CAMBRIDGE BEATS OXFORD

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 48, 19 May 1927, Page 11

CAMBRIDGE BEATS OXFORD

MELBOURNE PLAYER LEADS AN EXCITING FINISH r-o Af v. e^T a J es P era tely exciting finish Cambridge beat Oxford, late in March, by 9 games to 6. I have mentioned this match because of the unusual occurrence of a colonial student captaining the Cambridge team—successfully too. This is Grimwade, a dour and typical Australian, a native of Melbourne. OXFORD LEADS Oxford drew first blood, winning the foursomes (36 hole) by 3 to 2, the unexpected result being the beating of y- Orimwade and H. P. Robinson (t .) by R. H. Oppenheimer and A. S. Bradshaw (O.), 3 and 2. The lastmentioned. is a freshman, barely 19 yet. Grimwade and his partner played well when they were down, but when they pulied the lead back they lacked the ability to rub the enemy’s nose in the dirt. Oxford retained its point, and was still in the better position at the conclusion of the first round in the singles, which were also over 36 holes. The singles were played in a half gale. WHIRL OF EXCITEMENT The whirl of excitement in the afternoon deserves some space. The comment is,from the London “Times”: “The afternoon was a nightmare of excitement, of running hither and thither, of hopes and fears. At one time . Cambridge seemed sweeping to certain victory. H. F. Robinson, day in and day out the best golfer on the Cambridge side for a real rough-and-tumble dog-fight, murdered Butterworth: Evelyn-Jones, Scott-Moncrieff, and Selway were drawing steadily away from their men; Maughan had got his nose in front of Zair; Speed and Pell were holding their own: and Grimwade had got a short lead of Oppenheimer. ‘*Then the tide began to turn a little the other way, for Zair (O.) was gaining, and playing very finely, and Grimwade seemed to be throwing away his chances. After being one up lie was now two down with only five to go. At this point he made a great spurt, had a fine 4 at the Field, won the Lake, where Oppenheimer made a mess of

things, and got right home on to the Dun green with two magnificent shots, to win it in 4 and take the lead. “If he could win Cambridge could win, whereupon he promptly tried to throw the match into the dirt by taking three putts on the Royal green. Oppenheimer cheered up at once, holed a good putt, won the hole and squared. OUT AGAIN “The last was halved in 4, and out they went again. Nor did they finish till the 41st. “At the end of a long day in that terrific wind this was a severe test of strength and courage, and. though both made some bad shots, both also made some glorious ones and fought most gallantly. “One after the other they just missed putts for fours at the first. To the second Grimwade played as fine a second shot as was conceivable, and lay within four feet of. the hole. Oppenheimer was bunkered off the green, recovered beautifully, got his 4, and Grimwade missed his four feet putt. “Forward yet again up the bitter, windy stretch of the Long Hole. Some bad shots by both and then a curly four yard putt holed by Grimwade to save his neck. The Cop was halved in 4, and then, at last, the end came. Fine drives by both were followed by bad pitches—if any shot can be called bad at such a juncture. Both were bunkered. . Oppenheimer failed to get out at the first effort; Grimwade just got out, laid a long putt stone dead and won the hole in 5 against 6, more dead than alive, but a gallant victor. “All sorts of things had been happening meanwhile. Speed (C.) had kept his nose in front of Taylor, who had missed some heaven-sent chances on the green. Penruddock (O.) had finished as a captain should and snatched a fine win from Fell, who was so done and exhausted that he had not a kick left in him. ONE MATCH WANTED “Cambridge had to win one more match in order to win. Selway (C.) and Bradshaw were all square with two to go. Illingworth (C.) was one down with three to go, having at one time been four down. “The first pair played the last two holes like men, 5 at the Royal, 4 at the last, Selway holing an Bft. putt to save himself. One could not see two matches at once, so I waited for Illingworth. He won the Dun in 4 —all square—l\e won the Royal in 4 by superb golf—dormy one—he had a putt for 4 at the last, but, having 2 for the match, laid the ball carefully within lin. It was a finish of which any golfer alive might have been overweeningly proud. Just as Cambridge were dancing fandangoes of victory, news of another win was borne on the winds. Poor Bradshaw (O.) had put two balls out of bounds at the 37th, and Selway had won. It was altogether a great battle, worthy of the great battlefield of Hoylake.” LADIES’ PROVINCIAL The Auckland ladies’ provincial championship and handicap tournament will be hold at the MidcUemore links on June 14, 15, 16 and 17. Entries will close on June 7. The first and second qualifying rounds of the championship, together with a medal handicap, to be played in conjunction, will take place on June 14., On June 15 the first round of the championship, a handicap bogey match, and approaching and putting competitions, will be played. On June 16 the second round of the championship, a handicap medal match and the semi-finals of the championship, will be played. The final of the provincial championship will be played on the afternoon of June 17, while Canadian foursomes will be played in the morning. The championship is at present held by Miss E. Culling. PLUS FOURS Abe (to fellow-countryman): “Do you play golf?” Ike: “Is dat de game you play with knickers ?” Abe (disgusted): “No; 1 only play with white men.”