SPORTS OF ALL KINDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24419, 3 October 1940, Page 4

SPORTS OF ALL KINDS

CRICKET PLANS v,' The cricket season for which nearly all arrangements have now been completed will not be the first in which the ■games will be held under the shadow of wiir, but it will be the first in ■which the effects of war will be severely felt. The Otago Cricket Association has endeavoured to anticipate some of its difficulties, but it may be taken for granted that, as the season progresses, there may be complications. especially in respect of the constitution of teams, that everyone will have to accept in the best possible spirit. It is impossible for anyone to foresee all the difficulties that will arise, but the experience to be gained in this season’s play will clear up the most /controversial point that has arisen— Whether two-day games can be played •under war conditions. The Association has gone a long way towards acknowledging the uncertainty of this, position by abolishing the two-day match except in the senior grade. The argument, apparently is that the higher standard of play in the senior division creates a distinction between it and other grades, and there is much to support this view. One of the most experienced advocates of the two-day game claims that a previous trial showed that in pne-day matches batsmen became either stonewallers or hitters, and that many senior players failed to get a hand. There remains the difficulty of selecting a team with the certainty

that players will be available on both days. If they are not, they may have to stand on the bank for one Saturday. Experience will show whether the arrangement will be workable; / The decision that senior matches are .to conclude at 6 p.m. instead of 6.30 is « concession to the wishes of plhyers who, for some years, have complained that a late finish has prevented their making the best use of the remainder of their Saturday night. If it was acknowledged that the alteration .should be made in the case of senior players, it is strange that the decision of the association has been that junior matches should go on until 6.30. Perhaps the reason is that it is felt that more lime should be allowed, so that a decision may be reached in the oneday games, but players who object to the late finish will still be dissatisfied. Experience shows, however, that in junior games the players take the matter of time very largely into their own hands, and if each side has had an innings by- 5 o’clock or shortly afterward the players simply pack up and go home. There will surely be no criticism of the decision favouring . the abandonment of the Plunket Shield series, which involves long, trips and heavy expenditure—this season with weakened teams. “ Home and away matches with Canterbury would have a strong appeal if they can be conveniently arranged, and these, with a two-day game against Southland, would provide a good war-time representative programme. True Forward Play A visit to the Eastern Districts v. Police match, played at Palmerston recently and won by Eastern Districts by 6 points to 5, prompted a very wellknown Otago and Southland representative of some years ago to point a moral to selectors of Otago teams in the future. The match made an excellent impression, and he commented that both sides gave fine exhibitions of true forward play—forwards playing as forwards and not as forwards-cum-; backs. There was no falling down in scrums and po illegal blocking, which to him emphasised “a difference in methods from Dunedin matches with their weak refereeing and effects .of coaching by men who should know better,” Judging by, the record of Otago and Southland matches, he added, it will not be long before Southland takes the lead in wins for the simole reason that it fosters country football, with special attention to the forwards. For the last 40 years. Southland teams regularly have included three or four husky country forwards. “ It surely is time the Dunedin authorities took the hint.” he said. Golf Films Dunedin golfers have been awaiting with interest the arrival of the “Sound” golf films, which feature A. D. (“Bobby”) Locke, South Africans champion, and the well-known American. Johnny Farrell. They were procured by the New Zealand Association for the benfit of golfers throughout the country, and a good attendance is expected when they are shown in Dunedin in Burns Hall next Monday «vening. Whitcombes for Golf.*

NO LUCK FOR ANGLERS The few anglers who tried out nearby waters on the opening day of the season (Tuesday) generally report little in the way of results. Reports are few at the time of writing, but it appears that most sportsmen are waiting for the week-end. instead of trying for an early start. The Shag River was expected to provide excellent snort, and up till last week-end watchers reported that fish were there in plenty—good fish. too. they said, in the opinion of two well-known Dunedin fishermen who spent the opening day on the stream, however, there must have been some mistake somewhere, for not only did they find the fishing poor, but they were unable to see the fish they had been told were waiting hungrily in every limpid pool. They took five between them, including nothing of any size or weight worthy of mention, and brought home more disappointment than trout. A good few anglers spent the evening at Tomahawk, but a strong, cold wind rendered fishing both unpleasant and unprofitable, and the only catch reported was a “slab.” which the angle! concerned regarded as an excellent illustration of the geometrical straight line—a line having length but no depth or width. It was 2ft by the rule, and weighed a poor 31b. Senior Basketball The final game of the first grade basketball competition, played last Saturday between Training College and Y.W.C.A, I was a fair indication of the standard of play and the equality of form shown by the various teams competing in the grade. Never before has the standard of play been of such an even character, and the score of 16— 16 in Saturday’s game gives the final proof to this assertion. Because of this evenness of play, the senior competition has been intensely interesting, and has proved particularly enjoyable to the individual players. Despite the fact that Saturday’s game I'esulted in a draw. Training College captured the championship shield by one point, as Y.W.C.A. had to win the game outright before it could be included in the final honours. However, as the two teams meet in the challenge match for the Walker and Hall Cup, Y.W.C.A.’s chance of sharing in or holding a trophy for the 1940 season is a good one. This is the first lime this team has attained to this honour, and its outstanding play this season has been the result of many year’s careful coaching and training.

A Museum Piece Those anglers who like to collect their used licences and keep them handy as aids to memory in the telling of fishing tales, and also those anglers who are still fingering their 25 shillings in one pocket and their petrol coupons in another, would be impressed and stimulated by the collection owned by Mr H. G. Wiiliams, who is undoubtedly one of the veteran anglers of Otago. He has licences dating back to 1881, and has not missed a season since then. Unfortunately, his earliest specimens have been misplaced, but the pile he can produce is a museum piece in itself. The first, for the 1891-92 season, was issued by D. Russell, then secretary of the Otago Acclimatisation Society as was that for the following season, when the licence was issued for the “ Southern Acclimatisation District.” This description continued to apply to the area under the 'society’s control until the 1909-1910 season, when Mr Williams was the holder of a half-season licence, costing 12s 6d. Mr Russell was still the secretary,, and the first time the name of the present secretary, Mr R. Hanning, appears Is on Mr Williams’s licence for the 1914-1915 season. The collection numbers over 30 licences and represents more than a few limit catches. .

Good Golf The good condition’s throughout the winter and early spring have been a great encouragement to Dunedin golfers, and scoring has been consistently good. At Balmacewen last weekend. for example. T. W. Wight, having his last day’s golf before going into Territorial camp, played two rounds of 71. T. B. Ferguson, also a scratch man, also brought in a 71. and J. N. Lemon, 1 who plays off 2. was the third player to go round two strokes better than the scratch score. Good golf! Down at St. Clair something similar was going on. although there C. B. Wight, still another scratch player, was the only starter in the first qualifying round of the club championship to produce anything really outstanding. Considering the fact, that the course was extended to its full length and a wind made con-

ditions difficult, his 73 was a very line round J. N. Sams (5). who was round in 78. was the only other player to play to his handicap. The four-ball bogey event played later in the week-end produced somethin s rather startling when A. Lawrence and F. Duthie came in with an aggregate for the day of 11 up. They had a fine margin from the next pair P. J. Gill and A. Lucas of the Otago Club who finished 4 up

COUNCIL OF SPORT There were grounds for a lot of satisfaction in the meeting held last week of representatives of Dunedin sporting organisations to consider the proposal to form an Otago Federation of Sports Bodies. The representation was excellent, and it must have been heartening to the sponsors of the movement to hear such general commendation and such a lively discussion on the objects that could be undertaken by a federation. The meeting readily did all that was asked of it; that is, it gave its approval to the principle ol a provincial council of sport, and appointed a committee to submit a draft constitution to a future meeting of delegates. Any suspicion still existing that this was just a further move to impose Government supervision upon spori was emphatically expelled by the chairman, Mr H. Harris who is chai - man of the Dunedin Physical Welfare and Recreation Committee, and by Miss Mary Martin, the area recreation officer, both of whom gave particular assurances that there was not the faintest suggestion of Government interference in any form. The whole purpose of the proposal is to correlate all sports organisations, so that they can speak with a united voice on subjects of common interest. There can be no question of the merit of the scheme. Such councils have been formed in other centres without robbing any particular sport of any of its individuality. There should be no danger of interference with individual sports by the council itself, and even it its only achievement should be the provision of sports club headquarters, it would have served a valuable purpose. The Pioneer Sports Club m Christchurch is. of course, a fine example of what can be done in that respect, and, no doubt, there will be ample encouragement in Dunedin for the acquisition of a' building to serve as a common meeting ground for athletes. There are many more subjects in which the council could interest itself —grounds, dressing accommodation, coaching in clubs and in schools, encouragement and inducement to young athletes, and a host of other things.

The only danger, and it is so slight as *to justify only passing reference, is that such a body might be allowed to climb out of its proper perspective. The game, whatever it is, must always be the thing, and the federation must never allow itself or be allowed to delve into anything more than questions of broad interest. Control of all sports must remain purely the affair of the bodies directly responsible for them. The slightest step outside its definite functions would make this latest move actually “the thin edge of the wedge.” But there should be no fears on that score.

It might be added that the Dunedin area has been most fortunate in the person of its Government-appointed recreation officer. Miss Mary Martin is gifted with a rare enthusiasm and with the ability to impart much of her keenness to others. A charming personality, together with a sound knowledge of the requirements of her work and a highly optimistic outlook, make her a very fine type of officer indeed. Certainly she had a stimulating effect on her audience at last week’s meeting.

Reversal of Form After the excellent exhibition of basketball given by High School ExGirls in the game against Albany the previous Saturday, the encounter last week proved disappointing. Only for a few minutes in the middle of the first half did the Ex-Girl players dominate the game. Otherwise Albany proved the driving force, and brilliant combined play gave it a decided lead which its opponents were unable to reduce. This was certainly Albany’s day “on top,” and on the day’s play it was undoubtedly the premier team of the section. Ex-Girls offered strenuous opposition throughout, but somehow their play did not click, and many opportunities were lost at unexpected points. Albany’s slight superiority in defence and centre was responsible for its forwards gam mg the major share of the ball, but u Pat Mutimer. Ex-Girls’ fast throw-off centre, had been playing in her usual position. Albany’s advantage would not have been so pronounced. New Zealand Record Equalled Following her fine swim early last week, in which she came within a second of the New Zealand junior girls’ 50 yards backstroke record. Miss Ngaire Lane, the holder of the New Zealand junior girls’ 50 and 100 yards freestyle championships, marked her exit from the ranks of the juniors last Saturday evening by cutting out the 50 yards’ backstroke in 35 4-ssec, thus equalling Miss Bettv Owens’s Dominion record. For so early in the season. Miss Lane’s performance was a remarkable one. and it would not be surprising to see her do big things during her first year as an intermediate.

END OF ANOTHER SEASON Rugby footballers in Otago have stowed away their boots for another season, a good many of them already until this world chaos is dealt with, and it will be possible to settle down to sport again with a free mind. The 1940 season will be remembered m Dunedin for the remarkable sequence of fine weather—a performance unrivalled anywhere else in New Zealand—and for a club competition which was revitalised toward the end of the season, and which maintained interest extraordinarily well. Although the chief honours went to the winners and runner-up of the championship>—Southern and Pirates respectively—the main contribution to the success of the competition was the attractive football played by University A. The Light Blues were definitely the best side in the championship for most of the season, and should have been for the whole of the season. Perhaps it was its early superiority that was responsible for the later falling-away; but, whatever the reason, it is no reflection on Southern and Pirates to remark that University largely had itself to blame for not finishing the champion team of 1940. Southern once again demonstrated the value of teamwork and expert coaching, and Pirates was always a team with possibilities. The Blacks played a lot of good football, and were beaten in the final by the sound application of experience. Of the other teams. Union fell away badly from its 1939 standard, due in a big measure to losses of players, although it had some promising junior players; Union had a steady and satisfactory season. Kaikorai was a disappointing side, although the club was strong in the lower grades. Taieri played as bright a game as any team, and widened its circle of supporters. Alhambra and Zingari-Richmond both had some good moments. And University B probably didn’t field the same team for any two matches, but. nevertheless, made some bold showings. The Pirates club was keen and consistent through all the grades, and earned the right to the Ainge Shield, the true club championship award. It finished with a percentage of 76.2 ahead of Kaikorai (65.4) and Southern, the 1939 winner, which had 62. Congratulations are extended to the winners as follows: Ainge Shield: Pirates. First-grade championship: Southern. Second grade—Section 1: Training College; Section II: Union. Third grade—Section I: Kaikorai A; Section II; Universtiy F. Intermediate: King’s High School. Fourth grade: Pirates F. Fifth grade: Kaikorai.

Tie-ball in Basketball "What is a tie-ball, and how is it governed? ” asks an interested basketball supporter. A tie-ball is made when two players who are opponents both place two hands on the ball at the same instant. In the event of two players claiming simultaneous possession of the ball, two hands on the ball first constitutes possession. When a tie-ball occurs, a throw-up is given at the spot between the players concerned excepting when the tie-ball is within three feet of a boundary line, in which case the throw-up is given as near as possible to the spot but three feet from the boundary line; or when the tie-ball is over a transverse or wing line, i.e., between two players in adjoining playing areas, in which case the throw-up is between two opposing players in the playing area farther away from the goal third,

MEDITATION ON THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA

A N angler sal quietly in the twilight. It was the eve of the opening. His fly box was open before him. and he looked with some pride upon the contents. There were flies of every hue in its neat compartments and lovingly he lifted a March Brown from the red-tippeu Governor cubicle to lay it reverently in the department devoted to March Browns. He wondered idly if young Alphonse, or perhaps Ermintrude could have ravaged the box and misplaced that fly. But his mind was not on the children, and they, miraculously, escaped his ire He was preoccupied. Silently he put his hand to his pocket and extracted printed papers. Solemnly he gazed upon them. Blue, they were, and printed upon them was the mystic sign—4. They represented petrol. Broodingly he counted them over. Four, eight, twelve, sixteen, twenty. She’ll do twenty-two. That’s 440 miles. The Pommie is only 70-odd, and we could do it nicely. But the ranger says the Mararoa is better. He ought' to know. He doesn’t have to worry about petrol. But if I go to the

Fever had him in its clammy grip. For days he had struggled in the toils of mental conflict, and now it was the eve of opening day. We are able to state that the sequel was the. Tomahawk after all, arid only the sight of a friend muttering maledictions over a “ slab ” threepounder as compensation for his tribulations.

Air Force Rivalry The Wlgram and Taieri Air Force Association football teams which played in the curtain-raiser at Logan Park on Saturday, included several Dunedin nlayers in their ranks and provided quite an interesting game, which the visitors won by five goals to two. Playing for Wigram were J. Whvte, the ex-Mosgiel player, and two ex-Northern members. W. Ruddiman (a brother of Stan Ruddiman) and Voyce. The side profited by the experience of having played as a team in the Christchurch competitions this year and it fully deserved the honours. Well-known players in the Taieri team were McLaughlin (ex-SeaclifD and four ex-members of the Otago High School Old Boys’ team—Beal. Nelson. Gregory and McNarey,

Mararoa how am I going to get back? It’s a lot farther than the Pommie, and I’ll lose my job if I’m stranded down south.’ He turned the coupons over and over, subconsciously seeking a way to make 20 gallons more look like 30 gallons. His eyes closed and the familiar scene upon which they had rested faded. He saw instead a rough countryside. Hills rose above him with bush-dad, verdant slopes which ended at the brink of a silvery river. Trout leapt athletically from its waters, and at the verge stood a figure which was somehow familiar. It was wearing his thigh boots and his Ashing jacket. It was using his red. Its casts were superb. It was he! There was a rise. A beauty! It had taken the fly. Snap! A quick strike and it was his. But was , his the Pommie? Or was it the Mararoa? No! The scene was unfamiliar. There were tussocks on the banks and the river was not a river. It was a lake. Or was it a lake? No. It was a dam. What dam? What dam had fish like this in its waters? Mahinerangi? Butchers’ Gully? Manorburn? No. None of them. Then where was this dam? He must get to it. It was clairvoyancy—second sight. Petrol coupons did not matter. He would walk. No. He would run. The vision faded. There before him was the whitewashed wall of the washhouse and the other “ usual offices.” He was at home. It wa s just like the “ Lost Chord.” Only Sullivan was not so sadly beset after all; it was only a bit of music he had lost. This—or was it these —was —or were—fish? He must recognise that place. He must go to it. A broad water, with willows at side. A sheltered nook with fish in plain view, all anxious to snap at a March Brown or a red-tipped Governor. But it’s no use. The scene fades. His anxious eyes see only a stray star that has crept into the heavens with stealth and seems to leer at him. The angler’s paradise has gone, and there seems no hope at all in the world. Perhaps he should go to the Shag after all. That will leave enough petrol for next week-end as well. And the Shag is good. All the experts say it has never been better. Or perhaps Tomahawk would do?

Much Too Good T. O. Kennedy, former Otago runner, rounded off a fine season in Wellington by taking the Bennett Memorial Road Race 10 days ago. He wa s the easiest of winners—by some 150 yards. Kennedy won all the major Wellington winter events he contested, remarks the Sports Post. He opened with the provincial cross-country title, followed this with a win in the Vosseler Shield contest, and capped these successes with Saturday’s fine run. Kennedy’s performances have thrown into bold relief the poor standard of home-grown cross-country products. There has been no appreciable change in the level of achievement for years, and, despite suggested approaches for lifting performance, there isn’t much that can be done about it. Either you have the men or you haven’t.

Mosgiel’s Success The Mosgicl Association football senior loam again has reason to be elated at the end of another successful season, its latest triumph being the defeat of Northern in the play-off for the Chinese Cup last Saturday. Last season these teams played off for the same cup. and Northern won by two goals to one. Saturday’s game provided a fitting finale to the season, spectators being treated to fast and at times clever play. While Northern s long, swinging tactics and nippy play proved disconcerting to Mosgiel. the latter gradually gained the ascendancy lay superior intermediate and front line play. W. Steven, who latterly has been off his game, played good football, whilst J. Skinner and W. Rogers, although given close attention, outwitted the opposition. These three players shared the five goals scored The placing of the Northern team especially in the half-line, contributed to some extent to its defeat. Meehan at centre, was too much occupied on defence to hold the team together, and the tendency of Wallace to wander from the wing position gave the opposing winger too much scope. The big gap left between the line and the forwards affected the combination of the latter line, as McFaiiane and King were forced to play a semi half-back game to get possession of the ball. Well Earned When the championship shield was presented to the captain of the Training College Basketball Club last Saturday afternoon after the Training College v. Y.W.C.A. game, one of the speakers referred to the long connection the principal of the college. Mr J. A. Moore, M.A., had enjoyed with the game and with the Otago Basketball Association, and expressed the opinion that it seemed a perfectly fitting conclusion that in his last year as head of the college his interest in basketball should be crowned with che winning of the championship shield by his A team. Mr Moore’s connection with the association has extended over a long period, during which time he furthered the interests of the game in a wide sphere. For a number of years he was one of the vice-presidents, but even after he severed his official connection he showed a keen interest in the work of the association. His senior team this year, led by Miss Renie Parke, has been one of the best teams College has fielded for a considerable number of years, although the 1939 combination was also an excellent one, and gained high honours in the association’s fixtures.