CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 3 February 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

CRICKET.

As a cumber of our batsmen had been showing very good form ab the neb during the week, ib was generally anticipated thab some large scores would be made last Saturday, especially, too, when the turf was hard, tho rain which had fallen in bhe inoruing not having spoilt the turf from a batsman's point of view. On the whole, the scoring was poor, the fault iv my opinion being in the wickets provided for the seniors, for none of the batsmen could with any degree of confidence pjay forward, as the balls were ' kicking' to a dangerous extent. Thiß state of affairs should certainly nob exisb on a ground like the Domain oval. It is difficult to accounb for the collapse of a portion of the Gordon and United batsmet*. Goidoa's scoro ab the fall of the second wickeb was 62, yeb tho total for the idlings only realised another 30 runs. United were somewhab differeub from Gordon, its that ib was the former's c tail' who made mosb of the runs. United's total ab the fall of the fifth wicket was only 14, but C. Hay, MacCormick, and W. Robinson came to the old Club's rescue, and carried tho total to 63.

Kalleisder played another free innings on Saturday, when by some hard hitting, he scored 37 againsb Auckland before he was caught by D. Clayton, who made a brilliant* catch.

N. Williams also hit freely while compiling 19, while Williamson assisted with a plucky and invaluable innings for 17. Williamson played sterling cricket for his quota. None of the other Gordonices reached double figures, and Fowke, Moresby, Cobterill, and F. V, Kelly made the dreaded 'duck.'

It is on very rare occasions that our crack trundler, R. Neill, fails to secure a wicket, in fact, I believe it is four years ago since any of the local clubs' batsmen defied his attack. On Saturday last, howevor, Kallender paetod Neill's deliveries to the greab delight of the spectators, while Williams also got several balls away very neatly. Neill was treated so indifferently by these two batsmen, that he had to be relieved.

Gordon's supportera wero all in a happy mood, for the half-century was registered with only one wicket down, and Kallender and Williams scoring rapidly. Bub when J. Arneil relieved R. Neill, the scene was changed, for the Auckland captain bowled with tolling effect, and after capturing Kallonder's and Wiliiams' wickets he was also responsible for four others, at the small cost of a little over four runs apiece, while D. Clayton, who had relieved Lundon, was responsible for three wickota for 24 runs.

Ab the commencement of Auckland's vonture it looked as if they would fare little better than their opponents, for three of their best batsmen (Wilson, Lundou aud Lloyd-Quontery) were out for 17 runs. But the scene was again changed, and changed, too, by J. Arneil, for he started to hib the Gordon bowling in all directions, while T. Noill, who was associated with Arneil, departed somewhat from his usual 'tactics, by batting most patiently and contenting himself by letting his captain do most of the run getting. This partnership held the forb till time was called, when Auckland's total Btood at 83 for three wickets. Arneil had played a masterly inninps for 43 nob oub, while T, Neill had 23 to his credit.

In the first match of the season between Parnell and United, ib will be remembered that the latter wore dismissed by Mills and Lawflon for the poor score of 33. On United goiner in to bab lasb week. Mills and LawHon were again entrusted with the attack, and they bowled with such Buccess that ab one period of the game it looked as if they were going- to repeat the performance. Mills started most auspiciously, for in his third over, with successive balls, he dismissed R. MePherscn, C. Harvie and R. J. Yatoß, thus accomplishing that, rare feat, * the hab trick.' la all, Mills captured 7 wickets for 30 runs, while C. Stone was responsible for 1 for 4 runs, and Lawson 2 for 28.

C. E. MacCormick hit vigorously for his valuable innings of 17, while Robinson batted freely for 12. These two batßmen added 23 runs for the ninth wicket. '

I. Mills played sound cricket for his 21 runs, despite the fact that Stemeon was bumping too alarmingly to make batting r a ploasure. Mills was caught off a ball which ' kicked.'

Lawson also gave a good display for 21, included in which were three 3's.

Nicholson was top scoror with 24 not out, and ho played 'pretty cricket for bis runs. Some of hia drives wore remarkably fine Btrokos, and lub defence was very strong.

C. B. King stumped two batsmen and caught another for Parnell.

Ilatton, at. point, for Auckland, had a Gold day last week, for ho caught no less than four batsmen cut, besides stopping, in his usual neat style, ma:,y warm strokes. R. Neill also proved himself a reliable fieldsman, for he made two fine catches, one of them, whicb caused Kelly's dismissal, being well taken with Noill'a left hand.

Of tho junior contests, most interesst was taken in the games which were being played on the North Shore ground between Wanclorera and North Shore 1., and All Saints' and North Shore 11.

On the results of last Saturday's play, the Wanderers have an advantaee over the Shoreifcee, bub only by 10 runs on the first innings. North Shore batted flrst, and their wickets fell at a fast rate before the deliveries ot W. Mills and Waddingham, but J. A. Ansonne with 22, Goudie 15, and Lieub. Hume 10, carae to their Club's assistance, and the score sheet recorded 71 runs. Beyond R. Layers, who made 17, none of the Wanderers made any show against Charles and Burgoss, and aine wickets were down for 45 runs, when W. Mills and Brown put a different complexion on the game, for they carried the score to 81 before Brown was dismissed, Mills being nob out for a well played 28. North Shore 11. have a decided advantage over All Saints', and it looks as if the latter will meet their first reverse.

Belmont have a substantial lead over Gordon 11. The principal Bcorera for the former were A. Seccombe. 46 (retired), Cromwell 19, Morrison 17. Seccombe scored very quickly, some of his lee strokes and drives being splendidly executed.

Avondale batted four men short against Auckland 11., and the latter are having all the best of the game. Holland was the mainstay for Auckland with 34. Archibald bowled with good results for Avondale, capturing 6 wickets for 23 runs. For

Auckland, Holland secured three wickebs for 11 runs and Peacock bhree for 13. The Parnell 11. babsmen evidenbly do nob relish Sbitchbury's awkward ' grubbers,' for they were dismissed for a total of 54, Edwards acd .Brown being the1 only batsmea to reach double figures. Pitt-streeb Mubual replied with 90, towards which total Stitchbury contributed 33 by sterling crickeb, while A. Sneddon hit freely for 22 (nob oub). Parnell 111. look like adding anothor victory bo their credit, for they scored 125 against Belmonb B's 36. Six of the Parnellites reached double figures, T. Ryan being top scorer with 36. Local cricketers were pleased thab A. M. Beale so distinguished himself with the ball for Hawke's Bay againsb New South Wales. The ex-Aucklander is evidenbly in groat form this sa&son, for I notice that in playing for Waiapu againsb the Hawke's Bay County on January 13th, Beale in one innings captured Bix wickebs for 7 runs, and in the second innings six more for 33 runs.

The New South Wales team gave the Wellingtonites a taste of their rare batting qualities ou Saturday last, when they scored 181 runs for the losa of bub three wicketa. This was the first hard wicket the visitors have had to bab on. At Lancaster Park last Saturday week, presentations were made to tho three Christchurch cricketers who performed so well in the interprovincial match against Auckland. Cuft and Lawrence received bats, and Robertson waß the recipient of a puree of sovereigns, subscribed by the cricketers of Christchurch. It is understood that A. E. Stoddarb will bring a team to the colonies next season. E. Jones, tho South Australian fast bowler, has a moustache almost entirely | white on one side; this, coupled with sundry patches of white hair, gives the lightning trundler quite a venerable appearance when viewed from that side. Jones formerly played for a Broken Hill club, where on bumpy asphalb pitches, he laid out nearly as many batsmen as wickets. At South Broken Hill, the local record hath it, while bowling in a match, he once sent a bail sixty-one yards behind the wickets. H. B. Lusk scored 61 (nob out) for United againsb Hawke's Bay County at Napier last Saturday week. The recenb Cup match ab Wellington between the Wellington and Midland Clubs resulted in a win for the latter by 167 runs. For the winners, W. Wynyard contributed 73 lv fine stylo, and Blacklock 63 (not out). In a match playod at Sydney on January 4th between the Clifford and Swifts Clubs, Taylor and Duffy commenced batting for tho former, and when they had scored 320 (Taylor 218, Duffy 102) without either being out, tho innings was declared closed. The Swifts only scored 30 and 60 and were thus benten by an innings and ten wickets, with 230 runs to spare. Robertson's, the Christchurch trundler, bowling average in cup matches up to the present time is 13*09 for forty-three wickets. Palmer has the best average with twentyseven wickets aba cosb of 11.85 runs each, while De Maus is second on the list. FOOTBALL. The Commitee of fcbe English Rugby Union has ruled that a referee having given a decision after blowing his whistle cannot under any circumstances alter ib. The acb of a player taking the ball off the ground with his feeb in a scrummage does nob constitute 'picking up' in a scrummage, within the meaning of Law 6. ATHLETICS. A midwinter sports carnival is to bo held ab San Francisco, ab which runners from all parts of America and England are expected to compete, and efforts are being made to induco some Australian and New Zealand champions to attend the gathering. The annual meeting between the London Athletic Club and Cambridge Universiby took place on December 2nd at Cambridge, whon the latter's representatives won six events to three. From the following results it will be seen that some very good performances were registered :—IOO yards : Gorner Williams (Cambridge), 10 2-sth sec. Throwing the hammer: A. B. Johnston I (Cambridge), 93fb 6in. The High Jump re-! suited in a dead heat between R. Williams (L.A.C.), and A. W. Andrews (L.A.C.), bobh clearing sft sin. The One Mile saw W. E. Lubyens (Cambridge) get home first in the splendid timo of 4min 20 l-sth sec, W. J. Fowler (L. A.C.) finishing 20yds behind him. C. H. Revers (Cambridge) won the Putting the Weight with 35fb lOJin. A. Ovenden (L.A.C.) annexed' the 440 yds race, with C. H. Lewin (Cambridge) second, in 50^863. The Long Jump J fell toB. S. Matthews (Cambridge) with 21fb i 7in ; G. B. Shaw (L.A.C.) won the 120 yds Hurdles, time 16 2-stb sec. The final evenb was the Three Mile, which F. S. Koran won by 200 yds from Heath (L.A.C.) in 14min 52sec. The 440 yds handicap under the auspices of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club last week, was won by H. M. Reeves, from scratch, in 53 l-sth eec Bowen and Winbrup havo been matched |in Dunedin to walk 25 miles for £50. A professional runner named F. Beharrell | has been committed for trial in England, on a triple charge of having attempted to obtain a prize ab an amateur meeting, for uttering a forged document, and for false personation. The case is on all fours with the recenb prosecutions of G. H. Ratt, of Leicester, and the result of the brial (saya ! an English writer) will be looked forward to j with great interest in many quarters. I had the pleasure last Friday of renewing my acquaintance with Australia's crack amateur sprinter, W. T. McPherson. He passed through Auckland in the e.g. Alumeda en route for America. McPherson is on a business visit, but there is every likelihood of him competing at the greab sports carnival be held in San. Francisco in May and June. I received a very interesting letter this week from Mr Leo Myers, who is at presenb in London. ' Leo' journeyed to Cambridge on December 2nd to witness the competition between the representatives of the London Athletic Club and Cambridge. University. Myers says : ' The day was simply perfect, with one exception, the intensely bitter cold tha ( b cut one like a knife. The track was a cinder one, bub on acoounb of the cold ib was as hard as the proverbial nail. The 100 yds was a magnificent) finish, the first three being within a foob of each other. Tlia set style was adopted, and as soon as the men sot no time was wasted in getting them away.' The Aucklander was greatly impressed with the running of W. E. Lufcyons in tho mile, who won as he liked in 4mic 2C£aoe, a grand performance on account of tho hnrdnef sof the track. Myors says that' Lutyens style is nob unlike that of Jerry Beere, bub the latter is a little taller than the '.Varsity rep.' He was also greatly taken with the beautiful jumping of G. B. Shaw, who won the 120 yds hurdles in 16 2-sfch sec. Myers ; also liked the fine easy style with a swinging i stride of F. S. Horarc, who won tho tLroo miles event. The formation of an Old Boys' Association in connection with the Auckland College and Grammar School is a move in tho right direction. Such a society meets a ' long felb want' in providing a means >.f keeping old scholars togebher after they have left the school, and ib is hoped that it; will go a long way in promoting tbab esprit de corps which has unfortunately beer? so deficient among Auckland boys hi the past. The Association originated in a desire among some of the old boys to do something to promote the interests of the school and at the same time to show that they had nob forgotten the associations of their youth. Ib was therefore decided bo present a challenge cup to be competed for annually ab the school Bports. Subscriptions came in freely and enabled a handsome cup to be purchased, The success achieved in this direction lead to thp endeavour to form

a permanent Old Boys' Association, and this has now been effected. Tha subscription has been fixed aba nominal sum —half-a-crown — and any old boy is eligible for membership. The object of the Association will be to promote the. interest of the school and its scholars, past, present, and future, in every possible way, and ib is also intended to compile and publish » complete roll of old boys, with particulars of any notable successes they may have achieved at school or elsewhere, and also a history ot the school. The 25bh anniversary of the foundation of the school' is now close ab hand, and the Associabion will take steps to celebrate ib in some fibting manner. All old boys should make a point of joining afc once. Tbo Hon. Secretary (Mr E. E. Vaile, 85, Queonstreeb), will doubbless be glad to supply any information that may bo doßired. We wish the Associabion every success. CYCLING. According to an English cycle journal, 75 per cent, of French lady cyclists ride in male attire. An American paper asserts that one person out of ev6ry 180 in the United States owns or rides a bicycle. A Sydney writer says that provided the Cyclists' Union saw no objection, he bejlieves Wally Kerr would so to San Francisco for the Winter Fair games. At Independence (Iowa) recently, the American cyclist Johnston wheeled a mile, standing start, in lmin 59 l-ssec, and on the previous day, with flying start, he accomplished the feat in lmin 55 3-ssec. The quality of American humour, like that of mercy (says an exchange) is by no means strained. Artemus Ward, Bret Harte and Mark Twain are all great humourists in their way, bub they pale boforo one Bell, of California, who « craved ' bho cycling council of his town in the following remarkable terras : — ' For the sake of our wivosj our mothers and our children, we, the undersigned, ask that your honourable body pass the following ordinance restricting the riding of bicycles.' Then follows the ' ordinance,' which is about as funziy as a circus, and some of the clauses read as follows:—' That all bicycles shall have a lighted laatern attached to bhe frame of their wheel from sunset to sunrise, said lautern to show a white light in front, a yellow light on bhe right, a green light on the left, and a red light in tho rear.' This is delightfully quaint, and another clause prescribes — • That all cyclists shall dismount when approaching a crossing (wibhin certain ' prescribed districts) or when passing a schoolhouse (during certain hours).' The 'ordinance* nearly killed the Council, who, according to the published report of the meeting, • ndjourned for j sundry refreshments.' J. Selby, the well-known cyclist, has had some curious experiences in hia journeys through the Waikato. Several occurrences took place, which, though attended with no Serious results, considerably prevented him from recording as good times as he would otherwise have done. On bis journey from the Thames bo Cambridge Posb Office, on January 13th, which he accomplished in 7hr 4min, tho saddle spring broke first. This took ten minutes to replace, Selby carrying tools for the purpose with him. He was then delayed by four wild bullocks being on the road near Faeroa, and running before him for about three miles, making a tremendous noise. Tho next affair to delay him happened near Morrinsville, when a horse and cart driven by a boy became frightened ab the eight of his machine, and bolting, the boy falling out, on account of the reinß breaking. Stopping to see if the boy were injured, hindered Selby fully 5 minutes more. If we then take 15 minutes for lunch and five minutes conversation with Dr. Waddiugton, of Cambridge, whose horse would nob pass his bicycle, we find bhab the actual time in covering this distance was 6 hours 29 minutes. J. Selby takes great care that his times should be correcb, and for this purpose he was started by Mr Wilkes ab the Thames, and his time noted by the Postmasber ab Cambridge on arrival. SWIMMING. The Christchurch water polo team, which won the championship this year, were enbertained by the members of bhe Christchurch Swimming Club on their return home. j AQUATICS. During his sojourn in London, Tom Sullivan has made a large circle of friends, and I hear it is very probablo that the Auckland sculler will take up his residence near Lonj don, and become ' mine host' of an bos- ! telry on the banks of the River Thames. MrT. B. O'Connor, the popular captain lof the Waitemaba Boating Club, has presented tho Club with a cob of medals, to be I rowed for afa an early date. ! The Waitemata heavy maiden crew are ! evidently greatly elated over their recenb victories, for they have thrown down the gauntlet to the Waita's senior gig crew to a trial. The latter have accepted the challenge, and the race will eventuate on the same day as the trial fours. Oob Anniversary Regatta, While yachting enthusiasts greeted the atmospherical condition of Regatba Day with much pleasure, rightly anticipating some good sport, the devotees of rowing had many gloomy forebodings as to the successful termination of their part ot the programme. Monday last was, wibboub doubt, a yachting day, and consequently the rowers could plainly discern trouble and discomfort in their contests, and these predictions were too soon verified. All the sailing races, from bhe clumsylooking scows down to the open boats, were, without doubt, the most interesting and exciting ever sailed on the Waitemata. Every race produced a close contest, and the various steersmen in bhe leading boots had bo take every inch out of their crafb till tbo flugship was reached. Of course, chief interest was centred in the Champion Yacht Race, for never in New Zealand waters have two such large , and handsome yachts as the Viking and Volunteer, besides our old crack Muribai, ! met in a trial of speed. The Sydney champion was a firm favourite, especially too, when ib was seen that: a strong southwesb breeze was blowing, which gave bhe Volunteer, on account of her greater length, every advantage over the course.Odds of two to one were freely offered on tho Volunteer, bub there were plenty of Aucklandors who bad faith enough in bhe local production to accept the wagers. There were even many who pinned their supporb on the Muritai. The race has already been fully described, so there is no need for me to travel over bhe same ground. Ib haß been the principal topic of conversation in acquatic circles since how Mr Bloomfield's handsome yachb beab the Volunber running ; how the Sydney yachb ouly beab the Viking by some three or four minutes en the load to Tiri; how the Volunteor led the Viking by twelve and a-half minutes to the Motuihi mark, and then in the only thrush to windward over the course, some seven miles from Motuihi to bhe flagship, how the Viking showed her rare sailing qualities by overhauling her bigger rival by ten and a half minutes, and only finishing two minutes behind her, after traversing a course cf 46 miles. Ib was truly a greab peformance, and one which tho bu{!der, Mr C. Bailey, and the owners, the Messrs Eloomfield Bros., may well feel proud cf. Tho Viking's vicbory was a most popular one, and her builder and owners have received showers of congratulations this week. Both yachte were manned by picked crews, who accomplished some very smart work in setting sails, etc. Mr L. Bloomfield judged hia start to a second, and as the gun went, ib was a sight to see the quick mannor in which the Viking's enormous spinnaker was B«t. In fact, many of the spectators cheered

the crew for their alacrity in Bebtine suelii large spread of canvas. Of the two yacht, the Volunteer had the besb steersman JaM* T. Henderson, for the Viking, which fo , greater part of the journey wal in the hanSi of MrL.Bloomneld, was kept too close intba wind, and the main-sheeb was hauled, too tiehc aboard. Through jambing M» Viking with an ebb tide to weather ti» Rangiboto Beacon, the Volunteer was allowed to increase her lead by Beveral minutes. I hear that "Danny" Holland had charge of the Viking's tiller oa the beat from Motuihi to the flagship. The contesb reminded one of the old davi when the Arawa and Rita, which were aim owned and sailed by Messrs L., Bloomfield and T. Henderson, had their interostice trials of speed. The Muritai was entirely overmatched by the Viking and Volunteer, and I hear her crew had a very wet time of it in the squalls. When off Tiri, the Muritai was double reefed. The Viking proved herself the stiffeafc of-the three yachts. It is the general opinion now, that over the same course, with a dead beat one way, the Viking would finish fifteen minutes ahead of the Volun. teer.

In the Second-class Champion Yacht Race, the unbeaten Aorere had to lower her colours to Logan's latest production the Yvonne, which ii owned and sailed by Mr Arch. Buchanan. The Yvonne is the same length on the water line as th» Aorere, and carries a larger mainsail, bob she is a pole-master, and the day van to her liking. The Yvonne is undoubtedly a very smarb sailer, and unless the wind was light it would take Mr Kilfoyle's craft all her time to give the Yvonne the time allowance. But for the mishaps which befel the Aorere, I am pretty sure she would have passed the flagship first,bub the Yvonne would have been well within her time allowance. The Spray gave her opponents a taste of her sailing qualities while off the wind, but the others were too superior in working to windward. The Gloriana did not have such an easy victory aa was generally anticipated, for Mr Lind's new yacht, Daisy, gave her a very keen struggle, and I believe would have won but for the mistake C. Bailey, jun. (who steered her) made by standing out into the ebb tide after passing the wharves. The Daisy was Beveral minuteß behind the Gloriana in rounding the Motuihi mark, yet in the windward work up the harbour, the former had caught her opponent, when the success achieved was thrown away by the error. I have Been J. Logan handle the Gloriana better, too. The Yum Yum proved the fastest boat leading, but ib was when she hauled on a wind that she lost ground. The Rogue went on different tactics to the others, by making use of the Tamaki outflow to Rangitoto, and depending on 'the westerly breeze holding in the harbour. She was deceived, however, and lost whatever chance she had in the contest.^ The old crack Manola again gob homa in the centre-board class, although the Clio and Kotiro made a very interesting race with her.

The open boat race produced one of the closest finishes ever seen. It was a v«ry exciting raeo all the way, the Minnie eventually passing the winning post first by the length of her bowsprit only }n j advance of the Clytie. The Madge was also in close attendance, and on time allowance won the race. Of course, wibh regard to the rowing events there was very little opportunity afforded to observe the form and stylo pf crows who bad to battle and buffet witha, very lumpy and unruly sea. The misfortuDß of losing the race by swamping in one'or two cases was accentuated by the desbrnc tion of beats, so vicious were the waves. The chiof event amongst fcbeji rowing contests, the senior gigs, wai robbed of all interest and excitement by the disappearance of two of the compst- | ing craft immediately subsequent to the dropping of the startor'B flag. City, anly> |i ing at the post in their new gig, for whjia. the sum of £40 was recently disbursed, had the ill-luck to have their fine racer coifr ! plebely mutilated and broken. Auckland were rather more fortunate, bub they bad cause for great anxiety and doubt as to tie ultimate state of their crafb while ib wai entirely submerged and being towed bo* hind the torpedo boat. The consequent of these mishaps was that Waitemata paddled, home, employing two of the crew to bale while Hobson Bay was being traversed. Thfl Waitetnafca people are of opinion thabthi result would have been the same if the Auckland crew had remained above. The result was certainly no test of the real condition and prowess of the crews, and ifcwill remain for subsequent encounters to Jkovb this moob point. Ib is a very debatable question indeed. The Boxb interest/in* race ab least enabled the Auckland orew to prove their superiority in the heavier boat. I was sorry the Napier visitors did nob J secure any victories. Their sbyle wbb quibj : equal to that of the local crews, bnb their f | stroke, although clean and excellent, wai too shorb to be of service. They wisely refrained from competing in the senior event, but the reßb did not avail anything ■ in the heavy Weight junior. Auckland, Sfe. George's, and Waitemata divided bhe rowing prizes between them, by winning tW races each.