1951-04-20 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, FRIDAY.

APRIL 20, 1951.

New Sport Of Cycle Speedway Began On Bomb Site "Tracks

By JOHN HADDON

Cycle speedway, Britain's newest sport, attracted more than 5,000 people to the Empress Hall, London, recently to watch its first-ever Cup Final and its first-ever Test Match. It was the first time that the sport, started by teenage, working-class lads, many of them still at school, on bomb sites in blitzed àreas, had been staged in a big way. Its outstanding success may be judged from the fact that cycling enthusiasts, who had travelled from all parts of Britain to see it, were in a fever of excitement from start to finish.

COLONY ATHLETIC MEETING

in

At this meeting, individuals as well as member organisa. tions may compete.

Applications for entry forms should be made to the Hon Office Sers.. IATFA, Post Box No. 1708, Kowloon, who will then forward, entry forms and details required.

Entries should be made an or before May 1.

Officially, it goes on record that in the first final of the National Team Championship, Gem Pirates (Dorsetshire) beat Chorlton Aces (Lancashire) by 51 points to 45, and that in the first international Test Match, Holland beat England by 49 points to 47. Unofficially, it is the story behind the rise of cycle speedway that is of romantic interest.

Nobody in Britain knows exactly where or when cycle speedway started. All that is certain is that, ever since motor-cycle speedway became popular in 1928, working-class lads have tried to emulate their heroes by skidding around waste land on bicycles. Then, about four years ago, pictures began to appear in the newspapers of fantastically garbed youngsters pedalling push-bikes round "dirt tracks" on bomb sites in London's blitzed East End.

the

hands.

ground.

was a local farmer's barn,

They by running

that since the from the inci formation of the NACSA, 27 countles have become affitated to the parent body. Each county has its own deague and affiliated local associations; the 27 counties untered 277 clubs for the National Team Championship.

ROUGH AND TOUGH

Cycle speedway is rough and tough; il' needs courage. It demands judgment and skill, and play-for-yourself is no selfish Rame. Success depends on team- work and co-operation. There are eight to a team. Two ride

AFTER BEING THROWN

HRH the Duke of Edinburgh photographed after

he had remounted a fresh pony after being thrown dur-. Destroyer Command agalest the Royal Artillery. ing a game of polo at Malta. He was playing for

-Central Press Photo.

The Hongkong Amateur Track and Field Association These London lads of from new track at St Mary Cray, Kent, wishes to bring to the notice 15 to 18 found themselves after in southern England, was at- their tended by no fewer than 3,000 war with time on of all those interested

Only Somehow or other, the people.

a few weeks Amateur Athletics that the idea of making bicycle "diet earlier, the speedway had been Colony Athletic Champion-tracks" on bomb sites was con- the rhubarb plet at the back of

new sport ship Meeting will be held onceived. The

taken up with onthusfan. Local

By opening night, It had a May 19 and May 20.

teams and leagues were

(08 formed-and, almost

track measuring 97 yards before it was realised what was happen to fall on, a starting gate, judge's pen-metres) on the inside, poft cand ing, the spont had spread to Liverpool, Plymouth,

Bristol, box, loudspeakers and floodlight- Cardiff, and all the other blitzeding. The Cray Tigers, aged 15 cities where

to 18. had built it themselves, rough-and-reatly tracks could be built on recren- and it cant them £100. tion grounds, car parks, bomb raised the money

of waste dances, outings and whist drives, in each race against an opposition sites and any kind

The Tigers are typical of the pair. It does not matter who hundreds of cycle speedway wins individually, The object RHUBARB PLOT

clubs now in existence. Their from the team viewpoint is to company director got one man home first and the Tracks sprang up everywhere, chairman..

Slater illustrative of the Mick

says: "Nobody and it was

We help the which one finishes in front so progress of the sport when, in makes a profit. October, 1840, the opening of a boys to buy their kit, and they long as that object is achieved. pay one shilling and sixpence a It gives the team a four-point week towards expenses. There advantage. are no prizes and no admision fets, But we have a collection,seconds in each race is packed one of the 50-odd arkl supporters pay sixpence a

complicated strategy. year. We have several hundred With Iogistered

Riders jockey for posillon, skid supporters, and we

round the bends with legs trail- of local people to our away matches."

overtake in ing, out in and bewildering fashion.

A single It had become obvious by this faulty manoeuvre on a slippery tline that the sport must be surface can spell disaster. So it properly organised on a national proved In the England-Holland Scenes of wild enthusiasm, basis, and at a meeting in Lon-e: Match at the Empress Hall. the USA normally would be closely watched for Olympic The outdoor track and field season now beginning in 1950, the January accompanied by the liberal don discharge of firecrackers, National Amateur Cycle Speed- marked the finish of the way Association was inaugurat

of c. The dream Police Divisional Football Dead End Kids' had come true. Men-100, 200, 400,--B00,

Invented on "Knock-Out Competition final The game they 1,500

flat; and 5,000, metres

between

a recognised Marine bomb 110 and 400 metres hurdles; 4 re-play

speedway was X 100 and 4 x 400 metres re-

Entry fees are: For those still at school (as certified by the Hongkong Schools Sports Association the chool authorities). - In- dividual events $1 Team events $5,

or

For all others, $2 and $10 respectively.

On receipt of entry fees and forms, competitors will be registered with the HKATFA and receive a registration number to be used throughout the meeting.

THE EVENTS

The events are:

Inys;

Marine Police

Win Inter-Unit often take five coaches

Championship

in

sites was

London's

Præent strength and scope of

Police and Shamshuipo at sport. Cycle

officially born. high Jump: long jump: Boundary Street yesterday,

pole hop, slep and jump; vault; shot; javelin and discus, the coveted Cup being won the new sport may be gathered by Murine Police by thres goals to one.

Ladies-100 and 200 metres flat; 4 x 100 metres relay; high jump and long jump.

Prizes will be awarded.

for

Events bo

the two On Sunday last, teams shared honours in a one- all draw after two periods of

had been extra timo

played,

will which trophies awarded will be announced thus becessitating yesterday's

later.

Individuals and organisations wishing tv make use of grounds for practice may not the following have facilities for same events, but they must make their own arrangements as to days and times, and apply

to:

re-play.

the

Light Blues Beat Harvard

In Boat Race

Bofore calling upon Mrs Max- well, wife of Mr A. C. Max- well, Deputy Commissioner of Police, to present the prizes, Mr

L. Gordon, A.S.P., con- Cambridge, Massachusetts,

players of both

Apr. 19. gratulated the teams on their fine display.

Cambridge University of On the run of play, the Marine Police fully deserved their vic England won the Patriot's The Chairman, South China tory, as they were superior Day Regatta from Harvard

Association Athletic

for the In

today by a length and a half every department of ground at Caroline Hill; Major game.

to make a clean sweep of the C. W. H. Long, M.C. HQ Land

DOMINATED PLAY

first intercollegiate crew Forces, Hongkong, for the Sookunpoo and Boundary In the Brst half, the Mariae competition on this side of Street grounda and the Police, who had the nasistance the Atlantic. Principal, King George V of a strong wind, completely School, Kowloon, for the K.G.V. dominated play and except for Boston University and Massa- ground.

occasional breakaways Sham-chussets Institute of Technology far back. The race All

enquiries should be ad- hulpo were kept on the defen-finished

drew 25,000 dressed to the Hon Secretaries,

Within three minutes of the the Charles River. either Mr F. J. Tingay, Hon kick-off the Marine Police

Cambridge got English Secretarial work, or Mr Yu Kal-yan, Honor, who gave a sparkling customary lightning start at opened the scoring when Hul

gent opened up a load of 1% lengths Sec. for Chinese Secretarial

performance throughout, work.

a well placed centre by the half mile mark.

At times the margin was In- In the case of those who are which Rumbelow headed into

than one the not

creased to members of more

two lengths. Hor- organisation, appilention should

Yau vand finished with a desperate

Sec.

3

for

sive.

ACTOGE

In the 10th minute,

to the banks

of

off to

its

be made to their organisations Chun-hung put Marine Police 40 stroke pace but Cambridge for

to ruling os which

further ahend when he netted matched it and swept over the and three- organisation

claim has prior

from another cross by Hui finish at the mile over them for representation.

quarters course in nine minutes Ping-fai

with 48 seconds-Associated Prots, Awards

The will also be made for attainment of standards in Marine Police leading by two

Track and Field events.

SCHOOLS' ATHLETICS

interval came

clear goals.

Marine Police

started of in determined fashion after the breather and camo near when

Owing to rain, the seconda fast ground shot by Ng Ling

day Heats of the Inter-School was

to comer.

Athletic Meet, which were have been held at Caroline Hill

diverted for a fruitless

L

Rugger Results

London, Apr. 10.

The following were the re- sults of rugger

games pinyed

"yesterday," "were postponed and Marino Police camo near today:

will now be held at the same again shortly afterwards when

govo tomorrow, commencing Rumbelow, who also

magnificent display, cleverly back-heeled the ball to Hui

place

at 9 a.m. sharp.

at approximately 1130 a.m.

The Girls Relay will be run ping-fat for the latter to send in a fast rising shot which Fung Kai-ming just managed to tip over the croabar. D

HOCKEY TEAMS

Midway through this half, their Marine Police increased

The following will represent load when Ng Ling scored with a

in a very good effort. Army against Argonaute kagua bockey match at Sookim- Shamsbulpo succeeded in re- to-day at 5.30 pan. Mal ducing the lead when a cross 900 Lamble; Capt Dudley, ORQUIS from the left landed in the goal- Clarke CSM Pavey, L/Cpl mouth and Farmer bundled, the

Capt ball into the not.. Taylor, Sig Hammond:

Fitzgibbon, Lt Lamblom CQMS

Although both sides had a Grant, Bgt Haydos, Pie Holmed. share in attacking after this

BUGDY UNION Combined Services 3, Midlands 6. e

Lydney 0,. Cheltenham 6. Nuneaton 13, Rugby 0. Taunton 6. Both 11. Weston Super Mare Penarth B.·***

East

20,

RUGBY LEAGUE Liverpoot Stanley & Widnes 19, Reuter

HOME SOCCER RESULTS

Loodon, Apr. 10. "The following were the no- Reserves, L. McNabb and Sgt goal, the final whistle darda with- mut of football gamol played Westbrooke..

out may further scoring,

today: Marina Police:-Lo Tung, Chan Wai-man, Ip Choukung Foon

POLICE XI

The following will represent | Kal-bane, Na Ling, Lo Sul-lun; în, tho' ♬ Hongisong that Ping-tal, You: Chun-hang, knock-out unbolow; Kun Khan and

Fark on NI

THIRD DIVISION="

THIRD

(NORT

other man second. Never mind No Clear Picture For Americans

Every

THE DRAFT SHOULD

TAKE ITS TOLL OF OLYMPIC PROSPECTS

New York.

When, with only two races to athletes, but the military draft has added much uncer- go, the Dutch team were ahead tainty to the picture. by 45 points to 30, it seemed all

They

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THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB

NOTICE TO MEMBERS FIFTH RACE MEETING Saturday, 28th April, 1951

The First Bell will be rung al 1.30 pm, and the first race will be run at 2.00 p.m.

Through Tickets (10 Races---$20.00) may be obtained at the Conspradore Office of the Treasurers, 1st floor, Telephone House, also Ucipate alt $2.00 each for the Special Cash Sweep on the "Hong Keng Derby" scheduled to be run on Saturday, 12th May.

THERE WILL BE NO SPECIAL CASH SWEEP ON THE LAST RACE OF THIS MEETING.

Through Tickets reserved for this Meeting but not paid for by 10.00 am, on Friday, 27th April, will be sold and the reserva- tion cancelled for future moetings.

To avoid congestion at the Club's Offices at Telephone House, Club's Branch Offlocs at-

5 D'Agullar Street, Hong Kong

or

382, Nathan Road, Kowloon, MEMBERS' BADGES AND ENCLOSURE MEMBERS ARE INFORMED THE 1051 SETS OF MEMBERS

AND LADIES' BADGES NOW SUPERSEDE THE PREVIOUS- Members and guests are reminded that they and their ladies"

ISSUE.

Meeting

.

over bar the shouting." Buti The American track and field team for the Helsinki MUST wear their badges prominently displayed throughout the England riders, W. Slater and K. Games in 1952 will be chosen, as was the 1948 team, in Vine, thought otherwise. shot into the load at the start outdoor trials just a month before the games, and few of the last race but one, and of the athletes now performing for colleges can be sure maintained that lead to croES the finishing line first and second. they will still be civilians in the summer of 1952. That pulled England up to 44 If the war situation should him out of uniform but which points against Holland's 46. If lighten, so would the draft de-in an emergency also would gland's pair in the last race mands, but a worsening war keep him too busy to compete could finish Arst and becond, altuation would bring a military in track meets. and thereby cam five points | draft of most of the able-bodied against the Dutch pair's one, college-age men.. they would anatch a dramatic,

ast-moment victory.

ww

ground

CHAMPIONS AFFECTED

in

of

NO ONE WITHOUT A BADGE WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE MEMBERS' ENCLOSURE.

Badges admitting ladies not in possession of Brooches or Season tickets and gentlemen, non-members of the Club, to the Members' Enclosure and Club Rooms at $10.00 including tax, for lodies or gentlemen are obtainable through the Secretary on the written or personal introduction of a member, such member to be responsible all visitors introduced by him, and for payment of B! chits etc.

Badges

admitting to Members' Enclosure will NOT be on sale. at the RACE COURSE.

the Treasurers Compradore Office will close at 11.00 am. and the Semetary's Office at 11:45 am. Both offices at 1st floor, Telophone House.

A limited number of tiffins will be obtainable at the Club House provided they are ordered in advance from the No. 1 Boy (Tel. 27818).

NO CHILDREN WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE CLUB'S PRE- MISES DURING THE MEETING.-

PUBLIC ENCLOSURE

TWO EXCEPTIONS

Pole vaulter Richards is an ordained minister and probably The English pair, K. Cooper

For instance, World Decathlon won't be drafted, and Harrison and Clemmitt, went all out. Champlon Bob Mathias is of Dillard, hurdler and winner of Cooper left the mark like a draft age, and so is Charles the Olymple 100-metre dash in bullet and shot into the lead. Holding, now high jump star 1948, is past draft age and could But the Dutch pair, M. de Hans from East Texas State Teachers compete at Helsinki. bid H. de Bruin, cleverly shut College who went 6 fost, 9-3/4 out Clemeralt. Try

New stars will rise during the he would aches in a recent meet.

and the bends,

The price of admission to the Public Enclosure is $3.00 1951 outdoor season, cut in on

Clemmitt

Don Laz, who recently joined could at make

up the lost Cornelius Warmerdam and Bob course they will be mentioned including tax for all persons including ladies, and is payable at

the Gabe. as Olympic hopefuls, but no one and although Cooper

per Richards as a 15-foot pole

BOOKMAKERS TIC TAC MEN ETC., WILL NOT BE PER- romped home first for England, vaulter, may be called to ser can be sure that these men will

the MITTED TO OPERATE WITHIN THE PRECINCTS OF THE the Dutch pair finished second vice, and so may World Shot Olympic lover-robably will be HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB DURING THE RACE MEETING. and third to bring an exciting Put Champion Jim Fuchs.

MEALS AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE OBTAINABLE IN two-point victory for their

concentrated in the 1952 outdoor

THE RESTAURANT IN THE PUBLIC ENCLOSURE. country.

Andy Stanfield of Seton Hall season. College, a sprinter and hurdler But, draft

SERVANTS' PASSES or no draft, the Such is cycle speedway. Few who hopes to equal Jesso USA still expects to win major games are so unselish, while its Owens' four gold Olympic honours in Olympic track and enthusiasts are all in it for the medals, is another prime draft field at Helsinki-United Press. Love of the sport alone. They eligible. neither expect nor receive any personal glory; their only reward

Don Gehrmann, America's may be cuts, bruises or broken best 1,500-metre man, is married Ilmbs.

and also has weak ayes, so he Fred may get draft doferment. The new sport now has up to Wiit, another good distance 7,000 riders and more than 50.000 runner, is almost 30 years old, supporters. It is growing fast; past draft age, and is an FDI man, a job which could keep

it has come to stay.

Hiroshima Schoolboy Wins The Boston Marathon Race

Boston, Apr. 19.

A stolid 19-year-old Japanese schoolboy, Shigeki Tanaka, from atomic-bombed' Hiroshima, strictly followed his own time schedule today to become the sixth consecu tive foreigner to win the Boston AA Marathon.

In so doing, however, he missed the 26, miles 885 yarda course record by two minutes, six seconds. Tanaka broke the tape in 2,27:45, about two-thirds of a mile ahead of John Lafferty, the sponsoring BAA favourite,

After almost ignoring the Grocco's Athanaadios Raguzos, terrific pace

his 20-year-old sixth four years ngo,

Anished countryman, Shuaj! Kayanagi, third in the field of 154 starters set from the first through the in 138:27. He was 28 seconds 22nd mile, Tanaka-negotiated ahead of Lou White, the durable the range of four hills so easily New York negro who fairly. that he appeared. certain to flow over the last third of the erano the 225.39 mark Korean punishing course Yun Bok Sub sot hero in 1947.

FOLLOWED PLAN

Kayanagi, forced to plow when

họ hit the last and steepest kIIL atruggled home in fifth place and other "Japancso entrice,

But instead of extending him-te self over the last two miles of Yoshitaka Uchikawa and Hiromi cary ping Tanaka, religious Haigo were eighth and ninth followed the pro-woo plans, Compoctively which called: I

Agrown schedule” the Kello. plained through an in- chữ. pieri dig did not plan a re- Cabo rekking race, I ránu önly|ao

CANASTA

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Servants' passes will be issued to private box holders only, who are requested to distribute them with discrimination and to endorse their names on the passes. Holders of such passes are not permitted in the Members' Enclosure except for passing through on their duties and must romain in their employers

stands.

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Owing to the present congestion in the Members Betting HaL, Eux-holders and Members are requested to ensure that their servants make use only of the Publie Belling Hall. Millitary Police will be posted at various entrances to the Members' Hall to ensure that this regulation is adhered to.

BY ORDER,

Don't let MORNING

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9. A. Slaap,

Secretary.

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