SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20266, 7 August 1937, Page 22 (Supplement)

SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN

By “Spectator.”

THE FIRST RUGBY TEST

fiew Zealand?s Probable Players : Springboks 9 Players Recovering from Injuries : A Formidable Team Will be Available : Waikato Badminton Topics Jack Broad Leaving Hamilton : M. Tate Retires.

THE ?IRST TEST Is only a week off and following the Springboks’ great win against Manawatu this week the enthusiasts will not be as optimistic about New Zealand’s chances as they were. It was pointed out by “ Spectator ” both after the Auckland and Combined matches that the visiting team was far 'better than these two games appeared to make them and that on a dry day they would (have New Zealand teams chasing them all day. The match against Manawatu last Wednesday gave the South Africans their first real chanoe of showing their paces as the ball was not slippery and the ground the driest they have yet had. The score in this match tells Its own story and the manner in which those scores were gained has made many revise their opinions of the visitors. It must 'be remembered that the ground could be much drier than It was on Wednesday and many games under the same conditions can be expected. The six New Zealand selectors last week-end announced twenty players to go Into training for the All Blacks and at the time of writing one more player had to be announced. In view of the exceptional Interest that will be taken in the likely'players of tooth teams a review of the careers of the members should prove of great value. As far as picking the winner of the Test is concerned it seems to me to rest practically entirely on the weather. On a greasy ground the Springbok forwards will have to show muoh better form than their displays against Auckland and the Combined team in Hamilton, but with all players fit and rested they may have that recpiired form. On a dry day with their exceptional speed, great defensive work and ability to take advantage of every little mistake of their oponents combined with their superior combination, they would be the favourites.

In another oolumn on this page the age, height and weight of the New Zealand ’ and Springbok players have been tabulated for the benefit of enthusiasts. As far as age is concerned there is little between the teams but the tourl-sts will have the advantage In height and weight. A feature of the backs ohosen to represent New Zealand is that not one of them have worn the Sliver Fern before, while of the eleven forwards only seven have played for the Dominion. When the rcarth of the 1935 All Blacks is taken Into consideration this is very surprising particularly as only two, N. A. Mitchell and B. S. Sadler are on the Injured list. J. Q. Wynyard’s knee Injury that kept him out of the game so long, looks to be the only reason why lie is not in but he may get his chance later. There is one player ■till to be selected in place of Mitchell Mid it may be that Griffiths will be that man. The fantastic suggestion hat T. 11. C. Gaughcy could be made 3t in time does not appeal and Sullivan, who has been in the limelight for two seasons now, and is no ‘Hash in the pan,’ should be the centre.

better choioe than either Hooper or Trevathan in either position, but as Trevathan is a stouter defender and a more reliable attaoker than Hooper the five-eighths should be Trevathan and Crossman. Crossman played an

The fullback position has definitely been filled, J. M. Taylor getting the berth. This was the only safe bet of the team and thore will be no criticism regarding his choioe. He has played magnificently for Otago in Rafurly Shield games and is much faster than Gilbert. Four three-quarters, *ith the prospects of a fifth, have been Miosen. Sullivan would be the Ideal centre If he had a little more pace as New Zealand will want plenty of toe but under tlie circumstances he is the best available. He was reserve for both tests against Australia last year and has been in the forefront for several years. An eye injury kept him out of most of the trials but he played well against Wanganui recently and was the best home baok on the field when Taranaki played the Springboks. Of the three wingers Dick and Cobden will probably he chosen. Dick played for the North Island last year and did well In the trials last month but Phillips (King Country) was preferred to him for the North Island this year. Dick played for the “New Zealand” team in Wellington at the close of the trials. Cobden was one of the South Island wingers this seaion and although slow to get under s-ay has great determination on defence and attack. Ho is the type wanted against the Springboks if he does not let his opponent run round him.

Three five-eighths have been ohosen, two of whom have been in the limelight for several seasons. The newcomer Is J. A. Hooper who flashed Into prominence in the trials. Last season he played for Canterbury and his defence was under suspicion while also In the trials Solomon broke past him at times. On attack on a line day, he proved very smart, but a strong defensive player is wanted against the Springboks. Grossman would be a

,excellent game against the Springboks In Hamilton and his smartness in getting up to the opponents when they were on attack was a feature of bis play. This will be of great value to the All Blacks. Trevathan plays with Simon, the selected half, and this will be an added advantage. Although he has not much penetration he does not need it with better men outside him while his excellent goal kicking and drop-kicking should counteract Brand’s outstanding ability in this department to some extent. The half-hack, position hRa been given to Simon of Otago, and in view of Russell's injury little can be said.

Simon has been given several chances but has never been able to make the grade before and there is no doubt that if Sadler had been fit Simon would never have got a game. Russell was easily the most impressive of the attacking half-backs seen In Wellington during the trials while his defence

was also sound, He may still get his ohance in the following Tests, particularly if New Zealand Is beaten In the first. Simon Is, admittedly, the finest wet weather half In the Dominion, but It is doubtful if he Is up to the right class on a dry ground In fine weather. Sadler and Corner easily beat Simon for a place in the 1935 All Blacks. The selection of the forwards Is perhaps the hardest task of all and If twenty names were placed in a hat and drawn out just as good a pack could be picked. There are plenty of fine forwards in the Dominion at present and it is really hit or miss who gets in. One forward who should be in the next Test Is Wynyard, who

Is coming right back to form and his 6ft. 3sins. of 15st. 51bs. will toe very Useful. Best, another Waikato player has the pace, weight and experience necessary while another who must have just missed is Trusttum of King Country.

The Springboks Test team will not be selected until after the match with Wellington and it will depend on the weather and how many players are fit, but New Zealand supporters can rest assured that the team will be a formidable one. The fullback will undoubtedly be Brand, If he Is not injured, and on a dry or wet day he will be a tower of strength to his side. On a dry day he will be a potential match winner with his fine dropkicking from any angle and anywhere within halfway, de Villiers was the Test half in Australia but has not had a chance to show his worth in New Zealand. He will have to be at his best to beat Craven for a place as the latter is playing splendid football. Craven and Harris have provided the highlights of both matches they have played in—at Auckland and at Palmerston North —and on a dry day have proved a versatile ajid dangerous at-

tacking pair. Both are stern defenders and on a dry day they may be given the half positions. However, It may be that de Villiers and Craven will be chosen.

The selection of the three-quarters will present some difficulty as some of t'he best players have not shown the required form. On the form of the first four matches the wingers should be Williams and Turner, botli of whom have played fine football, showing speed, determination and ability to lake advantage of the slightest openings. The inside threequarters may he Batorow and Bester, as both are brilliant on attack but then White, who has defended so reliably and who is a good connecting link, must also be considered and the slate of the ground will delermine whether he or Bester plays. The form of the players in Wellington to-day will also have a bearing on ihe final selection. It is the Springboks forwards where Ihe latest, form will be taken into consideration. The team 'has been very unfortunate with respect to injuries in the forwards and the same players have had to play twice a week for a long time now. Those that were injured in Australia are coming back to form and if all are fit t-he Springboks forward may surprise New Zealanders in the Test. * * * • S. C. (“Fnnle”) Louw played his first game In New Zealand at Palmer st-on North as also did Watt, the fas loose forward. The- younger of th Louw brothers is reputed to he th‘>est forward in Ihe tourists’ team and he certainly played an outstandin game on Wednesday. Watt als played very well and these two player 'Hided to that necessary cp-ordinatio between the forwards and backs th had been lacking in previous matche Van Reenan, another Springbok stal wart and van den Berg are also condo ! nto form and these form* with LOI7 Bastard, Strachan and Nel should foru a pack that even the redoubtable AlBlacks will find ‘hard to master. Th best has not yet been seen of Soutl Africa in this department and It would not surprise to see them overshadow New Zealand next week. Two Promising Players. Two very promising Rugby players were seen out on Rugby Park, Hamilton, on Saturday in the match played on No. i ground, and they both should ffo further in the game. The first, R. Everest, has had some recognition, playing for the Combined team against he Springboks, and he certainly justifled his inclusion with a line game. Oil Saturday he was easily Ihe outslanding player in Hie Frankton-Tech-nical Old Boys match, opening up two -londid tries and initiutimr several

other fine movements that should have brought tries. The other prominent player was R. Paterson, Old Boys’ full-back against Cambridge Blues. • * • • Paterson scored two fine tries, opened up another really splendid try from his own goal line, and drove Cambridge back with splendid linekicks. Paterson has great speed and penetrative ability and would be a useful attacking player, but his clean handling and powerful kicking with either foot makes him a more useful full-back. He comes into the at-

tack a little too often and an Intercept o may -catch him out of position, but he has the pace to overtake most players. His tackling has Improved considerably, and If it continues to improve he will be Waikato's full-back.

shone, but he was also a very fine bat with many useful scores to his credit. Ills father was a prominent Sussex and England player, but Maurice did not display the qualities of a cricketer until after he left school, where he paid more attention to football. It was while he was serving his apprenticeship to a firm of engineers in Essex that he commenced his cricket career, playing his first trial game for Sussex, when only 15 years of age. In 1912, at 17, lie took the field for hi* county at Northampton. From that day onwards he steadily improved until he represented All England and became world famous and one of the most popular figures in big cricket. The year 1922 saw him register over 1000 runs and take 100 wickets and that feat ho repeated every year until 1929. Three times (1923-25) he took more than 200 wickets in a season and in 1927 he hit up three centuries in succession.

Then came his first appearance in Test cricket, In 1924 against South Africa. The following winter he went to Australia, where he took 38 wicke*s in five tests. From that year unlil 1929 he did not miss one test for ITngland and then injm-y prevented his playing against South Africa. However, in 1930 he turned out ■ gain for his country against the Australians and the following winter isited South Africa. Illness stopped iim Joining Jardlne’s team to tour Australia, but lie was able to follow he party at a later date. Here he .vas not called upon for the tests v.nongst his minor pastimes is flsh:.g and beagle hurling in Sussex. He is 41 years of age. Injured Player to Tour. Owing to the generosity of the members and the manager of the touting Australian League team, F. Tottey, Abe brilliant New South Wales winger, will he able to visit New Zealand, England and France with the team. Tottey was selected to go hut just -before the medical examination he chipped his ankle in a club match and did not pass the doctor. lie was left behind but the manager cabled for him on their arrival in New Zealand. Fred Tolley, who is a grandson of Mr and Mrs J. Harcourt, of Wellington Street, Hamilton East, is an ex-resident "f Hamilton, having attended the Hamilton High School for several years. lie was a conspicuous footballer when here, and turn-

M*,urlce Tate to Retire. Cricket-lovers throughout the world will regret the decision of Maurice Tate, the well-known Sussex last bowler, to retire from the game at the end of the present season alter 25 years in county and international cricket. As a trundler Tate

Ing to League In Australia quickly made a name for himself, his Hying dive when scoring being very spec tacular. lie was tile outstandlnj player when .New South Wales playec Queensland, and his style of pla; would have been appreciated on tour lie may be called upon to play if injuries weaken the tourists and his i own injury mends.

J. Broad’s Last Game. All Rugby enthusiasts in Hamilton will be sorry to learn of Technical Old Boys’ loss in the re-transfer of their half-back, Jack Broad, back to Auckland. Broad played his last game for the club that gave him his chance In senior football to-day, and he will leave for Auckland to-morrow. He was a Ponsonby third grade half before he came here, but Judging from his display as half-baok for Hamilton seniors against Ponsoniby this season his club will be pleased to welcome him back to senior ranks. Broad has played some really splendid games for his club, and Hamilton, and has a great future in the game. His dive pass, very much like “Danny” Craven’*, Is fast and accurate, he is a very resolute tackier and has the pace to take advantage of his breaks around the scrum. A good handler that uses his head on attack and defence, he may be an All Black In the making. He will get his chance In Auckland and his erreer will be watched with Interest by ‘followers of the sport In this area. Smillle Saves New Zealand. The Sydney Sun, commenting on the Queensland v. New Zealand hockey match played recently, states:— Finishing strongly Queensland thoroughly tested the New Zealand hookey team, and although the eoores were not equalised until two minutes from time It was only the brilliant keeping of Smillle, the All Blacks’ goalie, that saved the day. In the last quarter Queensland completely over-ran their opponents, but they found Smillle an Insurmountable barrier. Time and again he made the most amazing saves, giving an exhibition of courageous and fearless keeping, the like of which has seldom been seen. Onoe he took the full force of the ball on his chest, while on another occasion he got his arm to what looked a certain goal, and the. ball spun high in the air to land yards behind the net. His only error proved costly to New Zealand, for It resulted in Queensland forcing a draw. With the Maroons’ Inside trio at his pads, Smillle stood on the ball In saving a shot, and a penalty bully resulted. This was won by Scott, who drew the ball back to flick It high and hard Into the net. The goal was scored right on time. New Zealand had many anxious moments. Smillle saved many fine shots, tout when pressed by the Inside forwards, stood on the ball and from the resultant penalty bully, Scott netted to equalise. The final scores were 2-all. A Great Win. Tho Waikato badminton representative team gained a meritorious win over Auckland last week-end and are now the proud holders of the WJsden Cup, the emblem of inter-pro-vlnclal supremacy in 'the Dominion. The Wisden Cup is to badminton what the Ranfury Shield is to Rugby, and Waikato enthusiasts can expect some fine games in the ‘future when provincial teams challenge Waikato. A big factor in Waikato’s success, particularly in their superiority in the singles matches, is the improved facilities provided in Bledisloe Hall. If any proof were required as to the wisdom of going to the expense of laving the new flooring on Bledisloe llall, Inst week-end’s matches supplies that proof. Tho Waikato players have been able to got a great deal of singles practice under the ideal conditions, and there can he no doubt that the representatives from this area will be very much to the fore in the New Zealand championships at Dunedin next month. • * • * It is doubtful if anv bcller badminton than the Wisden Cup games has ever been seen in Hamilton. Undoubtedly the highlights were the various singles encounters, and to win seven of these out of eight Waikato Pat Wilson 'again f. mm ML Knw 100 good for him. arid the ex-Xew Zeata.nl champion kept his record of recent wins against Wilson intact. Dempster, the Waikato champion, gave a fine display against Ando: son and showed that, his all-round gaum has improved. Will, Fow and Dempster t" lead off in the singles. Waikato ran look forward to f„l, t rc j„ter -pnn i„ ■•ial Contests With the utmost cm;:, dence.

of the Waikato team, Lewis and Johnston, are likely to prove very valuable to the side. Both are well equipped to meet the best opposition and their wins on Saturday must be gratifying to the selector.

On her play against Miss Ramsay, Miss M. Edmondson showed that her win at New Plymouth last year was not & “flash In the pan." Of the other matches Mrs Yendell’s victory over Miss Mary Wade was the result of a very close and hard-fought match. Mrs Yendell is now probably Waikato’s second lady singles player. Miss Dempster had a long struggle with Miss Stltehbury, but her determination was too much for the Aucklander. Miss Dempster’s singles play has Improved considerably. Better things will undoubtedly be seen of Miss €lough, who Is just recovering from an Illness. • 9 • • In the men’s and ladies’ doubles alone did Auckland hold the upper hand, tout in some cases the Waikato pairs were untried combinations and they are sure to lnjprove. Waikato took the combined section with a 3-1 margin and the team has undoubted strength In this department. It is Interesting to note that the win of Dempster and Miss Clough was their third in Wisden Cup games. Waikato Badminton Titles. The Waikato badminton titles will be decided In the Bledlsloe Hall next week on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoon and evening. The finals will be played on Saturday evening and a large crowd Is anticipated for this occasion. As the first Rugby Test is sure to attract | a great deal of interest on the Satur- ; day afternoon, arrangements have been made to have a wireless installed In the Hall, so that when not playing the competitors can listen to the game. This year the championships will ho confined to Waikato players and this step lias been taken to ensure that local players get all the encouragement possible. When the titles are open the seeded players from other associations keep the mediocre local players from participating, tout this year all players will have a chance. • • • • As a further encouragement to all B and C grade players, the seeded players for the tournament will not be permitted to enter for the handicap events, while consolation, prizes will also he donated for each class. This means that players knocked out of the championships will play for consolation trophies, thus ensuring that they get a great deal of play. The committee controlling the championships have gone to a great deal of trouble to encourage players of all calibre, and it Is hoped that their efforts will be rewarded by record entries from all grades. Arawa Leads Ladles’ Hookey. The position of the teams at the completion of the first round of the Waikato Ladies’ Hockey Association's

Golf Classic Result. The golf match played at the Ohaupo iourse recently between n. Ehbett and A. tl. Downs, for llie side bet of a motor-car, was won after a prolonged struggle by the former. Neither had used a golf club prior to this game and although the issue was close tlie course record was never in danger, the respective cards reading !<*'.) and 175. t aiusiderable interest was raised by lhe contest, the proceeds frpm which will be rlcvoled to

competitions:— Fts. Pts. P. W. L. I). F. A. Pts Arawa 7 7 — 37 2 It Ockl fellows ..76 1 — 22 312 Leamington .74 2 19 8 9 School 7 3 3 1 77 15 7 Horotiu 7 1 3 3 6 17- 5 Tntnul 7 2 5 — 8 20 4 Nurses 7 2 5 9 17 4 Oliaupo 7 -L- o 1 2 21 1