ATHLETIC NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 94, 22 April 1889, Page 4

ATHLETIC NOTES.

FOOTBALL.

Tub Ponsonby fifteen that play the Poneko beam on Wednesday had a practice match at Potter's on Saturday afternoon, having as their opponents some twenty-two players chosen from the various clubs. The combination of the blue and blacks proved too good for their opponents, and they were returned winners by 13 points to nil. We are to-day to receive a visit for the first time from a Wellington Football Club. The Poneke Football Club is known throughout the length and breadth of the colony as one of the premier clubs of New Zealand, as the club of Wellington, and as one that has fostered some of the best player 3 in the Southern Hemisphere. It has been the habit at Easter, each year, of payinj*; a visit to Christchureh, and playing a couple of matches against clubs in the City of the Plains." The Club did so well last year, and had such a strong team, that the executive felt ambitious to tour tho colony, and the various football contres were communicated with on bhe subjecb,and arrarigemenbs wero made. The team were to play at Nelson, Auckland, Napier, Christchureh, Dunedin, and perhaps one or two other places. Unforbunateiy, however, this pro gramme could not be carried out. Mr H. Speakman, a member of the late English team that toured i lie colonies, and who had joined the Ponekes, lelt for Queensland ; Air H. Roberts, their skipper, and considered the best halt' back iv the colony, broke his ankle ; and Mr Storey, the best forward in Wellington, broke a bloodvessel. This all tended to weaken the beam, and bhe Southern portion of the tour had to be abandoned ; bui. arrangements having been completed for the Northern visit, it was gone on with. The Ponekes won their first match at Nelson, and come on here. They were to have arrived at an early hour this morning by the West Coast, and mombors of the Ponsonby and Grafton Clubs woro out at

Onehunga by half-past six for the purpose of welcoming them. It was learned, however, that the steaijier with the footballers on board would no'- arrive until this afternoon, and they returned to town. The Ponekes play two matches in Auckland, against the Grafton Club to-mor-row, and against the Ponsonby Club on Wednesday, returning South by • tho steamer on Thursday, and playing at > Napier on Saturday. The match to-mor- ! row will be at Potter's Paddock, and the ; kick-oil' will bo at 3 o'clock sharp. Tho local club havo not such a strong back team as their supporters would like to see, but it is hoped their forwards will make the game interesting. OUR BOWLERS. New Plymouth, Saturday.—The interprovincial bowling matches did not come oil'to-day on account of the weather boing boisterous, with heavy rain. A meeting of bowlers was held this afternoon, when it was decided to play on Monday, as follows : Auckland plays Wellington at nine a.m.; New Plymouth plays Wanganui at eleven a.m.; "New Plymouth plays Wellington at half-past one p.m. By commencing early on Monday, it is expected thab all the matches will be completed in the day, and the games be'Jl heads up. LAWN TENNIS. New Plymouth, Saturday.—New Plymouth played Wanganui and won by 13 games. In the doubles the rain stopped further play, which will be completed on Monday. .