FIELD OF SPORT

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18927, 22 April 1933, Page 17 (Supplement)

FIELD OF SPORT

ITEMS FROM ALL PARTS. SIDELIGHTS ON F?LAYERB. Something novel in Rugby formations, seven forwards, one half, four 'three-quarters, and ’three full-backs —was experimented with- in England ia month ago by the Devon Barabrians. The scheme is one sponsored by S. R. I-losken, the old Navy full-hack, and is aimed at speeding up anil brightening the game. Barbarians were not at full 'Strength and had to 'field a ■scratch team which found itself at sixes and sevens 'throughout the game and they finally went clown to 11.N.E. College by 24 points'to nil, suggesting that the formation was a good one to leave alone. However, judges whoso opinions can be relied upon, ■state that first-class players with plenty of chances of practising together would soon achieve the aims of the inventor of the system.

The world’s worst Idea I That, bluntly, is what Walter Lindrum thinks about baulk-line -billiards, says an English writer. He has given an extensive trial to the experiment initiated with the best of intentions by the English controlling body, ancl the more he plays under tho restriction that compels him to cross tho baulleline with his cue ball once in the compilation of every 200 points,-tho more lie is 'convinced that this latest idea in billiards is a farce and a failure. 1

An English scientist recently alarmed Ihe cricketing world with the statement that the old English willow, from which bats arc made, Jiad been ■so attacked by disease that the future of cricket was seriously endangered. And to make matters worse a great mistake was made 25 years ago by growers when they planted the wrong kind of willows, with the result that the great proportion of hat willow today is quite useless. Science has been railed in le prevent such a mistake happening again, and only tho finest hat willow is being grown for future supplies. Female trees alone are used for manufacturing cricket bats, and all male trees are ignominlously rejected by (he grower, when lie is able to recognise them. Collapse of Referee. A boxing bout at Liverpool, England, helween Roth. Of Belgium, and Eddie McGuire, of South Africa, was Interrupted in ihe 11 fill round, when l lie referee suddenly pile,lied forward and fell face downwards <m Ihe canvas. He was carried mil, ot Ihe ring into a dressing room where he immediately expired*. There was a rr,nsulialion at Ihe ringside between the boxers and Hie promoters. They were unaware of |lie referee’s death. It was agreed that the boxers should eonlesl a nineround botil. rendering Ihe previous live rounds ju>l so nmeli glove work. Hotli won the second light on points.

Miss Joan Hammond, the New South Wales ladles’ golf champion, who was in New Zealand recently with •the Williamson Opera Company, and who played many “’unofficial" games In the Dominion, said, on her return to Sydney a few days age,-, that although -she liked the golf links in New Zealand she did no-t consider them to be equal to Australian courses.

Association football Is reported to be making great progress among the coloured people of South Africa. There are stated to be thousands -of black players In Johannesburg alone. They have a fondness for colour In the names -of their clubs, which include Blue Birds, Zebras, Zulu Darkies, Winter Swallows, Bush Bucks, Young Tigers, Violets, Natal Vultures, Happy Hearts, Red Stallions, Union Jacks.

Rugby football in Queensland this season is being played under the old rules, which, inter alia, restrict kicking into touch to a player -on his own -side -of the 25 yards line. The old rules will be played in club and intercity matches. Whether they will be adopted in the Inter-State games is entirely a matter for the other Stales, says a Sydney paper. Rugby Team for New Zealand. The Australian Universities’ Rugby football team, which is to tour New Zealand this, winter, will not now leave Sydney -until May 12 and the -opening match of -the tour probably will be played at Auckland on May 17. It Is expected that the team will be -more representative of all the Australian Universities than any of Its predecessors.

Reggie Meen, who for a brief period was the British heavy-weight boxing champion, made a very poor -showing when he met Larry -Gains at Leicester recently. He was down for a count of eight in the first round, and for -counts of nine and eight in the second. He held at every opportunity, and after -repeated warnings he was ■disqualified in the fourth round.

With regard to -his plans for the forthcoming -season, Hobbs said recently that he did not think he would play regularly with the Surrey County team. He -had -definitely retired from first-class cricket, and his future as a player would depend a great deal on -h-ls physical fitness.

Fidel La Barba, former fly-weight boxing champion -of the world intimated that he was about to retire from the ring, after his defeat by T. Watson, the British fly-weight champion. But since then La Barba has met, and outpointed, Mose Butch, of Pittsburgh, in a 10-round bout at Pittsburgh.

“Babo" Ruth, famous -baseball player, has -signed a contract to play l'or a year at a wage of 52,000/ dollars, which at par would be £10,400. He recently bemoaned the fact that -this wage represents a reduction of 30 per -cent fro-m that -of last year.

-Canterbury -Rugby Union mas decided to again havo one -selector -only and Jim Burows, 1928 All Black, who aoted last year, Is likely to get the Job once more. The fact that he selected "-a team capable of retaining the Ranfurly Shield -throughout the sea-son should be a good enough recommendation.

All Black winger -George Hart will not be available for Christchurch Club until late In the season. No doubt he is preparing to be on hand when the Ranfurly Shield matches, get under way.