WORLD OF SPORT.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 269, 3 January 1929, Page 8

WORLD OF SPORT.

Stoop on All Blacks. At the jubilee dinner of the Surrey County Rugby Football Union, A. O. Stoop, the president, and former Harlequin and English international, made a speech which held the large company present in wrapt attention. Comparing present-day methods With those of pre-war, Mr. Stoop deplored the modern fetish of English forwards heeling at almost every opportunity. He regretted that wheeling the scrum appeared to be a lost art, and, while remarking that the pendulum had swung too far, he appealed to the schools to start teaching the young players the importance of wheeling.

In commenting on the palmy days of the Harlequins, Mr. Stoop acknowledged what a lot the game owed to the New Zealanders under D. Gallagher, whom he regarded as the finest captain he had ever seen. He did not think the 1924 New Zealand team was as good as that of 1905 as he affirmed that the 1924 team relied largely on sheer physical strength. A Cricket Deserter. Referring to the return of S. Staples, of Notts, from the present cricket team touring Australia, an English writer recalls other instances of sides being depleted through various causes. Lord' Hawke and Captain E. G. Wynyard each returned home during the middle of a tour, while P. F. Warner played in only one match in Australia in the memorable tour of 1911-12, when J. W. H. T. Douglas (Johnny Won’t Hit To-day) had to take over the captaincy.

C. Kelleway, still playing test cricket, also retired from a touring side, giving up the captaincy of the Australian Imperial Forces team in 1919 owing to a disagreement and being succeeded by Collins. A further curious case was also noted. In the Canadian team which toured England in 1880 the best allround man was named Jordan. Midway in the tour, however, he was arrested by the military authorities as a deserter. He was taken in charge during the game with Leicester and was eventually sentenced to 336 days’ imprisonment. Record Billiards Breaks.

Willie Smith, the English billiards professional, is stated to owe much of his success as a billiards player to his self assurance. While the famous John Roberts made his record break of 1392 before the restrictions on “ anchor ” and “ pendulum ” cannons were imposed, Smith, the wonder player in the game’s history, amasses his huge totals despite the many restrictions of to-day. Recently Smith scored 1487 in a single break on a Wednesday and followed this up on the Friday and Saturday with a break of 2743.

A story typical of Smith’s self assurance is told about a recent match for the championship. While Smith handled his cue a fly took a toointimate interest in the cuist. Smith swatted it. Another buzzed forth ; a spectator unwittingly dropped something. “ Sh, ssh,” from the audience.

“ That doesn’t bother me,” said Smith. “ It’s this fly. I wouldn’t mind, only he hasn’t paid to come in.” A Rugby Incident.

Describing an incident in a Rugby game against France at Paris, W. E. Crawford, the great Irish full-back, states : “ There was a large clock at the end of the ground towards which we were playing, and during a lull in the game I noticed that the time was between 3.15 and 3.20. Immediately afterwards Jaurreguy, the French captain and wing three-quarter, got the ball. I shepherded him close to the touch line and as he had no room in which to dodge he attemtped to jump over me. In doing so he gave me a severe blow on the right side of the head.-v I have a dim recollection of going down and then scrambling to my feet because I was tremendously keen on winning. When I came to myself I glanced at the clock and saw that it was then 3.45. At the first opportunity I asked what was happening and how the game was going, only to be met with a blank and bewildered stare. I then learned that since the accident 25 minutes earlier I had been playing as usual and that no one had realised that I was hurt. Those 25 minutes are a' complete blank to me, but the other fellows on the side were kind—or unkind—enough to say that I played just as well as when I had the full use of my senses.” Despite a severe war injury Crawford gained his first cap for Ireland in 1920 and has played in 30 international games. Some critics rank him among the greatest full-backs.