ATHLETIC NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 168, 16 July 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(By Act_eon.) COMING EVENTS' July 30-Football match, Auckland v. Thames. August 3—Football match. Thames v. Taranaj-1. August 6—Football match, Auckland v. Taranaki. September 7—Auckland v. Canterbury. FOOTSAIiL FIXTURES. ____—_—. ' • Senior. July 23—Praotico match, Probables v. FQ3si-; bles. Second Fifteens. July 23—Newton v. Graf ten, City v. Parnell. Third Fifteens. July 23—Grafton v. Parnell, City v. Suburbs B„ Newton v. Suburbs A. Waikato Rugby Union. July* 23—Paterangi v. Whawhakia (at Hamil" ; ton), Huntly v. Hamilton (at Ngaruawahia). FOOTBAIiL. I was pleased to see one of our senior placers (W. Elliott) officiating as referee in one of the junior matches last Saturday. This is how it should be, and I would like to see more of our senior players, whos 6 club is standing out, to offer their services in a like capacity. Many of* 1 them would then learn what referees have to pub up wibh, and perhaps there would be less disputing in our senior contests. • Jack' Lecky,our old rep. forward,undertook the duties of referee for the first time last Saturday, and both Suburbs and Grafton were satisfied wibh his decisions. I trust thab now Leeky has made such a good commencement, he will relieve one of bhe' members of the Rugby Union from that post every week. The Taranaki Union have replied to the' local Union that bhey have no objection b<*> bhe New Zealand Rugby Union appointing a referee for the forthcoming contest bb-\ tween Taranaki and Auckland, bub, ab the same bime, they are quibe agreeable bo/an Aucklander performing the duties. I h/jar, however, that it is the intention of the Auckland Union to ask the N.Z. Union to appoint a gentleman outside of the two interested provinces to acb as referee.

That the North Shore team areimproving each week was clearly proved last Saturday, when the City team,, who defeated the marine Club by 51 points at the commencement of the season, could only glaim a victory by the narrow majority of two points (a bry) bo nil, Ndrbh Shore deserve greab credit for the plucky manner in which they have fulfilled their engagements each week, and I trust their energies will be rewarded with a victory before tbe season closes.

The play in the City-North Shore match was chiefly confined to bhe forwards, the opposing backs being principally occupied in obstructing forward rushes and kicking into touch.

All the Shore backs showed a marked improvement in their play, and are to bo commended for their gallant efforts in frustrating the numerous charges of their heavy opponents. ' Spraggon ab fullback played very safely, and promises bo be a good man. Tanfield accomplished a great amount of tackling, and followed up well, while A. Grattan and McNiven were also very conspicuous, the former making several nice runs.

C. Marshall played a great forward game at North $hora last Saturday. He worked like a Trojan in the scrums, and was to the fore in all the rußhes, while he was aleo prominent for bis line play. After his performance, I was nob surprised bo see hi 3 name figuring amongsb bhose selected for to-day'B practice match, Inglis and A. Harvey again played consistently for Shore, and Gerrard and Chamberlain were also applauded for their clever dribbling. Mercer was tbe best of the City backs, and accomplished his dutieß in a very pleasing manner, but Pilkington was disappointing, after having played such a splendid game on the previous week. Keegan was the most conspicuous of the half-backs, and played a good honest game. Golding is also worthy of notice for his general work. The • ever-green' O'Connor was again bhe pick of bhe City's vanguard, his lineoub work being especially good. Sbone and Rogers were always in the thick of it, and rendered great service to their Bide.

One of the fastest and most interesting matches which have yet- eventuated ao Potter's this season, was witnessed in the Nev/bon-Ponsonbygame. Although it ended in a win for the latter team, yet it was not without a protest on the part of their opponents. The game was almosb entirely a forward one, and the Newton forwards simply overran the opposing forces, and thab bo such an exbenb as to keep the latter's backs chiefly engaged in repelling the frequent attacks, and allowing their backs very little time for assuming the offensive tactics. D nforbunately, the game was characterised by an incident which has been rabher prevalenb of labe, bhab of spectators invading the scene of action and interfering with the play. In this instance the Newbon team were the sufferers, as had not one of bbc spectators touched the ball when Murray was about to steady, it the game would at least have been drawn, to say nothing of likely success by a very easy attempt at the goal. I do nOb yeb know the decision of the Rugby Union re the protest ab the bime of writing, but Ido nob bhink the specbabor, who is by-bhe-by a well-J_nown player, can offer much in extenuation of the circumstances, for he must surely have known how liable he was to get in the way while behind the goal-line, when at any moment the ball might break through and a headlong rush be made fw its possession.

In bhe Ponsonby-Newbon match a really ! splendid display of forward play was ! shown, although the latter team were far superior in strength and science. The Ponsonby backs made up for this deficiency a great deal, although their most strenuous efforts could not prevent bhe invasion of bheir territory, and ib often surprised me how they averted defeat so often. . Stichbury did not shine very con spicuously on Saturday, but he collared and kicked well, although on one or two occasions he let the ball slip by. Masefield, Robo-ts. and Riley displayed good form in all deparbmenbs ot bhe game, and generally bad all their work cub oub for them. The two former both made several good runs, but generally met bheir equals in bhe Newton backs, except, on the i occasion when Roberts dodged round bhe labber and scored. I bhink be was guilby of a libble knocking-on of bhe ball in his firsb try. Albie Braund as usual played a faultlese game, and it was quite surprising how he picked up the greasy ball on every occasion and never missing a chance. He also looks after the interesb of his team in a very efficienb manner. , Of the forward division all showed good play, Green, Cruickshank and Fiynn being conspicuous. Walton showed splendid form at fullback on Saturday, and his play decidedly marks him as one of our coming me 4. . He gave a fine display of kicking, collaring, and running, especially the two former. Siddel also played, a fine game in each department, and on each occasion he proved a most effectual barrier to Masefield. He has also a good turn of speed.

Warnock, another young player, was a very sure collarer, and inever missed an opportunity of distinguishing himself ... in that line. His kicking was/also effective. Barnes and UavidsQn were safe ab half, and did a lot of reliable work. The latter could always be relied on for stopping any incipient rushes. ■/ The Newton forwards; have hardly ever shown better form this season, and without exception played a brilliant and dashing game. They did all the .offensive work, and a good deaj of the defensive, both in running and collaring. It is very hard to make any special mention", but those noticeable were Walker, Donald, Murray, Williamson and Mills. /

Austin Smith forsook his Association companions'lasb Saburday, and easb in his lob with Newbon, proving a tower of strength to them. He scored' the only try gained by smart following up. Rhodes /quite surprised the spectators lasb week by ; the scientific game which he played. It was hard to believe | thab he was bhe same man who pjayed againsb Parnell on bhe previous week. I have never seen Rhodes play so well before, for he ran, kicked, or passed jusb ab the right time, instead of following his old plan of bullocking through everything that came in his way. The wretched weather and the sodden state of tbe ball prepared the spectators at Potter's last Saturday for a slow game between Grafton and Suburbs, confined more to the forwards, but they were agreeably disappointed. The game was fast and exciting righb through, and the scores, a try each, show the tussle for supremacy. Pennalligen by converting Grafton's try again won a game for his district. Suburbs were weakened by the absence of Smith, Sheriff and M urphy. Th/e Grafton forwards were superior to their opponents, both in bhe scrum and in the "open. Their dribbling rushes puzzled bhe Suburban backs several times, and bheir only bry was secured from one of bhe besb rushes seen ab Epsom. Taylor played a rattling good game ab fullback, kicking in his besb form.

Gaudin was the besb. of the three quarters, and showed marked improve menb.

Brady played a 'Steady game, as usual, bub Whiteside was not so noticeable in following up.

Of an even lob of forwards, Monbgomerie and Bruce were; perhaps, the best. The former was very good in the line out, and in a team with fireb : class backs would prove a valuable man.

Tracey played a sterling game, while Binney's fallowing up was a source of trouble to his opponents.

Peace, Rhodes, and Herrold were the best backs for Suburbs. The former's kicking was the best on the ground, and he made one or two good runs.

Clarke was not a success at three-quarter. Major was bhe best forward in bhe open, bub seemed bo shirk bhe scrum.

Dacre played a first-class game, dribbling and following up-very consistently.

Williams played his first game this season on Saturday, and showed up well. I have received a long letter from an • Eye Wibness',. who bhinks bhab bhe disgraceful occurrence last Saturday will now perhaps 6how bhe Rugby Union bhe necessiby of fencing in No. 2 ground, bhe same as bbc ground in fronb of bhe grand sband, and also see bhab an efficient policeman ie presenb. In conclusion he says : j 'In my opinion I think bhe Ponsonby Club, to save its honour and keep unsullied its spotless banner, should offer to at least play bhe match over again, irrespective of bhe decision of bhe Union.'

The Grafton and Suburbs disbricbs have meb on three occasions, with the following results:—

August 8, '91—Grafton won by 4 points to 2. May 14, '92—Suburbs won by 17 points to 5. July 9,! 92—Grafton won by 5 points to 2. Last Saturday was the third time that Ponsonby and Newton districts have met. and the former has won all bhree matches . Augusb 15, '91—Ponsonby won by 3 points to 2. May 14, '92—Ponsonby won by 11 points bo 4. July.9, '92—Ponsonby won by 7 points bo 5. City has now playad North Shore three matches. North Shore have won once, while City have been victorious twice :— August 1, '91—North Shore won by 6 points to 3. May 14, '92—Ciby won by 51 points to 5. July 9, '92—Ciby won by 2 points to nil. The following tables show .he positions of bhe various clubs in bho throe grades up bo lasb Saburday :— ■'. Senior. Matches Points played. Won. Lost. Dr. For. Agst. Grafton ..7 5 2 0 81 46 Ponsonby ..7 4 2 1 63 48 Parnell.. ..5 3 1 1 39 24 Suburbs ... 6 3 3 0 52 44 City .. .. 7 3 3 1 77 51 Newton ..7 3 3 1 69 38 North Shore.. 7 0 7 0 7 137 Note.—-Parnell and Suburbs have to replay their match of July 2nd. Second Fifteens. Matches Points played. Won. Lost. Dr. For. Agat. City .... 6 6 0 0 41 20 Newton ..6 -. 4-y 2 0 35 21 Ponsonby ..6 .4 2 0 77 18 ■ Grafton ..6 2 4 0 12 44 Parnell ... 6 2 4 0 20 42 North Shore .. 6 0. 6 0 0 40 Third Fifteens. Matches Points played. Won, Lost. Dr. For. Aj?s.. Ponsonby ..7 7 0 0 44 4 City .... 7 6 1 U 45 8 Newton ..6 4 2 0 22 14 Grafton ..7 2 5* 0 7 42 Suburbs B ..5 2 3 0 12 25 Parnell.. ..6 1 5 0 4 31 Suburbs A..6 0 6 0 5 15

Note.—The Newton and Parnell teams have 'to re-play their matches against Suburbs B.

Hone Heke, who recently wenb bo Wellington, has joined the Wellington Club.

.The Manganui Club (Taranaki) are appealing to the New Zealand Rugby Union to upset bhe Taranaki Union's decision on bhe protesbin the Manganui-Hawera match. In the match lasb Saturday between bhe Manganui and Waimabe Clubs, Alf. Bayly secured bwo and Bob Lusk three tries, while the ex-Aucklander converted two into goals. They had a referee in a Senior Cup match in Wellington tho other day, says an ex-, change, who allowed the teams to play offside and handle the ball freely, who blew the whistle for half-time when the ball was in play, who granted a free kick where there was no appeal, and who was unaware of tbe alterations ih the rules relating to dead-ball.

C. Bayly, bhe besb halt-back in Taranaki. is one of the most unlucky players who donß a jersey. Lasb Beason he had tbe misfortune bo break his collarbone jusb prior to bheir contesb wibl\ Auckland, and the year before thab he was compelled to watch the rep. matches on" crutches, and to keep up his reputation, he lasb Saburday had bhe bad luck bo break one of the bones in his hand, which may prevent him again from playing againsb Auckland. If Bayly goes on in this fashion, he will be able to claim bbc record from 'Barlow' Madigan. ' Forward 'in bhe ' Obago Witness' says : •lb is said bhab G. Helraore is aboub bo resume playing, 'and bhab he will don the jersey for the North Canterbury club, which is engaged in the junior flag matches. Assuming that bho reporb is correcb, ib may be said by some thab ib is a " come down " for a man who has represented not only his province but .also his colony—for Holmore was one of ihe New Zealand team that visited NeW South Wales and carried everything before them, 10 years ago—to

take.parb in junior football, but I think his action is greatly to be commended as setting a much-needed example to some players, who, because they cannob obtain places in the first fifteens of their clubs, give up the game altogether rather than play in junior teams.' The following is the programme arranged for the Canterbury footballers' Northern tour. The team to leave Lyttelton, say, Thursday, 25th August, and proceed direcb for Taranaki by the Takapuna, via Wellington, where the stay would bo of only three hours' duration. Arrive at New Plymouth early on the morning of the 27th August. Train from New Plymoubh to Hawera on bbc afternoon of the 27th; play Hawera On Monday, 29th ; leave Tuesday, SObh, overland for Napier, arriving bhere on bhe afternoon of Wednesday, 31sb ; stay in Napier Thursday and Friday, and play on Saturday, September 3rd; leave there same nighb and arrive ab Auckland on Monday, sbh September; play thereon Wednesday, 7bh ; leave midday on Thursday, Bth, for Taranaki direct for Wellington, arriving there on Saturday, 10th, and play on Monday, 12th, leaving by firsb available sbeamer for Lybtelton. Ib was agreed bhab bwenby players should be senb accompanied by a manager. The total cost was estimated to be in round figures £230.

It was suggested thab if possible the Otago match Bhould be played immediately upon the return of the Northern representatives.

THE REP, TEAM, (By Outsider.)

The players selected to play in the prac" tice match to-day have been freely criti" cised by the supporters of bhe game during bhe week. The doing away wibh bhe probable and possible teams, and simply calling them A and B, is an improvement. I have heard the A beam criticised and pulled bo pieces as bhough the mabberwas definibely settled, forgetting bhab bhe Taranaki mabch is three weeks off yeb, and that alterations are sure to be made in the interval.

The action of Herrold in notifying the Union that he will be unable to play in the rep. matches has been adversely commented on, and his reason or reasons will be awaited with interest.

Some enthusiasts consider the inclusion of Paul and D. Stewart, of the Thames, in the A team, as an injustice to the local players. If they prove themselves worthy of places, I bhink the Selection Commibtee quite justified in playing bhem. The mabch wibh Taranaki is an interprovincial one, and nob confined bo Auckland ciby alone. Because bhe Taranaki men are going to the Thames is no reason for barring bhem, as any counbry districb is ab liberby to arrange a match with the amber and blacks.

The backs are fairly easy bo pick, bub the forwards are the trouble. Auckland could place two or three forward teams in the field, with very libble difference as regards bhe calibre of bhe men.

The absence of the names of Airey, Cole, and Caulton from either team has caused considerable surprise. The general opinion seems to be that the first two should be in one of them. Rhodes's fine display last Saturday certainly entitled him to bhe place vacated by Herrold. I hope to see Taylor take one of bhe places at full-back next Saturday, aa he has been playing a good, consistent game righb bhrough the sea?on. In the forward division, O'Connor, Marshall, and Maynard could, perhaps, be improved on, bub ib musb be remembered we wanb men above all who can hold bhe scrums up, as our opponenbs are known to be heavy and strong in the vanguard divi-' sion. CRICKET. Abel arranged his arrival Home from Australia? it would appear, rather cleverly —so says the writer of pavilion gossip in 'Cricket'—jußb in bime, in facb, bo receive bhe firsb ' bawl' from anobher libble Abel, who came inbo the world early on the morning of May 10th. The Marylebone Club had a roll lasb year of 3,769 members. A. N. Hornby has resumed bhe command of bhe Lancashire Eleven. L. A. Cuff and D. Wood have signalised bheir appearance on an English crickeb field by making 100 (retired) and 23 respectively. My correspondenb stares that the bowling was nob bhe be3b England could produce.— ('Referee.') An English paper says thab Dr. W. G. Grace bad not been home more than three hours before he was oub practising crickeb. ATHLETICS. Owing to the impossibility of raising the necessary capital (£30,000), the proposal to reclaim Oriental Bay, Wellington, and form a large recreation ground, has been abandoned. Many of our athletes are anxious that a road or cross-country race should eventuate again this winter, and are expecting the , Amateur Athletic Club to arrange such a fixture. I am confident these distance races, which should be opon for members of the Amateur Athletic Club and amateur footballers, doubly pay the Athletic Club, even if they should lose a few pounds over therace.for, asarule, they bringbolighbmany good men who otherwise would not know they could run. Many are too bashful to make bheir debut ab bhe Athletic Club's usual carnivals, as they are afraid that they are too slow, and would be laughed at by their friends, bub in a road race there is no one bo ' poke borax ' ab bhem on the course, and many find bo their own astonishment ?*.hab bhey can travel jusb as fast as some of our mosb noted runners. I can give bwo very good instances of this. Alf. Clarke, who is now one of our besb disbance runners, firsb ran in the Amateur Club's steeplechase ; he only ran ' for the fun of the thing,' bub he ran a good race, and bo bis own astonish-; ment won. He then competed in bhe halfmile and mile events of the local Athletic Club, and improved so rapidly that he has now to start from scratch, and gives as much as 140 yards sbarb. Since Clarke won his firsb steeplechase, thre6 years ago, be has always been placed in one of bhe disbance events on the Domain. Again, W. Farquhar made his maiden efforb in the steeplechase ab bhe winter meeting of bhe Athletic Club last year, and with very little training ran into fourth place, from a large field. Farquhar's performance surprised himself.and he decided to test his endurance ab the Athletic Club's carnival, and with the success thab be quickly brought himself bo the front, and .was chosen bo represent Auckland in the long-distance events at bhe lasb championship meeting in Christchurch. These are two very notable instances in favour of the Athletic Club holding long-distance races during the winter months, and I trust to hear shortly thab bhe Commibbee have decided bo hold another this winter. A very suitable date would be when our foobballers are practising for their match againsb Canterbury, aboub August 27th or September 3rd. The following appeared in, the Melbourne ' Leader,' announcing the news of the New Zealanders' first appearance in England. Of the 100 yds it reports -.—The presence of the New Zealand athletic team ab the athletic sports ab TulTnell Park, Bradley, HuddersSeld, attracted a large crowd; In bhe 100 yds race, CardsbeabJ. H. Hemptou by a yard. Time, lOsec. CYCLING. The Bordeaux bo Paris race took place on Saturday, the 14bh of May, 54 men sbarbing. The times were fast all bhrough, and bhe winner, Stephane, beat- the record made lasb year by G. P. Mills by 58 minubes. Wind and weabher were favourable bo good times, the day, being fine and a fine breeze helping to send bhe men along. When Mills won this race last year, rain, strong head winds, and saturated clothing were againsb good times. The Melbourne B.C. have decided bo give £450 in prize money for tbeir spring carnival, besides which a trophy will probably i

be added to the Austral wheel race. Thai 'Austral'will have prizes of £200,-£4O, and' . £10, and the next most valuable race is the mile and a half safety handicap for prizes of £50, £15 and £5. * AQUATICS. From a private source I learn that IPom Sullivan intends visiting England towards the close of this year, with, I suppose, the view of arranging sculling matches against' the Britishers. After a few months' stay in England, he will cross to America, in time for the opening of the World's Fair at, Chicago, in: May, 1893, where there are , likely to be many rich prizes offered for scullers. ..... McMillan, who so plucktty rescued cv man from drowning at the wharf on Wednesday, is a member of the Auckland Swimming: Club, and is considered a cleve? . and capable exponent of the art. HiaU courageous action will probably meet wil-h some recognition from the members of ther 5 Club bo which he belongs.l McMillan is * also one of bbc besb forwards in the Grafton Football Club, and is one of those chosen by the Selection Committee to take ! parb in to-day's practice match. THE KING. The eight-round contest between J.y Saxon and W. O'Brien, bakes place in the Zealandia Rink on Monday evening next, , and as bobh men are very clever and scientific boxers, there should be a big house to '"*"'■ witness the fight.