FRANK WOOLLEY WILL BECOME AS LEGENDARY AS W. G. GRACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24413, 26 September 1940, Page 4

FRANK WOOLLEY WILL BECOME AS LEGENDARY AS W. G. GRACE

WRANK WOOLLEY, “who stood the wrong way round, yet did everything right,” and who figured in more farewell performances than Dame Nellie Melba, has made a “ come-back.” The long-legged Kent cricket idol played for London Counties at Lord’s in. the return

match with the British Empire eleven. Woolley also turned out for Counties in their remaining August matches. When the great left-hander, then 51 years of age, announced his retirement during the 1938 season, an amazing

Women’s Athletics While more and more seni r athletes are entering the armed forces, there are definite prospects of greater interest being shown in the sport this summer by juniors and women athletes. It was reported at the last meeting of the Otago Centre that there was a likelihood of a new women’s club being formed as an off-shoot of the Otago High School Old Girls’ Basketball Club, for there are about a dozen girls keen on athletics. The forming of such a club should be encouraged by the centre, and, in fact, its officials could go even further and visit the Girls’ High School and the Technical College in an endeavour to recruit girls to the sport of athletics. Every effort should be made to encourage both juniors and girls to take up the sport during the coming season, for everything must be done to keep athletics alive during the war. A Missed Penalty The missing of a penalty by RoslynWakari in its Fletcher Cup game with Mosgiel on Saturday at Ellis Park robbed it of the chance not only of disputing the runner-up position with Northern, but also of the honour of being the only club to lower Mosgiel’s colours this season. It was a fast and exciting game, with Mosgiel’s dangerous combination severely crippled by Roslyn’s bustling style. Wilson, at centre-half, was outstanding as an effective, counter to Skinner, while both McCallion and D. Smythe blocked the opposing wings. The enterprise of Rogers', however, proved the saving of Mosgiel, and his two goals, which enabled his team to share the points, were well deserved. Mills played a sound game in goal and C. Skinner again proved his worth on defence at centre-half. Simpson, Roslyn’s right full-back, played a very sound game, while Harbourne, who deputised for Dodds in goal, was safe and sure in his handling. The Roslyn forwards were unlucky with one or two shots which struck the goals and rebounded clear, the two outstanding players of the line being Chisholm and Rutherford. The latter put in some clever play on the wing, and sent over many well-placed crosses. Altogether Roslyn has reason to be pleased with the play of its team this season, as this is the first time it has finished third on the table since its entry into senior ranks some years back. Request for Rackets Rackets are wanted by lawn tennis players who are in camp at Burnham, so that they may enjoy a game during their leisure periods. Mr T. Grimsdale reported to a meeting of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association this week that he had received advice from a prominent player, now in camp, that the men had been granted the use of the courts at Burnham. They were, however, very short of rackets, and would greatly appreciate any disused rackets that could be sent to them. Mr . Grimsdale said that if any players could assist the men in camp they would be doing a good service. Rackets could he left at the Sports Depot, and he would see that they were sent forward.

series of farewell matches followed. At every ground cricket fans paid homage to a figure who will become as legendary as W. G. Grace, if not as colourful. On his final appearance, at Folkestone, during the festival, Woolley was presented with a magnificent radiogramophone—and the cricket world settled down once more. Woolley was persuaded out of his retirement to add a touch of colour to the London Counties, and also, we think, to help set up an all-time record for the largest trio of slip-fielders (comments an English critic). When can you remember three taller close-in fielders in one side than Woolley. Durston, and Jim Smith?

The giant left-hander, who used to score 4’s simply by leaning on his bat, bade a depressing good-bye to Lords two years ago. After rain (it’s nice to mention that word sometimes) had washed out the first day, Kent were twice skittled out by powerful fast bowling. Their added totals did not reach the Middlesex declared score of 212 for eight. „ . . . But Woolley at least finished at headquarters in spectacular fashion. After being cheered all the way to the wicket, he settled down to recover some of the ground lost by the earlier bad batting.

With his score at 19, he an in-swingei from Jim Smith, intending a boundary down to fine leg. He reckoned without the skill and anticipation of Fred Price, who dived across to make one of the finest catches this department has ever witnessed. Price, still appealing, rolled about ten yards, hugging the ball to his body has been coaching the boys of a Canterbury school all summer in then new home somewhere in Devon.

“Pop” Vorrath Retires Club captain for the past 15 years of the oldest cricket club in New Zealand, the Albion Club, Mr H. Vorrath retired from the position at the club’s annual meeting on Monday night. He has seldom missed a practice or a club match, and has done a great deal for the club. One of his sons, the late W. Vorrath, was an Otago representative cricketer, and the All Black Rugby player, F. Vorrath, who has also played cricket, is another son. North Island Rugby The Otago Rugby football public has not had much to interest it this season bevond club games; but at least it does not have to bear with exhibitions of the type provided by the Wellington and Auckland representative teams at Wellington recently. The match was described by the Sports Post as a thoroughly good game thoroughly spoiled—thoroughly spoiled by the licence allowed the rough players _ of both sides and by the astonishing weaknesses of the Wellington backline. The game was one of the roughest at Athletic Park in several years, and it was fortunate, considering the indiscriminate booting and punching that went on throughout, that none of the players received serious injury. North Island Rugby has won an unenviable reputation in recent years for the prominence achieved on the paddock by boots and fists. Angling Prospects Reports from all parts of the country indicate that the opening of the angling season in Otago next Tuesday will be a fly-fisherman’s day. Practically all streams and rivers in the district are low and clear, and it is stated that not a few of them are already becoming weedy. This is particularly the case on the Shag River, which is disappointing news considering the fact that, with the flood of last May, the river had th. most effective cleaning out it has experienced in about 20 years. Those familiar with the stream were expecting it to offer better sport than usual. If anglers find the Shag offering poor baskets, it will be due to conditions and not to a lack of fish, for it is reported that not only is there a better stock than usual, but the trout seen recently are mainly of a better class than has been found there in recent years. Closing of Season Association football will be officially closed for the season on Saturday, when Mosgiel, winner of the Fletcher Cup, will play off with Northern, runner-up. for the Chinese Cup. Although six points separate these teams on the table. Northern shares the distinction with Roslyn-Wakari of being the only learns to rob the winners of a cup point this season, and on present form it would not be surprising to see the wearers of the black and white come out on top in Saturday’s play. There is a possibility that the Air Force team from Wigram will come down to play the Taieri Air Force team in a cur-tain-raiser.