PLAYERS and the GAME

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12615, 27 November 1926, Page 17

PLAYERS and the GAME

CRICKET The New Zealand Cricket Council’s management committee is not covering itself with glory in its dealings with the questions of selection committee and manager tor the English tour. Tho selection committee is not finding universal favour, and the dilatoriness over the manager is causing various associations to become restive. Commonsense dictated that the manager should have been the first man picked, as he is the most responsible official. Rumour has it that the job is being kept for one of the management committee, and that the delay occurring is caused to enable him to put his business affairs in order. This may or may not be true, but surely the appointment must have been in the minds of the committee for a good while. Why the delay? • • * • There are men available admirably fitted for the job, men who, if chosen, would carry the confidence of everybody. Looking at things from every angle one cannot help coming to the conclusion that there is a mystery and muddiness about the whole matter. • • • • The Wellington association is far from satisfied with the way business is being done, and in all probability a motion will be tabled demanding that copies of minutes of all proceedings at council meetings be sent to all associations. Time is flying past, and if the council is not careful subscriptions to the funds of the company financing the tour are likely to be very disappointing. There is talk of propaganda, but that is quite wrong; let the council disclose its hand, and it will find that there are sportsmen outside of Christchurch. * * * • Mr D. Reese is complaining of the newspaper talk, but surely he ought to know that his committee have themselves to blame. The local authorities are keen businese men who are anxious solely to see the affairs of the tour run properly and without any element of underhand dealing. Frankness is not, nor never has been, one of the virtues of the council committee, and questions firom affiliated bodies are often met with pettishness, and a hint to mind their own business. There is bound to be a lot of ill-feeling as the result of the committee’s doings, and a whole heap of trouble is being piled up through its indiscretion. * * • MACLAREN’S TEAM—NOW It is four years ago since A. C. Maclaren brought the M.C.C. team through New Zealand, and it is interesting at this stage to note the progress or otherwise of the various members the team. • Only F. S. G. Calthorpe, A. P. F. Chapman, 0. H. Gibson, and A. P. Freeman are playing first-class cricket now. Playing for their various counties the averages run out as follow: Batting: Chapman (Kent). 12 innings at an average of 57.19; Calthorpe (Warwick), 22 innings, average 23.61; Freeman (Kent) 35 innings, average 13.16; C. H. Gibson (Sussex) 30 innings, average 13.03. • • * * The bowling averages, which follow, are of moment as a guide to the possibilities of some of our veterans who are popularly supposed to be able to do all that is necessary: Freeman 1241 overs. 163 wickets, average 20.29; 0. H. Gibson, 566. 26. 48.84; Calthorpe 379 , 23, 41-.69. * • * • D F. Brand and Harry Tyldesley, the other bowlers on the side, play regularly in dub and league cricket, the former with the Eton Ramblers .and the latter ap pro. to tlio Oxton Club, in the Liverpool league. • • * • Archibald Jackson, the Balmain colt, aged 17, selected to play for New South Wales against Queensland, has made three centuries in this season’s first, grade, besides one last season: 129, 111, 143, and 158. He has grown since last summer, has good height and reach, bats with excellent power and admirable soundness, and is not inclined to be flurried (says the “Referee”). Besides, be is an excellent field. Jackson has made the greatest number of runs in first grade this season, viz., 465, Alan Kippax being next with 440. Ho shapes like one destined to make good in the bigger realms, and thus help to keep the cricket flag flying in his State. As he gets more experience, he will develop as a runner between wickets, keen on every run. A few weeks back, as the Collingwood (Melbourne) players were busy at the nets, an unknown youngster strolled on the ground and asked permission to “have a go” with tho ball. Permission was given, and soon a : I eves were on him, for he howled with gieat pace, and had most of ‘he hnrmitn guessing. They size a cricketer up quickly in Australia, and the Collingwood selectors at once placed the unknown youngster in the senior eloien. He justified their confidence by sending a Richmond player’s sticks flying with a yorker when only a Single had been scored, and later got another man lbw, ending up with two for 26 off five overs. His name is J. Scott, and he is of good height, has a good style, and gets plenty of body swing into his deliveries. If a youngster has j-erit, he should get a place in the senior eleven. There is no necessity to wait until he has grown long whiskers. • • • « Cricket in tho country produces just as much enthusiasm as it does in the city, although the players do not always appear in correct attire. Early this season, in a practice match near Dungog, New South Wales, one of the batsmen carried his watch to tho wicket with him, on a short chain, in his breast pocket. A ball was sent down, and the batsman made a huge drive. He appeared to have been caught and bowled, but, to the bowler’s disgust, he discovered lie had caught the bats-' man’s watch, not the hall. The chain had slipped free, and the watch had glided from the,.pocket just in time to be hit by tho unfortunate owner, who was even more disgusted at the incident than the bowler.

To-day will see the beginning of the inter-club senior championships at Miramar. Wellington Club announced last week as having drawn a bye will now play Petone seniors. The club teams to hand are as follow: Petone—Men: L. A. Thomas, W. Bennett, R. Curtis, C. B. Thomas. Women. Airs Parkinson, Mrs Evison, Miss R. Walters, Miss M. Curtis. Victoria College.—Men: R. Ferkins, B. O’Brien, H. N. Burns, C. Scott. Women: Misses Sheppard, Goodwin, N. Rogers, Line. Newtown.—Men: L. Richardson, W. E. Ballings, W. P. Hollings, E. Brinbezu. Women: Misses M. East, D’Emden, Brady. Mrs Wilson. Brougham Hill.—Men: L. France, D. France) t. S. Williams, J. Dobie. Women: Misses Tracy, A. Howe, North, Mrs Penlington. Lyall Bay.—Men: Mathieson, Clarke, Swinburne, Burn. Women: Airs Alarshall, Airs Burn, Miss Payne, Airs Clark. Aliramar. —Alen: E. B. W. Smyth, Noel Wilson, T. Williams, Stephens. Women: Mrs Heald, Airs Campbell, Airs Brown, Miss A. Tucker. Thorndon’s team, it ia understood, will include J. C. Peacock, C. Alalfvoy, C. Mayo, and N. F. Foden. BROUGHAM HILL STRONG On paper the most dangerous team is that entered by Brougham Hill, and unless the T. S. Williams entered hy that club i 9 the same Williams who figures on the Miramar entry form, Aliramar wilt come next. Brougham Hill should have a distinct edge if May Tracy and Rita Howe are up to farm, though there will be some stiff opposition. •» , • The limitations of time, and the fact that mixed doubles will probably be discarded, makes tbe strength of the ladies less important than it would otherwise be. The Petone ladies would otherwise make their presence felt, though their men’s team is really of junior class. A useful side is possessed by Victoria College, and should give a good account of itself, and Newtown’s team is also of good standard. As for Thorndon it seems improbable that a really good ladies’, team can be induced to compete at Miramar. THREE CLUBS JOINING UP Berhamporo Tennis Club, with 50 members, has decided to affiliate with tho Wellington L.T.A. Plimmerton also has asked to come in, and the Kelburn Club, which withdrew last year, has decided to apply for reaffiliation. All of which shows that the management oommittee’s policy of vigorous action is getting results. * * * * The Victoria Tennis Club, which plays on the Elizabeth street courts, scenting possible confusion with Victoria College, recently had a meeting to consider whether it should change its name. The opinion of the club members was against the idea, but at the same time the club is willing to reconsider the matter if the management committee wishes it. • • • • Behind the appearance of the names of Mrs Campbell and Mrs Heald, in the Miramax - team, is the story of a little club difference. Both are Lyall Bay players, but they objected to being ranked as seoond pair to Airs Marshall (the club champion of last year) and Mrs Burn, the fourth lady in the club. Hence they are announced as first pair for Aliramar. But suppose Miss Travers is prevailed on to play for the Miramar Club? • • • • FRANCE v. PEACOCK Though it is early for grasscourt men who are also golfers, John Peacock has wasted little time in getting into his stride. In a recent practice match with Don France he extended his young opponent for the two sets, which France won, 6—4; 7—5. Peacock was just missing his favourite cross-oaurt volley. France is playing well this year, and is going tp be hard to beat at Auckland. Wednesday, December 15th, is the last day for entries for the New Zealand championships at Auckland. The draw will be made at the office of the secretary (Air Murray Kean) on the evening of Friday, Deoember 17th. • * • a Recently there has come to the Queen City in a prominent position in the business life of the community a most popular lawn tonnisplayer (says the “Auckland Star”), when he triumphed in the final at Hastings in 1912 there was a sense of enthusiasm unparalleled in the history of tho game in this country. Not only had R. N. K. Swanston always been persona grata with all tennis folk, but it so happened that in this particular match he was playing a man for whom, as a sportsman, devotees of the racquet game never had any time (and at that particular period lie was a Reform Cabinet Minister)*

SWIMMING Coming Events.—December Ist, 100 yards Wellington Club, President 1 s Cup (second distance), 5.30 p.m. December 4tli. —Centre carnival. December 15th.—Centre carnival. The Boys’ Institute held their initial carnival to a fairly good attendance, and the effort brought forth excellent entries for the various races. • * • * The 100 yards men’s handicap opened the programme, and in the first heat Johnny Cameron and Dave Murrell had a great tussle for first place, both swimming from scratch. JMurrell got placed first and did 63 l-ssec. In the second heat C. Claridge was unable to concede Rix-Tfot. or Watson 4sec in a hundred. Claridge was practically level at the end of one lap with the limit men, but could not keep the pace, leaving Rix-Trott to <win in the splendid time of 64sec. Watson was second. In the final Murrell could not concede 4sec to the same two men, who again, finished in the same order. Rix-Trott’s time was again excellent, as he recorded 64 l-ssec. « * - * • The 33 1-3 yards handicap provided good racing, and some smart performances were recorded. The 66 2-3 yards open handicap was also a keenly contested struggle. RixTrott was again prominent in winning the third heat, and considering that he had already contested two 100 yards races his time of 39 3-ssec was very good. « • • • The diving exhibition by Bill Hicks was one of his best, and stunts made one think of Dick Eve, the Olympic champion, in regard to the finish and ease with which he executed them. • * • t The plain diving was won by the ex-Hawke’s Bay boy, Roee, who gave a neat exhibition. A better stance on the board would improve this lad’s diving, for in that respect he was Jacking on Saturday night. A. Watson collected second honours and showed up in a new role. • • • • The polo game was exciting, and certainly what it lacked in science it made up in vigour, being at times a little too strenuous. There is no doubt that the Navy men can handle the ball, and if given more opportunity for practice they would undoubtedly prove a strong combination. The Wellington

team have nothing to boast about with regard to their performance, and if they wish to do the slightest good at Auckland two teams should be chosen to train.

The carnival was undoubtedly well run, and the various officials are to be congratulated on. the smooth way events went off. There was quite a good attendance of the public, and if th’s season the carnivals were held regularly at the Institute baths on a week night the chances are that the losses on carnivals (if any) would be small. The hire of the baths alone is £3 8s less than Te Aro, and it would take a large number of spectators at the latter baths to make up for that increased expenditure. It is also rumoured that the council is not in favour of letting the baths once a fortnight. * * * *

Of course uo one wants to swim a 220 yards championship at the tepid baths, but two big carnivals could be held at Te Aro before the New Zealand championships, and every effort made for all clubs to combine and make a financial success of the ventures. ‘ « * . »

This season marks the advent of G. Ris-Trott. late of Nelson, and he is certainly going to make his presence felt in the Wellington Swimming world. The Wellington Club have been fortunate in securing his services, and are very elated at his initial performance. He has a nice easy stroke with a good glide, and the only noticeable defect in style appears to be in his arm recovery. Undoubtedly he is in fine physical condition, as not many swimmers in Wellington could_ swim two hundreds in 64 and 64 1-osec respectively, and on top of that record 39 3-5 for one 66 2-3, and followed by a second from scratch in the final.

There remains about two months yet till the New Zealand championships, and in that time Wellington should have three men at least who can register 60 for the hundred. There is one very fine swimmer who has not emerged yet, and that is Eric Paterson, who still holds the 100 yards pro. vincial record of 60 1-5. It is to be hoped that with the enthusiasm shown this year “Pat.” will feel the call and once more don his racing costume.

) ROWING * (By “Outrigger.”) The following crews have been selected by the Petone Bowing Club to 1 take part in the Picton regatta on Kew 3 Year’s Day: f Junior Pours: A. E. Jones (str), R. j Cameron (3), T. Slinn (2), R. G. Duns can (bow). Maiden Fours. F. Cropp (str), H. C. : Kent (3), .V. Dickens (2), G. Medhurst s (bow). Youths’ Fours: S. Burns (str). L s Horne (3), R. Moss (2), G. Davis i (bow). Lightweight Maiden Fours: F. Com- - «Hi (str), G. London (3), F. Bowater 1 (2), H. Heney (bow). Maiden Double Sculls: G. Gardiner (str) and J. McQuestan (bow). The crews for the Senior Pairs race i will be picked this afternoon, and the J race will be rowed off shortly after--3 wards. • • • . • t first heats of .the Senior Tremain J Fours were rowed off during the week - and resulted as follows:—T. Slinn (str), R. Cameron (3), T. Cropp (2), J. Bucknall (bow r ) beat A. E. Jones (str), . O. H. Haddock (3), R. G. Duncan (2), s J. McLauchlan (bow) by two feet, after b a very interesting race, r The crews rowed on even terms for i the whole distance, and it was only a 1 great effort on the part of Slinn which . enabled his crew to win in the last i few strokes. 3 In the other race of the first heat, 3 A. White. R. Crondis, S. Burns. G. 3 Medland beat G. Gardiner, K. Rodger, - C. Kruse, and J. Kenward by about 3 three lengths. Gardiner’s crew, which - was much lighter than White’s, rowed 5 very well against their very strong op- - ponents. The raoe will be continued to-day. b What goes on in a rowing skiff? , Many men and women have watched [ regattas for years. They have seen . the blades flashing in unison, the oars--5 men bending and straightening, and b the boat shooting along, but—unless . they have rowed themselves—they . don’t know rowing as the oarsman 3 knows it. Many a youth, too, has , wondered, and it is for the youth who [ is thinking of joining a club, but is hesitating, that the description which follows has been written, l . * ■*. * It is (l gladdening sight on a fine day to watch a crew taking exercise on th© waters of the harbour, preparatory to the race for which they are training. They have a coach with them. They get but little time to look about. “Eyes in the boat” is the command from start to finish. Each man is subject to a scathing criticism. His faults are pointed out and remedies suggested; his virtues (if any) are commended. He is told to hold his oar with that nicety of precision and touch which will yield the full benefit of his strength. He is told how to dip his oar in the water, and how to lift it out. The science of rowing has laid down hard-and-fast rules that may not be deviated from. After a spin, the homeward journey is made, and the crew, puffing and . blowing, reach the shed. Then, having put the boat away, they indulge in the glories of a shower and a good rub down. The main interest of the rower is, of course, centred in the race itself. On the afternoon of the race the contending crews assemble at the shed.. There is some waiting for one who has

not arrived, and anxious eves are turned towards the road whence he is expected. At last all are ready. There is, however, more delay; boats, coxswains, and positions must be chosen; oars must he critically examined, stretchers altered, slides oiled, etc. Then the crews solemnly carry the long, narrow boats to the water’s edge. They paddle slowly to the startingpoint, where the starter awaits their coming. Tho boats are put into line. To the nervous man this is the most trying part of the race. He is told first to “back a little/’ then “come up a little*’; “that’ll do; steady, now; get forward all. Are you ready? Row!” Hardly has the last word escaped the starter’s lips when the oars dip simultaneously into the water. The boat groans as if protesting against the pressure suddenly placed upon it. It rolls slightly, rights itself, and darts forward, throwing the water in two long wavelets from each side of the sharp bow. The rowers settle down to serious work. They seem to be one piece of intricate mechanism, their bodies, arms, and legs working with clock-work regularity. Each man grips the water at the same time. With arms perfectly straight, head back, shoulders square, the oar is drawn through with one movements When the body is about the perpendicular, the legs come into use, and tho sliding-seat runs quickly in the grooves to the end of the slide. The hands are brought sharply up, tbe knuckles barely touching the chest, the wrists are dropped, and the hands are shot, straight out again, the body following with a slower movement. In the boat nothing is heard but the “slush” of the water as it is thrown off the “feather,” the dull monotonous sound of the oars in the rowlocks* and the shrill-voiced coxswain’s “Lift, lift V* The rower now begins to feel the strain upon him. It seems to be a lifetime since tbe start, and the boat •seems to bo standing still. He feels something catching in his chest, his breathing is laboured, and he mentally records a solemn vow that he will never enter for another race. Then he hears a murmur of voices in tbe distance. It becomes louder, and he distinguishes voices. By and by other shouts mingle with the coxswain’s and the stroke’s as the partisans of the different crews encourage their favour, ites. Perhaps the rower can bear bis own name. It puts new life into him. The stroke makes a final call on his crew. “Pull, yon darlings 1” The time quickens. A final Herculean effort is made, and the winning-post is left behind. The flag falls. “Easy all!” Won by inches. Every vouug man needs exercise of some description. There is that relationship between the mind and the: body that the health of the latter acta directly on the working of the former. Unless the body is kept in good order, the mind becomes sluggish, and refuses to do its duty. Amongst the many means of exercise afforded to our city youths there is probably none so populas nor so beneficial as rowing. Hero the very pick of the athletic world—• the runner, the cyclist, the boxer, and the representative of every branch of athletics —meet on common ground, with a common interest. As the oarsmen* after a day’s work, throw off their everyday clothes in the dressingroom and don the rowing costume, they seem to throw off, for the time being, the trammels of civilisation, and appear as Nature intended they should.