FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 113, 12 May 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOOTBALL.

Is it an omen of whab wo are to expecb this season? Players of tho Graftou district won the three events for footballers at tho sports in the Domain last Saturday. The Merivale Club defeated the East Chrißtchurch team on May sth by two goals and seven tries (31 points) to nil. The former won the game chiefly through their accurate passing. There two clubs were first and second for the cup matches in Christchurch last season.

The Christchurch Club has adopted the English Bystem of playing four threequarter backs. They defeated Linwood in tho opening match of the season by 26 points to 3. ,

At Wellington on Saturday last, Poneke defeated Wellington by 8 points (2 goals potted by W. Wynyard) to nil. R. Green and Jim Poland, for Poneke, and H. Dacre, for Wellington, are reported to have played well among tho forwards.

An Association club has been formed in Napier, and it lias already over forty members. Gilleepie, a Scotch international gaol-keeper, ia working the club up, and an attempt will be made to send a team to Auckland in August to take part in the tournament.

The Wellington correspondent of the 'Canterbury Times says * Buff' Caradus, one of the very best halves in the North Island, is now in Napior, and will probably reach Wellington eventually. He will play for the Ponoke, of course, filling a gap in the back division caused by Davy Gage's 1 absence. !. CRICKET. D. Edwards beads the batting averages of the Parnell second eleven. Be made 191 runs in ten innings (twice nob out), which givos the lino average of 23*87. A. Brown, who scored G2 (not out) in the last match, is second with an average of 2088 for ton innings. Thorpe is third on tho list with an average of 11-87 for ten innings. In bowling, F. Edmonds captured no less than 59 wickets for tho small coat of 6*6 runs apiece. D. Edwards secured 21 wickets at a cost of 7 5 runs each, and W. C. Spoight 16 wickets at an average of B*7.

Dr. Egan has again the best batting average among tho Gordon second eleven, lie playod in eight innings, and scored 173 runs, which givos an average of 21*6. A. Williamson played in four innings for an averago of 16 75. E. Oilfillan has an avorago of 15'G for three inninge, and C. Kissling 12*3 for ten innings. Of tho trundlcrs, C. Kiasling and Dr. Egan were tho most successful. Tho former captured 25 wickets at an averago of 10*24 runs, and Dr. Eyan 22 wickets aba cosb of 116 runs R-piocc. J. C. Law ton, tho Utago professional, loft Dunedin lor England lasb week, having received an engagement) at Home as professional ac tho Cheltham Hill Club ab Manchester. Before leaving Dunedin Lawton was prosented with several momentoes by hie southern frionds.

Tho Sydney ' Daily Telegraph ' gives particulars of a record of fasD scoring :—ln a match playod on Friday between a team made up of the second year of medicine Btudont3 and the University Third Eleven, on the University Oval, a record was put up. Scores : — University Third 191, Stophon 59, Tange 42, Henderson 26, W, D. Merewother 20. In the hour and a half left to play the medical representatives compiled 253 without; the loss of a wicket), C. Delohory acoring 144 and A Curtis 86.

CYCLING,

It is several years since our road-cham-pion, J. Selby, won a raco on tho Domain track, and his win in tho three mile handicap last Saturday was a most popular one. Selby also finished second in tho one mile handicap. Perhaps hia luck has changed at last.

The cycle race 3 lasb Saturday brought to light a coming rider in W. H. Allan. It was, I understand, his first appearance on the track, nevertheless he won the one mile novice handicap and the open mile. The novice ovotit Allan won with ease, but it was only by determined peddling and gameness thab gained him first place in the opan mile. The one mile bicycle handicap was one of tho best bike races I have witnessed on the Domain far many a day. A field of thirteen started, and at the finish the machines of W. H. Allan, J. Selby, H. Surman, A. E. Smith and G, Henning were over-lapping each other. May wo see many moro such finishes

A. Coubroufih is evidently an adept at the novel events, Last March he won tho combination race, and on Saturday ho eecured the prize for the one mile combination race, as weli as tho trophy tor tho halfmile cigar and umbrolla race.

Tho appearance of two of our riders, C. Waters and L. E. Hoffmann, on tho old ordinaries last week caused considerable amusement among tho spectators, who are now so familiar with the safety. It reminded one of tho Auckland Club's eports several years back, whan tlio now favourite type of machine—the sufety—wa3 ridden for the first time on the Domain, and many will remember how Ansbor, the English crack, riding the email machine, won our five mile championship from A. G. Buchanan, J. G. Locky and others, who all mounted ordinary racers. Public sympathy was that day all with tho • little 'uu,' as Außter vas styled, and who can forget the cheer that went forth whon the " little 'un ' spurted in tlio last lap, and simply ran away from our cracks ? And what an ovation Auster recoivod for making the little machine beat tho big 'une.

The ten milos amateur championship of Now South Wales was decided at Parramabba on April 28th, ami resulted in an easy victory for L. A. Simpson, of the Parramatta Bicyclo Club. The titno was 2Stnin 40 4 sth sec. In the twelfth lap two of the competitors, Brown and W. L. Kerr, fell, and all bub Simpson eased up and waited for Brown and Kerr.

A New York exchange spates that Arthur A. Zimmerman, the amateur champion bicyclist, may join the professional class. Zimmerman has been in communication with friends in England lately, and the reports thab he has received of the big purses, etc., that are being, pub up in France for match races have had a marked effect upon him. Zimmerman was in New York recently, and eta ted that the rumours thab ho anticipated joining the professional class are perfectly true. He is only awaiting information from abroad in relation to a match race with VV. J. Harris, the English crack. The suggestion was made thab a match between Harris and Zimmerman would be a greab attraction in France, and the labtor's friends have offered to back him against; Harris in a match for $5,000. If the match can be arranged Zimmerman states thab he will leave for England atones to prepare for the race.

News reaches me (writes ' Veteran' in the London • Sportsman') of yet auotber pneumatic tyre which is to revolutionise everything in that) connection. The inventor hails from Dublin bub is in London at the present time. He has obtained a provisional patent, and, I understand, is on the look oub for a purchaser. The price asked (says my informant) is £20,000. The dog in England ia not put to the multifarious uses it is on the Continent (says an English paper). In Belgium the dog takes the milk round, drags the dust cart, etc. And now a French doctor has trained his animal to tow himself and his bicycle. He uses his safety to viait his patients, and as some part ot the journey is very hilly, causing him to dismount, it struck him that he might train his dog to pull his machine up the hills. This he did co effectively, and with so little trouble, that he tried it without dismounting, and was surprised to find with what little trouble the dog pulled both the rider and the machine up tho hills, and at a good pace.

Tho Tariff Commission (writes 'Philibuster' in the • Australasian ' of April 21et), took evidence from three leading cyclists last week, all of whom were in favour of the duty being taken entirely off cycles. Mr Geddes informed the Commission the cost) of a plant to make a bicycle would reach £20,000, and the demand in Victoria did not warrant the outlay. Mr Muirhead said he represented 5,000 cyclists in the colony who wanted machines free of duty. Mr B. Garnet, Secretary of the league, also gave evidence. ATHLETICS. The athletic carnival held on the Domain last Saturday in aid of tho Garrett Fund wae, despite the unsettled state of the weather, a decided success, and I hear that the Athletic Club will clear about £100 over the mooting. Considering that the weather greatly interfered with the attendance, this result must be considered very satisfactory to all concerned. After the continuous downpour of rain which fell on Friday, I was surprised to find the turf in such good order. Ib was certainly soft, and not condusive of any fast times being made, but if no records were approached, 1 consider the carnival was about a record for close finishos—a most gratifying result to the handicappers, who deserve great credit for their adjustments. The heata in the 75 yards handicap were all closely contested, but tho linal heat produced an excellent finish, for there wae not a foot between F. Barton, Willis, WiUon, G. Warner and Murphy when the taps was reached. The judges declared a dead heat between Barton and Willis, with Wilson third. I and many others fancied that Warner was oven with Barton and Willis, but the judges had their oyos along the tape, and they were in the besb position to ccc. In the run off. Barton won, but not without a gome effort on tho part of Willis, who made a most determined spurt in the last few yards.

Tho Bartons are evidently a running family, bub the youngest brother Fred is certainly the most speedy. From the 4yd mark ho cub out the 71 yarda in 7 4-sth sees (a trifle too fast, I think, considering the state ot the ground). In the run oil' his timo was nearer the mark, 8 1 -sth sees. It was strange thab both Barton and Willis were only second in their heats to Wilson and O'Meara respectively, and I fancy had the last - named not hung ab the po^t in the final ho would have about) won. O'Moara was also unfortunate in getting a poor start in the final of the 150 yarda handicap, otherwise he must have been well up. Willis also ran a pluoky race in the 150 yards handicap, which he won from the &£ yard mark in 15 3-sth sees. Considering thab Willis only made his maiden effort ab the last North Shore carnival, he should in timedevelopinto one of our fastest sprinters, especially if he is taken in hand by a good coach, for there is room for improvement in his style. Willie should try to copy Buchanan's straight stride.

G. Warner is also an improving man, for he beat C. Hesketb, starting oft' the samo mark, and Rhodes failed to concede him a yard in 150.

J. H. B. Bull ran well in bis heat in the 75 yarde handicap, and although he was placed third, 1 thought ho was a good second. Bull annexed the 440 yards scratch race, but the event would no doubt have been won by Roberts, who through some strange blunder (for euch an old stager) ran inside one of the posts when possessed of a commanding lead. This act on the part of Roberts was gross carelessness, to say tho least of it, and as might have been expected his backers used bouio very strong laogunge in regard to the affair.

Bull ran a grand race in the 440 yds handicap, in which ho started from scratch, and running through a big field, won in the last two strides in 56secs. It was a splendid performance, and Bull well merited the loud applauso which greeted his victory. Bull's time wa3 3-sths of a second quicker than ho occupied over tho 440 yds scratch race. I fancy Bull will be our half-mile representative at the next championship meeting.

Another popular win was that of A. F. Burton in the one and a half-mile walk. Our champion pegged along at a strong bab throughout, and overhauling his field every lap, passed the two loaders 200 yards from homo,and won without a struggle from Rush and A. A. Creamer, who tilled the other places. A. Tilly walked pluckily throughout and finished fourth.

Tho half-mile handicap produced an interesting finish between F. Murphy, Frost and E. T. Laurie, tho first-named winning from the 35 yard mark in 2mins 4 3-sth see. Murphy had taken part in the final of the 75yds handicap, five minutes previous to the starting of tho half-mile, which makes his performance all the more noteworthy.

The one mile handicap also resulted in an excellent finish between A. E. Parker and M. O'Connor. Both started from the 80 yards mark, and kept company at a good pace till 300 yards from home, when Parker shot to tho front, but O'Connor followed and then a race ensued for the lead, resulting in O'Connor being first into tho homo turn, with Parker five yards in the roar. About 100 yds from home, Parker made another effort and the pair raced neck and neck for fully fifty yards, when Parker gradually forged ahead and won by four yards. Both Parker and O'Connor were all out and were loudly applauded for their game struggle. Considering that the time was 4min 44sec, it is hard tn understand why Farquhar could get no nearer than third.

The steeplechase handicap was another interesting event, and P. Barry,the winner, deserved his victory. He ran with fine judgment and came with a strong spurt at the finish. E. C. Bow, who filled the second place, ran a plucky race, but lost ground in negotiating tho various obstacles.

The finish of the quarter mile handicap was one of the best for bhab distance ever seen on the Domain, as there was nob three yards between the firsb four men. W. H. Francis ran wibh bad judgment, otherwise he too would have had something to say ab the finish.

T. Roberts had a walk over in the 440 yds hurdles, and ho covered the distance, after stumbling once, in 64 3-sth eeca.

It is very seldom now-a-days thab we see a competitor, who is leading in a race, run inside a post with a flag on it, as happened in the 440 yards scratch race last week. But for this mishap, T. Roberts, on his previous performances, must have won.

The Grafton^tes distinguished themselves in the football events on Saturday, as repreaenbatives of their district annexed the three items. J. A. Kalleader woa the 4rop-kiokiug competition, T. Gantley the quarter-mile dribbling, while in the teams

race their representatives gained twelve points out of a possible fifteen. At the recent carnival of the Hawkes Bay Amateur Athletic Club, H. Hayhow, who was a member of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club last year, distinguished himself by winning the one mile handicap from the 66yd mark, in 4min 46 2-sth sec, and the half-mile handicap from the 25yd mark in 2min Bsec. Bub rarely has such a lot of champions pasb and present competed in a race as those who took parb in the Four Miles Scratch Race at the West End Restaurant Employees Sports at Stamford Bridge on March 23rd. The event was won by F. E. Bacon (one mile amateur champion), G. Crossland (Northern and National champion) being second, and H. Watkins .(Southern Counties Cross Country champion) third. Amongsb the other competitors were J. Kibblewhite (ex-amateur champion), Sid Thomas (ten miles amateur champion, 1889, 1892 and 1893), and S. Cottrill, who was thought to have a good show in the last Cross Country Championship. Bacon won by 2yds in 19min 40 4-sth sec, which is ODly 7 3-sth sec worse fchati<Willers' record for the distance.

The annual sports between' Oxford and Cambridge Universities were held at the Queen's Ground, London, on March 17th, when fully 12,000 spectators were present. Some very last times were recorded, notably that of W. E. Lutyen's, the Cambridge President, who covered a mile in 4mins 19 4-sth sees. This is the fastest time for the distance which has been recorded in the whole of the thirty-one meeting, the previous best being 4mins 21 3 sth sees, by Pollock Hill in 1890. The following are the events, winners and times recorded at the meeting. 100 Yards, G. Jordan (Oxford), 10 2-sth sees. High Jump, E. D. Swanwick (Oxford), sfb lO^in. Putting the Weight (161b£0, C. H. Rivers (Cambridge), 37ft B£in. 120 yds Hurdles, W. J. Oakley (Oxford), 16 3-sbb sec. One Mile, W. E. Lutyen3 (Cambridge), 4min 19 4-sbh sees. Quarter-mile, G. Jordan (Oxford), 50 4-sth sees. Long Jump, C. B. Fry (Oxford), 22ft 10£ in. Throwing the Hammer (161bs), G. S. Robertson (Oxford), 101 ft 4Jin. Three Miles, F. S. Horan (Cambridge), 15min 7sec.

The annual contest between the representatives of the London Athletic Club and Oxford University took place at Stamford Bridge on March 12th, and resulted in favour of the club, which secured six of the ten events. Ovonden, London, won the Hundred Yards in lOJsec; R. Williams, London, the High Jump with sft Bin ; H. Wade, London, the Mile in 4tnin 34sec ; E. C. BrediD, London, the Half-mile in 2min 1 3-sth sec; G. S. Robertson, Oxford, the Hammer-throwing with 101 ft lin; T. G. Scott, Oxford, the 120 yds Hurdles in 17 l-sthsec; A. Ovenden, London, the Quartermile in 53 l-sth sec ; D. H. Meggy, Oxford, the Shot-putting with 33fb ; W. J. Oakley, Oxford, the Long Jump, with 19fb 6Jin ; and H. A. Munro, London, the Three-uaile in Iscain leec. AQUATICS. Mr Ohafctield, the well known dentist, haß given Mr C. Bailey, junr., an order for a four-rater. She will be built during the winter months. The tour-rater built by Mr C. Bailey for Messrs Smith and Canning of Napier, is certainly a neat-looking craft, and her owners, who appear to be most enthusiastic yachtsmen, are well satisfied with the Atalanta. She bad several spins in the harbour this week, and although the wind was light, appeared to get through the water at a fasb rate. The Atalanta went for a eruisp this afternoon. It has not been decided yet whether the Atalanta will sail to Napier or be conveyed there by steamer. Georgo Bubear, the ex-champion sculler, recently called at the ' Sporting Life' office and stated that he was prepared to match E. J. Lambert, of Penribb, New South Wales, to row Tom Sullivan, over the Thames Championship course, for the Championship of England and £200 aside, the race to take place, Bay, about the beginning of August, and for the purpose of signing articles and definitely arranging matters, Bubear offered to meet Tom Sullivan or his backers at the ' Sporting Life' office any timo he might choose to appoint. On hearing this, Sullivan suited thab he declined to transact any business through Baboar, but that in the event of Lambert visiting England, he would readily moke a match with him for the Championship of England. This is how the matter stood when the mail loft. SWIMMING. At a gala held at the Osborn-stree b Baths, Manchester, on March 19th, J. HTyere, the amateur champion, went for his own record for 100 yds, which 6tands ab lmin 7 4 sth sec. Tyers gob away to a splendid start, and swimming in grand style, succeeded in covering the 100 yds in the faab time of lmin 5 2-sth sec. Length of the bath thirty-nine yards. BILLIARDS In no department of sport is the superiority of one man so apparent as in the game of billiards, writes our London correspondent. Of Roberts' victories in the spot-barred game there appears to be no end. He is ' cock of the walk ' indeed, as his last victory over Peall very plainly shows. The latter may be Roberts' master in the ' all in' game, bub with the monotonous spot stroke excised from the game, Peall is simply not in it with the champion. For Roberts to concede 9,000 to such a cueisb and then beat him by 299 points is a marvellous performance, and Charlie Memmott, tho Australian .champion, must be possessed of more courage and money than common sense to sign articles with the champion for a 24,000 spot-barred game with 10,000 start for £200 —unless, indeed, the cornstalk has been simply ' spooring' in his minor matches with a view to hoodwinking the champion. Regarding the matqh with Peall : During the first week the players kept pretty level on the handicap terms, and continued to be so up to Thursday. Bub at the close of Friday's play, Roberts had forged along at such a pace that the scores stood: Peall, 22,675; Roberts, 21,966, the champion thus having the best of the handicap. He added to that advantage on Saturday afternoon, scoring 1,034 to Peall's 470, the latter's lead being reduced to 145. In the evening Peall commenced in first rate fashion, and with a bib of luck managed to put himself 400 in front. Roberts, however, played up gallantly, and coming up hand over hand finally beab his rival by 299 points. His breaks during the final stage of the game were 340, 327, 263 206, 157, 104,107 and 277 unfinished. Peall in the same period made breaks of 193, 133, 132, 98, 89 and 92.

Before Memmott cros?e3 swords or should one say, cues ?—with the champion, ho will have to meet the vanquished Peall in the latter'a own particular Drawingroom, in Catherine-street. Peall presents the colonial with 3,000 points start in a 15,000 game ' all in ' style, gives 1,000 starb to Memmotb in 8,000 spot-barred. On these terms Peall should win both games, though Memmotfc haa made a four-figure break in the former style, as well as the little Brixtonian. The Australian has been playing Coles at Hackney, bub was beaten decisively in the two games played (700 up spot-barred) on the opening of a new saloon in that locality. Memmotb somehow does nob seem to improve on his initial showing at the Aquarium, and his game is now very 'patchy.1 He can run up a break at top speed when the ivories run to" hia liking, bub he lacks the resource that many of our best players show when in difficulties. Moreover, he doeß nob play a losing game at all well. SKATING. Considering how few opportunities for skating on ice are presented"to Enelighmen, the interest taken in this branch of athletic sports in the Old Country is somebhing;

wonderful (writes our London corro»po n dent), and the number of firab-rate meawe possess is little ehorb of marvellous. -U fancy skating the English amateurs are m a rule, ahead of all their Continental brethren, bub for speed and endiwanea ' we are low down on toe list, On Saturday and Sunday the lote r . national Amateur Skating Championshin of the World took place on the fine rink at Saltsjobadin, near Stockholm. Xh> contest was held under the fairest possible conditione, each competitor having hjj own track, so that collisions and obetruc. tions were impossible. The races were over distances of 500, 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 metres, and four medals given M prizes in each competition, viz., one gold, two silver and one bronze. It n» single competitor win three out of s,, the four races he becomes (3h«n, pion of the World for diatanca skating for the year. Besides the title ha gets a gold medal and the King1! prize, which latter honour, in "evjepV of no competitor winning threa races, goes to the winner of thi 1,500 metre race. The number of entriej for this year's championship was twenty two, including the Dutchman, J. J, Eden, of Haarlem, who carried off the highest honours laeb year. He was Holland's cow representative and James C. Aveling wag England's only champion. Germany1! honour rested with Trendel and Fritz, apfl Russia depended on Puressoff and LincH st6»dt. Norway had five doughty akatiatg to fight for her, viz. Nielsen, Fredriksen. Nass, Halvorsenand Oslund, whilstSwjade^ was represented by Langborg, Johansson, Ericsson, Golin, Bode, Larsson, Jaosaon, Callin, Gustafsson and Bjorkehaum." (Jn Saturday the 500 and 10,000 metre races were decided. In the former Eden anji Freiriksen (Norway), finished dead level in 502-sth sec. ; Nass being third, and Oslund fourth. The race was left undecided. |a the 10,000 metre skate, Eden proved inncl better than his compeers, winning easily in 19min 12 2-sth sec. Neilson, of Norway, finished second in 19min 43 4-6tK sec ; Ericsson, of Sweden, third, in 20mii 8 4-sbh sec ; and Pureesoff (Russia), fpurtj^ in 20min 28 3-seec.

On Sunday the 1,500 metre race was firsfci on the programme, and fell to Haivorsen, the Norwegian, who beab Eden by a coupl| of yards or co. The winner's time was 2min 35 3-sth sec, and Eden's 2min 361-StE sec. Oslund was a bad third and Fredril^ 1 sen fourth. The 5,000 metre race "was ajoj carried off by Harvorsen, who (Eden having come a cropper) won very easily from' his! fellow countrymen Nielsen and Oslund and the Swede Ericson. His time was 9(nja' 32sec, whilst Nielson took lOmiu Iseo, Oslund, lOmio 2eec, and Ericson, lQmftt. 21 3-sch sec. No one having won three paY of the four races, the championship of the world was nob decided. Aveling, who $« presented England, did not shew up particularly well, being sadly short of praptice. His times were 56sec for the 500 metrei}, 21min olsec for the 10,000, 3min 6 4-sthsep for the 1,500, and llmin 2 4.-sth eec for tha 5,000 metres. SHOOTING. ? On Saturday last (says our London coraaspondent), a curious revolver-shooting contest took place between Mr Walter Winaas, of Scotch deer forest and crofter haranguing notoriety, and M. Gustave Voulequin. Mr Winans tired his shots in the headquarters of the Ist Sussex Artillery at Brighton, whilst his opponent made his mark with tha same kind of weapon in Paris. The distance (English measure) was 30 yards 1 foot 8 inches, corresponding to 28 metres, and sixty shots were fired by each competitor—six in each series; each series limited to 20sec. The target was the figure of a man sft 2Un high, and lOin wide in the broadest part. When tha results were compared, it was found fchab decisive victory rested with the English' man, who made fifty-seven body B»ts rli» fiffcy-nine shots. Mr Winane, by somS mischance, did nob fire his last chamber.,; M. Voulequin only made forty-one hits. Neither competitor Cook advantage of tha three minutes' interval allowed betweon each series of shots, Mr Winans completiug his shooting in a little over twenty < minutes, and tho Frenchman disposing of his ammunition in eighteen minutes exactly. Air Winans' shooting was little short of mac* velloue, as anyone- familiar with the revolver's little tricks can testify. He has long been recognised as English champion with this weapon, and has won a hundred first prizes at Wimbledon and Bisley. Mr Winans i» ol middle age, and is of an in> i ventive turn of mind. He has invented • patent revolver, and also a ladies' safety saddle, both of which are excellent in their way. His opponent is the acknowledged champion of France at revolver and pietQl shooting.