1939-05-20 — Page 20

SPORT IN ITS CRADLE

HOCKEY'S ORIGIN IN OBSCURE PAST

of

the

There are many members hockey family-hurley in Ireland, shin- ty in Scotland, and bandy in Wales~~ and each of them bears a resemblance to the game as we know it,

From the times of the Persians and Greeks in years B.C., men have hit a ball with a crooked stick. An altar pot made in Copenhagen in 1330 shows two hockey players bullying off in mo- dern style.

The name "hockey" seems to have rather an obscure origin, but many think it originated from the word "hoquet," the French word for a she- pherd's crook. It was played in France many years ago.

Aztec Indians had a variety of hoc- key, too.

SOFTER TENNIS BALL MOOTED

There is move in the English Lawn Tennis Association to in- troduce a softer ball. Those in favour of the change say that the ball in present use is too hard and that young players cannot control it.

RACING A

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 20, 1939.

AUSTRALIAN CRICKET

A.I.F. TEAM RE-ASSEMBLES AND

PLAYS FOR WAR VETERANS

Sydney. The idea of the famous A.I.F. cricket team, which became the inspiration of after-war first-class cricket, coming to-. gether after twenty years and playing in Melbourne against Veter- ans, for the benefit of the War Veterans' Home Trust Funds, was taken up heartily and successfully. It came off last Friday, a happy revival of old associations and an entertaining outing for six thou-

TIPS FROM sand people. BOTTLE

On Stradbally shore,

a part of a bottle Ireland, somebody found that had been washed up by the sea. Inside the bottle there was a note on which were written the names of two horses.

One was Squadron Castle, suggested the his- According to Macaulay,

as likely winner of the Lincolnshire torian, John Bunyan played hockey-Handicap, and the other, Blue Shirt for "Bell ringing and playing hockey on the Grand National. Sundays seem to have been the worst vices of this depraved tinker," he said. The game developed through the centuries from a rough and tumble, in which village larrikins tried to hit a ball into a goal, to the modern game, with its code of ethics, but few beg- pardons for damaged shins,

Wiry-looking H. L. Collins led the A.I.F. team and Clem Hill the ex-in- ternationals.

Clem is 62 and was the oldest player | in the match. The A.I.F. men revealed changes that time inexorably brings. As cricketers of fame they were a dif- So was their cric- ferent set of men. ket. But the spirit was as of yore.

One day was quite sufficient to try out both teams. Condition was not as of old. Muscles and wind were not too By the end of the day the reliable. men had just had enough.

The A.I.F.. batting first, scored 191 breezily. Clarrie Pellew was the star. The newspapers played up the tips He looked fit and hit up 77 with gusto, contained in the message from the bot-smiting, with satisfaction, one lusty six tle. It seems that nearly everybody in near the end. Ireland backed Squadron Castle, the majority of them coupling it with Blue Shirt.

**

*

*

One Dublin bookmaker had £75,000 It was not until 1875, however, that going on Blue Shirt. All of this money Over two million the game as we know it came into be-was on at 33-1. ing, and areas of a regulation size laid pounds to be paid out. Every book- out on the field.

maker in the leading cities of Ireland had a similar tale to tell.

Playing with ash sticks and string balls, the Wimbledon Club made itself prominent once the sport was properly organised.

In the early days of modern hockey -only a few decades ago-there were eight forwards, two half-backs, and a goalie. Scrimmages between the two sets of forwards-as had been happen- | ing for centuries-led to the present set placings being adopted.

larity.

The telephones between Ireland and the principal cities of England were kept busy. Men were sent to Liverpool Shirt placed. to get money on Blue Never in the history of betting had so much money been bet on one horse.

Then came the victory of Squadron Castle and Dublin was in a ranic. Maybe the banshee might work curse on Blue Shirt, many of them felt, and prayed for it to happen.

*

*

its

PROMOTERS' AMALGAMATION

Rumour has it that Brigadier- General Critchley and Mr. A. J. Elvin may amalgamate their

which sporting interests,

will mean that speedway racing, grey- hound coursing, ice hockey, box- ing, professional lawn tennis, etc.. will be mainly in the hands of two

'men,

These two men will wield more power than any other two promo- ters in the world, if the amalga- mation goes through. The var ious riders, boxers and players will need to organise to safe- guard their interests in face of such a formidable combination.

Jack Gregory, now a giant in width as well as height, is no longer the man of cat-like tread. He smote the air as batsman and was gentle with the ball. Charlie Kelleway wore darkened he batted glasses but, slim as ever, joyously and kept the length.

Herbert Collins, smaller than ever, saw the ball and got ome runs. They could not get him out.

Johnnie Taylor, lean and alert, show-J. M. Gregory, c Ponsford, b Blackie ed what fielding at mid-off can be and C. E. Pellew, e Blackie, b Iron- batted in that finished style.

Jack Murray is now a big, burly chap of rural touches. Bill Trenerry looks wiry and in getting 21 showed that he can sight the ball all right.

'monger

w. L. Trennery, Hill, b Iron-

monger

H. L. Collins, not out

W. S. Stirling, and b Grimmett E. A. Bull, b Grimmett

6

77

21 .18

་.

1

f

Sundries

14

J

11

Total Ironmonger 3/51, Blackie 2/32, Mai- ley 1/50, Grimmett 3/28, Macartney 1/16.

191

Eric Bull was the giant of the party. Little Clarrie Grimmett got one past. Winning, stpd. Ellis, b Mailey his bat and chuckled...

Charles Winning made a great catch Later the striking circle was brought

in sending back Alan Kippax. Hammie nearer the goals, and the ash blade

instead of was given a cane handle. Ice hockey

Men left for Liverpool from Dublin Love deputised as keeper is an off-shoot which has gained popu-by sea and air. An hour before the Bert Oldfield. Bert had fractured

Grand National started the course was finger after putting in a lot of organis- flooded with Blue Shirt money. Booking work, and had to drop out of the makers had never known the like of it match.

THE "COLTS" WERE VICTORS before. They, too, had become panic- team stricken and the odds came tumbling I hear that the West Indies shortly due here includes several play-down. ers who are likely to be surprise pac- Blue Shirt did not win the Grand kets. We are aware of the power of National, and the Dublin bookmakers Constantine, and of the high quality heaved a sigh of relief though they lost of Martindale. But I am told that heavily on the Grand National, through

of victory L. G. Hylton is faster with the ball the

Workman, an Irish than either of them.-Roland Allen.

They're well worn but they've

worn well

thanks to

BLACK POLISH

Polishes, Protects

horse.

KIWI

KIWAI

TAN POLISHES

White Cleaner

́and. Shỏe Creams

b

47'

OLD INTERNATIONALS The Veterans ex-internationals V. Y. Richardson, stpd. Love,

or

Vie. Richard- Winning made 195 and just won. son looks more substantial than when W. H. Ponsford, 1.b.w., b Winning 44 he captained "South Aus." at football A. F. Kippax, c Winning, b Stirling. Stumped for 47, he still knows how to Clem Hill, b Murray connect with the ball.

Billy Ponsford looked good for 400 when 1.b.w. ended his chapter at 44. "Kippy" was moving well when that snappy catch on the leg side sent him back. Clem Hill deserved a better fate than to be bowled by Jack Murray for

3.

Charlie Macartney rattled up 35 with the breeze of Leeds. Clarrie Grimmett looked too good for the A.I.F. bowling in making 18. Arthur Mailey tossed them up temptingly. Don Blackie was better with ball than bat.

and Bert

16 3

18

9

Murray.. B

C. G. Macartney, c Pellew, b Murray 35 C. V. Grimmett, retired P. Carney, retired A. Mailey, stpd. Love, D. Blackie, c. Stirling, b Collins.. J. Ellis, stpd. Love, b Collins H. Ironmonger, not out

Sundries

Total.

1

G

1

10

195

Gregory 0/22, Kelleway 0/18, Win- ning 2/36, Trennery 0/27, Murray 2/30; Stirling 1/26, Collins 2/7, Bill 1/19.

Jack Ellis stumped two and fancies his keeping. His caught Love Love stumped him. Tit for tat.

I am well aware that, the majority Iron-mon ir bowled in lordly manner of Britain's 1938 Davis Cup team were and card his bat out for a single, new players, but as we failed to win Cyril Docker, once fast bowler, was too a single match against Yugoslavia, girthy to think of playing. He bar-after just scraping through against Rumania, another batch of hopes racked mildly.

should surely be given a chance to show if they have the skill and tem- perament for big tennis. It is only in the fierce fire of international competi- tion with something at stake that real champions can be found. Even if we have to try out new players year after yeur it is the wisest way in the end. GA writer in the London Evening 5 News.:

Good fun, good sportsmen, and a goodly sum

for the War Veterans' Home Trust Fund.

A.I.F. TEAM

C. Kelleway, c Macartney, b Blackie J. M. Taylor, stpd. Ellis, b Mac-

Brtney

1. T. Murray, C Macartney, b

Grimmett

.

H. S. Love, c Ellis, b Ironmonger

DRINK

14

15

EWO PILSNER

The New, Light Summer Brew