Sports Commentary

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26639, 9 December 1947, Page 9

Sports Commentary

By The Sports Editor

'Yachting Trials No fewer than 34 boats were at Port Chalmers for the beginning of the yachting trials on Saturday, and it was unfortunate that the breeze did not permit either the Sanders Cup, Idlealong, or Takapuna classes to complete their courses in the three hours allowed. The Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association officials had no option but to abandon the races, and their decision not to sail a race in the afternoon in view of a probable repetition of the abandonment was fully justified. The holding of two races on Sunday met with the approval of the skippers competing in the Sanders Cup and Takapuna class trials, and the action can be commended because of the time which may be needed to complete the remaining trials and to decide on the Otago representatives. Since the Idlealong trials are decided on the points system, the necessity for a race on Sunday was not as urgent. A point worth considering in the future, however, is whether the sending of boats to Port Chalmers for trial races is justified on the grounds of creating interest in the sport on the lower harbour. C. J. Pettit, in Bynette, brought seamanship and his long association with the sport in Otago to bear in his win in the first Sanders Cup trial completed. By electing to stay well put in the harbour in the flukey breeze that prevailed on Sunday he demonstrated the truth of the old adage that it takes an old dog for the hard road. Where the majority of the fleet chose to make boards inshore, and were almost becalmed for a period, he gained sufficient seaway from his selection to cross the line with minutes to spare. Nancy and Amazon, the latter a popular choice among many followers of the sport, followed him home. Amazon was sailing well in the first trial at the port, and' gained a lucky wind that saved minutes on the final leg, but Lynette had drawn level when the gun went for the abandonment. The future meetings of these two boats' will be watched with more than usual interest as the trials progress. ’Keeper’s Impressive Display I. Gallaway, the Otago Plunket Shield wicketkeeper, has been showing excellent form for Carisbrook in the club games, and against Albion - Y.M.C.A. last Saturday he had an outstanding match. He allowed no byes in either innings and dismissed six batsmen—five stumped and one caught. His work behind the stumps is always performed without fuss and flourish, and it is invariably of a high order.' Gallaway received his first coaching as a primary schoolboy from the then Otago professional, F. T. Badcock, and- subsequently played for Christ’s College. During the war he was chosen to practise for Canterbury, but represented Otago and he also played for services’ teams in England. Being a young player, he should have a future in big cricket.

Experience Teaches The Otago Light Car Club which held its annual hill-climbing contest on Saturday afternoon was given, the opportunity of learning some valuable lessons. Difficulties experienced with the timing apparatus would suggest earlier installation next year so that adequate tests may be made to ensure efficient operation. The uselessness of appeals to spectators to keep off the course should bring home to the organisers the necessity for more strict patrolling of the course in the interests not only of life and limb but also competitors’ nerves. Finally, it seems reasonable in future to refrain from announcing over the speaker system that the “day’s performance is over’’ and then to decide to hold another run. On Saturday, spectators on foot and in cars, which had been parked at the top of the hill, were lustled off the course by traffic inspectors some little time after they had been given to understand that the competitions were complete. Interisland Softball The first North-South Island softball match yet played in New Zealand will be staged at the Caledonian Ground by the New Zealand Softball Association* on January 31. This game should demonstrate a high standard of softball, and will attract players and officials from all parts of the Dominion. The game will be played during the period of the amusement park at the Caledonian Ground, and arrangements have been completed with the Otago Centennial Association to admit all. holders of the 5/- centennial donation ' vouchers to the ground on the day of the match. Next Saturday the South Island selectors— Messrs A. A. Muir (Southland), T. A.lien (Otagci) and A. Keenan (Can-;erbury-Nelson-West Coast), together with all South Island players selected Eor consideration, will assemble at Ashbury Park, Timaru, to decide the inal selection of the South Island ;eam. The final selections of both ;eams wijl be announced from Welington early in January.