SPORT IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 16

SPORT IN BRITAIN

[Feoji Cue English Corbespondent.] LONDON, October 31. ATHLETICS. Tho athletic authorities of Oxford University have introduced a new rule which will make it impossible for an athlete to represent bis ’varsity if he is over twenty-three years of ago. This will certainly bar some of the Rhodes scholars who go to Oxford, and seems a bit bard on the individuals concerned. At first glance, tho new legislation would also appear to lessen tho prospects of Oxford when opposing Cambridge, but this is by no means certain. Curiously enough, Cambridge has met with rather more success against Oxford sinco tho advent of Rhodes than before. One reason advanced is that tho opposition of famous Rhodes scholars has served as a spur to tho Cantabs., and the records givo strength to Ibis idea. H. M. Abrahams, G. M. Butler, H. H. Stailarcl, D. G. A. Lowe, Lord Burghley, and G. O. Weightman-Smith are five outstanding men who havo kept tho Light Blue flag flying in recent years, and Oxford has certainly not been able to call on such wonders. It is sometimes claimed that when notcd_ Rhodes scholars arrive,at Oxford and it is clear from their records that they are certain of securing their Blues, it damps the ardour of young athletic stars just up from public schools, and they feel it hopeless to go on with their sport. Somehow this does not ring true, and it would bo a poor specimen of an athlete who “ funked ” strong opposition. Rather it should help Him and offer him the opportunity of watching advanced' athletes in action. The new, ago limit at Oxford will not apply at Cambridge, and this would appear to givo the Cantabs, an undue advantage, which suggests that tho conditions at both universities should ho brought into lino. —Promising Cantabs.— The form at tho Seniors’ and Ere-1 ■ men’s Sports show that there is plem of excellent material at Cambridge . Curiously enough, several of the winners aro from overseas, which is rather a reversal of things, the Oxford team usually containing most athletes from other lands. Experts are predicting big things from N. R. Bugg, of Norway, who won the “ half ” and the “ mile ” for Seniors. Whilst his times looked just ordinary on tho watch, it has to bo remembered that conditions at this timo of the year aro not helpful to fast running. Another Senior winner iu 11. IL BayIcy, who scored in tho polo vault, hails from tho United States, whilst three Australians and one New Zealand athlete gained leading honours, as against two Homo winners. Six out of eight victories ior overseas men is certainly uncommon, but when the Cambridge team to meet Oxford is selected it will be found that several Blues, and other Homo cracks, have justified inclusion. Of the dominion athletes who performed with distinction, big things are expected of A. E. Young, from Geo-

long, who showed fine stylo when clearing sft Sin. The shot-putting of J. P. Wallace, also from Geelong, was above the average (38ft 31-in), the conditions for field events being far from favourable at this time of the year. 13. D. Blundell showed excellent judgment when winning the “ quarter,” and the New Zealander, who is a cricket Blue, is a likely mover. The success of R. L. J. Hinkle in tho 100yds shows that tho younger brother of J. AY. Rinkle is an improving sprinter, but he will need to find'a few yards to emulate the A.A.A, quarter-mile winner of 1926. —Outstanding Freshmen.— Shrewsbury seems to turn out some fmo weight putters, as R. L. Howland camo from that school to record 35ft lin as a freshman at Cambridge. P. M. Tisdall has now well beaten this, as his winning effort this week was 38ft 4-Jin. Not only is this better than the effort by the Senior winner, but it constitutes a new record for a freshnian at Cambridge. Tisdall ought to improve, so that there is every possibility of England having a real champion before long. His prospects are all the better through bis having the chaueo of being properly advised by Dr R. Salisbury AVoods, an official of tho Cambridge University A.(J. Another new athlete who is likely to fielp Cambridge is B. H. Pago, a young runner from Gani’ord School, who is a fine mover. His double success in the “ mile ” and three miles shows bo is a stayer of distinct promise, lomin 4Sseo for three miles on a heavy track being good. With another lino all-rounder iu T. P. Moll, from Bedford, Cambridge has some outstanding freshmen, who will gladden tho heart of Alec Nelson, tho var-ity coach. OVER THE COUNTRY,

Most of the cross-country cracks take matters eaisly until after Christmas, owing to the many big events which claim their attention iu the early months of tho year. In this they are wise, for there are few athletes who can hope to do themselves justice if they _ attempt to keep themselves fit ior sis mouths. It is far wiser to put iii a few gentle runs for tho purpose ■if ensuring good health with, say, four v- ecks’ real preparation for tho opening nig event.' Once really lit, light exercises between the big races should be Ibe rule, with a decided “ let up ” or break in training after any very hard race.

Of the many iutercliib races held recently, that between Wycombe Phcenix Harriers and the Royal Air Force Halton) deserves mention. The victory of the Wycombe athletes by such a margin as 47 points to 94 (eight a side scoring), suggests tho club is strong. Moreover, E. Busby must bo a runner of class, as he beat Stan Ferris, tho marathon champion, by five yards at the finish for leading honours, (t. S. Constable is another -southern, athlete who has been showing form, no ono being able to “live” with him in the Surrey A.C.V.-London University race at Tolworth, his nearest rival being a minute away at the end of the fivc-milo course. ENGLAND’S CHAMPION WALKER. It was something of a surprise when C. W Hyde of the Enfield A.O. won tile seven-mile walking championship at the last A.A.A. festival. That ho is a better walker than many folks thought, seems to be shown by his success in tho seven-mile road walk promoted by tho Road Walking Association at Rowes Park, just outside London, last Saturday. To cover the distance in 5-lmiu 39sec, _on a surface made slippery by rain, is an outstanding performance. How popular road walking lias become is shown by tho remarkable support for the event, no fewer than 231 athletes competing. BOXING. Three of England’s fistic hopes in Ted Baldock, Jack Hood, and Leu Harvey, have considerably added to their records in recent matches. It is often said that whilst lots of English boxers show great ability in the science of the game, they lack aggressiveness and the ability to hand out and take a heavy punch. The boxers named disproved part of this in their latest efforts, and the summary manner they disposed of their rivals ought to bring home to many others that the cultivation of a knock-out punch is worth while. Baldock appears to have regained his old dash and fire, the smashing right to the jaw with which ho put Phil Lolosky out in less than three rounds being convincing proof of this. Jack Hood was also in a hurry to finish Bruno Frattini, the Italian being sent through the ropes in the second round, and punched to a standstill in tho next. When Leu Harvey lost the decision to J. Sullivan at the National Sporting Club in their first match, there was a lot of disagreement, over tho verdict. Thus, tho return this week aroused S articular interest, as it was known lat Harvey was out to show the award was incorrect. In this ho made no mistake, for he outclassed Sullivan, who was once a page at tho National Sporting Club. Sullivan was plucky, but no match for the Devon man, who had his rival practically “out” in the sixth round, when one of Sullivan’s seconds throw in a towel. A match between Harvey and Hood, or Harvey and Milligan, would now seem in order, and it would be a good contest, BILLIARDSRemarkable form is being shown by both Tom Newman and Joe Davis in their long-distance billiard match on level terras. Nearing tho close of the third week’s play, Newman looked likely to bo wcl in front, but Davis responded splendidly, breaks of 900 and 699 playing a big part in enabling him to lessen the gap. Newman was seen to advantage when making a break of 725, and both players have returned averages over the hundred at some of tho sessions. Only a matter of 236 separated the rivals at tlm half-way stage of tho match (which will last six weeks), which show's how evenly matched tho rivals are.

The play this week has been very close, the lead having changed hands several times, and a close struggle to the end seems probable. Newman made a break of 568 yesterday, whilst Davis had one of 636 to his credit, tho champion loading Newanaii by 423 at tlie close of play, which is nothing when players capable of making a four-figure break are concerned.

SOCCER. _ It was superior combination which enabled Scotland to triumph over Wales in the international Soccer match at Glasgow on Saturday, the manner the home players controlled the ball and gained ground by short and low passing being an illustration of what scientific football should bo. The wild and high kicking, which enters so largely into modern Soccer, is by no means so interesting to watch, nor can it be' deemed scientific. There wore over 50,000 people at Ibrox Park, and Wales gained an early lead. The home men soon,settled down, however, and, playing splendidly, were able to claim the day by 4 goals to 2. G:dlacher, of Newcastle United, was in great form for Scotland, three of the goals being scored by him. No change in the first division of the league, - 'so far as the leaders were concerned, was brought about by Saturday’s results, Blackburn appeared to have a fairly easy task when scoring two goals without response from their West Ham_ visitors. Leeds City did splendidly to visit Everton and score the only goal of the match, and the winners are well in the running for championship honours. Derby County also gained a fine win when at home to Burnley, the score being 4 goals to 0. The downfall of Huddersfield when at borne to Manchester United, was a surprise, the visitors scoring the odd goal in three. Itiuie# mult* leave PHckbura .with

18 points for 13 matches; hut Leeds, with 16 points for 11 games, seems even better placed. Another reverse for Chelsea lias led to a change of leadership in the second division. At home to Southampton, the Chelsea men could only draw one goal each, which is really a reverse. As Notts County visited Bristol City and prevailed by 4 goals to 0, the winners now top the table with 18 points for 12 matches, Chelsea being a point behind. Turning to the Scottish League, Celtic docs if>t appear to bo so strong this, season as usual. Still, it was by no means a bad performance to visit Queen's Park on Saturday and share the honours, each scaring four times. Motherwell accomplished the performance of the day when visiting Falkirk, the homo side going under by 7 goals to 0. Glasgow Bangers and Motherwell now each claim 19 points, but the former have two matches in hand. RUGBY. Some interesting county mutches were decided on Saturday. It seems that Somerset is strong, as in the match against Cornwall, at Taunton, the runners-up for last Jeason’s championship went down by 10 points to n. Tho Gloucestershire players also showed lino form when receiving Devon at _ Gloster, rather a one-sided game ending in favour of the home side by 13 points to I). Tho performance of Cambridge Uni versify in visiting Richmond and winning by 14 points to 0 shows tho Light Blues to much advantage, and evidently tho team is a good ono. Oxford University could only draw, 8 points each, when opposing United Services at Portsmouth. _ Tho Harlequins accomplished a brilliant performance when visiting Guys’ Hospital and prevailing by 19 points to 5. Another good win was that of London Scottish when visiting Rlaokhoath, the latter going under by 13 points to 10. Glasgow Academicals were in wonderful form against Edinburgh Acad.s, piling up tho big score of 22 points to 0. Kelso also showed convincing form when _ beating Glasgow University by 15 points to 8.