CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 56, 7 March 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

CRICKET.

Oub cricketers were again favoured withtine weather on Saturday last, when tho various championship matches wero con" f.inued, There was a good attendance of spectators on tha Domain, tho greator inkjority of whom watched the Parnell. Auckland contest with intereßb. Auckland batted first on a splendid wickob against Parnell, and H. Thomas and J. Arneil made a favourablo opening, baking tho total to near thirty by careful crickeb before Edmonds clean bowled Arneil. D. Clayton was beaten firsfi bail by Edmoada with a plain, straight ball, Clayton was waiting for tha big break, i7hich never came. Stone was alao deceived by the earns bowler with a similar ball shorbly afterwards. Wynyurd played good crickeb, and appeared to be well sell when he tried to pull a straighb one from I. Mills to log, but missed tho ball and waa out l.b.w. Wynyard contributed 30. Thomas played in his usual sound manner for 29, when he was nicely caught at long log by R. Smith. Nono of tho other batsmen reached double figures, and Auckland's total was only 9-1, a very poor Bcoro for such a good batting team. I. Mills was the most successful bowler for Parnell. He as usual deceived the batsmen by changing hia pace. Mills captured four wickets for nine runs.

Edmonds was also very effective, gaining four wickets for 33 runs. R. Smith, the junior, secured one for seven, whileLawson's ono wickefi was captured aba coso of 35 runs. The fielding of the Parnellites was better than usual, Smith, Ohlson, Dixon, Thorpe, and Mills all doing fine work in this department. The Parnell batsmen showed thab the wickob was nob to blame for Auckland's poor display, and abcall of time had scored 75 runs for the loss of three wickets. Ohlson (20), Nich6lson (19), and I. Mills (21 dot out), each played more cautiously than usual for their runs. Wright was disposed of for seven runs, bub ib is very doubtful if the umpire's decision was correcb in his case. Wrighti asserts the ball struck him on the pad and not the bat, and ono of the Aucklanders told me after the match bhat WrighC waa not oub.

Gordon have their match against United well in hand, the latter making S2 aguinsb Gordon's 109 for 4. wickets. Labatt, the Christchurch player, was the principal factor in dismissing the United batsmen, aB ha captured nine wickets in 18 overs for 21 runs, certainly a fine performance. Labatb appeared to find a spot from which the ball broke in from bho off and kept very low, bub his length was short and the batsmen invariably cut outside tho ball. Williams secured tho other wicket) at a coat of 18 runa, while Kajlender failed to find a wickeb and had 35 runa scored off him.

Stemson was the principal run-getter for United with 27. He played a vigorous innings, and scored 20 runs in five hits to leg nb the expense of Kallender. The exjunior Watts, who went in third wickeb down, played nicely for his rune, and was nob oub with 17 to his credib; C, Hay was tho only other batsman to reach doublo figures. Tho Gordon batsmen scored freely, and ab call of timo had made 109 runs for the Josa of four wickets. Dr. Pabsb showed that his recent enforced spell had done him no harm as far .as his babting was concerned, for he played a sterling innings, for 47. Kallender scored 25 in quick time, when he was beaten by D. Hay. T. Gould also played freely for his contribution of 17. In one over last weok i. Mills captured three Auckland wickebs.

N. Williams wan dismissed fireb ball lasb week againßt Unitod, caught and bowled by Sbemeon. In junior circles mosb interest waa centred in the game between Belmonb and Auckland 11., and on tha results of the day's play ib looks as if Auckland will meet with iheir second reverse. Auckland batted first, bub beyond A. G. Holland none of the batsmen could withstand the attacks of the Belmont trundlers. Holland, who has been batting most consistently this season, played anoth9r fino innings/ for 57 oub of a total of 103 runs.

G. Spurway, who has been bowling so brilliantly in the second junior matches, assisted the Belmonb I. team, and was the raoafc successful bowler, capburing three of the Aucklandera' wickets at a cosh of bub three runs apiece. T. Siribh secured four for 57, and H. Donald two for 34 runs. Ab call of time, Belmonb had scored 108 runs for tho loss of six wickets. Towards this total, E. Connolly, by vigorous batting, contributed 45. Morrison also played a valuable innings for 27, and Brierly batted in good style for 24. Should Belmont defeab Auckland 11. fcoday, all mteresb in junior circles will bo cantered in the meeting of Parnell 11. and North Shoro, which U the lasb fixture for the Firsb Junior Championship* Should Parnoll win that contest, bhey will also win tho championship, but with George Mills ii> such a century scoring humour, Parnell'a chances do nob look very brighb, and if North Shore gain the victory, four teams, Auckland, Belmonfc, North Shore and Parnell will be a. tie for the Championship, and deciding matches will have to follow between bho four teams. If this anticipation is brought aboub, ib will be very late before tho firsb junior championship ia decided, as Parnell and North Shore do not meob till March 28 and April 11:

Playing for North Shore A. against) Grammar School last Saturday, Harris captured five wickets for throe runs.

Many were the inquiries in town on Saturday evening last aboub tha North Shore—Pitt-street Mutual match* aa to whether George Mills bad made another century, and when i& became known that the Shoreito had succeeded, hia phenomenal feab in scoring over 100 tuns in each of four consecutive matches, and one ah interprovincial contest, became ono of the principal topics of conversation with cricketers, and general regret was expressed bhafe Alills was nob playing in senior crickebi By-tho-bye, I hoar that North Shore will place a senior team in the field noxb season.

G. Mills' score on .Saturday last wa» 105, find he was dismissed jusb before time was cnllod through running oub to ft shortpitchod ball which he missed, and was Rtumped. Ho played a sterling innings, marred by two difficulb chances whon his score etood no 57 asid 58. Mills used the bat which wa9 presented bo him for making a century against Wellington, and ho certainly gave it a favourable christening.

Against Pibt-etreeb Matual laeb week G. Mills and W. Swanson pub on 115 rune for the first Shore wicket. The veteran ployed .in One style for his 47. R. Wynyard ttnd Mills carried bho score fco 145, when th« former wns caughb. Fonr of the remaining batsmen were dismissed for *•' blobs,' and ab call of time North Rhoro'o total stood ab 177 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

Of the seven bowlers tried by Pitb-streob Mutual, C. Waddingham was the most successful. Ho bowled with untiring Giiorgy, and was rewarded with an average of six wickota for 37 runs.

The North Shore - Pitb-streeb Mutual match will nob be continued till Saturday nexb.

Owing bo the Domain boing engaged tor tlie next two Saturdays by tho Hibernian Society and Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club, tho cricket fixtures will not be continued till March 28th.

The stand made by G. Mills and J. Burgess for the last wickeb in tho match North Shore v. Ponsonby, when these two batsmen added 177 runs to the total, is not a record for Now Zealand. ' Dark Bluo' in the ' P.oferao' points out that tho record for this colony for the laßb wickot is 192 runs, made by H. Rowe and R. Whiting on Novembor 11th, 1882, for Midland Canterbury Second against St. Albano.

W. J.Crawehaw.the well-known southern cricketer, scored 186 for the Wairau Club against Havelock on February 10th.

A. Howard, who played for Wollington Rgainst. our boys, returned to Auckland on Thursday lash to spond the remainder of his holidays here. Howard tolls me chat Hawke's Bay has a very good team, and had timo pormibted would most probably have gained ft victory over Wollington. Gardiner find Levors again batted well in Napier.

It is probable thab Hawke's Bay will sond a toam to Auckland at Easter, bub so far, the Auckland Cricket Association has received no communication on tho matter.

J.b now transpiros that os originally intended, Bftya a Sydney paper, the Australians will voyaee Home by tho Orient b.s. Cuzco, which leaves Sydney on March 7th, and Adelaide on March 18(h. The vowel is duo ab Naples on April 17tb, and Tilbury on tho S6MI of bhftb month. The AustraiianH will have a solid forfcnighb in England before opoiring the tour against Lord Sheffield's toam at Shoffiold Park. Tho party an far as is known at present is 24, ab leaab berths for tbab number havo boon booked. Joo Davis, who viuited this colony with two of the Now South Walea toomg, inbenda accompanying bho Australian team on bhoir tour through England. FOOTBALL. At a meeting of tho Rugby International Board hold in London on January 4th ib was decided that* a ball having once come oub of a Bcrummago may nob be pub back by the hand except aa ib was originally pub in. If pub in otherwise a penalty free kick undor law 11, section F., musb be given. In law 11, section H., the Board decided that the word * standing' musb be read as wilfully standing and remaining; therefore, half-backs tnusb nob be penalised for unintentionally over-running the ball. A subcommittee was appointed to draw up a circular to referees aboub an exceaa of whistling, and to re draft the laws of the game with particular reference to the present system of reforeeing without appeals, and to case law decided by the various Unions and adopted by bhis Board, and bo reporb as early as possible. The Committee of the English Rugby Union has passed bhe following decisions on poinb of law :—A player with the ball in his possession touches the corner flag or a flag on the touch-line. Ruling:—He is respectively in • touch in goal' or in touch. A '. fair catch ' having been claimed from a ' knock-on ' or * throw forward ' in every case take precedence, oven though tho referee had whistled or not for the knockon or throw forward. That the ruling on page 34. Law 17, ' Kick, pass, knock or carry,' shall in future read, the law is intended to deal with intenbional, nob unintentional cases. CYCLING. The cycling championship meebing under the auspices of the Cyclisbs Union will be held at Falmerston North on Wednesday next, llfch insb. Tho Now Zealand Cyclists' Union has selected H, Young to represenb the Auckland Cycling Club ab the gathering. Young expects bo leave for Palmeretoii on Monday.

The recently-formed Northern Touring Club held a most successful opening ruu on Saturday last to Sc. Helior'a Bay. About fifty wheelmen, led by Captain G. Henning, took part in the run. J. Selby accomplished another fine performanco last Saturday by riding to Mercer and back in shra sGminß. The distance ia 84 miles. Selby occupied 2hrs 48mins on the outward journey, aod 3hrs Bmins to ride homo. The previous records for these separate journeys were made by Selby on December 14 ajid 15 last. He rode fco Mercer in 2iira 57min, and from Mercer to bown'in Shrs 25mins.

In Philadelphia, a four feet wide asphalt path for cyclists is bo be laid on either Bide of the main road. The cost is being borne by public subscription. The cyclists ia Christchurch are agitating for a similar favour.

On December 23rd, »b New Orleans, Berlo rode a paced mile in lmiu 40 8-uth sec. He was paced by quad beams, and also pub up new figures—for three miles.

smin 50 4-sth sec; for four miles, 7min 50aec; for five miles, 9min 51 2-sth sec; and reduced the competition mile time to lmin 50 2 sbh sec. These records were made on the track. On. the road, ab Cheyonne —a straightaway course—Green rode a fiyrng-starfr unpaced mile in lmin 25sec. The Paris correspondent of the 'Daily Telegraph ' sends some remarkable information regarding a now game recently tried in Paris. This pastime, an invention of the Omnium 'Cycling Club, is called 'Tripolo.' Ib is formed after the plan of polo proper, butt bicycled tnstoad of horses are need, and many efomortta of football and hockeyaro introduced. The ground required for fche game is 150 metres long and 40 wide, and four player? constitute a side. The play is controlled by an- umpire monn'ted On a tricycle. Aba trial game the other day ib became evident that Tripolo contained all the excibomenb of a hotly contested football match, and would baa firie game for using upplayorsand umpires. Tha latter in the trial game ought to have been placed in a captive balloon so that he would have been able to officiate in fche return match, which it> is understood wit! bo played in bath Chairs at tho earliest opportunity; ATHLETICS. The Hibernian Society have received good entries for tho various events bo bo decided ab their c&fnival on tho Domain on Saturday next. The handicaps nave, On tho whole, given general satisfaction, and come cloae finishes are anticipated. The gathering promisee to bo st auccoas. I would remind our amateur abhleten fohafc entries for fche various events far fcho Auckland Amateur Athletic Club's Carnival close this evening ab the Metropolitan Hotel. Our athletes welcomed the rain which fell this week, as the Domain ground was very hard and made training moro of a labour than a pleasure. Dalziel is responsible for this story (writes our London correspondent):—Mr Frank Gardner and Mr Woolfe Joel, two Londoners who are better known in the city than in society, were staying at the Hotel de Paris, Nice, and arranged to walk from La Tarbie to Nice for £100 a-elde, on con-' ! dition bhab tho winner should immediately proceed to the Casino and place tho whole of the lo»or'8 money on the red for joint i account. Joel won the walk by seven minubei, and, with an independent nir, proceeded to fche Casino and placed £100 on She red. The first bet wass successful, and following up his luck, Joel made coup after coup, till ab fcho end of half an hour's play lie wes the richer by 350.000 francs, and had broken the bank, lie played no loss than twelve consecutive coups on fcho red, and three maximums round the figure nino. Like wise men, Mosarn Joel and Gardner loft Nice next day. SWIMMING. Entries for bhe Auckland Swimmin^ Club's carnival, which fcakea place in tha Calliope Dock on fcho 28th iost, are due on Saturday evening next. The entries aro expected to be numerous. While in Sydney in January last ac a visitor to tho Now South Wales awimmine carnivals. Mr K. W. St. Clair, fche wellknowu Secretary of the New Zealand Swimming Anaociation, was interviewed by several papors and called on to make moro than ono speech, which was duly reported in fche Sydney pros*. Mr St. Clair's Ktateirfonba wero questioned by a writer in fcho Chrietchurch 'Referee,' under the norn deplume of 'Lonnder,' who made several sarcastic rooiarka towards Mr St. Clair. This writer has been taken to task for hia offorbs by thufc well-known authority 'Natator,' in the Sydney ' Referee,' who has fully replied to the Southern writer in a most satisfactory manner to Mr St. Clair. Ib is to bo regrotted that our Southern contemporary should have been so ready to grasp at every littlo occasion to disparage one who hns workod hard and faithfully in the intorosfcs of all swimmers and the Now Zoaland Swimming Aimocintion in particular. It is incidents such as theae that tond to deprive our pastime sports of fchn services of really alivo and effective officials. YACHTING. Our yachtsmen were favoured with a fine etondy breeze for bheir weekly cruise la?b woek. Several boats sailed to tho Wado, bub tho majority visited the various bays around Wnihoke. Tho Auckland Yacho Club's race for 2\ ratorß, which wna ordered to be ro-oailoi!, wbh eot off thiß affcornoon. On Saturday next the Commodore's cup will be Hailed for by our 2| raters. THIS RING. A cable bo tho Australian press eaye :— The long-talked of figbb between Rob Fifcsaimmonß (of Australia) and Potor Manor (of Ireland) for the * Police Gazette' Championship Diamond Bolt, §10,000 a-«ide, and & puree of §10,000, took place in Mexico on February 21sb before an immense conoouree of people, including representatives of all nationalities. Tho excitement at the ring-side prior to ■hostilities commencing was intense, and rose to an extrome pitch during the brief duration of the struggle, which eoemed to have hardly bogun when ib was ovor. Maher wns favourite—his recenb easy victory over Stevo O'Donnell lumnp elevated him to a state of invincibility in tho minds of a big majority, bub though layers predominated thero wan no dearth of takers, and these numbered among them tho shrewdest judges of the game.

Each shaped np, apparently imbued with tho greafcesb confidence in his ability to win, though Manor appeared oomewhufe nervously anxious when contrasted with tho cool, calculating expression of face and pone evinced by Fitzaimmone. There was no finessing, as the Irishman almoßb immedinbely adopted the tactics which wore, so successful against Steve O'Donnell, and rushed hia man right across the ring, but Fitzsimraon*, evidently prepared for this mode of warfare, Buffered very little, and got in a few telling blows before the other could recover himself. Another cyclonic acb on Mahal's part resulted more disastrously, and ere a minute had expired he was lying prone upon the ring-floor a victim to the cogent influence of a quick cross on tho ' point,' delivered with unerring acouracy. The scene ab this stage beggars description, and bo nay thab all were astounded ab bht suddenness of the whole affair is but a mild way of oxpreseing their feelings. . Many seconds elapsed before it could be realised that the great fiphb which has been balked aboub all over the country for months poßb, and has been ths cau?e of such elaborate preparations and arrangements, was really over and the man bo whom Jim Corbotb had so graciously handed 'the World's Championship,' was laid low in as quick time as a comparative duffer might be expected to succumb. Fitz afterwards expressed anxiety to irieeb Jim Corbebb, and ib is understood, allowed his portion of the stakes to remain aa an earnest of the genuineness of his desire in this direction.

Fitzsiinmons, the Wo of the above contest, belonged to Timaru, New Zealand, where he learnb the trade of a blacksmith. As Corbebt handed over the championship of the world to Manor, the New Zealander, by defeating that boxer, is now the champion pugilist of the world.