SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19675, 7 September 1935, Page 20 (Supplement)

SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN

(By “ Korotangi.”)

RUGBY, SOCCER OR LEAGUE? "Position in Australia [S Jim Wynyard ’Achieves Fatne , Waimate-Christchurch Road Race £ Proud Family Record : Jack Doyle Barred g New Zealand Boxer’s Chance : Glimpses of Sport Abroad Alan Elliot Retires Rugby, Soccer, or ‘League? Is it possible for Australia to present a national front to international football? This is the question asked by Mr J. Mathers in the Sydney Daily Telegraph. He contends: “As a nation, we are reputed to be football-minded. We play England in Rugby League and Rugby Union. We play England, Canada, Czechoslovakia, China, and Java in Soccer. We play among ourselves in Australian rules. In each case we are dubbed ‘ Australia.’ From time to time, efforts have been made to incorporate the finest and most spectacular moves of each code of football into one predominating game, but they, have only ended in pipe dreams. “ We are confronted with the fact that any national game of football would necessarily be waterlogged by reason of the fact that no other nation would adopt it. Again, we are told that already we have an .international game of football in Soccer. That is indisputable. But, as far as Australia is concerned, it has not the following.” Official expressions of opinion were given recently by leading football representatives. Their views should provoke some controvei’sy.

Mr W. W. Hill, chairman of the New South Wales Rugby Union, and a representative on the Imperial Football Conference that is to be held in London' at the end of this year, regards the international aspect broadly. ‘‘The more people 'playing football the better, no matter the code. Each code can take care of itself with credit to Australia. It Is better from a national point of view that there should be several codes of 'football. One code would crowd the players out. After all, football! Is ctoly a game." Australian Rugby League learns to England that keep the Northern Union game.in England alive prove that any attempt to nationalise our football should be well worth considering. * * * * The soccer code is more or less independent, because of the fact that soccer is already established as an international code. Its strongholds are England, Scotland, Italy, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Spain, France, Germany, and, to a growing extent, Australia. Altogether 89 nations play soccer. ‘‘ We desire to improve our standard of play,” remarked Mr Wal Rushton, secretary of the New SouLli Wales State Soccer. League, “and already we 'have had international games, with England, Canada, Czechoslovak!, China, and Java. Although we are on friendly terms with other codes, we cannot see any reason for creating a national code of football when one already exists. The strength of soccer is revealed,” he continued, “when you look at the game in Italy. Last year Italy won the world’s cup in Rome, but in a game at the Arsenal ground in the same year, England defeated Italy by three points to two, which was the closest-contested game ever played among the nations.” 1 * * * * But the secretary of the New South Wales Rugby League, Mr 11. R. Mil- . ler, considers that it is possible to present a national front, in football if the problem is approached on the basis of arbitration. “Although no other code of football has made the amazing, progress in such a short while as the Rugby League,” remarks Mr Miller, “ I think there should ho some co-ordinated effort to produce a typo of football that would have an immense appeal in other parts oL the world. Just as the seeds, of .the Northern Union were sown in New South Wales in 1908, so it is possible to sow the seeds of a revised i game in England, and create a definitely international flavour in football. But the matter must be approached in the spirit of compromise. For example, the high-marking of Australian rules should be acceptable to Rugby League football, just as tackling should be acceptable to Australian, rules. * * * * “Prior to. the war," he continued, “we had a conference xvith the Australian Rules authorities, and it was decided to play trial games. The war interrupted proceedings, and nothing constructive has been done since. “ 1 suggest,” added Mr Miller, “that the Australian rules should invite tho Rugby League to play a match before a Anal in Melbourne, and that the League should invite the Australian rules to play a game before a match between England and Australia next year. Each game would then be seen at ils best.” “As Others See Us.” j Thus the Spanish News and Majorca I Sun (Barcelona) sums us up.: “The

All Black Rugger team to tour Great Britain next season ma-lees interesting reading. We have apparently seen I lie last of that great fullback Nepia. Thero is a racing middle lino and a, heavy pack, though (he majority of the side are new to international honours." Chatham Cup Winners. Tlie Chatham Cup, played for last Saturday by the Hospital and Western teams, was presented to tho New Zealand Football Association by tho ship’s comany of H.M.S. Chatham, in December, 1922. The trophy is a .silver replica of the English Cup, valued at £l5O. Auckland teams have taken the cup on six occasions, Wcll- • ington teams on four occasions, and Canterbury and Otago representatives once each. Wellington’s previous winners were Y.M.C.A. in 1925, Petone in 1 928 and 1930, and Marist in 1932. Results of the Xcw Zealand final since tho inception of the contest, are as follows: 1003—Scacllir (Otago) 3, Y.M.C.A. (Wellington) o. 102i —Harbour Hoard (Auckland) 3 Seaclitr (Otago) t, 1025 —Y.M.C.A. (Wellington) 3, Seacllfr (Otago) 2. 1900—Sunnysldc (Canterbury) .{, North Shore ' (Auckland) e. 1927—Ponsonby (Auckland) 3, Northern (Otago) 2. 190S—I’etonc (Wellington) 1, Northern (Otago) o. 1929 — Tramways (Auckland), t, seaciirr (Otago) 0. 1930 petone (Wellington) Western (Canterbury) t. 193 I —Traiiuirowa (Auckland) 5, Nomads (Canterbury) 2. 1932 —Marist (Wellington) 5, All Blacks (miller) o. 1933.—Ponsonby (Auckland) 2, All blacks (Hullec) t. 1031 —Thistle (Auckland) 2, lblsilc • .(Canterbury) l.

of New South Wales, winner of the Australian amateur golf championship, played at Seaton, South Australia. He defeated 11. Hattersley 2 and 1, after a keen struggle in which there was little between the two.

The Broth of a Boy. The broth of a boy from Cork, Jack Doyle, is in a quandary. He has been suspended in practically every State in America with 'the exception of New York and, finding his activities severely restricted, he is reported to be seriously considering the advisability of returning ta Britain. The latest Air Mail from the Continent has brought a copy of the Irish Press which reprints recent American criticism on Doyle’s contests and Ireland’s singing boxer is not let off lightly. Perhaps a change of environment would be to' his advantage.

Dominion's Greatest Sprinter. Alan Elliot, probably the greatest ol' the Dominion’s post-war sprinters, has announced his retirement. Only his work on the track will be affected, however, as he intends to sustain his interest in tho sport 'by competing in Held events next summer. On many occasions he lias been 'the 100 and 220. yards Auckland provincial champion, winning Hie national 'Sprint double on two occasions. In 1932 he equalled tho record of 9 4-5 sec when ho covered tho 100 yards in his preliminary heat. In 1930 he was a failure at (fie Empire Games in Canada, but two years later he entered the finals in both Hie sprints, excelling the /Olympic record over the 200 metres stretch. Thirty Yoars in Hockey. Thirty years of active and administrative hockey in ihe Dominion have justly earned life memberships of the Canterbury Hockey Association l’or Mr G. S. Bellamy. As a goal-keeper he firsb gained provincial honours in 1908 and remained an ellleient custodian until 1918. With the.late Mr B. Manning lie shared the honour of being one of the first Dominion selectors and after playing 1 1 is part as umpire and player lie retired and turned bis interests to the administrative side. Also honoured with life membership was Mr L. J,. Smith who has seen 20 years’ service with the game, 12 years of which lie was a member of the i.anlorimry executive revealing his enterprise' and perseverance in establishing schoolboys’ hockey and rehabilitating the linaucea of tlio game.

Caddie Rake In U.S.A. A device being extensively used by clubs in the United States might with advantage be adopted in New Zealand. It is a light toajnboo caddie rake, sturdily assembled knd wired, and it is helping many clubs to keep sand bunkers in good condition. The rakes weigh only 4oz. and are issued to caddies as they start on their rounds. With these rakes the caddies smooth over the sand after shots have been played. After 'the round the rakes are returned to the caddie master. The present method of smoothing the sand with the head of a club, or with the feet, is not satisfactory. The job is usually half done. Alas, on some occasions, it is not done at all. Players who do not take caddies might add the rake to their equipment.

Rugby Supremacy. Canterbury may claim Rugby supremacy as the holders of the Ranfurly Shield, hut it is a doubtful point whether their record has not been excelled by the Otago representatives who, in the course of a North Island tour, are to play Waikato on Wednesday next. There is considered to be a strong likelihood of 'the Shield going even further south when Otago returns. to the South Island haunts. Buller, 'Southland, Wanganui, Wairarapa and Southland have been overwhelmed by the fast and mobile Otago pack which lends such magnificent backing, to a dashing rearguard. J. Green and C. Quaid play great football in the tight while H. Simon is the mainspring of the backs,

Dominion Cyoling Classic. Dating back to 1889, the Waimate to Christchurch road race, has justly earned the title off. being the Dominion cycling classic. The course of 145 miles, the longest in the Dominion, has focussed the limelight on several New Zealand champions including Phil O’Shea, who is recognised as being the greatest road racer the Dominion lias produced. Harry Watson, who carried Now Zealand’s colours in the Victorian Centenary Thousand, Dick and Jack Arnst and Smiler Smith. This year’s event is to be decided on Saturday, October 5, under the control of. the North Canterbury .Centre of the New Zealand Athletic, Cycling and Axemen’s Union, and will carry Hie New Zealand road championship title. The winner and the rider recording the fastest time will be declared the road champions and will be decorated with the Blue Ribbon as well as earning a substantial cash prize.

The Tallest Forward. Age is not proportionate to size; if it were, Jim Wynyard, Waipa’s representative in the 1935 All Blacks, would not carry the distinction of being the youngest, yet the tallest member of the side. He comes of Rugby stock, his father being president of the Waipa Rugby Union, and his brother “Bob” playing hard rucking football in Finlay Cup games a year or two ago. Following his secondary school education at the New .Plymouth Boys’ High School, lie started bis Rugby career by winning a place in the Waipa representatives at the age at' 17. in 1934 lie earned a place as back-row forward for Waikato while this season lie went on to the Hank of the middle row of the pack. Standing 6ft. JAins. and officially weighed prior to Hie departure of the team at 14st. *2lbs., he is the tallest forward ever to have represented New Zealand overseas. G. W. Nicholson, of the 1905 team and C. J. Brownlie, of the 1924' combination each claimed a modest 6ft. 3ms. Wynyard has achieved fame by a mere half-inch.

Maurice Strlokland’s Chance. Maurice Strickland, Otago and New Zealand heavy-weight, has his chance. According to a special Times’ Air Mail Service message received yesterday, he was asked to undergo a 'try-out ,by Mr Arthur Elvin, the managing director of Wembley. The tests proved so successful that Mr Elvin has taken the New Zealander under his wing and it seems poi’ba'ble that he will figure in Ihc programme of Ihe opening tournament at tlie Empire Arena in October. It is hoped that bis opponent will be Ambrose Palmer, the Australian champion, who may be induced to visit (o England. If these plans mature, Ihc “big man” at Wembley will iiavo a tine team of Empire hovers at his disposal, Palmer and Strickland coming up against such men as Ed. Westnob, the Canadian cowboy, and Ben Foot'd, the South African. i Family Achievements. So far as sport is concerned, family achievements are very much in the news those days. Take the case of the Cassidy brothers, the sons of that veteran of sports and the stalwart of trotting in the Waikato, Mr A. B. Cassidy. The eldest of the trio, Tom —who was thrust into the front page when tic got his marching orders in the Clarke Cup final at Rugby Park on Saturday—lias played for many years in llm Marisl senior pack, earning representative honours in both the Waikato and Hamilton Unions. He has long been a prominent member of the Hamilton Rowing ■ Club. William (affectionately designated “ Bill ” by hundreds of sportsmen throughout Hie Waikato) was in ycsler years, a star wing-forward of (lie Marlst team, hut, since ihc “roving" position has betm abolished, lie has failed lo capture earlier form while playing ccnlre three-quarters.' SI ill, however, he shines as a wily and sagacious leader. “ Bill ” is perhaps heller known for his cricketing prowess. An opening balsman for South Auckland of no mean abilily he lias been playing cautious cricket willi prominence since Ihe visit of (lie M.C.C. team lo Seddon Park in U.KSO, but if was only last season I hat he gave any hint of marked improvement in Ihc lackadaisical lidding which has been his main handicap. The youngest of the Irio, Frank, has of late come into prominence for his alleni|iled rescue of a I drowning bather In Ihe Waikato River. 1

At cricket, he has shown more aggresiveness than his elder brother and, as a member of the South Auckland colts last year, gave every evidence 'of gaining major representative 'honours. For the last two years he lias been a spoiling break-away in Waikato's middle row of the scrum. . . . and a good one too.

South Australian professional, winner of the open golf championship of Australia.

Odds and Ends. C. Floyd, the Auckland representative hockey forward, has probably played his last game at any rate for tin's season. Trouble with his eyesight has forced him to take a spell. R. Hobson is considered a probable title-winner at the Auckland boxing"championships this month. “ I am sure that Braddock and Baer will heat Louis. They have the style of lighting that is just what is needed to beat the black boy"—The statement is Jack Dempsey’s. Several of Soutn Auckland’s best known swimmers have commenced training.