New Britain herald., 1926-12-23

:; Spe akin g t| ] of Sports s 5 1~s>~sss~s~es>>s~vesssesSI Several years ago we had the op- portunity of viewing battle royar in fight ring in New London and since that time. we have felt that a battle royal''4 was about the toughest kind of play anyone could indulge in. We have changed our mind over night after watching the Merden Endees and New Britain National Guards in action last night Bas- ketball has been criticized In many quarters because of the fact that there are so many rules which can be violated that it was supposed to be a gentle game Not so, in Meri- den.
  the trip to the Silver City last night are voting unanimously in favor of bringing the Meriden Endees to New Britain for 8 return game with Dick Dillon as referee.
 Frank Barnillow lost the game completely in Meriden last night and consequently there was little bas- ketball played. Neither team could show a great deal except passing in the back court because when any player got away for shot, he took his life in his hands.
 Barnikow's biggest failing from New Britain standpoint, was ms failure to call the Meriden players in the last three minutes for de- laying the Came Every time the play came near the stage In the Community building, the Meriden players tossed the ball onto the stage. Under the floor rules gov erning the hall. the ball was brought to the center and play was resumed
 There Is such a thing as delaying the game" In basketball. This Is technical violation of the rules and as such awards a free try to the opposing team. Throwing the ball deliberately cn the stage last night constituted a breach of this rule. but Barnikow failed to call the play once.
 To fans who view basketball as 1t Is conducted under the supervision of Dick Dillon. the spectacle last night in Meriden Is indescrihable. We are convinced of one thing, how ever, that the National Guards are giving visiting teams In this city the fairest possible show by having Dil- lon as the club referee.
 We heard much about raw deals pulled off on visiting teams in Merl- den but hadn't the chance to ln- yestisate the truth of them until last night. Trying to look at the thing in an impersonal light. we ma that Barnikow was incapable rather than culpable.
 If seems to us and to all fair minded fans that the Meriden En- dee club is injuring itself more than the visiting team by allowing games such as last night to be played. 1T that is the brand of basketball that is played in Meriden, then the fans there must like it. Personally, we prefer to see basketball game rather than a roughhouse such as was exhibited last night.
 The mystery of why Meriden fans can't see any other referee in Merl- den or elsewhere was explained 10 the fullest extent last night. With a team playing against such odds as were held last night. the Guards deserve credit for fighting back the way they did.
 It will certainly be different story when the Meriden team comes here and we doubt if any Hartford team ever played in any line ot sport in New Britain under more rivalry than the Endee team of the Silver City will bring with them.
 The fans in this city want Mana ger Lanpher to bring the Meriden team here sooner than soon. It will be impossible for the locals to give the same treatment to the Mer- iden tteam because of the fact that Dick Dillon will calm all excited players in very short order.
 We have become more and more convinced as the basketball seasons pass by that Dick Dillon is so far ahead of other ref ferees in this state with the exception of Clyde Waters of Bristol. that there is no chance for comparison.
 We except Clyde Waters because of the game he refereed in this city last year between the Bristol Endees and the New Britain National Guards. Thorwn into an embarrass- ing situation when Dillon couldn't get here and "Chick" Hayes was injured on the way 10 this city, Waters handled the game as nearly perfect as even the most rabid fan could ask for. He easily stands sec ond on the list.