New Britain herald., 1925-12-31
ROUGH GOING FOR
 VETERAN CHAMPS
Some WithstoOd QnSlaushtS Of
 Youth During Past Year

New York Dec. 31 tPl--The sport tide of n new year, surging forward under the imptus of youthful am- bition, rises thrcatenngly before stalwart veterans who withsl ool the championship tests Of 1925 with an almost unbroken front.
 On its crest floats the almost derciict heavyweight challenge of Harry Wills, buffetcd by many storms and spurnod for long by an idle titleholdcr. Near this challenge looms a large and victory-marke1 fstic gauntlet, hurled down by Gene Tunney. Both have been guaran- teed acceptance by Jack Dempsey during the outdoor season, in spite of the fact that fandom has its doubts about inc prospects Of Demp- soy's return 10 inc ring.
 Defiance to other mighty wielders of sport sceptres floods in with the new year. William T. Tilden, six time winner of the national singles tennis crown; Walter Hagen, Mac Donald Smith and Jim Barnes, hold CTS Of many link honors over the stretch of q decade or more; Rogers Hornsby and Harry Heilmann, major | league batting leaders, and Willie | Hoppe. veteran billiard wizard, are only q few of the veteran campaign- 1 CTS whose course seems shaped for rough and cventful yoyaging.
 Few years have, yielded greater glory from defcpling champions than that whose fast page will be turned tonight. Tennis called forth its net leaders from Europe, the Orient and Australia 10 overthrow Tilden. but he remains to take up the fight anew from the throne, aft CT brilliant victories which rescued him from the brink of defeat nt the hands of the French pair, Jean Borotra and Rene l.acoste, as well as his California rival, Little BilF' Johnston.
 Vincent Richards, from whom much was expected, fell slightly be- low his 1923 form, lost five of his seven matches against Tilden, and then finished with brilliant flourish by upsetting the national champion Iir an indoor exhibition.
 l Can 'Tildcn fight off the cvcr- Increasing thrust of youth another year, or the still brilliant experience of Johnston? Perhaps an initial anSwer to one part of the question will be provided in the approaching national indoor title tournament where Tidcn expects 10 face both Richards and Borotra again. Il was lin the same event nearly seven years ago that Richards first startled tho world by defeating the Philadelphiar in the final round. Borotra won thc tournament here last winter.
 The third successive triumph oi Helen Wills, women'S net champion was sufficiently impressive this year to focus a maximum of interest or the California girls trip 10 Europe which seems likely 10 offer oppor, unity for conquest of the brillian' Suzanne Lenglon, yainly attempted by Mrs. Molla Mallory in 1922 anG 1928.
 The bid of new flight Of golfine stars for the 1925 national amateur championship, while it received rec tognitiOn through the brilliant per, fornances of Watts Gum of Atlantc and Dick Jones of New York, no only failed to overthrow existing rule. but was partly overshadOwet Iby the comebacks of professiona stars of other years.
 Bobby Jones again stroked hi way 10 victory decisivcly enough tC indicate that his grip on the anna tour crown is not likely to be shaker in 1926, while Jim Barnes and Mac Donald Smith returned to thei
 places of former glory, the forme by winning the British open title.
 Walter Hagen's skill at mattel
 Continued On Following Page)