DENIS COMPTON-MY FUTURE
I BELIEVE I CAN RETURN TO FIRST CLASS
CRICKET
THIS SEASON
THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1956,
It has never been my intention to retire from cricket prematurely and, provided this wretched knee of mine can stand up to it, I want to go on playing as long as I can justify my place in a first-class side.
But, equally, I do not intend to hang on unless I am as near 100% fit as possible. Whether I shall reach that condition remains to be seen and I have quite a long road to travel yet.
I do not want to be over-pessimistic but, at the same time, I am trying to guard against over-optimism.
I have made considerable an King's provement manipulation Last werk I was practising in the nets at Lord'
something deve dreamed 1 would be able to do a fortalKai ago and I shall gu un genetising every day for a tese wak
LETE"
try
WITH
wicker botter than Believe will be able to return, keeping to Aint-clogs cricket this seasou, ever it that is possible.
I would be ALMOST FANTASTIC At the moment
Some of them have said that redulous for me to try to be mere definite
his keeping against Glamorgan wus almost fantastic. Once he Bail this is only part of the comp-back The big test will look a catch when, as the ball wa nying straight towards his to play when I de
My cricket future will
face, he moved his head like janel at my reactions then
lightning and thrust his glove
eatch After net prncilce 1 am satis-there Instend; he took another from the bottom of Ed that I can sull see the ball Gilbert Parkhouses's bat, and a well nad that my mental retexes
third diving full length in front net It I continue
sume, but just the
of silp. [ miptovs physically at the present jame partier days not impose anything lih The strain of cricket six hours a day, six days a week, to tour the 4 tasteteh
So far I am well salised with my progres, and will may furni In the nets, even thruth is Imovements
been restricted
Itave
FRENCH TENNIS TOURNEY
Ashley Cooper And Sven Davidson In Semi-Finals
In
22 Taris, May The
Men's two remaining Singles quarter-finals
the International Lawn French Tennin Championships true to forn
oday when the Court Cham- Australian Hard
Ashley Cour plon, Sweden's Sven Davidsem qualified to me for a plaer in The final.
Lew Houd (Australia)
Giuseppe Merlo
fed yesterday.
Anat round.
Cooper showed
gave him sech a
cord
intret (Italy) quali- fral the
Sint-
Bushes of the power and control which
In Australla
splendid re-
A: 1.
BETTER FOR ME
unless 1m coroldent1 That ein get through all this without may ill effect. I shall make way for a younger player M wine fe better for ner
เกเ
Ever since I saw his attractive scoring as a teenager I have ad- mired yomg Jim Parks's way of balling: perhaps part of the reason is because he plays the
sweep so well
It is pleasing to find that Jim, after his unhappy experiences in Pakistan is right back among with two successive venturies in Sussex's One turt le the season.
וטרת אוו
and for all conevrned
What must be remeinbered is Parks has always played spin
well.
He made his howling ular Brat-class cricket is 19 Thad
It is not wo hundreds against Warwick- xtremely hard work
which shire and Worcestershire who, NTILIETY
4 Kame
Win Erie Hollies and Boly Jenkins youth ha, all the advantages-
have two of the few class jeg- experience coutils tremendously break
bowlers ΠΟΥ playing cricketer the Brst-clas must be sound in wind and limbs county erickst
play regularly without being a bunden to him- elf aut to everyone around him
able fer
When I play again I want to to take any place in be able
I the fl
don't relish a situation in which I have to be hidden away, purely and simply
tur or bemuse I cannot qukkly enough,
How last winter
embarrassing it would when today he eliminated the be to drop Keith Miler of Nell experienced Belgian interna-Harvey before they had scored, tional, Juckle Brichant, 6-4 4-6 a' then see them rattle up u 2-0 0-3.
And all be- desuble century cause of an unsound limb. His volleying let him down
have dropped many catches in in is my uni and he lost confidence
1 know, trut i don't net attack, but nevertheless t
think physical handleop hus was a fine performance by the
Lever been the cause. 18-year-old Australian to If. move in four sets the man who had eliminated second-seeded Budge Patty (USA) in the pre- vlous round.
TOO MUCH PUNCH
Davidson, runner-up for the 11e here last year, carried für
If my hopes are realised and I can make the come-back on which so much set my heart there is one man to whom I 1. ntways 1 Baletul-the famous urgeon who is my medical adviser,
Jim. brilliant felder, is stil young enough he is only 24- to achieve the highest honours if he proves that he can play the quick bowling as well as the slow
-(London Express Servica).
(COPYRIGHT)
Famous Sports Stars I Have Met
Fred Perry
By ARCHIE QUICK If
down stroll you
will Piccadilly, 'tis sald, you meet the world and his wife, All through my knee troubles One bright spring morning re- I was doing just that and cently too much punch for American he has been just as keen as
a envalcade of sport bore down Herbie Flom, and the tall, well-myself that I should get back upon me, all in the course of a bullt Swee won 842 6-4 7-5. Into the game, He regularly
hundred yards or so. The Women's Singles event phones me from all parts of the
First it was o bronzed man in was also reduced to the lust country to check my progress
who strode up f four-un American, a Hungarion and to advise me.
middle age and two British girl.
None other then REDSOR
when Godfrey and athletic. Miss
Mortimer, Έχει τον
little the great Fred Perry, now re- fractured his British holder of the title, wil dager In the Manchester sident in California, but fondly
remembered as
as the finest lawa meet 33-year-old Mrs Suzy Text many thought he
player these Isles have Kormoz in one femi-final, and suffered
Fred said he loved Lajuson. Althea Miss
the permanent, injury, coloured American/ iri,
will
Godfrey, however, is thor- the West End of London us Britain's face
Mika Angela oughly fit again, and the Kent much as ever, but America was
have players
told me he is
of the dollar and you land Buxton in the other.-Reuter.
Hve on love not
and loyalty Perry said British ten- the nis still lagged behind United States and Australia in both
but sexes,
there were
Angelu
1
hnd
serious, ani poesibly tennis c.
Dr. Stanley I presume?
News Item.
VAGAINST A
TEAM OF
BARE-FOOTED AFRICANS,
Stanley Matthews BOOTED SIDE LOST
2-0
Mighty nice to meet you Massa Matthews. They tells
me Youse am
awful dever wiv Yo' feet,
"
the
ARMY SPORTS
PARADE
This week wo welcome the basketball team of the Hongkong Chinese Training Unit to fill the Spot of Honour at the Top of the Sports Parade. Their clearcut victory by 52 points to 23 over the Kowloon Signal Troop makes them very worthy Minor Unit Champlons.
The Major Unite game which had to be postponed last week will take place at HQ 27 Bde at 4 o'clock this
afternoon,
This should be a most entertaining game with 56 Cay RASC starting out as favourites, in their tussle with 1 Northamptonshire Regiment. It would indeed be a big surprise if they failed to win. They are of course an experienced and particularly capable team, but they will be well advised not to treat the opposition lightly.
bogey that must surely
have him of a healthy deprived
OH โปล share of the honours. latest outing the bout was stop- ped prematurely by the referee -and a very correct decision it was too-because he had once again suffered an Injury to on eve
B
•
My comments last week about | all-rounders in Army sport hove some inter- certainly produced esting and enlightening reactions. From regimental officer comis a general claim for the members of the Army Physical
In Corps.
neat Training
of the instructors appreciation he says "When one gets around le talking about versatility it is quite impossible to leave out the members of the Army Physical Training Corps-
ля
4
LATE SUBSTITUTE
McMenamie, who came in as late substitute for L/Bur
in his bout with Dickenson Colony Champlon Cfn Dinning. showed that
is a worthy opponent for the
уоху best
in middleweight
Hong- kong at the present time.
Lively active Gor McGrath, showing a lot of good common
ho
men
"Some may say it is their pro fession and their job, bust as far as I am concerned I never cease to be amazed and delighted by the general all round ability as well
an versatility of the in-ringsense, again outpointed AB structors.
Henry Wong of the Royal Navy. The young soldier showed that he thinks
03 well as fights. His complete change of tactics, which
saw him in less aggres- sive mood then when they first mat, had the wily Wong guess- Ing from the start.
Just
when the Chinese boy looked as though
he would. hlmselt to the un-
มิ
"1 will give just cae exemple of what I mean. Sat J. Tye, went time ago on to Singapore soine
course, and while there he acted as trainer for the Colony boxing team in the South East Asia Championships. The team Was found
short of a com- Tye adapt
العمرة
be
heavyweight and with
menduble
bean spirit indeed a veteran boxer-stepped { expected change, McGrath brilliantly switched back to his fumillar all-action style won the day,
into the ring.
"When his opponent was dis- qualified in the final he brought Bock a
to Hong- gold medal
occasions he kong.
On other has turned out in emergency for
football the Army which he has been trainer for two years, and he has to my knowledge played in good class cricket, hockey, and no doubt several other games.
起
VERSATILITY
017
most
team
of
and
Cin Legerton and Pte Rogers ogain put up a good show, but like many others, I do not be lleve that this frequent re- matching is a good idea.
The boy's become so tamillar with each other's methods that the
bouts lose the element of variety which so essential to Astle entertainment.
many
Managers Should Not Play In Serious Soccer Matches
Says TOMMY WALKER
I have now been more than seven years on the management side of football. In 1946, I had been transferred from Hearts to Chelsea. I enjoyed my spell in London, but I must confess that my heart never left Tynecastle and the club I have always loved.
Thus when I was invited to return as assistant manager to the late Mr David McLean, you may be sure that I didn't hesitate lung.
I could senreely liave chosen,
a better day to come, back-for
it was New Year's Day,
1940.
and we were playing our old rivals and neighbours, before 'full house" at
castle.
Hibs, Tyne-
I wasn't playing myself, but I before walked on to the deld the game in "elvvies" and t shall never forget the wonder- ful welcome I was given by the crowd.
I felt I was truly home again.
At that time, it wasn't cer- Lain whether I would continue to play. But in actual fact, I was to play only one game fer Henris. After it, Mr McLean and I went into the manager's office.
Mr McLean pointed to a chair behind the deck; "Tommy," he sald, "you belong here * in
fature."
more
THE RIGHT DECISION
I agreed with him entirely--- and so ended my playing career. I will not deny that I felt con- siderable regret, but I had no double then or since that it was the right decision.
In my view, a managte may train with his team
and соп play in practice matches with- out adversely
tho affecting players' attitude to him. But I don't believe that a manager can play in serious matches for his team without endangering his standing and the discipline of the club only because he, liable to like all humares, is make mistakes!
Well, there I was. One career The other
10 was over.
had start. And I remember vividly as though it were yes- terday the real beginning of management for me."
onc
Mr McLean and I were about to leave for lunch
dlay when he said to me: "Tommy, I think you should do the talk- ing to the team this week. Go to them in the dressing-room
after lunch,"
Well, there I was face to face
with the situation which- frankly-bad been searing me. Because you have to remember that certain members of our team then had known Πο સમ Just another player. Now I had. to face them as their "boss".
QUEASY FEELING
about
I worried
it through lunch,,and on the way back to the ground I had that same quensy feeling I got before my first big game. I know now that if I had funked it, every- Sopper Jock McInnes, the thing that has happened to me Army soccer skipper, has resince might never have to come turned from Singapore where
to pass
However, I tackled the he has been in hospital recover-
jab ing from the effects of an insect and it went all right, And never bite on the leg. As he is fit and since then has it well it is almost certain that he trouble though often I don't will be in action in the second know what I am really going game of the Victory Shield at
to say to the boys until I start the Club Stadium on Saturday to talk evening.
The hot summer weather is for boxing "That to my mind is real no longer suitable
and after a hard and punishing versatility by any standards."
Few will disagree with that season our boys would be well commendation and in this advised to take a complete rest column we have paid tribule to from the ring. They have done the good work of the Army well and have given us Physical Training Corps on hours of exclum entertain- several occasions.
ment.
now deserve a sea- They claims Other
havé
the hard been sonal respite from staked
behalf of "Tich grind of training. Collins of 33rd. General Hospital of Kalth Burch of Essex; of Cpl. Beer from 20
11th In FDS; of Sgt Tutt at fantry Workshops and, last but by no means least for one who
the Surely
active veteran soldier aportanan in the Colony at the present ime, Et Col. J. Sullivan of the BMH.
It is all very interesting and
NCO one senior
put "....from a unit point of view a good all-rounder is worth his
is
often a prob- very particularly among the women, specialist
tem. while the men were being
Well, it is obvious that many by the professional
folks have very definite views went his
On
and about the respective claims of way, and
all-rounders. We would along came Harold Abrahorns, our
stil like to hear from you if the only Englishman to win an
you wish to add to the list of **H.M." the Olympic sprint,
nominations we have rebelved so administrative brains of the
far. Amateur Athletic Association, was on his way to book passage for the
Games. Melbourne Athletically speaking, he thinks the Melbourne show will be a straight fight between America and Russia. Biggest hope for a medal coming to the
ଦ
signs that the gap was lessening. weight in gold. The outstanding LETTERS
courica
circuses.
gold
the high jump, and Briani Hewson in the half mile.
of
· RISE TO FAME
Army soccer
quick
Hussüra
been
'any
I have been lucky in all things. I have had wonderful encouragement from my direc- magnificent staff.
TO tore all through, and the most.
THE EDITOR
Tommy Atkins Column
10
ותם
19
་་
Bupport from the I would
Ilke, especially to mention the
John trainers, Harvey and Donald McLeod. Not only have they kept the team fighting fit throughout the season, but they have played an invaluable
in part
keeping
Dear Sir-May
I please bo morale high. given some of your valuable As.for the future, it is never space to say a very sincere safe or wise to prophesy. But aware that, fans must have Thank You to all those good we are all of us
and Colony now
we have attained this been delighted to read in the people in Army China Mall on Saturday of the sport who were kind enough to coveted prize, we will have to Voyage messages approach the, future, with care, send Bon rise to stardom of Hugh
my. departure last Ginger Higgins the ex-Army prior
let us lavo: than However, United Kingdom jes with skipper who also played so many Friday.
The close Thalma Hopkins, ef Belfast, In fine games for his unit, the 7th bustle of packing and prepara
In the customary hustle and for the present.
season is upon us. We all need tlor it is possible that I falled
a break, Higgins, who played in
And next to make suitable and adequate
August... well, NEXT ENCOUNTER
Colony and Combined Services acknowledgment. I
most perhaps the chief charm of foot- colours on several occasions, has anxious that this should not be bail is that every August meane Abrahams gone, the next en-
suddenly jumped right into the regarded. In any way in a brand new chapter. ALL 1 counter was with Bobby Locke.
CAN PROMISE 15 THAT The Johannesburg golf master headlines as a member of Hiber diference and I hope all of you
HEARTS WILL BE THERE alan, the Scottish League sido. will accept this letter as a token, was still full of the prowess of Hibs, incidentally, beat Djurger-of my appreciation of your TRYING JUST AS HARD AS his compatriot Gary Player, but.
den
the many. recently in hin tip for the Open Champion European Cup.
thoughtful ¡Mestures Euwice
Although this whether they were verbal, by: Peter Thomson, of ship was
telegram to, the Australia, or one of the big competition la staged on a
and-home- besis both American contingent. What he
When In the last few weeks before would like to see,
however,
were played in Scotland Hiba were the home team they left Hongkong 1, was there. another personal played their game *opart 120m triumph I suppose, would be a Road, their own ground, but in and, while each of those will Easter cipient of several presentations victory for Dos, Rees, because the return Djurgarien elected remain with me as highly prized the Hitle Welshman
40 to play at Firhill. the Partick links with my three happy hard and, often to win the one big prize
In the Colony, 1. shall always The following players have sudo in Bobby and the match attracted areant them more as stambols of been splected to represent the that has frequently Thistle's stadium in Glasgow, har wey left his Montaz hotel, capacity crowd, karina has successful teamwork with my Combined Chinesa in their Vic- narrowly
moved into :lop-class worried
about his increasing
various, a groups of colleagues. | lory Shield soccer match against weight and on his way to a
than as purely personal awards, the Combined Bervices. Turkish bath.
BRYS he is
out of touch with his pulling,
normally his strongest card.
te home letter, orˆ by ....
at.
[» Army, boxers once again rave:
yours
EVER
London Express_Sarvice).'
(COPYRIGHT)
Combined Chinese Soccer Team Fór Victory _Shield
My time among you was most : Tam' Nal tuần (ound Tae). Solo Yiu (ICM) captain, Leu. Yes (Kit-
(South
DAISY
SETS WORLD MARK
Daisy Franks, 26, of Croydon pictured after she had set a new world record figure of 7 minutes 42,6 seconds. for the five kilometres at Horne Hill track, South London on May 16. Daisy already has ten national track records, to her credit. Previous figure for the five kilometres was 7 minutes 53.4 seconds.— Reuterphoto,
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a very good account of them enjoyable, I could not have tak- ches Tang Aum,(KMB)}", Lou Tim So there we were Perry, selves in the China, Gymnasium de for better co-operation, thanker onl-kun
I received from those with warm Chia, Keung Wal-tox (Bing Two). Abrahams and Locke thros promotion on Saturday evening Tre
Chukia world champions, in' throe wide-, at the Southern Playgroundh
(Bouth China.kaw by differing parik following Whith many of the
For your selection, each other down the pavement wille novoot feel plately satin Bakkamenon benisches of: Arriyorid)] Kwok-Lake; (Sing. Teo), „ Mokhon ViRmerverk, Lana Kin-chung & South Polad I expect 1: I. aliated with their partonde 13 Enter you that. I take away camaly Akwok, kem-hung in south had stayed Jongress, bi
there would ances popular Gat McMerahle the most pleasant,
Kuchen 54, Queen's Road, Central, pared by
MSFEERVOLTwin) 3 dzeto 26ani|
Tel. 23336. Yu Shu-chismes,,
whose náznINE”:
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The sore he has
bookben Land, plequede by
Colony
you al
#MAJOR
!.
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