CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 10, 12 January 1895, Page 2

CRICKET.

Our cricketers again had no reason to complain of the weather last Saturday, when the various championship matches commenced on December 22nd were continued. The rain which fell on Thursday allowed Caretaker Yates to geb the wickets in good order, bub nevertheless there are no sensational scores to record.

Most) interest was centered in the contest betweeen Parnell and United, and it was generally expected the former would be equal to scoring the task Bet them by United on the firsb day of the match. Parnell made a moab encouraging commencement. One wicket fell for 42, two for 75, three for 99, four for 109, five for 113, six for 127, seven for 136. Even ab this juncture it looked as if Parnell would win, as they had three wickets in hand and only 24 runs required, bat those last three wickets fell witboub adding to the total, and as time did not allow the second innings being completed. United won by 24 runs.

How pleased United were with their victory; and well they might be, for it is the first they have "gained daring the pasb two seasons. ' It's a long lane that has no ending,' and I trust that 1 will have more victories to record to the credib of the old club before the season ends.

When play resamed on Saturday, I Mills and Ohlson, especially the latter, started scoring at a fast rate, and the total was raised from 47 to 75 before Mills tried to hit a-inll bosser from Walton to leg.Jbnb,missed the ball and ib cannoned off bis pad on to the wicket. Mills bad played nicety for 28. Oblson continued oa thobonor of bis way, making some pretty glancing Btrokes to leg, and with Holle's assistance only, one ran was wanted to record the century when Ohlson played a ball back to R. McPherson. Ohlson bad played a sterling innings and was top scorer for Parnell with 34. Holle departed somewhat) from his usual custom and bib, merrily for 17, while Edmonds, of the second eleven, was at the wicket for a lengthy period for bis quota of 16. None of the other batsmen reached double fijjurea.

ft. MoPherson was the most successful of the h're United trundlers who attacked the Parnell wickets. He captured 4 wickets for 30 runs, Stemson claimed 4 for 47, Hawkins secured 1 for 2, and Walbon 1 for 19, D. Hay being unsuccessful. In their second innings United were dismissed for the poor score of 58 runs, S. McPherson 17, Hawkins 12, aud D. Hay 10,' being the principal contributors. ,F. Edmonds with the ball proved almoeb as destructive among the seniors wiokets as he did with the juniors. He "bowled throughout the innings, delivered 12 overs for 35 runs'and captured 6 wickets. Lawson secured 2 for 13 runs*,.,.

Parnell went to the wickets a second time and loat 3 wickets for 22 runs, Patterson with 14 nob out being the chief scorer.

The match between Auckland and Gordon was, on account of the poor score made by the former in their first innings, looked on as a certain win for Gordon, and such proved the case, although the Aucklanders deserve credit for the determined effort they made to make amends for their shortcomings of the firsb day's play.

Auckland scored 113 runs in their second innings, which was just one run more than Gordon registered in their first attempt. J. Arneil was the principal scorer for Auckland with 31, which 13 is a decent score for our once crack batsman. After tho first few overs Aroeil played sound cricket, and showed some of "his old form, which in days gone by usod to arouee such enthusiasm among the spectators. It's a pity Arneil cannot be prevailed on to pay some attention to practice, lor with a few evenings at tho. neb I boiiovo he would soon work his way to the top of tho averages.

Rev. I. Richards who aesisted his club for the last time, played a capital innings for 19 not out, while T. Neill got into double figures for the first time this season, contributing 19.

Gould as usual was the most successful with the ball for Gordon, capturing 6 wickets in fifteen overs for 55 runs. N. Williams secured 2 for 6 runs, but F. V. Kelly was moat expensive, gaining 1 wickeD for 40 runs.

Gordon required 48 runs to win, but with ■Tacoba and Stone well on the spot, runs came very slowly, while the wickets were falling fast. Four batsmen' \yore out and the board only registered 10 runs, but Dr. Fabst and Gilfillan pub a temporary stop to the ' rot,' and the total was increased to 25 runs, when Gilfillan was caught. Anuenne joined Dr. Pabsb and both playing most canbioualy the required runs were mude without the loss of another wickeb, Gordon thus winning with five wickets bo spare. Dr. Pabab made 22 by correcb cricket and Ansenne had 10 to his credit.

Jacobs captured 4 wickets for 37 runs and Stone 1 for 7.

In Gordon's second innings, C. Stone bowled 12 overs, S of which were maidens, and he captured 1 wickeb for 7 runs.

Rev. I. Richardson took his departure for the South on Tuesday last.

J. A. KaUander returned to town on Monday last.

C. H. Gould, Gordon's crack bowler, letb for Dargaville this week. His departure will be a great loss to his Club, as he has been bowling remarkably well this season.

All cricketers were pleased to hear that C. E. MacCormiok had withdrawn the notice of resignation he had sent in as a member of the selection committee. At the same time no one could blame MacCormick for the step he had taken, as no members of a selection committee have any rigbb fco disclose the names of the possible team until the eleven has been finally chosen. I had the names of the team as published by the 'Herald 1 on Monday last given to me by a well-known cricketer not connected with the Association on Friday, bub as it wag unofficial I refrained from publishing the namee in the Star. The team had ,not then been finally chosen, although it was discussed in the Domain-oo Saturday*

afternoon as ' the eleven. 1 Blow the names leaked out appears to be a mystery, as the other members of the selection commibbee have informed Mr MacCormick that they had nob disclosed the names of the players whom they were considering to anyone: T, H. Wilson appears to be having an off season. In the eight innings he has played, he has only reached double figures once. In his other innings he has scored 1,1, 8, 0, 1, 1, 0. Wilson has been bowled on each occasion. We all know this is not Wilson's true form. In hi 3 last eleven innings in intercolonial matches againsb Victoria, G. Giffen, the South Australian, has scored 1,195 runs, and being twice not out his average is 131 per innings. His principal scores are 271, 237, 281,103, 94 not out, 92 and 89 not out, and his lowest 24.

Richardson is highly thought of by his brother Englishmen. Bowling his fastest he can make the ball turn a foot on the Sydney pitch. In the test match his firsb to Blackham pitched outside the off-stumo and broke clean across, just missing the leg-stump. 'Ho !' exclaimed the Australian captain, thankful for the life. Whiz! came the second, and the great wicket-keeper was bowled again, but the timbers stood. Then, feeling that fate ordained it, Blackham made 74 without giving a chance. And nob until he had made that 74 did Richardson geb the ball past him for the third time and shatter his wicket. Such is cricket—and such is luck.

An interesting; match was played in Chrißtchurch on January Ist between a Canterbury eleven and eighteen juniors.The latter batted first and made the fine Bcore of 303, while the seniors were dismissed for 103, and therefore suffered defeat by 200 runs. Cuff scored 47 (not out) for the eleven, bub Lawrence was caughb for a ' blob.' Robertson captured ten of the juniors' wickets for 105 runs. I wouid like to see a similar contest played in Auckland, and after the success of the two ex-junior bowlers, Donald and Edmonds, in senior matches I fancy eighteen Auckland juniors would play a close game with our representative eleven. The meeting of delegates from the various associations held in Christchurch last week, writes ' Dark Blue,' was carried out in a business-like manner. _ Most of the delegates were pretty unanimous on most points in the drafb constitution drawn up. The question of the Council having control of intorprovincial'matches,however, evoked considerable discussion. Rules were eventually passed giving the Council control under certain restrictions. Before the annual meeting of the Council in each year the secretaries to the affiliated Association will advise the secretary to the Council whab matches each province wishes to play, and also the most suitable dates ; the final arrangement by the Council to be on the basis of mutual satisfaction to the various Associations. This arrangement should meet the views of all the provinces and work out well, while the programme of interprovincial matches for each year will be known ab the commencement of the season, and allow plenty of time for provinces bo geb their men together.

The team chosen by Messrs Holle, MacCormick, and Wilson to lepresenb Auckland against Fiji, has not, of course, given general satisfaction. No selections ever would give entire satisfaction. I myself consider the committee have made a few mistakes in their choice. For insbance,jvhy, on. the present season's form, has Donald, the .ex-junior, been overlooked for Stemson as the fast bowler of the team ? Just compare their performances this season. Donald has captured twenty-two wickets at a cost of 6*86 runs apiece, while Stemson's average is 9-37 for twenty-nine wickets. Neither of these players are worth many runs with the bat, and of the two Stemson is more likely to score than Donald, but is ib probable the former will make sufficient runs to equalise the difference between their bowling figures tor this Beason ? T. Elliott, of Northern Wairoa, who played for Manukau County against the Auckland C.C. on January 2, is a batsman who is worthy of a place in the team. He showed himself a sterling bat, and would have been an acquisition to the eleven. Another player X would have found room for is H. Thomas,'the captain of the crack junior team, Wanderers. He is a player who gets no practice whatever, yet Saturday after Saturday, for the pasb three seasons, Thomas seldom fails to make lesa than 20 or 30 runs, while frequently he tops the half century. He is a sound bat, with strong defence, and has an eye like an eagle. He can punish as well as play steady v and in my opinion is a superior batsman to several who are included in the team. On the whole, our representative eleven is a weak one, especially in batting, and 1 might say fielding. I am sorry thab business duties prevented C. H. Gould from being included in the team, as he is bowling remarkably well this season, and 1 fancy his tricky balls would have caused much destruction among the Fijians' wickets. The Fijian team of en'eketers leave Suvai for Auckland in the s.a. Taviuni to-day,' and are expected to arrive on Thursday nexb. They play tb% first match of their tour against an Auckland eleven on 25th and 26th January.

Ten of the eleven who are included in my list of batting averages have been chosen to represent Auckland against Fiji. The contest at North Shore between the local club and Gordon II. € had a most interesting conclusion. North Shore required 83 runs to win in their second innings, and chiefly through the fine display of Jones for 52, their total at the fall of the sixth wicket was 74, which lefb them, but nine runs to get and four wickets in hand. At this juncture T. Gould tried his luck with the ball for Gordon, and his efforts were crowned with success, as he. captured, three wickets for one run, and the fourth was run out. Gordon thus won an exciting contest by seven runs.

Although Parnell 111. were in a minority of 24 run 3 with All Saints' on bbc b'rsb innings, they succeeded in winning bhe match by 22 runs. Kilgour and Whitelaw for Parnell, and Firth and Crookes, for the Saints, distinguished themselves. The fielding of both teams was very poor.

The meeting of the Belmonb B and Cousins and Atkins teams was interesting from tho fact thab neither team had gained a victory. Cousins and Atkins proved the conquerors.

The following tables show tho positions of the various clubs in the championship competitions in the three grades :—

The following are the batting and bowling averages of our cricketers, made up bo last Saturday. R, Neill holde still holds bhe premier position among the batsmen, and I. Mills, who has improved his average,

is second. Dr. Pabst's bwo sterling innings againsb Auckland C.C have brought him' into the third position. E. Wright is again fourth, but Luak, Wynyard, Williams, Kelly .and Lawson have fallen away. In bowling, C. H. Gould, who trundled so well against Auckland, has wrested the first position from Donald, but the latter' still keeps his average under seven runs.

A signifies Auckland.; P, Parnell; G, Gordon ; and U. United.

LAWN TENNIS.

Full particulars of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association Championship Meeting came to hand this week, from which I gather that in his first round J, R. Hooper beat E. J. Boss, 4—6, 6—4, 6—l, 4—6, 6—3. In the next round the Aucklander] defeated Ross Gore, 3—6, 6—o, 6—l, 6—4. The following round he beat H. Gore, 6—3, 3_6, 6—2, 6—2, and iti the final the Aucklander gained the championship by defeating H. A. Parker of Wellington. The 'Referee' says that Hooper beat Ross Gore after an exhibition of brilliant play. In the Championship Singles, Hooper in the semi-final had a fairly easy victory over Wood, who did not display as good form as in the two preceding days, The meeting of Hooper and Parker in the final was expected, to produce some excellent play, but as the Aucklander was in much better condition than his opponent, the gameß, after the first set, became somewhat one-sided. Hooper played in fine form throughout and missed nothing. Parker, the Wellington representative, Bbowed up brilliantly at times, and had he been more fit would have taken a lot of beating. He i 3 a skilful player, and one that will be heard of in the future. ATHLETICS. Our old crack quarter-mile runner, J. Hutchinson, was in Auckland for the New Year holidays. He is looking very well, and tolls me he intends training for the Quarter-mile Championship at Napier. If Hutchinson can stand the training, he will compete as a member of thd Auckland A. A. Club. \

The following have beeD selec'tod to go into training to represent the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club at the championship meeting to be held at Napier op February 22nd :—IOO yards : Balch, H\arley, Robinson, Reeves, W. Hay ward ; 250 yards, Balch, Robinson, Harley, Reeves, Brcted ; 440 yards, Balch, Cowlishaw, Reeveß ; $30 yards, J. F. Grierson, D. Wood; one mile, Leversedge, Mason, Grierson, D. Woodt;; three miles, Leversedge, Hanna; 12a yards hurdles, John Moir, Harley, D. Mat-i son; 440 yards hurdles, John Moh% Cowli-! Shaw, D. Matson; putting weight, W. J. Moir, C. Louisson; hammer; J. F. Wachsman, C. Louisson; high jump and long jump, John Moir, W. J. Moir; pole jump, F. West.

The following programme has been drawn up for the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Championship Meeting, which is to be held in Napier on February 22nd and 23rd:—First dav—2soyds flat, three mile walk, half-mile "flat, high jump, 120 yds hurdles (ten flights, 3fb 6in), mile flat, putting the weight, pole jump, one mile bicycle, ani 26 mile bicycle; second day— 100 yds flati mile walk, long jump, 440 yds flat, three mile flat, 440 yds hurdles (ten flights, 3ft 6in), throwing the hammer, halfmile bicycle, five mile bicycle, and ten mile bicycle. Entries close with Mr L. A. Cuff. Hon. Secretary N.Z.A.A.A., and Mr J. C. Cusack, Hon. Secretary N.Z.C.A., at Christchurcb, on Tuesday, Febrnary 12tb. CYCLING. According to the ' New Zealand Wheelman,' E. Reynolds has obtained employment in one of the Chriafcchurch bike factories and intends staying in Christchurch for a while.

A. A. Middleton won £207 ab the Melbourne B.C's recent meeting, most of the amount being annexed through his success in bhe Austral Wheel Race. The total gate amounted to £950 and after paying £140 for the use of the ground the club has a big profit.

E. Reynold's time (lmin 7 2-sth sec) in his heab of the half-mile handicap ab bhe Pioneer Bicycle Club's Sporta in 3 2-sfch sec leas bhan tbe New Zealand record and equal to the Australian record.

' Rover' in the Canterbury ' Times' gives the following description of the race for the one-mile provincial championship ot Canterbury, which waa won by E. Reynolds, the Auckland champion :— •Eleven of the fastesb riders in the colony went to the posb. The pace, as is usually the case in* championship events, was little better than a crawl for the first lap, but passing bhe old sband in the second lap Pither wenb to the front and cut out the pace very smartly to the half-mile post. Hayward, Simpson, Jones I and Wilmob were close up, but Reynolds was last, about fifteen yards behind the I leader. At the sound of the bell riding commenced in real earnest, and ab the quarter-mile posb Pither appeared to have the race in hand. In the nexb hundred yards Simpson and Hayward were jusb behind him, while Reynolds was still last. The Aucklander, however, spurted magnificently along the southern stretch, and, catching the leaders at the bend into the straight, came with a final spurb, and won by five yards from Simpson. Tbab the best man won there is not the slightest doubb. He rode remarkably well, and thoroughly deserved his success.' Reynolds received a greab ovation, and was carried shoulder high around bhe brack. AQUATICS. A sculling race for £70 book place over the Thames championship course on November 12oh between F. Pearce and Mo. Gibson, when the former won very easily. Time, 30min 13sec.

Now that our yachtsmen have returned from their Christmas and New Year cruises, all interest is being centred in the forthcoming regattas, viz., Judge's Bay on January 26t>h, and the Auckland Regatta on the 29bh, while on the following Saturdays, February 2nd and 9tb, the Auckland Yacht Club races will be sailed. Entries for the Judge's Bay and Auckland Regattas close on Saturday evening nexb. I wonld remind members of the Yacht Club who intend entering their boats for the annual races to bake place on the 2nd and 9th of February next, thab enbries will be received up to 1.30 p.m. on Saturday next, the 19th instant, by the Honorary Treasurer, Mr R. S. Reynolds. On Saturday, 2nd February, the following events will be decided :—Yachts—s rating and under: lsb prize, £7; 2nd prize, tobal entrance fees. Yachts —2£ rating and under: lsb prize, £5; 2nd prize, total enbrance fee. Yachts—l rating and under: Ist prize, £3; 2nd prize, total entrance fee; and on Saturday, 9th February, races for. trophies presented by the Commodore, Vice-Commodore and Rear-Commodore.

Judge's Bay Regabta will be held on. Saturday week, 26th inst., and a good afternoon's sport) iatbeingiookod forward^

Renewed interest is being taken in our Anniversary Regatta, and it promises to be quite as successful as its predecessors.' The steel yacht which Messrs Seagar Bros, have built for Reg. Masefield was launched on Wednesday last, and it) was intended to make an effort to have her onb for a trial spin this afternoon. Ib is the general opinion that the new yacht) wilr prove herself ■ a fast sailer, and her meeting with the Aorere, Yvonne and other cracks is awaited with much concern. The Thetis, for such is her name, will compete in all the coming events for which she is eligible. As the second-class yachb race ab the Auckland Regatta is for yachts 5-ratipg and under, I hear the Aorere will compete in the firsb-class race againsb Viking and Volunteer. The 10-raber Waitangi, builb by Logan, senior, for Wellington, lefb the harbour on Wednesday afternoon for the southern port. She will have to make^ a very fair passage, as she is to compete in the Wellington regatta on Tuesday week. The Waitangi had a head wind to contend againsb ab the commencement) of her journey. The northerly breeze which has prevailed this week has interfered with the various crews who are in training for bhd forth* coming regattas. The 20-rater Viking is being prepared for another trial with the Volunteer. The former was cutter-rigged this week and will appear in her racing canvas bo-day. Mr Logan, sen., is constructing tw6% raters with brass bulb fins, for the South. The two boats are somewhat a novelty. The Aorere had the* best of a brial with the Rangitara returning from Drunken Bay last week.

Caution to yachtsmen — Captain G. Gilmer, of the yacht Bonita, 3 tons, A.V.C. reports having discovered a reef on the Southern end of the rock off Motuihi, known as Crusoe Island.

Logan Bros.' have almost completed the yacht they have been building for Dr. Coates. She will be launched aboub the middle of next week.

Mr G. V. Edgecumbe, the well-known yacht broker, has been appointed official measurer to the Auckland Yachb Club.

Senior Championship. Club Played Won Drawn Lost. iordon 5 4 0 1 Parncll 5 2 1 2 Auckland .... 5 2 0 3 United 5 1 1 3 First Junior Championship. Club. Played. Won. Lost, Wanderers i 4 0 3elmont 5 4 1 ?arnell ..' ...... 5 3 2 Pitt-street Mutual .. .. 5 3 2 ''forth Shore ... .. ..4-2 2. Jnited 5 2 3 Gordon ft 1 i Auckland .. .. ..5 0 5 Second Junior Championship. Club. Played. Won. Drawn. Lost 3elmont A 5 5 0 0 " Parncll 0 5 0 -0 Ularonce 4 3 0 1 Jnited 5 3 0 2 Selwyn 4 2 1 1 Auckland .... 4 2 0 2 tforth Shore .. ..4 2 0 2 ill Saints .... 5 2 0 3 cousins and Atkins 4. 1 0 3 3elraont B 5 0 1 4 Sordon 5 0 0 5' Senior Averages.

. , ■ Batting. ■ Mills (P> 9 1 *« 157 19*62 ar.PabsUG..- ... 7 1. 33 112 18*6 Bt Wright (P.) "9 0 64. 145 16/1 r. A. Kallender G.) 4 J 63 15 7. a.Lusk(P.) 9 4 *33 74 14* ST. T. Williams (&.). 8 0 40 116 14 5 WT.T.Wynyard{A.) 9 0 42 122 13 H D Hav <U) . 7 0 24 94 13'42 ?V feelly (G) 5 0 41 67 13'4C H. W.iSwmS (P.) 8 0 48 105 1312 * Denotes not out. Bowling. Name. Bis. Mds. Wks. Bns. A'ge. 3.H. Gould (6.) 503 20 41 250 fe"0 3. Donald (P.) 489 28 22 151 6/« R NeilHA.) 469 13 31 246 7/9; 0. Hay (U.) 334 18 18 Io6 8'6 IV. Stenison (XJ.) 614 33 29 272 9--3 1! a.W.Lawson(P.) 468 28 16 159 9'9; 3. Stone (A.) 432 25 15 159 10'6 H. Walton (U.) 280 13 12 137 ll'J] F.V. Kelly (G.) 418 15 19 218 1VV, D. Clayton (A.) 273 5 10 138 13'8