Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 8 (November 1939)

Panorama of the Playground — The 1939 Rugby Trials

page 63

Panorama of the Playground
The 1939 Rugby Trials

New Zealand'S Rugby mana did not receive a boost in the trial matches played in Wellington late in September. It may have been the knowledge that there is little chance of a team being sent to South Africa in view of the unsettled conditions, but whatever the reason there was a deplorable absence of class players or class play.

It had been hoped that our weakness in the forward division would be cured ere now, but the forwards in trial matches did not reveal the quality needed to face a Springbok pack with even chances of success. One forward to make an impression was W. H. Warrender, of Waikato. He played outstanding football throughout the series and if a team is sent to South Africa he should be one of the first chosen.

Phil Reid, former St. Patrick's College (Silverstream) player, did not cut much ice until partnered with C. A. Grossman (King Country). This combination provided the best five-eighth play of the series and might well develop into one of the most successful yet fielded by New Zealand. Incidentally, Reid received coaching from Father Kane, who, as “P. Markham,” won his All Black jersey in 1921.

Another player to take the eye as a prospective All Black was A. G. Hunter, of Canterbury. He learnt his football at Scots College (Wellington) but it is believed, on good authority, that his football was inherited. His uncle, the famous Jimmy Hunter, was one of the stars of 1905.

New Zealand appears to be well-served with inside backs, but weak in forwards, half-backs and full-backs. Of course, it should be remembered that the 1924 All Blacks were the “worst to leave New Zealand”…‥ until they won all their games in Great Britain and Ireland so it may well be that our critics are once again astray. For the sake of New Zealand Rugby I hope this is the case.

Mile of the Century.

From New Zealand to Wisconsin (U.S.A.) is a long way, but I am rather proud that portion of my article on the “Mile of the Century,” in which I predicted “Chuck” Fenske (Wisconsin) would win and Cunningham would place second, was reprinted in the leading Wisconsin daily. Here is the comment passed by Henry J. McCormick, sports editor: “…. You may or may not recall that Jack Lovelock, one of the great milers of all time, was a New Zealand boy. There has been quite a bit of feeling there over whether Sydney Wooderson, the little English miler, should be rated an equal of Lovelock.

“Ingram doesn't think so, and I note from his prediction on the race that he seemed to have a lot of logic on his side. He doesn't question Wooderson is not a good competitor. He brings up the point that Wooderson's exceptional times have all been made in paced races.

“I don't recall that this particular item was given the attention prior to the Princeton mile that it rightly deserved. For, as the race revealed, Ingram had the right slant on Wooderson. He didn't have it in the clutch. He virtually folded up in the stretch when the field streamed by him after he and Blaine Rideout had collided on a turn.”

Extracts of the article then followed.

The Lindrum Family.

Followers of snooker and billiards know that the name of Lindrum represents four generations of champions, but few will realise that at least one representative of this family has been among the world champions for the past 100 years. Naturally this does not mean that one individual has held that distinction, but there has been a Lindrum at or near the top without a break in the last century.

The latest of this family to “hit the headlines” is Horace Lindrum, 27-year-old Australian, who is at present touring New Zealand. The possible “break” at snooker—excluding the “free ball” rule—is 147, and Lindrum holds the unofficial world record with 141. But for the fact that the table had not been passed by the British Board of Billiards Control prior to the match commencing, this record would have received official recognition. The official record is 138 by Joe Davis, but Lindrum had the previous record with 132. Lindrum has seven times cleared the table in one break and has amassed breaks of 100 or more on at least 60 occasions.

“Bert Palmer Memorial Cup.”

New Zealand lost a fine forward when Bert Palmer, Auckland and All Black representative, “passed over” in 1932, but his memory has not been allowed to fade away. Each year a competition is conducted in Auckland when the “Bert Palmer Memorial Cup” is awarded annually to the schoolboys' team displaying the greatest qualities of sportsmanship, neatness and good conduct on and off the field. This year the much-prized trophy was won by Marist Bros.’ intermediate team and on the final Saturday of football in Auckland no fewer than 3,000 schoolboy footballers who play in the schoolboy competitions marched to Eden Park and assembled in front of the main stand while the Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, presented the cup to the captain of the successful team.

Losses to Sport.

To the parents of Doreen and Bernice Lumley will the sympathy of all New Zealand track and field enthusiasts be extended. Twin sisters— page 64 one a New Zealand champion sprinter and Empire Games representative, and the other also a sprinter above the ordinary—the Lumley sisters met their deaths in a motor accident. I first saw these young athletes when the national track and field championships were held in Auckland in 1937 and was impressed by the starting abilities of Doreen, who finished second to Miss Ida Campbell that year. That same year, in December, Doreen won the Empire Games trial at Wellington, and was selected as sprinter in the New Zealand team for the Empire Games at Sydney. Over there she did not fulfil expectations, but she showed the benefit of her visit by equalling the world record this year in competition against Miss Decima Norman, Empire Games champion. Miss Doreen Lumley was definitely an Olympic Games prospect and her sister, although not in the same class, was her equal in sporting attributes.

Prominent Performers.

Tommy Dunn, fighting blacksmith employed in the N.Z. Railways, duly proved my assertion that he is the best lightweight boxer among New Zealand's amateurs, by winning the national title at that weight and also annexing the Jameson Belt, awarded to the most scientific boxer in the national championships. Dunn is in the unfortunate position of being unable to secure bouts; few professional lightweights in the Dominion would shade this talented amateur, and amateurs may be excused from running into trouble. Tommy was definitely in line for Olympic selection but indications are that the Games will be abandoned.

New Zealanders are sometimes inclined to overlook the performances of their athletes. I have already mentioned that Doreen Lumley, who met a tragic death a few weeks ago, had equalled the world record for 100 yards, but few, even the most enthusiastic, would realise that Betty Forbes, New Zealand high jump champion, returned the fourth best jump in the world this year. This information is supplied in the “Amateur Athlete,” the official publication of the Amateur Athletic Union of America.

Successful Wrestling Season.

After a period of success that promised to make it the most successful season in New Zealand wrestling history, the 1939 wrestling season was brought to a premature close when it was learned that Jim Londos, world champion, would not be visiting New Zealand to defend the title. The final match of the year was a British Empire championship bout between Earl McCready (holder) and Lofty Blomfield (challenger). This match attracted a record attendance for the Wellington Town Hall and demonstrated that, despite petrol restrictions and the effect of the war, people were still interested in wrestling. The decision was a draw and this marked the last wrestling match that Blomfield will have for an indefinite period, the New Zealand champion having enlisted for service in the Special Military Force.

Retaining Amateur Status.

Plans are being discussed to enable the boys in the army to participate in track and field events without losing amateur status. It seems ridiculous that in times of great emergency such a barrier should be allowed to exist and the obvious step is to grant a dispensation allowing any soldier, sailor or aviator to compete with or against a professional without danger to his amateur status. This was done in 1914–1919 and marked a high period in New Zealand athletics.

Sportsmen Join the Forces.

Throughout the Empire news is being received of leading sportsmen who have joined the Colours. In England, Tommy Farr and Len Harvey, leading boxers, are with the Air Force, and leading New Zealand sportsmen who have signed for service include Lofty Blomfield, Jim Dryden (New Zealand's best amateur wrestler, who seemed certain of Olympic representation), Cyril Hurne (former New Zealand champion boxer), Tommy Morrison (All Black winger), and Arthur Welply (one of New Zealand's most consistent sprinters over the past twelve years). Of course, it may not be desirable that sportsmen should be singled out for special reference when every man is prepared to do his bit—but the value of the lead given by such prompt action of sportsmen cannot be over-estimated.