THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1958.
LEW HOAD HAS NEW HOPE Sadick Shield And
TO FIGHT BACK
AT
T 16 he was a phenometton, a prodigy ---- with a searing power which ': already carmarked him as a future champion of the world. At 21 he won Wimbledon. At 22, sixteen months ago, he quit the amateurs to earn more than £50,000 barnstorming the capitals of the earth.
It was the highest fee ever paid to a professional sports star out-
side boxing or bull-lighting.
Then, suddenly, devastatingly, just as fresh fame and a million dollar fortune were waiting to be scooped up, ill-health struck him down. Last week Lew Hoad, "Golden Boy" of world lawn tennis, was told he might never play again.
What does it feel like when t you are a top name la aport, at the summit of your powern, and at the age of 23 you ure facest with the paralysing thought that you may be a crip- ple for the rest of your life?
I asked the person best quali- fed to know-Lew Hond him self-and quietly, without Arat dramaties, the boy who started httling a tennis ball against his father's garage wall at the age of five, told me:---
"IT WAS THE WORST MOMENT OF MY LIFE."
That was quite a sentence for Mr Lewis Alan Hoad, of Sydney, Australia. For if there Is anything Lew Hoad hates doing it is talking about Lew Tjonci,
Curtain Lifts
Yel, In those eight faconic words, Australio's "Golden. Floy" allowed the curtain of his normal shyners and reticence to Hts for n moment.
71
Arthritis Cuflmamation of The joints)
unpleasant is an disease-speclatly. for athlete-yet Hood has had his fair quota of bar! times during a enreer ins stormy and reesaw as AN in Spirt.
Sinag
ther in at Went End fint, where fond and bin dark, firactive wife are staying
by Alan Hoby
during their
London visit, my mind ranged back over other crisis points in the suitcase saga of Lew Head, world traveller
......
How his back was so painful le 1836 that he went about for weeks wearing a plaster cast... How he was so out of form and out of sorts before winning his secund fatccessive
-Wimble
tton thle In 1937, that they were saying then he was "Anished"
How, After jolning Jack Kramer's famous professional troupe last year, the know-alls "never predicted he would ivo" in that League.
No Martyr
harsh I thought of all the words flung at this blond, hazel- yed ycum man: how he was
ong reprimanded by Sir Nor- men Brooks, former Wimbledon thu and president of į Australian L.T.A., because he kicked a ball in to the crowd at
ha Barth... Jose
why be bate sužky, moody, able to "blow his top"
and when
things didn't go quite right,
And then I looked agein ot the handsome young man in sweater and slacks sitting op- povile me, now fighting the hardest battle of
and without fuss.
all-quietly
intention is to But my sat make Lew Hoad sound like a martyr. He, wouldn't want And it isn't true.
For Australia's living
tehnis neo hi given dew hope.
greatest
been
LEW HOAD AND MRS HOAD
His answer was typical. "1 "Did you feel a more honest don't know, I never thought man when you turned pro" I. about It, I could novér inngine asked. glvng up tennis, not even when they told me I might have to
and things looked black.
"I always thought there would ba someone somewhere would help me."
"No." salu Australia's ex- Davis Cup star brielly...
1 remembered the words of who Jack Kramer, boss-man of the Lough professional tennis circus Wembley Jast which packed
Double Champion
The young man who woke up Inst week unable to bend or
week: "Lew Is tops with me, loop or get out of bed ynaided
his wife had to
dress him-
I said: "You've been "e cham-with the other players, with has been told that following plan at both tennis
codes everyone. spinal treatment there is very amateur and pro. Which did you likelimed he will be able to re-prefer playing?" sume his tennis within a few Hood's answer was not sur-
prising.
weeks,
Someone Somewhere
And for a prety sick boy, now on the sidelines, that was the best news I could have.
I said: "What would you have done, Lew, bod you been forced fawn tennis for to give up good?"
"Professional-every time," he
answered. "The players are for better, the standard is far higher, you're learning all the time, and while you're learning and playing you're building up Bancial security for the future." I recalled the many probes into shamateur experts rickets In unpaid lawn tennis.
Winced
"IIc'll earn another 10,000 dollar (£9,000) by the end of the year, even If he doesn't play another game." Anne shook hands, Low Hond grinned--he had winced with pain getting to his feet.
"I hope to be back," he said, "but a 1 feel now, I'm glad to nut playing. That's in watching life.
International Bowls Games This Week-End
The local lawn bowls senson draws near to its close this week-end with the end-of-the-season annual match between the Hongkong and "Kowloon ladies this afternoon at the Kowloon Bowling Green Club and the semi-finals of the International competition for the Gutierrez Shield tomorrow at the same venue.
wn
The ladies annual match for B. Douglas and E. Purvis bok the Sndick Shield has been won the stronger combination two by the Island bowlers paper, but the opposing Hong- yenra running since it was in kong Tour of F. G. Luz, H. A. augurated in 1950.
Ozorio, B. E. Souza and M. Q. Wong are a tough lighting, lot Another who never give up. close night is anticipated Here with the Engländ four enjoying a slight edge.
This year there will only be Ave rinks taking part from each side Instead of the usual seveh, and with the two evenly matched this time, an extremely keen and close game should be witnessed,
Holders
teoms
The Gutierrez, Shield semi- the finals tomorrow will rec
pitted against holders, China, Scotland and England against Hongkong.
The
Scotland four of G. Coles, G Stark, A. Skeoch "nhd C. McLennan have displayed Impressive form during their Just two matches and are on the whole-
Con- a steady and sistent tour.
Although Chino, with their 、
evenly-balanced four strong
will start this match favourites, they will have to play well at their top form to stave off what will undoubtedly be a strong challenge from the 'Scotsmen.
In the other semi-final, Eng- Eastman, land's H. Black, A.
CRICKET SEASON OPENS TODAY
Army "South" Look Good Enough To Retain
The Colony's cricket season opens this afternoon with champions Army "South" fittingly claiming the spotlight in their match against the
Hongkong Cricket Club "Optimists" at Chater Road.
As is usually the case the Service teams will command the greatest atten- tion in these opening matches in view of their ability to field new players.
O the four Services teams
in the Best division this year. By
Arty South" seem to be the
strongest anal in fact look strong
enough to be capable of retafri-
in their title.
They still have Tidey, who
ROBERT TAY
opinion that they have a very | line batsman. They WED be further strengthened later in the season by a Lanchashire League second team player, Ireland who is scheduled (1) arrive here some lime in November, will tend the cam this season; year's
"Given our fair share Goodwin, Higinbottom, as wellformances in today's
cleven, and their per luck, which was lacking lest as three of their most successful match will
opening season, we could quite wejl watched with pull of", fald their spokes- bowlers of last year, Beardsley. Sevenoaks and McCourt. New-much interest.
maif. corners to the tuum are Morkhill, Royal Air Green, Stodard, Florance. Pol- Service hit and Everelt.
Same Team
uf
Force, the third
What about the olrmen's fedm in the first opponents for today, Navy, who Givision, have high hopes of were the wooden-spoonists lust pulling it off this prominent member
year. A year?
of the
With Optimists fielding prov-toum said yesterday tically the saine lenm as lost beller watch out for year except for Scruby, March
ELDSON." The team he and Vowler, the odds seem to be well in favour of the Army "South" side this afternoon.
Army "North" who will be
re-
at home to Police will be led by Major Kingsford, who is reported to have fully covered from the injury be sustained in the friendly match against KCC recently.
This will be almost a new with only Kingsford, team Corfeld and Watts left of last
TUE.
WEEKEND
I'M WRITING)
TO AUNT: ELLEN
"They'd Much Stronger
us this sold
Fine Batsman'
over their guests Recreio, who will have at least one player in Nelson Souza
Title
Willle Davidson Boon, but with of last year, except for a new- G. Webster comer in J. Potter, who is still the promotion of new
to the first eleven, they sul to be seen in netion, although atlock In he is sold to be both a bowler have a formidable Carnell, Fairhall, and Webster and a Batsman. Without Frank' with Hunter and Coffey capable Howarth this afternoon, they of coming in useful when in a will probably battle tard pressed for bowlers, but their pinch
strong batting dide should amply make up for this handicap to
The last Arst division match of the day, that between Kow- ien Cricket Club and HKCC "Scorpions" should prove
10
be the next best gane of the programme.
the
The Kowloon|tes, who won
title In 1958, have
под
lost
Bell and will be losing
Newcomer
The "Scorpions" have prac-earn them their first win of the tically the-same
team as that season.
OUR Join us, boys! You'll
like men
BRAVE be treated like
NEW
By. PETER BROADBENT (Wolves and England)
week I have taken over a grocery business in! SOCCER THIS
Wolverhampton. Yes, at the age of 25 I can afford to WORLD buy a business of my own-that's what Soccer has done for
me.
Short Life
Their cricket representative, How have I done it? Well, I've That's a wonderful reward for was stronger In batting "und Lt B. W. Middleton said yes- been fortunate to be with a club | playing football, only lightly weaker than last
terday that all told, the Navy like Wolves for eight years. ! your's lean in bowling.
have a much stronger team this was fortunate to become a first year, after their amalgamation | team regular at the age of 19, with
Dockyard second and on top money too. division cleven.
Then when I was only 221 In the other first division
£750 was handed my opening games this afternoon, beneft, cheque, In another two
Recreation Indian have
Club, who years will have completed 20 are flelding exactly the same years with Wolves and thus team as that of last year will qualify for another benefit probably enjoy a slight edge £1,000 this time.
There are, he said, six to seven members of last reason's eleven who will be taking the field und the raminder been brought up from second division.
the
In Day the airmen are of
GAMBOLS
by Barry Applebr
AN HOUR LATER :
TWO HOURS LATER...
WELL, SE) (TACTFUL)
TAKE THE WLUTE)
HUIM, THIS).
OF NINE EGGS
NOW WHERE's ANOTHER RECIPE
LOOK'S GOOD
IS THAT YOU
AUNTIE
THAT WANTS THE YOLKS OF)
NINE EGGS}
first
You make hundreds of friends all over the country And you visit hundreds of places you never dreamed of seeing.
1 can think of no better start You might argue that a foot- for an ambitious buy leaving bailer's life is a self-disciplined, school than to join a club like dedicated, and comparatively Wolves. short affair.
There is plenty of hard work of course for ground staff boys and young professionals. Yet, advantages they
This may be so, and being in the pubile eye so much can be look at the overpowering, but look at the advantages.
PARIS
Fly
havo over, any, office boys and factory apprentices starting out at the same age.
They
are encouraged and trained right from the stort and given the same
facilities and consideration as the senior player.
And anyone who shows axeep- tional ability gets a first-class opportunity to make the grade niuch earlier than in so many professions.
The Thrills
And then there are all the thrills, the excitement of play- Ing.
Nothing will ever take away from ine the memories of the Fndarrastound | magical Moiheux moments when We beat Sportak, Boscaw Dynamo Honved, and Real Madrid
GAS IS TOPS
The night we beat European Cup champions Real Madrid last season, I would not have chang ed pines with anyone,
There is, too, the memory of vis Art Leaguo game, against Portsmouth in 1951, my fat representative game for Young | England against Young Italy in -1959, and so through to my first
| England cop against Russla
Sweden this summer.
In
On such occasions mil hard work and heartaches of long training hours seemed so worth- white.
I am certala I... shall never, regret, having become spEG-| fessional footballer, and that
SAYS MR. THERM when I do unish may only moan
will do that I can't carry th Xof another 20 Yeurs.
The King of Whiskies
| Bold Adent busWILL & C đ
clean, fast, economie cooking
PHILIPS
kerosene
GAS range
Look at these features
Absolute safety
Always ready for limmédiate use
No disagreable odours
=HIRE PURCHASE TERMS AVAILABLE:
Sole Agents GILMAN & CO., LTD.
Showroom Gloucester Ardde
India...
fly BOAC
Finest low-fare
TOURIST or de Luxe
FIRST CLASS SERVICES by jet-prop Britannia
BRITISH
Whether you fly de Luxe First Class or Tourist, remember it costs no more to fly by- BOAC. For full details consult your local Travel Agent or jardines' Airways Depati- ment, Telephone 27711 (24 hour Bervice).
ALL OVER THE WORLD
B·O·A·C
TAKES GOOD CARE OF YOU
RSEAS, AIRWAYS CORPORATION.