Sports Commentary

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26623, 20 November 1947, Page 9

Sports Commentary

■—— By The Sports Editor ■»»«

Sportsman’s Appointment Mr R. W. Orr has been appointed physical education master at the King Edward Technical College. He is a third year physical education specialist at the Dunedin Training College and served in the R.N.Z.A.F. in Canada and India during the war, attaining the rank of Flight Lieutenant. An old boy of the Gore High School, Orr came into prominence last year as a member of the Training College fifteen in the Dunedin Rugby competition, first as a five-eighths and then as a full-back. Selected at full-back in the Otago team for the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Southland at Invercargill on August 2, he rose to the occasion brilliantly, and his form in the remaining shield games was in keeping with his earlier effort. An injury prevented him from playing in the Auckland match, but he was able to travel with the Otago team on its northern tour. He has been prominent in Training College sport, and is one of the leading members of the attack in the Otago University cricket eleven. Consistent Swimmer One of the most consistent swimmers in local competitions is the Dunedin club intermediate, S. Williams, who won the 220 yards invitation freestyle handicap at the Otago Centre's opening carnival last week, from the 19sec mark, and filled third place in the 100 yards junior and intermediate freestyle handicap from scratch. His time for the furlong was 2min 48 3-ssec. As, a junior he represented Otago in the intermediate water polo match against Southland two years ago. He has also held Otago freestyle and back-stroke titles as a junior and intermediate, and is a former New Zealand junior diving champion. Yachtsman’s Mishap A feature of the 14ft class sailing race at North-East Harbour on , Saturday, and one which contained a lesson to would-be Sanders Cup contenders, learned the hard way , by skipper Alan Hunter, was the handicap imposed upon himself when his spinnaker dropped overboard about 30 yards from the finishing line. Nancy, skippered by Hunter, had a handy lead, but with , the race well in hand his spinnaker halyard parted. The spinnaker dropped overboard and became entangled with his plate, all efforts to free it being in vain. Such mishaps invariably happen at the wrong time, but even in the middle of a race, time lost may mean a place, and faulty gear is often the cause. Lawn Tennis Tournament Entries from 250 players have been received for the Yankee Tournament which will be played in four grades as part of the gala day being run by the Dunedin Lawn Tennis Union on Saturday. Play will commence at the Aotea Courts at 8.30 a.m., and late entries will be accepted at the courts up to 9 a.m. Courts and controllers have been arranged as follows:—A Grade: Court 6, R. Graves court 5, A. Lindsay. Intemediate Grade: Court 7, G. Hammer. B. Grade: Court 4, G. Wright; court 3, C. McAuley. C and D Grades: Court 1, R. Smith; court 2, D. Monk; court 8, J. Kilpatrick. Versatile Junior The most impressive member of the Dunedin attack in the senior cricket match against North-East Valley on Saturday was the colt, S. T. Jones. An accurate fast-medium bowler, Jones sends down his deliveries after a run of some 20 yards. In Saturday’s game he secured three North-East Valley wickets at a cost of 29 runs. An Otago and New Zealand Brabin Shield representative last season, Jones was one of the most successful bowlers in the tournament. He has also made some excellent scores and is an alert fieldsman. Last year, he captained the King’s High School First Eleven.

Impressive Backstroke Exponent Miss Myra Wilson, the New Zealand Junior Girls’ 50 Yards and 75 Yards Backstroke swimming champion, will be a worthy second string for Miss Jean Stewart, the Dominion Intermediate Girls’ 100 and 220 Yards titleholder, this season. Towards the end of last season, Miss Wilson equalled the Dominion junior record of 58sec for the 75 Yards Backstroke, and at the Otago Centre’s opening carnival last week swam impressively to win the 66 2-3 Yards Junior and Intermediate Backstroke Handicap from the virtual scratch mark of 3sec in the fast time of 53sec. Although in her first year in the intermediate class, Miss Wilson will provide worthwhile opposition for Miss Stewart who was unable to compete last week. Miss Wilson is a daughter of Mr .T. Wilson, honorary secretary of the Kiwi Amateur Swimming Club.