THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 8, 1937.
WALES HOLD TOO MANY RUGBY TRIALS
HARDSHIP ON PLAYERS
AND BIG CLUBS
.
London, November 9. THE first Welsh trial match at Bridgend on Sat- urday brought in its train the annual con- troversy as to its value. There is no doubt that these trial matches are regarded as a great nuis- ance by the leading Welsh clubs. I think they would all agree that they are a necessary nuisance, though a good many people question the necessity of having so many of them.
There are three official trial matches, with a few unofficial ones in the form of county games sandwiched in between. Saturday's match played havoc with the strength of some of the first-class clubs. Cardiff, Newport, Llanelly and Swansea all fielded 'skele ton teams, though, as it happened, anly Newport were defeated. Of course, if these inconveniences are imperative in the "national interest," then the clubs must put up with them.
?
It has been suggested that trial matches should be played on a week-day, when they would not interfere with the clubs Satur- day engagements. That idea, however, has already been tried and found to be unsatisfactory. An undue percentage of old inter- nationals were found to be crocked on the day of the trial match and then miraculously to recover their customary vigour by the following Saturday.
No, I think Saturday trial, matches must still be held, but
the Welsh Union might well con- FRESHMEN'S
sider cutting down the number
.of
"full-dress rehearsals”
to
two, omitting the November trial FEATS AT
altogether or, alternatively, us ing it as an opportunity" for reviewing the material available in the second-class clubs or from Welsh "exiles" in England and elsewhere.
The industrial depression has driven so many young men out of
CAMBRIDGE
Blue's Son Reaches Three Finals
Wales that some effort to trace the EASY
best of our native-born players who have migrated should be attempted on a systematic scale.
One hears of colonies of Welsh! Rugby players not only in London, but in Devon and in big industrial centres like Rugby, Coventry and
WIN FOR STILL
IN THREE MILES
(By BEVIL RUDD)
London, November 5. Brothers of Blues and a son of
Birmingham. They must not be a Blue distinguished themselves forgotten.
at Fenners yesterday when the Cambridge Freshmen's sports were begun..
2
Page
For the finest appetiser
Sherry:ask for
Findlater's
By Appointment.
Findlater's Dry Club
Sherry
Shipped key
London-
BY APPOINTMEK?
For sharpening the palate and giv- ing a fine zestful appetite, no drink can compare with the delightfully smooth nutty flavour of Findlater's Dry Club Sherry.
A glass before dining is the con- noisseur's salute to fiue food-sim- ply say "Findlater's Sherry”—no finer sherry can be ordered.
Blended in Spain for Findlater's since 1923 and sold in Hong Kong în prime condition in all Clubs, Hotels and Compradore stores..
SMOKING DOES NOT AFFECT THE FINE FLAVOUR OF FIND- LATER'S SHERRY.
Agents: GILMAN & CO, LTD
UNFAIR TO STAR PLAYERS A special trial match held for their benefit could do no harm, and
E. H. Bennett (Michaelhouse, might reveal a good deal of hidden -talent I am convinced that it is S. Africa and Clare), a younger quite unnecessary to ask Welsh but bigger brother of M. C. H first-class players, who are under won the discus with a very sat- the eye of one or other of the selec.isfying heave of 120ft 11in, tors every Saturday, to turn out in and was first in 16.5sec in his three and sometimes five trial hurdles heat; R. J. K Brown style, has infinite vitality and "HI" Their size and sprinting games, particularly players Hike (Kingswood and Trinity Hall), shrewd judgment. The neatest actions are almost identical Fanner, Cliff Jones and Wooller, brother of A. G. K, won his low mover yesterday at this distance None of the sprinters beat 10.6- -who are virtual certainties.
hurdles heat most efficiently, and was A. J. H. Bensley (Holloway sec, and P. J. Wells won the Or (Eton and and Christa). Moreover, he appear- ford Freshmen's race in 10.8sec in Playing, such men in preliminary K. Hope Jones trial matches does no good and may King's), a son of the Cambridge ed to have reserves which he did very similar conditions, but in ali appear do a lot of harm if accidents hap-miler in 1905, 6 and 7, qualified not trouble to tap in qualifying for other respects Cambridge
to have better material. pen, as they often do. Tanner's in-for the finals of the long jump, to-day's finst jury on Saturday was his third in quarter-mile and half-mile
Another smooth and graceful In the four finals that were busy afternoon which in no way six trials.
runner was H. C. Still (Exeter and cided yesterday Cambridge pe distressed him
St. John's). He made all his own formances were better than the
He is probably the best of the pace in the thre I have already dealt with
mile
He led by at Oxford, and the times for the a 5min 22sec mile, heats in both hurdle races and in form shown by the players in the
long jumpers and is a possible 20-yards after a last trial. It is early yet to tak
winner of the quarter-mile against by 50 yards in a 11min 5sec two the half mile were better than the about the probable constitution of the Welsh team, but if I were asked AP E. Rhodes (Rugby and miles, and finally won by 45sec in Oxford finals. However, it must be B. Clough, of remembered that H. Merz was not to select a team on orthodox lines Trinity; and J. T. Ainslie (New-16min 20sec B
heavy, Radley, who won
amen 8 really fit in the Oxford sports from the men I saw on Saturday, castle and Pembroke), a with the addition of Wooller, this powerful runner, but in the half-cross-country race, did not enter as
mile Hope-Jones is opposed by A. E the has been it. -would be it.
Jenkins; Bassett, Edwards, Wooller, Smith (Sedbergh and Jesus), whe this event in the Public Clement; Tanner, Cliff Jones; Law won (Newport) or Morgan (Swansea), Tra-Schools sports last April in 2min vers (Niesport), Davies (Cardiff), Wat-
2.4sec. ime (Carding), Anderson (Maesteg), -(London-Welsh), Vickery (Abera-
Evans (Newport
PROBABLE TEAM
The honours yesterday went to 0. R. Arellano, a Cuban from Zuoz (Switzerland). He won the pole vault at 9ft and then the javelin
BETTER MATERIAL
BENSLEY'S NEAT ACTION
a taut, Smith
El
It was surprising to discover that with a throw of 133ft tin. He is G. S. B. Cohen (Cheltenham and a left-hander, his build is Trinity Fall
no relation to but his technique very promising.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.