7 NOVEMBER 1952, Page 5

It must be wonderful to be on Christian-name terms with

first-class cricketers and footballers. Indeed if you can't be on Christian-name terms with Royalty—not everyone can—this, no doubt, is the next best thing. Hitherto University sides have in the main escaped such uninvited matiness on the part of the critics, but apparently even they are now victims—as witness this (from the News Chronicle):

Walter Winterbottom, England's team manager, was greatly impressed with Cambridge centre-forward Jack Laybourne. . . . Jack not only scored two grand goals but continually instigated sweeping movements which kept Chenhall, Dove and Wills on their toes. Outside-left John Blythe and Geoff Wittekind scored the other goals. These two and ex-Enfield player John Lewington gave Laybourne gallant support. While right-back Bill Knightley- Smith gave a promising display, Jerry Alexander was in a class by himself in the Cambridge defence, and on his left flank Reg Vowels played with great determination.

Sir Pelham Warner is not the only person to find this habit