THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1950.
VISITING CAGE STARS
MEN"
ARSENAL'S "OLD
HAVE A GREAT
TEAM SPIRIT
SAYS PETER DITTON
A grocer from Wallasey, Cheshire, will be the centre of attraction for 100,000 pairs of eyes at Wembley Stadium on April 29 when Arsenal and Liverpool do battle in the 69th Football Association Cup Final. His name? Joe Mercer, Arsenal left-half and captain, reckoned by his team mates and directors to be the greatest captain in football today.
It was on November 29, 1940 thhat Joe packed his bag with Everton, his only other professional club, and came to Highbury. Things were not going so well with the Gunners and it was not long before Joe was mado captain. With the arrival of Ronnie Rooke, sharp-shooting centre-forward from Fulham, Arsenal managed to avold the relegation bogey which was hanging over their hands,
The following season they won the League Championship, and that in itself was a great tribute to Mercer's inspiring leadership. Now he has taken them to Wembley for the first time since 1986, when they defeated Sheffield United by the only goal of the match.
an
Tea
ORG
That
and AAA DEMANDS
FIRST CLASS PERFORMANCE
here.
The Arellano University basketball team, who are playing a series of games
Team members are:
Back Row, from the left-F. Divinagracia, guard and team captain, G. Salva. dor, guard, S. Bulanon, centre, P. Pagtakkan, guard, and J. Turner, forward.
Front row, from the left-C. Inigo, forward, J. Roxas, guard, P. Cruzado, Jr., forward, Ris. Munson, centre and G. Bautista, forward.
Ask any football fan-with (inside-right) were all establish-
Arsenal ed stars before the war. the exception of
eleven years it has been was supporter-how
a very large dure and he will answer in two eleven years is
pro- There alice out of the life of u worda "Lucky Arsenal." would be an element of truth fessional footballer. In that reply but it would not
The advancing years however The real ba entirely correct, answer would be the great are not likely to worry the Ar- exists at senal aide which appears in the team spirit which Highbury. The sort of spirit final. Instead they are far more
In their favour. Whether Britain has any ALAN HOBY SEES nici
in the European Arsenal ilkely to that makes
and Steady nerves and cool brains-athletes player enjoy every game which refuses to acknowledge gained from experience ore Champlonships in Brussels for next August depends on per- any possibility of the word "de- two essential requirements
ntly player appearing
formances accomplished this feat."
Wembley Cup Final.
summer. It has been made; very clear to athletes that
every
10
MEMORIES
In A
SHARE OF THE LUCK Arsenal have certainly had
And whatever the result, this their share of luck as far as the match will bring back memories draw has gone. They had maximum of four home lies be- to thousands who saw Arsenal fore
they met Chelsea at Tot- their grent hey-day in
And carly 30's. The names may tenham in the semi-Enal. when they walk on to field at different, but the methods
same; wiii have ployed will be just the
they
Weed a record for
any total team having travelled a distance of only eleven miles to reach the Cup Finial.
But being drawn ̈et home in neup-tle does not automatically a place In the assure a team next round. Arsenal have had Kel to fight and fight hard to where they are. And they have shown magnificent team spirit.
in
Probably no other tenm the country could have fought did in the back they semi-final
Against Chel-
ea after being two goals down. But Joe Mercer and his boys were inspired with the will to win--and win they did.
"OLD MEN**
Yes, the team of "old men"
it
JOE MERCER as they are called, have done again. And make no inistake east-iron defence and a about it, Arsenal are a team of of breakaway attacks. old men. Football players, like
their ages.
Brent
the be
cm-
London, Apr. 9.
team will not be sent just for the sake of being repre- sented and only men and women with a chance of success in Brussels will be nominated,
its at
British sport
best-and worst
I have seen British sport at its best-and worst At Tottenham for the second time in five days, I watched the 22 players of Arsenal and Chelsea slog through 120 thunderous minutes of red-blooded, flat-out football
I saw them charge each other to the ground....crash into the tackle like This should mean a select
performers tigers....fight for the ball until some were covered with bruises and others could band of first-class even if numerically, they are scarcely stand. not strong. In addition, it may
Yet at the end, after a game
The week-end Bannister did a well mean a more than usually
sald would many
Le a hate-
4 mins. 14.8 secs. mile when not of standard excellent
victors and vat fully trained. per match, both formance in home meetings 05 quished lumped off the eld
On October 30 I named cyclist athletes of both .COXOR strive arm-in-arm OF
with warm Ber Harris the Athlete of the for those mes and distance handshakes-the best of friends Year. Harris has been handed which will justify sending them and the best of sportsmen.
the Year" the "Sportsman of This was sport as to Brussels,
trophy, presented annually by and football as I like to see it the Sporting Record.
know
THE CONTRAST
11
It la known that other nations are equally keen to do well in
On January 1 I said: "England the European Championships,
must bring back Wif Mannion." Lengue which have every appearance of Now turn the clock back to a Agalost the Scottish producing some wonderful per-couple of rights earlier at the Monnion played brilliantly.
8 I said it was Empire Pool Wembley.
On January contrast!
time stars for our internatlonni In the world ice hockey be- Rugby sides. Now our Rugger tween Britain
and USA I saw ruleru have decreed that no man
formances.
FINAL TEST
they
What
extra-
Easter
The anal test for the British players marling and swearing at who has played for a Dominion athletes will come in the big one another. I saw sticks rais-can play for any of the Home International match among the ed in anger, and a hectic Ast Countries. Home Countries in July. This Bight break out between the US. They haven't gone far enough. teries was originally intended to be goal-minder and a British for- No player should play for his
held at Murrayfield, Scotland, ward.
country unless qualified by where, however, the track is u
birth. the This followed It might not be pretty foot- grass one. fa stars, do not like revealing ball to watch, but it is effective In view ot the European ordinary spectacle of a British TRUE AMATEURS
But it is no
waived player being forcibly held down the secret that the average age of and what is more it has served Championships
best their right and so the meeting writhing and kicking on the ice Here is the greatest amateur White City by a colleague to prevent him sport
The of ali. Ia the goes to London's known football club in the likely Arsenal team to meet 10 nake Arsenal
with its red-surfaced elnder from assaulting one of the re-hockey festivals more than Liverpool will be 31. And that world,
2.500 players took part in more may be erring on the side
Win or lose, Arsenal are go- Here, Instead of the customary Even worse, lealency.
however, were than 000 games between Good din- distances in yards, the races the spectators. In the presence Friday and Easter Monday. Int to have a celebration
will be run over metrte dis- Players like George Swindin
These celebrations look place the match ag
of observers form all parts of wer after
This will mean that (gont-keeper) incidentally he did in the days when they were tances.
the world they turned the rink nt- Bournemouth, Clacton, Scarborough, may not be able to play
Herbert competitors forgo the managed by the lale
British into a sadist's stamping-ground. Folkestone. appendi
of challenging George tunity cause of suspected
Chapian and later by
Culus and oranges rained on eltis-Laurie Scolt (full-back), Allison. My guess is that the
the ice. The BATTLE was held completely Mercer, Leslie Compton celebration will be
such up for ten minutes, and Compton Denis
was the uproar that I thought for a moment I had strayed into the Zoo at feeding time.
Juc
(centre-half),
of
be-
(outside-left), Reg Lewis
(inside-left) and Jemmy Logie
Justified.
they
-(Landon Express Service)
ARCHIE QUICk_reports_tHAT
Explosive Sparks Are Flying In The Sussex Cricket World
track
oppor-
Golf History
By Demaret
Augusta, Georgia, Apr. 1. Jimmy Demaret made Colt history today by winning the Masters Tournament for. the third time with a 283 score when Jim Ferrier exploded under pressure with the tille
almost In his Staap United Pre89.
records-all based on yardage- but lastead will have the ad-
dts vantage of racing over
Brussels.
forces.
Tame Ending
Worthing, Weston-super-More,
and Southend, and Ramsgate, cost the players not less than
£40,000--out pockets,
own
of their
--Landon Express Sorvico,
Basketball
Arellano University Win Easily From Local All-Stars
The Arellano University basketball team from the Philippines rolled back the strong Hongkong Kowloon Combined to the tune of 53-29 at Caroline Hill last night.
Paced by Jimmie Turner, star forward, who punc- tured the basket for a total of 27 points, the visitors started like a house aftre and led all the way.
with the
B
The first quarter ended 10-51 The Arellano's schedule here with the visitors leading by five in the Colony calls for a game points and by lemon time they tonight at 8 p.m. at Caroline stretched their lend to 10 points, against the Shanghal War- the score being mine showed game here, and probably an
29-13.
riors, who have yet to lose The local combine signs of fight at the start of the other name second half by puncturing the China Ave on Tuesday evening.
The Philippines banket immediately
play was resumed, but the visitors for Jose V. Rodriguez, who was
and a wards-Turner, Munson
basitetball player La kia Bautista-retaliated with a series college days, has been invited to of baskots to stretch their ad- toss the ball tonight.
The individual scores for Inst vantage by seven more polnis.
At the end of the third quar-night's game were: ter the scoreboard showed 44-21
in favour of the Arellano live.
MORE DETERMINED
Bouth
Consul, Dr
Arellano University-53
J. Turner
R. Munson
G. Bautista
The local Hongkong-Kowloon P. Pagtakhan combine started the last quarter. Divinagracia with a more determined five, but S. Bulanon the Arellano team held them in check with
nght
defence in the last 10 minutes of play.
Blangkong-Kowloon Combine
Koo Shi-Yin
So Man-chan
Li Sim-man
Jim Turner, the visitors scor. Sul-nung
dificult
Ing aco. netted some
twin pointers from well-timed Chung Shu-tong and accurate feeding from hia Chan Sing-kut
Ng Suen-chin
team mates in this last gland.
The visitors' defence was very
weil handled by the skipper
the
of
Kee Nam-hong
team, who was complain- Spain Qualifies
ing before and during the game that the weather was too cold his team to play outdoors but in spite of this, he did a very creditable job playing tho whole game siltute.
In World Cup
12
Lisbon, Apr. 0.-Spain quali- fled for the World Soccer Cup without a sub-tournament in Brazil Inter this year when they drew with Por- tugal 2-2 before a crowd of 70,- LAST LAP
000 spectators at Lisbon Na- The Arellano team is on the tional Stadium this afternoon.
ils four, having
Spain won the tle because last lap of played a cerles of 10 games in they were successful in the first Singapore and Malnya, winning malch in Madrid last Sunday by 13 and losing 3.
3-1-Router.
Unusually Light Wagering
On Two Thousand Guineas
London, Apr. 9.-In less than three weeks the Two Thousand Guinens, the first of the five English Classics, will be run over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, Wagering on this race has been unusually light, not only perhaps because of shortage of money (though judging by the bookmakers' laments over the results of the Lincolnshire Handicap and Grand National backers should be particularly "flush") but because of the open nature of the race.
While it is true that there ure two clearly defined first and second favourites in Masked Light and Palestine and an obvious third choice in The Golden Road, there are so many "dark horses," especially with French plansa not yet concrete, that backers are holding their hands until nearer the day of the
ruce.
On the other hand, successes
By then they may know a year, is expected to be sten this the Union Jack Stakes at Liver- uttle more about some of the week-end, when some idea of pool, were forced to think again candidates.
his merita may be gained, after the victory of Port O'Light
In the
at Greenham Stakies of Guineas outsiders may only DERBY FANCIES?
Newbury last week, make the position more con- The
look more other pair
At Liverpool Masked· Light fusing. While there are glow-likely to be Derby rather than had given this colt 15 pounds reports as to the progress Guineas fancles. Those who and some three lengths' beat- made by the Aga Khan's grey criticised the performance of the ing, yet in the Newbury Gulness Palestine (by Fair Trini out of winter favourite for the Guineas, "trial". Port O'Light proved a Una) Gordon Richards'
Masked Light, when winning comfortable winner-Reuter, mount, The Golden Road (by Watling Street out of Yasna), Lahore. Apr. 9.-The backers want to see for them- Altogether It was one of the most disgraceful and disgusting match between the Ceylon selves what these colts do this scenes It has been my misfor-cricket tourists and the entrust them with their money. tune to see in a British arena. Pakistan Combined Univer- Both are expected to run be- Remember, this game was for sitics, which promised car-fore the Guineas the World Championship, but in
DISGRACEFUL
were not included ternational but the Amateur that tempers are bound to fray
At Lahore
reach an
and
season in public before
They
on April 20,
but plans are indefinite.
IMPRESSIVE
I
MORE BIG FIGHTS
FOR
BRITAIN?
World Champions Joey Maxim, Jake La Motta, Ray Robinson, Ike Williams and Willie Pep will be interested to learn that ways may be found to bring their expensive, but highly entertaining, fists to Britain.
Also
its lack of sportsmanship und lier today to all restraint it reminded me of exciting finish, ended rather the fantastic capers which dis- tamely in a draw.
The Golden Road had a slight Bgure all-in wrestling.
Pakistan Universities, with attack of tover last month but Moreover, whatever the root 141 runs behind on the first is stated to be back at his best
the innings, Was
tho "tout" impressing of the rumpus, 1
managed to dismiss and
lost their fempers.
Similarly, Palestine has been 133 in their second knock, but Explosive sparks are flying in the Sussex Cricketances which they will cover in British, I regret to report, who Ceylon this morning for a mere watching him at work
The excuse, of course, is that at the close of play they were pleasing his watchers. Indeed, world and there was quite an exciting conflagration at the
Originally, women's events ice hockey is a rough, angry 60 runs behind with Dthere are those who say that County Club Annual General Meeting at Brighton when
In the In-affair, played at such a pace second innings score of 214 for nothing cart prevent the grey
those of Ezzard Charles Rocky Graziano. the Duke of Norfolk and his committee resigned en bloc
even wickets.
from finishing in the first three. Tommy Yarosz, Sandy, Saddler, and other highly- and the like worn trouser-ends. after a vote of "no-confidence" in them had been passed Athletic Association
Out for victory which Well, I have watched hockey to-
Palestine is now trained by publicised Americans, Women's AAA have got
276 runs in by the members.
224 Marcus Marsh, who took over and that problem has many times and, in my opinion, required The bone of contention is the resignation of the ether
been overcome.
it is little better than an inter-minutes, the Universities began the Aga Khan's horoes from At present we can see these captain, Hugh Bartlett, which, by the way, is no way
for national breeds nothing but bad well by reaching their first half Frank Butters at the end of last stara in action only when they for world competition at weight. Tho women probables
century in 37 minutes, but in
season.
Marshat also has the meet British or Commonwealth So the Board have been asked connected with the resignation of the Secretary; wicket-Brussels will,
therefore, have blood.
sicaling risky ring they lost "dark" Blue Book in his stable opponents. It is a British Boxing by promotor Jack Salamona to keeper S. C. Griffith. The latter is going into journalism. their chance to fustify selection
HONOUR DESERVED two quick wickets, both bata-not to mention
Rainfall and and altogether the British sea-
Board of Control ruling that not relax their restrictions on In- Khorasan. Blue Book, by more than two foreigners shall
RINGSIDE Turning with reiler to football men being run.out.
With the departure of the Court Martial out of Blue Starbox at any one show and that again I would like to record:-
1. That Arsenal's pernnlal fast-scoring opening batsman, the winner of his only race last like East and West "never the
and the hard-hitting skipper Joe Mercer, at 37, Imtiaz, should be nominated Footballer Sardat, the rate of scoring fell.. of the year.
Wagar Hussain, who will play
It WIS rather unfortunate Mr J. F. Park, a Committee-son and the international match that the Duke should be caught man, told me that there are 35 promise
on the Committee and the club sparkling has been run as efficiently as Britain's
an on
be-
up the controversy for his The Presidency, is but nual position in which he comes Honorary Chairman the Annual Meeting.
Belind
scenes
produce to
performances before compelitora
cross to
ever before. "But now the Belgium-Reuter- al Government has fallen and
Opposition to takot
there is no
the
its place.
the wrangle has been going on for
The Clubs without a Com-
a long while a clash of permittee, or a Captain, and very sonalities between cheerful Hughie Bartlett and dour Me shortly will be without
Today's Sport
Cricket
Bix fours,
Philippines
Last November I suggested in the forthcoming Karachi DAVIS CUP
while Raich Carter, but think even the Test, hit up a valuable 58 with
the nld of silver-haired Horatio would agree that Mercer, after leading Elahi contributed 50 in a patient Arsenal to Wembley, deserves knock.
Wogar, in partnership with Scorpions v The Rest, Chater Rd. the honour, report (mil.
fast Test bowler, Children's Eports
For, in an age when artistry Pakistan's
Mohammed, added 60 "Prison Officers Club, Stanley is declining at ever increasing Khon
speed, Joe p.m.).
of the intellectual runs for the seventh wicket, feet, is the Anest wing half Reuter. have seen this season.
Д
W. N. Riley, who has been act-Secretary. The players
on April 3 and altogether-it is a ing as Chairman during tho illness of Group Captain A. J. deplorable state of affairs.
Holmes, also an England Selec- tor. Bartlett resigned because
This has
been going on for is a pity that it was not brought to a head nt
maro convenient
he felt he did not have the full a long while, arxl backing of the Committee.
Happy Valley (noon).
Naces
Boccor
International Cup Finxi.-Eryland v Chia, Sookunpoo (4.30 p.m.),
Hongkong Referen
V
2. Football's rulers made their biggost blunder when they bowed
the knee to northern EL KARIM LOSES It will be at least thren Chinese Beforeer Assn., Sookunpoolamour and refused to hold
When the Committee walked tiine. out from the annual meeting it works bafore a new Committee was not because they were all can be elected."
untagonistic to Bartlett, in fact, Meanwhile Bartlett told alde.
half of them are on his
They
complain, however,
the "no-confidence" voto
me
that he could not work
Rexes Winners Blackhawks
、
ONE SET
Lead 3-0
Manila, Apr. 9-The Philip pines gained a 3-0 winning lead in their first round Euro pean Zone Davis Cup tie against
Pakistan here today.
listening to
swain shall meet."
But an official change of heart is in
in the air.
Board of The Control stewards
potent
have
George Whiting
boen ported punchers. By all means down to arguments keep the foreigners about the ebbing tide of home- two per show, says Solomons,
but let them fight each other. produced International class that has left talent-an obb
CHARLES. Y. MAXIM? promoters high and dry on the
The stewards, I understand, bench.
are willing to grant this con- The public are staying away cession for championship nights, In largo numbers and so far as thereby conjuring up visions of big shows ore concerned-the such palate-ticklers as Charles reason is a ginring shortage of y Maxim, Pop v. Saddler, etc. British topliners.
But Solomous points out that such high-flown title fights, aro. not to be had for the asking, He vants foreigners to fight each
OUR CHAMPIONS
The Philippines, who won the A review of our National other but not necessarily for
argument.
Aaron
first two Singles yesterday, took (3.13 p.m.).
2nd Division.-PCA v_Eastern, St this semi-final and the replay
the Doubles today when Felici Champlons proves the logic of Championships. Wembley.
Heavyweight 07,000
more
Such a ruling would enable Joseph's 13.30 p.m.): St. Joseph' at
Edinburgh, Apr. 9-Mahmoud sime Ampon and Censar Car-the CAM, St. Joseph's (5 p.m.)
people could have watched the Goftball
El Karim, of Egypt, the British mann beat Iftikhar Ahmad and Bruce Woodcock is tied up by him to match, say, "Joey Maxim Great two games ... Internationale,Portugal v
Open Champion, was given a Mahmud Alam by 6-3, 6-1 and his agreement to fight Lee Savold or Ezzard Charles with that alick
next June: cruiserweight
from Paris, American that
in Britain (Ladies), CBA (19.m.}}
Milla has Freddie 3. The Astonishing Arsenal's stift fght by the Australian, 6-1.
retired; Wilson was harmony with Mr Riley and one Portugal Pakistan (Men), CHA
slogan from now on should be: Gordon Watson, in the semi-
The remaining two Singles welterweight Eddie Thomas Is With each case treated on its only by a majority of the 400 or two other members of the (2.39 P.M.).
Men's Junior Final Play-off«, '— "No Cox, no Cup.".
final of the Scottish Squash will be played tomorrow. only just back in training after meris, I cannot see that two up in the controversy for his, committee. Neither did he feel
to serve under one
Tackets Championships hero
hard-a hand injury; lightweight Billy foreigners per show knocking of
The Doubles was Jaguars, CILA (11.39 .m.),
I TOLD YOU.
Thompson is no longer a fores each other about the two
tonight before winning by 10-8. proposed joint Cap-
can do much Inter-long-Mercantile Bank ♥
in which the fought struggle 7-9, 0-3 and 9-3,
9st Blb; flyweight Rinly harm to British boxing. The tains. After the meeting, how- Civil Service, CBA (4 p.m.).
Midget,malohawks y Llona Me-This column" is sometimes
final scores do not give
true int A
alternative,I fear, is more They feel, too, that part ever, be was prepared to with-
Karim now.meets Abdul Dark crlo (19. m.); Delawares ▼
20 last year 1
Only featherweight Ronnie the play element
cancellations and a temporary not draw his resignation if it was buckarrows, Recralo (11.00 .m.) right. On May were
came out of today's match with members, and when a special the general wish.
Mackhawks Falcons, Recreio wrote: "One young Englishman of Bambay, in the final Bindlestion of the play. Ahmad Monaghan ways he will retire.
Racro who is equipping himself for defeated the only surviving much improved form With Clayton and bantamweight good-bye to regular "big ime meeting is held at Hlove 03
AAN PADA Aces Y. Bluebirda, 200 1.50 p.m.): Dodgers Balate Re Heinid the hard way if Roger English player, E. Clements, neat placings and hard anashes Danny O'Sullivan: can, by any boxing mas There have been over
Bannister, Oxford University's by 9-2, 917 9-7 in the other he brought out the best in his stretch of the imagination, be be the only means of....... admis-applications for the vacant erato (4 p.m.).
semi-dral Reuter,
opponens-Reuber Presb KOC (10.3), my 3 and 2.30 pm). lyoung miler.
present whereas
4,000 members.
the clubs has
of
15.
April 17 membership cards will
Socretaryship,
described as being avalable decLendon. Exprsia Mar