvs and the Australians, except hick,” he deciares. Lord Wodehouse, the famous polo player, is of the opinion that England must adopt the intensive training that other international teams undergo. The “All Blacks.’’ he says, are an excellent example of this. “It is an insult to our opponents, and a slur on England’s sportrnanship, to compete untrained.” 11. M. Abrahams, the Cambridge and Oiympie athlete, declares that Britain is not decad-nt. Her standard of athletic- is higher than ever, but the world’s standard is even higher. England must take things seriously, but must not stop playing the game for th? game's sake. W. J. A. Davies, a former Rugby captain of England, says that the Prince of Wales gave the right advice at the luncheon to the “Ail Blacks” on January 21. “We must concentrate • n winning, and give more attention to details. There is no reason why concent rasportsmanship,” added Mr Davies. The Prince of Wales delivered a fine sporting speech at the luncheon to the “All Blacks.” After paving a tribute to the New Zealanders, he said: “Although the ‘All Blacks' have an unbroken record, their glory does not affect the genuineness nt' our congratulations. In sport there is always the next time, and we hope it won’t be long before we welcome the next ‘All Blacks.’ ” “Even if the Did Country has temporarilv lost the knack of winning, she still knows how to lose, and is determined not to make a habit of it. The Prince concluded by wishing th? “All Blacks” an revoir and “Kia Ora.” Lord Lonsdale, in making a passing reference to the Brownlie incident, said: “I wish to assure the 'All Blacks’ that every sportsman in England knows that accidents happen in every game. No sport is exempt from accident, whether voluntary or involuntary. We are proud to accept the judge’s decisions.”