SPORT IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 19805, 2 March 1928, Page 14

SPORT IN BRITAIN

(Tboh Our English Correspondent.]

THE TURF. LONDON, January 17

For many generations famous stallions have "left England _ lor different parts of America, with, it is acknowledged, beneficial results to the breed of the racehorse across the Atlantic. The natural result of this policy is that eventually there will bo httlo demand for English sires and mares in America, and that a big change has already come over the situation is revealed in the sending of "Sir Victor Sasson’s mare Dilly Dally to the United States for the purpose of mating with Man-of-War. It is a reversal of the old order of things when the service of an American stallion is preferred to any at home. Apart from this side of the matter it is understood that the fee for the service of Man-of-War is to bo 5,000 dollars, or over £I,OOO, That is a record and well in advance of the fees in England, where 400 gs is a big payment. This is aa age when prices for nearly everything are far higher than before the war, and if the amount of money which the visit of Dilly Dally will cost is any guide to the future the racing game will soon only be possible for the very few. BOXING. Dan Shorthand, a young Sheffield giant, is thought to be a possible heavyweight champion of England in the making. His supporters have wisely realised that it is a mistake to force a growing lad, no matter how big and strong lie may be. Nature is the same all over the world, and whether it be a case of a runner, swimmer, or boxer, it is a mistaken policy to tackle strict training nr severe fights until full development has been made. What Americans mean by being “ burnt up ” is that a man has used up his dash and vitality, getting to that state known as rank stale. Many a promising career lias been spoilt or damaged through doing too much when still developing, young Charlton, the famous Australian swimmer, offering one example. Shorthand has been nursed along, and if the same wise course is continued his natural strength, fighting ability, and skill may carry him far. Sliorthuul met a man as big as himself at Manchester last evening, Dr H. Vitols, of Russia, being bis rival. Both boxers stand 6ft din in height ami weigh in the neighborhood of 2001 b. The Sheffield youth was certainly ihe more scientific of flic* two, but he lias much to learn. His lends with the right often left him open, and when his rival landed a heavy punch in the seventh round it looked for a few seconds as though the visitor would score a knock-out. Shortland recovered, and the contest went its full course. As both wore on their feet at the finish neither gained a decisive win. though the. homo man was adjudged the superior on points. Some day there may bo a general agreement * that in all international bouts the result shall be considered a draw if both boxers last out the stipulated number of rounds. That would prevent a lot of bickering and grumbling over the verdict, and it would be up to every man to show his superiority in the only convincing manner. HADDOCK'S BREAKDOWN.

Ted Baldock was unable to meet Biron, of France, at the Ring this week ns arranged owing to ill-lioaltli. His doctor issued a certificate to this effect, and slated that Baldock was in a weak physical condition, due to excessive training. Had the same wise policy been adopted with Baldock as with Shortlaml the Poplar lad might still be going strong. Nature will not be denied, and excess in any direction wilt bring along the penalty in due course. Rest may enable Baldock to regain his vitality, but lo make a good job of it he ought to drop the boxing game for a year at least. He might do worse than “hike.” off to South Africa or California and get a job on a farm, putting in a full day's manual labor in the open air. That would do him good and lend to make a tougher man of him. -Many Loudon lads are tough, considering the surroundings, as officers commanding regiments of Cockney soldiers can testify; nevertheless. Baldock would benefit by a year spent in the way suggested. (f he were content to try this his prospects of coming hack to his best form and beating anyone at his own weight would bo enhanced. With Baldock compelled to stand down, his place was taken by Harry Hiil. of Birmingham, a lad who is rapidly coming to the fore. He certainly surprised many onlookers by iho skill and punching ability be displayed, and taken ns a wdioic lie quite hold Ins own. Unfortunately for Biron, be landed a very low blow in Hie seventh round, and this led lo disqualification. BILLIARDS. The amateur billiard ranks Jiavo gained a new star in R. A. C'oombe, of Paignton. He was prominent in the buys’ championship a lew seasons ago, and has evidently made rapid progress since. He and R. G. P.ugh, of Liverpool, met in the first heat of the championship proper this week, when Coumbo won easily by 5-16 in 2,000 up. Not only this, but lie also made a break of 234, which is a new amateur record under the revised rules. All but two were made at the afternoon session, and the break in play may have bad something to do with the end of the elfort. His average at the last session was 30, and he ran lo game with an unfinished 98, which denoted ability of a high order. Coumbe is evidently a star player, and tried cracks like A. T. \V. Good and H. Coles, of Wales, will have lo look to their laurels. Tom Newman again iailed in Jii.s attempt to concede Joe Davis 2,000 points in 10,000 up. Davis won by 900, and lie always appears able to respond when Newman gets within striking distance. Probably a bettor game would bo seen if the start were cut in half, hut the. champion continues to try to concede 2,000, the pair again being in opposition under the same conditions this week. More variety in professional billiards would bo welcome, and it is much to bo Imped the latest challenge of Willie Smith to Newman will lead to business. He suggests a match next season, with any make of balls, for a side stake up to £I,OOO. Smith also advances tbe opinion that it will bo to the general benefit of professional billiards if championship matches are played with composite balls, instead ol ivory, as is now the rule in amateur circles. Most followers of billiards will ..groc that this suggestion is a good one. If such conditions prevailed there would bo greater prospect of Limlninf, of Australia, entering the fray, which would bo welcome. ATHLETICS. No fewer than eight county crosscountry championships were decided last Saturday, which may be said to mark the start of the championship season lor athletes who follow the winter pastime. As county championships lead up by stages to the Highest honors to bo won, which is the international championship, it naturally follows that many cracks nave to exercise great caution in regard to their training, and some of the men beaten on Saturday may show to better advantage when more important races are concerned. This may apply particularly to H. A. Johnston, who was only eighth in the Surrey race at Tolworth, which was won by W. J- Horwood. Team honors were divided, Surrey A..C. and tie, South London Harriers dead beating, each with 57 points. A notable triumph was that of H. W. Payne in the Essex race at Chigwell Row r , this being the seventh consecutive victory he has gained. Woodford Green took the team race, beating Southend (holders) by 31 to 53 points.

it was something of a surprise to find G. C. Constable defeated in the Bucks championship, S. Binfield, _ol Slough, beating him over 100yds, Wycombe Rltamix .Harriers gaining the team honors. The Middlesex race at Novtholt gave F. W. Turner a chance of showing Jus ability, and as he finished 150yds in front of S. Ferris, of Marathon fame, the. winner ..must, be .well in the running for the coming southern championship. Tho team winners proved to be the Polytechnic i Harriers,, and this club appears to have, a level lot .of runners. ' . , „.' ■ Another good athlete in Ac 1. Muggeridge, of Brighton, headed tho field in tho Sussex race at Brighton, his win being gained by a minute, which suggests big things in the; Southern. Tho Brighton and County Harriers also won the team medals from the Horsham Blue Star Harriers,’ which used to bo tho ohm the famous Alfred Shrubb belonged to. C. G. Webb won the Kent honors, and tho other county winners were S. A. Tomlin (Herts) and W. Tym and P. Cattcrmolo (Suffolk), the last-named pair finishing together. Tym lost both shoes crossing a ploughed field, and ran five miles bare-footed. , FOOTBALL. Great interest was taken in the third round of the F.A. Cup,tics on Saturday. Cardiff City, the holders, had little to spare when beating their Southampton visitors, the odd goal in throe deciding the issue. Huddersfield, a fancied team, ended the prospects of their Lincoln visitors by ■) goals to 2, and another (unions cop team in Aston Villa did well to prevail at Burnley by 2 goals to 0. Tottenham Hotspur did splendidly to visit Bristol City and win by it goals to 1, and Evciton's success at Preston by 3 goals to t) also ranks high.

Blackburn brought off a surprise by defeating their Newcastle visitors by 4 goals to 1, and another unexpected result was the win o)' Wolverhampton over their Chelsea visitors by the odd goal in three. Manchester United . registered the biggest win of the day, scoring 7 goals to 1 when at home to Brentford. Two amateur teams in the Corinthians and London Caledonians were engaged, but without success, their conquerors being New Brighton and Crewe Alexandra respectively. Perhaps tho biggest surprise of the round was idle draw between Sunderland and Northampton Town, on tho former’s ground, cadi scoring three goals.

Tho draw ior the fourth round ensures some great matches. Tottenham Hotspur will receive Oldham, and Ar senal will bo at home to Evcrton, so the two London clubs are fortunate. Cardiff' City will entertain Liverpool, and Huddersfield will receive WestLiam. —Wonderful Scoring.— M'Groty, of Celtic, scored eight goals himself when helping Celtic to beat Uunferliiui by U goals to 0 in a Scottish League match on Saturday. This is a new individual goal-scoring record, and it will tat? a lot ot beating iu first-class football. As Glasgow Bangers also beat Bo’ness by 7 goals to 2, Die scoring iu Scot la ud was of tho tail order ou Saturday.