1957-08-28 — Page 6

Pago 8

THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1957,

TRIBUTE TO CRICKET'S GAY CAVALIER FINAL TEST

Tommy

ARMY SPORTS

PARADE

The spotlight throughout last week has centred stendily on a tennis court in Whitfield Barracks where the Kowloon six-a-side hockey knock-out competition got off to a flying if wel start, and as is usual in cup-ties surprise results were soon forthcoming.

A Reluctant Departure

By JOHN COTTRELL

London.

Four hundred and fifty sportsmen, all famous in their particular fields, will gather in London's Cafe Royal on Septem ber 24 to pay tribute to one of the most popular sporting figures of the century.

It will be a farewell dinner in honour of a man who left school at 14 to sell scorecards at Lord's cricket ground and went on to become the idol of cricket fans the world over.

His name: Denis Charles Scott Compton.

The great Compton is now retiring from regular first class cricket in which he made his debut twenty-one years ago. It is a reluctant de- parture: forced by that gammy knee which has been troubling him on and off ever since he injured it in League Football way back in 1938.

century

helped

blo

Lowly placed 229 "A" had the audacity to meel and

It'A been B touch battle often mischievous, moments at Kc won the tess, and his

Compton And The the wicket.

brilliant hold a strong 8 Coy RASC to a 2-2 draw after extra between

Knee. There have been years All these things have end-side to victory. time. The very next match provided 'the' shock. Strongly orain, a series of hospital pared Dials Compton to the fancied KHQ 74 LAA Rg tackled HQ Kowloon Garrison confinements, numerous opera- fans and made him a legend in Compton Was immediately the Lord's and lost by the odd goal in three, to justify my selection tions.

join To prolong his ericket his own lifetime. He is one of invited to of the Garrisun as a good outside, bet for honours. In career, Compton has exchanged the few really great persona-ground staff and, in the same

joined n knee-cap and carulage for litles left in world cricket at a year-1932-he

the fairness to the Gunners, however, they had lost a manches and scars.

Ume when tho game has be- celebrated Arsenal Football through an inter-Battery posting which disturbed the But The Knee has won Ja

rome D more grave and im-Club. balance of the side.

Four years later Denis the end and Compton must personal business, leave the game

Courage prematurely,

and determination Compton had his first game for In-torrential en Royal Sigs. fenders had safely disposed of Although he is

Middlesex First XI. Ho now 39, his are perhaps Compton's greatest the "A" again rose to the occashin | the balt, but Lieut. Dennis batting artistry la as

No 11 when the brilliant qualilles. Both on and off the went in at and although they retired with Harding with amazingly epeedy na ever. out that victory they have sought reaction

Only the agility has feld, he has always been a county still required 24 for retrieved the ball

lon-hearted fighter.

Arst Innings lead over Sussex. Remember his knock of 184 Middlesex got the necessary in England's second innings of runs. the Nottingham Tost Dgainst Australia in 19407

►

14

|

gone.

In examining Compton's

speculate about what might have been-but for that over- Many more re- suspect knee.

within his

reach, cords were total of 83 Test appearances. including Wally Hammond's

SECONDARY

all the season they certainly iterally on the oe, brought scared quite a good side in 158round the defender and sletred "E", and the result waa in safely into the net to give his career It is templing 10 doubt until very near the close, alde victory.

The replay between 221 and 8 Coy RASC raw the Gunners go one better and bring of yet another surprise. Starting off with a dash, they were soon a brace up and although the RASC were a shade the better team and eventually levelled The secre two-all, they seem ed to have been stinken by the early reverso and in the cloalng stogca 220 plied on the pressure and emerged 5-3 winters.

168 C took on a 3 Supply Depot team who were only a shadow of their former dashing side, and the Gunners had it nearly all their own Way to progress to the next round,

the

WINNING GOALS

have

A wonderful zame ended with the Sappers losing most sportingly and perhaps a little unluckily, but this should not detract from the excellent dis play put up by the RASC side. Perhaps it would suffice to say that both. sites deserved to win and a replay would have been the most welcome solution.

gone that

most

But secondary.

such

arc

wicket.

a

Compton gained regular

in place

alde, the county promotion in the baiting order, and, in his first season, more than 1,000 runs. The following season ho come tenth the first class batting averages with

Frank Worrell (West Indies) is caught by Lock off Loader for four in the final Test Match at the Ovál on August 23.

GEORGE WHITING'S COLUMN

SEWELL'S PUTTER IS A JEWEL BEYOND PRICE

Douglas Sewell, English Amateur Stroke Play Champion and first artisan to play golf for Britain, will undoubtedly become a big-shot hero if he helps Britain to bent America in the Walker Cup match on the lush fairways of Minikahähda, Minneapolis at the end of this month.

wag in."

|

Then #p spuke Sergeant Payne of the Woking Poilce. Collecting the remains, he found a carpenter to insert a sliver of wood 1 in. by Min, on ala tollable's

head. .And that sliver of wood may well wiń 319 distinellon In the Walker Cup.

Sewell rejaleed, reached the

NATURAL INSTINCT

had England, 344 behind, lost Washbrook and Edrich for 30 when Compton came on the acene. He hung an at one end 1,080 runs for an average of for nearly seven hours, often 47. in very bad light, and only felt records

His Arst Test match camo ut when, suppressing his natural the More important ts

age of 10

why when he the fact that he has been able instinct to hook a bumber from selected to play for England The remaining match of this to do co

New Into his against

Zealand at much and provide Miller, he stumbled

Kennington Oval. He made 05 evening's programine was very some of the most spirited dis- much an anti-ellmax. 158 "B" | plays of betsmanship the world

there Again,

was the after England had lost three Manchester Test of that rubber wickets for 30, and took two rounced their "C" team by 0-0, hus ever seen,

But he will still have to do jolly lucky. You should have | go up to the hole, past the For all the set-backs, he has when Compton was knocked wickels for 34. and Garrison HQ made awfully

four-hours' a

sunt of cutingaren the excitement down at hole, all round the hole, but out by a no-ball bumper from heavy weather of 229 "A" behind a great innings, which has

At 20, he became one of the the rough and filing, in divol Knaphill, where I live, when never in the hole. Smoothness Sure running out 8-1 winners, been profitable for himself, his Lindwall. He had stitches put youngest men ever to play for hales down at Woking when we got the telegram saying I departed. All was wor,

club, his country and, most of

In his head and then returned | England against Australla. It he comes home. LEAGUE COMPETITION all, for the fans.

for another dose of viclous paco was a brilliant debut. He made bowling.

For this man Sewell happen 0 Are century 102, to be to be the purest lillest-whilest

Aye, that was quite a night, A curprisingly lethargic WO's Hockey officers and players Figures tell better than words It was another crisis. with precise and shared in a dith amateur I ever did see.

Dad, who used to play off three and Sgts six made very heavy are reminded that the season of the rich entertainment pro-England five wickets down for wicket stand of 200 with Payn- No plume, no, perks, no pre- and is now assistant green weather of 74 LAA's LAD and will soon be under

way and ivided by Denis Compton., 119. The bandaged Compton ter a new record for England ferences, to expense account. keeper at Woking, collected all zume could

essential factor, Between 1930 and 1968 he not only scored 145, but carried | against Australla.

Spends his own money on his his croales and carted them off elther way until late In the entering for the league com- scored 36,018 runs, including his bat undefeated. They Since then, Denis Compton own sport, cycles to and froth to the Anchar. Afcond period when the old petition, is now du?. Entries 117 centuries, for an overall could knock him out, but they has established all kinds

Teston £8-8-week Job to Sayc timers woke up and scooped for both the Major and Minor average of 53.03. Sixteen times couldn't bowl him out more TOCOTOS. He has played in 73 (pennies and has been scraping Douglas preferred the Queens In two goals. 33 General Hos. Unit leagues must be with the he scored over 1,000 runa Here, by exercising patience Test matches and scored 6,605 and skimping and slogging away Head, where they play "his pital also took a long time to Hon Secretary Major AE Hut in д SCLEOD. and only and restraint, Compton dis- runs for an" average of 12.50. for seven hard years to make favourite records of Mat King semi-final of tho Hoglish get the measure of 158 "A' and son RACC of 0 COD by next Hammond, Hutton and Brod-played trug greatness as a Test Only Hammond (85) and Hut-this Walker Cup dream

Calo and where he can come here again the late second half Wednesday Sopi. 4 together man have scored more runs in cricketer. For these things are ton 779), have appeared in more true.

goff shop with his pal, "Jack amateur championship, won thin saw the winning goals.

{stroke play 11te, and outplayył: with the esirgnce fee of $10 or Test matches.

completely contrary to his own

Payne, the local police-sergeant. Bernard Hunt five and f With 5 COD getting a bye the $ respectively.

But figures do not reveal the nature.

GREAT SUCCESS

UPHILL BATTLE poetry of his batting. They do

Sergeant Payne, in fact, plays for our Walker Cup amateurs He is the gay cavaller of While on the same subject not fell of his artistic tempere- cricket,

Compton basically a "chcoky

Those down-to-earth, work- a major role in the golfing maga against our Ryder Cup profes has hack great

#ball

while-you-whistle Americans, I of 27-year-old Douglas Sewell, slona's... all with Old Reliable. with seen for a very long time, and the Army hope to held their ment, his dogged determination chapple" who,

well according to success

feel, will go for little Douglas Involved new look Royal Ensual three sides in the civilian in a crisis, or his adventurous, mood, may

All for the price of a drink," the

-left-orm dance "down

119 bat. As a

spin

Some 20 years ago our hero's | recolica Sewell. "That puller League again this season, but to

wicket before the bowler has bowler specialising in China Sewell in a very big way.

"It's been an uphill battle. | father was out caddying one day not worth a light, but I wouldn't released

men, he has reaped over 300 the ball от In-

and if I'd not been single 1 and was given en ancient plece sell it for £100. Some of my pertinently square cut a sizzling wickets in first-class cricket.

doubt,

Irorumotigery and timber opponents have called it rudo Compton's could never have managed it," Without fast one to the boundary.

dark, fuzzy-topped alleged be a putter. True, the names and threatened to break Bowell In any other man such anties most spectacular season came in the

shaft over lunch. And the | steel

bent, wps

the it over my head, but we're both would be deemed reckless.

ibat austere post-war year of In

when he treated the

direct looks that comes out of maker's name was worn away, all alive and looking forward those exceptionally clear Compton, they can be justified 1947

the intrinsic value Was fons

grey and ration-fed cricket

10

to "America."- For he hus by boetie licence.

about four-pence - but the eyes means no fooling. Enga genius all of his own. or

centuries, eighteen

which 13 *1*m Ish football matches were:

3. wireinin' in the white spot on the head had a The secret of his success? Anjstit a record for one season.

That year he also knocked up British Raliways telecomunica magle influence that helped you Immaculate cyc, o wuuderful

tions department high wires, Ine up a ball with deadly sense of Aiming, and a perfect them in the month of August But I always wear gloves, the knack

a total of 3,816 runs-1,105 od telegraph poles, things like hat accuracy once you had acquired 1 W. Bwkh Alb. cricketing temperament

alone for an average of 00.85. coables him to concentrate and This is a record that may well Copper wire can poison your corner?, yet always remain relaxed.

last match of the first round proved to be the most exciting

ling

rames

gineer, and 79 Company IASC do so involves quite a lot of A competition rule old it down that players

und units are must live organising, and wor en the Mainland and earnestly asked to help by put-

forward this id certainly affected the

Immediately of likely players. If the team suficient names are not forth- composition of but certainly not its spirit.

Starting off in sparkling form coming it may cause the com-

mittee 10 withdraw one they rapidly built up a three you! lead and it looked to the more Army teams, which would competition bay 10 Coy rallied however be a pity, as this

ani begun to fight back and gives the younger player valu- were rewarded with potable mutch practice in quite a which was rapidly copied by high standard of hockey,

the Sappers, but just on half

Names to Major Hulson os

to

of

Boxing

HOME SOCCER RESULTS

London, Aug. 27. Resulis in this evening's

Arsenal Burnley

Watford

League One

1

0

which

He never suffers from pre-

stand for all Ume.

13

hands, and where would get me?

that

of

talk

Qj looking round

OLD RELIABLE

NO CRASH-BASH.

#

Many millionaire would give his tax-free capital gains to match the smooth, persuasive golt that Douglas Sewell con- Lures sa consistenly from his No member of the Sewell pot easily acquired armoury of family would dream of ap- dine trons, driver, bressie, spoch preaching a hole without Old and, of course, the putter with Rollable in the bag.

the trepanning job. How does Young Douglas, having probe do 17 gressed from sweeping_and] weeding the Woking greens at”

£200 the

2 Preston N. End O

League Two Grimsby Town 1 Cardiff

match nerves; indeed, he has hard to say. But perhaps his I'm away playing in

His greatest innings? It is "Normally, I lose me when League Three

a habit of forgetting all about

compell- South Brentford 1 Exeter Cily

most entertaining display

was tone, but I am geiling official 9 Swindon Town 0

an important match until the for MCC against NE. Transvaal leave, with pay, for this Ameri- eleventh hair. As a result, he

in 1048-9. He scored 300 out of League Threa (North) is frequently involved in frantic 390 in 181 minutes,

can trip. They seemed quite Carlisle United Manrileld Town 4 Inst-minuto dashes to cricket Southport

But with Compton it is not pleased when I was picked." Workington

grounds, Once he caught the the runs that maller so much

I dover hit the ball very SAVES ET A WEEK boat train to Australia with as the manner in which he gets

hard," he told me. "I suppose you could say my 14 to a bandicap of four round get a full swing like Ben Hogan, "I cannot only minutes to sparc.

them. Whatever his score, he is gift has cost mu about AL

is one of the few cricketers who this year. As a member two nonchalance personified. Some has never bored the spectaturs Hook Heath Artisans, 1 pay 253. putter with the approval of goiter! But I would sooner hit

-Reuter.

the wicket ho

times he will chat with a

time the S & T team popped above please. in another fur both sides to take well earned breather

With the boxing season fas! with the tally 4-2 At an even approaching news is to hand of faster rate the pecond period

o recently held coriferencë saw the RASC draw nearer the Services Committee in UK with another scoring effort, who have removed the last and 79 defender stopped

anomaly between the Services certain goal with his foot and and win the resulting penalty bully. Association.

the Aminteuur

thal of boxers At this aloge 70's stick work colours, The Services have to supply the customary was certainly superior and the stuck newcomers in the Sappers team whereas the civilian body have and will in fact have difficulty Red and Green neutral linesmen for each game were showing signs that they always been Red and Blue. lacked "mateli stamina,

In ceting all calls for referees. fielder before taking his guard, bal boxers For Services

All volunteers are requested coolly dispatch the first In a rush the equaliser came, officials this difference has been fercea

and to get into touch with the Re to the boundary, and then followed in a few seconds by confusing

Secretary QMSI Fume his conversation at the to say the least Kirkham APTC attached to the another from the stick of a 70

point he left off. when they forward to change

Indulged the com

In this Hongkong Signal Ret. Courses In short, Compton is a plexion of the game, but the sport outside barracks and I am will be held in the near future natural-born RASC seemed to go on the dechange which now brings the

MULTO all will welcome fensivo from this stage! and Army completely into line with

the RE's attacking, suc- the civilan body. with cess came to them a 1qu seconds before the final whistle.

The playing arpa resembled

sportsman, who the both

most in the Territories and plays

well. games Kowloon.

especially football, golf. snooker, billiards, and darts.

At 17, ho became fesional footballer and played, at outside-lert, In oleven war- England time international matches for

The Referees meet monthly at the NAAFT Club, Chatham Rood, and all are most welcome to

attend, whether prospective whistlers, players or referees,

even poor mlaguided spectators. Discussions commence after the 1100 hrs and go on for an hour Adelation business at about

important law. At the game, or more and usually cover some'

ARMY WATER POOL

FAST DELIVERY a. battlefeld Lovered with the Cricketers are warned to all collapsed bodies of the players their bata, and clean up their but when, all too soon, the re-pads and boots, as the great feree's whistle called them back day is fast approaching when to the tray they all drew on the 'awish' of a fast delivery their reserves of energy, as did heard, and that wonderful the spectators, and the latter "crack" as the ball sells to the crused the umpires to appeal boundary will be with us again, for a Me "hush".

I must accompanied by the cccasional adult the cheering was a little echoing on the breeze overpowering.

whispered "OWZAT',

The Army water-pola knock- out competition is well under Capt. V. Tenison ut HOLD (Forco 364) having taken over way and the first round has been completed and involved from the Association Territories who are as yet un-

a known quantities.

24 Field Engineer Rgt. RE "A" and had an exciting struggle with NOW COMET 1/RTN before

EXTRA TIME

DF soon

of'

L

The rules of extra time gave the duties of Secretary, then the main teams periods of three minutes each Army Cricket way with the team searing the wishes to have first goal being the winners. I possible names of likely players am sure the large majority of for the Army South the onlookers felt that this last sides. part was unfair and that the

full period of extra time should. Nets will be avaliable at emerging victors by the nar- have been permitted. I must say Boundary Street and Sookungoo west of margins at 4-8 while I agreed with them in this from Sept 2 and practice Joint runners-up in the Army instance that it was hard to lose matches to provisionally ar- League Command Pay Office after putting up much a magni-ranged for Boundary turn on Nhit a gradit grave with 17"Ind ficent game, without the chance September 11 for the Kowloon Workshops Ramga batone" pe= to retrieve a roverde.

area players and Sookupooering digir superiority to the.

-70 it whs" that put the ball on Sept 18 for Island trialists tubo of 10-8. "31 #idntral Kor- into the net frat but this was

pital Journeyed to Sele Kent wid rightly disnilowed for "lifting." The Army Football Heteroca Jill that vary pleasant pool en- Both goals had very narrow Association" buts' qut e tirona floxed" quite deinitely, the most excupe before the umpire pica for volunteers to join their berist ""ome i lave goen this awarded 70 penalty bully for ranks, Postings

Rave |dealon!". Thly" dia nôt àtop Ulo

some offenen in the circle, reduced thelri numbers topics from scoring. Daar ponda Bewithe "were hata white" "in "|datigerously" low levels and to the two of the 19 Fold gt. sticks clashed three timer and I unles reinforcementa ero RA to sirg them a chance of

ஈ pro-

PROMISE

sorely missed in English cricket,

For this reason, he will be

Indeed, Lord's may never quite seem the same without him,

-(London Expędą: Service.

(COPYRIGHT)

HOME RUGGER.

STYLE course four years

of later, was duly awarded the though I'd like to.

bash it into the rough.

What vä

year, plus four hours work elder brothers Albert Chandi-ho ball straight than crush the course every summer. I cap three) and Ernest (2)... still owe them my four, hours this year.

"At week-ends,

After "waging two years" s

earth-bound

cx-

erkt.

eo bean praéifsing hard with the larger American ball

sits up better cay

Better for.

we artisans un are permitted to use the Woking Aireratuanan Sewell polished up It Course before nine and after Old Reliable and began quietly wateres. fairways. four. I usually try to practise to persuade his way to the high chipping and putting three times a week in summer places of golf recognition,

morning

now

'I'LL TRY'

thele

At 22 London, Aug. 27.

and got a Saturday

was amateur cham- outing in winter,

pion of Surrey, and, to prave Results in this

"I've been battered quite a evening's

"It's the competitions that his point, he won it again, and bit in all these compeitions Rugby League matches were:

run away with the money. But again, and again, * Dewsbury 8 Salford 5.

this year, and I may take life I manage to save £1 a week Keighley 13. Hull Kingston

from my wages

alle paster next, summer. But Artisans champion....Surrey to pay, the Rovers 0.

champion....Railways champlon all I am thinking about just Liverpool City 19 Doncaster 4, hotels, etc.

la the Walker Cup. EXCEPTIONAL

Arst...all sorts of champlon, Then,

I "I've bad to buy my

promise as a cricketer when he

Rochdale Hornets 15 Walle dinner jacket for this trip, but I a year ago, Old Reliable gavo promise you, I'll try." He was showing exceptional |haven 8.-Router.

am certainly not grumbling. 1 up the string15, with shaft and And with that promise, started out seven years ago to head parting company in Douglas Sewell, having had his was only ten years old and member of his school

try for a place in the Walker meg of rust and worm-eatengerprints taken and aud Macao Grand Prix Cup team oleven.

wood. At 14, he was selected

the Americans he is not a Com- captain of the London Intending entranis

QUITE A NIGHT-

Professional. club doctor: [unist, went back to his baked Elementary Schools against C.F. Tumelle XI, and made his

minded that ontrica for the

beans. After all, there is nothing "I've given up my life to golf, shools

heads, advised Macao Motor Racer close on But every minule and every cremation. Sowell's putte, denied like getting acclimatised. first appearance at Lord's

Saturday next.

penny has been worth it, I'm that little white spot, begin to

ព

DS

THE GAMBOLS

LE ZE'S ANOTHER JOGO 22: FRANCE GEORGE

18 (THAT MAKES 400

*1948 WEEK

LAST HUN

PUT IT. ALL ON

are re

their

Barry Appleby

NOW WHAT

SOMET

(GP

(London Express Service),,

(COPYRIGHT)

GIRARD PERREGAUX

DYROMATIC