NEW ZEALAND SPORTS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1925, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND SPORTS

BREEZY REMARKS BY t AMERICAN SAILORS. I i AUCKLAND. August 17. New Zealand sports arc “.slow,” or • it least that is the opinion of many o | the American officers and men who , were spectators at Ellers)io and various parks on Saturday, l’ossiibly when , Aucklanders see the exposition of American football and baseball to be given by the visitors this week they will he similarly enthusiastic. It is hard at first jump to take a keen interest in sports to which the spectator is a stranger. Baseball or Rugby “fans” are not the product of the moment. For the spectators in their immediate neighbourhood a party ot American sailors watching “Boccer” at BUunlford I’ark provided no little amusement. It was obvious that they did not know the game hut Royal Navy was playing 1 Instle, and as a matter of course they had decided to root lor their cousins in the name proto.ssion. Apparently Assot iatioii rules make for a much more gentle game than American football, tor although they appeared to take interest in the game the visitors .sometimes expressed a little contempt in their remarks. “Say,” said one to his companions, “Ud .sure like to see some of our girls hack home playing this game. Suit them line. I guess.” “What about a hunch of chorus girls making a shy at it.” added another. “Seems to me you gutter he one good high kicker, ho’.” Their shouts of encouragement, or “rooting,” were decidedly iresit and novel. “Come on, you bluejackets. Let's g;■ AYe need another touch down. Let's go.” When a Navy man did a brilliant piece of work lie was applauded, with cries of “Oh. you little Boy Blue," “Attaboy.” “I’il .say that slim guy knows his stnil ami can do it." When a Thistle player was injured and hit. John Amhiilanie men rushed on to this held to his aid a “Jackie” brought the house down by asking. “WlniL arc they gonna do:- Arrest him.’” As the player was carried oil there was a chorus ol “Well now that looks like something familiar, don’t it?” Inquiries elicited the inlonnutiou that the American game invariably produces a series of “knock outs”, each side having quite a string of reserve players 011 the side line ready lo take the places of the “fallen.” As Thistle continued to play with only ten lien the question was immediately asked. “Say, ain’l anybody inking that guy's place ! ‘ , It "as explained lhut no replacing was done, ami this vas received villi veils of sheer piv. “(ill. come oil. you navy. But 'em all mi the blink and the game’s a cinch. What about a iiiuple more of them legs.” Though the game wore on and it. was seen that Navy could not win these unsolicited supporters never lost faith lor a moment. A small boy announced in a piping treble. “I he Navy's beaten." "Don't say that, son.” said one of the visitors. “They may lo down, hut they'll never he mil.” A League football game at Curlaw Hark was also voted ten gentle by a |\.w Americans vho found their way there. “Very slow, your game.” said me. “Why we have only time to publish oilr dead every three months. A fair quota found their vay to Elleislie. When asked how luck was going", an officer said, “Aly pa! here said. ‘We’ll hack that horse,' and I said ‘ Eitio.’ Wlien the race was finished my pal said l ’l lie horse was a swine.’ I figure your horseracing is just like our baseball. Il you want to throw Hie game you can throw it. Now ottr national game is baseball and vo bet on high runs iii'i as you do mi last runs. Generally we iollmv form. Inn there is ‘pulling’ in our game sometimes, and an outside chance romps home. Aon II always get. that while there's hotting on sport. But il has been a real pleasure to see your Ellers!ie. It is surely one oT the world’s show horse paddocks.”