SPORTSMG GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 282, 26 November 1921, Page 18

SPORTSMG GOSSIP.

(By "ACTAEON. , ") 1 CRICKET. The second grade matches advanced a stage last Saturday afternoon, when the second series of matches commenced. In the A section Bereeford put up the respeetalble total of 258 against Parnell, and St. John'e notched 205 for live wickets, playing against University. The batting honours went to C. Mills (Bcresfonl), who scored 88. A. G. Aitken (St. John's) followed closely with 85* not out. I. Mills (IJeresfo'rd) 7(i, Bottrill (North Shore) 02. and Corney (St. John's) 50, were the other principal eeorere. Amongst the 'bowlers Rankin (Grafton) took eight wickets for 00.

University mot St. John's at Victoria Park, and taking firet strike notched 112 runs. Jones top scored with 22, which included a. very big hit for seven, and one four, both on the leg side. Wylie (10) scored his runs, including one four, mostly to the off. H. Hannist'er (19 not out) was strongest in the same direction. Speight collected a dozen, and Hoekin, a lefthander, hit hard for 10.

The bowling honours for St. John's were diivided between A. G. Aitken (four for Si) and Robertshaw (three for 43).

St. John's made a much better showing with the bat than thoir opponents, and when stumps were drawn for the day succeeded in putting together 205 for live wickets. A. G. Aitkun (85 not out) scored all round the wicket, featuring some hard driving. He extended the students to the extent of two (i's, one 5, and' ten 4"s, and with Isbister put on 71 so far fur Ihe fifth wicket. C'orney (50), who hit live ■)'.-. scored hi* runs by not altogether ehaiK-eless cricket. Mackie (24) executed *ome powerful slnko* in front of the wicket, which pro-dui-prl a li. a ."i. mid a 4, tin- *b:or being a jrood stroke. Isbister f!0 not out) played quieth - owing to an injured hand. Mackie and Corney cemented a partnership which realised r>o for the first wicket. The chances given by both teams were rather dillicult An indifferent wicket and no boundaries did not add to the afternoon's spoil.

Graf ton compiled 116 against Xorth Shore, thanks to a last wicket partnership, hi which //lama (3U) nnd Wheeler (24) 'were associated. Both players batted well in the critical sttures. Catterall (19), Candy (10) and Kankin (14) tatted in their usual style.

North Shore readied llH) runs for nine wickets, P.otterill being the chief contributor, with 02, as the result of a fine a-H-round display. roster shaped well for 40, but was missed early in the innings, owing-.10 the fieldsman's attention being O n the adjoining wicket. Rank-in (eight for CO) did the damage With the ball.

At Remuera, Bcrcsford troat-ed Parnell to an afternoon's leather hunting, as it was not until towards the end of the day that the home team were able to dispose of their opponents. The Mills family were mainly responsible for the wholesome state of the Beresfordian register. J. and C. Mills put on 42 before J. Mills wasca.ught off a rising 'ball from McCoy. Ike JMills, the well-known ex-repi-w-entaTTvci joined hie son, and the two generations soon mastered the bowling, and. , raised the total to 171, when Ike was bowled by a long hop from Mareden for 76. He played a splendid innings, scoring ,il! round the wi-cket in something like his old style. lIU total included one seven, throe fives and nine fours. C. Mills (88) gave practi.-ally a chanceless display, in whiah he hit one five and t-ix N, Shaw (38) notched his runs by hard hitting, in fact he took a number of ri.sk*. G. Coltman (30) -was the only other batsman to obtain double figures.

The averages of the Tarneß bowlers suffered cousidpraWy, Marsden (three for 46) coming out uith the best figl.Tes. With a.n hour to play, Parnell opened witih rosier and I-'arquhar. ;ind when time waa called had lopt four wickets for 4.", runs. Peglcr not out) and Farcjuhar (14), getting the bulk of the run.-.

In the 0 section Crafton B wsorod a victory over (Iranimar School B in the one a/tcrnoon. Bruning (Graft-on) taking u'd n-irkets fwr 02.

Kind's College made 101 against Tcclinicoil -n-ho responded by rngistrring 100 for nine wickets, Luciis (■JO;, Watts (30) and (■olc.ma.ii making the majority of the runs.

Sat-ral Heart imil the best of mat tors with Ponaonby. The latter nrade 14(5 Knight (■(■■)) ami Sterling (29) being the most prominent batsmen. For Sacred Heart McMaiion (45) and Loder (41) did mo*t of the scorim' OConnor has one not-out to his credit. LAWN TENNIS. The New Zealand championships will be played on the United Club's courts, Christchurch, on December 27, 28, 20, 3i>' und following days if necessary. ' Intending competitors nre warned that all entries must reach the f-ecretary (Air. D. Murray Kean), 32, Hunter Street, Wellington, on or before Monday, December 12. The Wilding Memorial Shield will follow immediately after the championships. Entries for the Rotorun. Tournament, commencing December "20, must be in the secretary's hands before December 22.

Gaining by the experience of pa*t Tears, when club matches dragged on to the very end of the season,'clubs tliis year tire advisedly making the elosinc date for all matches very early. Already the Onehunga Club have the draw out; indeed, a few matches have already been played. Keniuera entries eloped laft Saturday, and those for Eden and Epsom for handicap events only close on Thursday. December 1. The wishes of his many friends for a happy trip will go with Mr. F. J. Ohlson. ■who leaves shortly for a stay of five or six weeks in Sydney. Tlip dates for the Xew Zealand Lfvwn Tennis Association's championships have now been definitely fixed for December 27. 28, 2!) and 30. at the United Club's courts. Christchnrch. Mr. 1.. D. Harmim. of Ohristclnirch, bos consented to act as referee, and the rommittee which will control the tournament will be Messrs. R. Browning. P. B. Ilarman and D. Murray Keen, secretary of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association. The programme will lie practically the same as last your, consisting of seven events. Other tournaments authorised are: Southland Association's Christmas tournament, to be played at Invereargill; North Otago Sub-Association's Christmas tournament, at Oamaru; and the Marlborougli Association's Christmas tournament, at Blenheim. The New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association recently wrote congratulating Mr. H. C. McCarthy, son of Mr. S. E. McCarthy. S.M.. of Christchurch, upon obtaining his tennis blue at I'anibridse University. A reply has just been received from Mr. McCarthy, in which lie gives some interesting particulars of the "progress New Zealanders are making in the game at Home. '-'It wa-s a very great pleasure indeed to mc to

i receive your kind letter, and to be made J aware of the association's keen interest in its players abroad," writes Mr. McCarthy. -'It was also a very great I pleasure indeed to be able to include in !my team another New Zealander, J. N. Lowry, of Hawke's Bay, and to award him his 'Blue.' In the recent combined Oxford and Cambridge tennis team to America, which I also had the honour of captaining, there were two Englishmen two New Zealanders, a South African, an Australian, and an American. This, of course, was' the first Oxford or Cambridge team to play in America. Next year we are trying to make it possible for Harvard and Yale, and possibly Princeton, to visit England. We shall then have a New Zealander, J. Xliowry, as secretary-of the Cambridge U.L.T.C., and the following year, when another Oxford and Cambridge team go :to America, I hope to sec him as J captain."

("As wo gain more information of the dramatic retirement of Mile. Suzanne Lenglcn in her match with the American lady champion, Mrs. MaJlory, it U impossible to overlook the fact that the French girl was not in a fit condition to give her best at such a short interval after landing in the States" (says an English writer). "Her extraordinary reception, the frantic manner in wJiich all classes of Americans literally bombarded the distinguished visitor, the little re&t she was given, and the fact that she was expected to develop tactics on the court far in advance of anything previously witnessed in the country, all militated against her success. And, after all, Mile. Suzanne is but a girl, highly strung, temperamentally unfitted to be singled out for a great national welcome, and. her nemous system failed her. She is not a professional boxer. to whom this sort of thing 's .part of the life. She Ls a French girl, with all the characteristics of that volatile nation, and that she - crackeir is not surprising. Once acclimatised and rested, she will yet prove that Mrs. Mallory or any other of her rivals, cannot yet take from her the glory she possesses of Iming the greatest lady player the game has ever seen."

Signs are not lacking, cays a Wellington writer, that the game in New Zealand is making headway, and the day may not be far distant when the Dominion will be able to regain the supremacy over Australia it exercised when that prince of players, the late Anthony Wilding, was at the top* of his form. Two New Zealandera, IT. C. McCarthy, of Christehurch, and J. X. Lowry, of Hawke's Bay, were members of the combined Oxford and Cambridge tennis team which recently visited America, and the former had the honour of captaining the team. This proves that young New Zealanders can hold their own with the best of them with the racquet, and with the great revival of interest in the game which has been manifest recently in this country, it is not too much to hope tflat we may yet be able to enter a team which will bring the coveted Davis Cup back to Australasia. AQUATICS. (By SPEEDWELL.)

After several successive week-ends of inclement weather 'the change to bright sunshine and the balmy breezes of cummer which prevailed on Saturday and Sunday last was greatly appreciated by all lovers of out-door sports, and not the least by yachtsmen, who took every advantage of it. Although there are still a few boats on the beach, tho majority are now in commission, and the many bays and harbours which comprise our cruising ground all had their quota of yachts or launches at anchor, the crews amusing themselves ashore in the variety of ways known only 10 yachtsmen.

The very fine weather tempted several boats out to Kawau, Tholma making the run down well under four hours. Ladye \\ ilma and Ngahau also visited lion Accord, and the launches Piakea, Pirate and Princess Pat. Thoso. three left Kawau at daybreak, and tried their luck out at the Rock, but very few big fish were caught. Sehnapper and kahawai, however, were plentiful, and each had enough lor their wants before they arrived home. Mollie got ;i good haul of over SO deep-water sehnapper .lose to Whangaparoa, while Daisy, Ngaroma, and several other launches fished near the mouth of the Wade with equnl success. The fishing off Rakino and Crusoe is not so good, there being too majiv sharks about. Piper are plentiful, and ran be readily got by those equipped with a net of the right mesh in Karaka Buy and elsewhere.

The season has opened under very favourable conditions, aad promises to be a record one in many way?. The outstanding feature will "certainly be the great interest taken in the small classes not only by yachtsmen themselves but also by the public. A few years back there was only one small class, the 16----foot open boats, and one has only to look at the fixture card or watch" the events on a club day to see the marked difference now. The latest clas* the Takapuna 3 2ft Gin flatties, ar3 very handy little craft, and ideal for racing or knocking about the sheltered bays and beaches of Takapuna. They are not overdone with their single sail, and made a pretty sight racing off Takapuna last Saturday. This place is i<leal our usual south-west weather and tho <lub might well hold regular' monthly or even fortnightly races there, as it would nut interfere with other' clubs' arrangements in any way. Eight boat, have.W bui.t, and two are now

The Jelhcoe class will be augmented S; % t ]r( ; e . <" four new boats. Master Ar Colebrook'a boat will be aunched tins afternoon. She has been * y c> Slatter - V ' and christened Aurora. She will ma ke her debut in thNorth Shore Club's race next Saturday Master Evelyn Arthur, ltae owner of Inatca, will sail his first race with hj s new boat to-daj-. She has been built, liy 1.. Wiirne. and i< named Viper Mr ]•-. Bailey of Xorthcoto. will launch another this afternoon. She is painted groen. and is named Rex. The firm of C. Bailey, jun.. laid down another this week. This makes 22 boat.-, not count - ing Iron Duke, which went to Wellington on H.M.s. Chatham two weeks and may not race here this season. The i-l-foct flattie, or "Sea" class, will also receive additions in time, for the next race, and should help along the sport in this class, while the entries in the H-foot handicap class grow weekly The Tauranga Regatta, which will' he held on Wednesday, December "S promises to be a great fucccss. The programme is to hand, and shows the substantial total of £200 for prize money. The races include an ocean raen from Auckland to Tauranga for a lOOgns. gold cup, and a yacht race over u°2ftknot course for prizes totalling £20 There are several other sailing events' including a race for the H-foot onedesign class, for which £15 prize money is offered provided three outside boats

compete. Launches and auxiliaries are well looked after, also a lengthy programme of rowing, swimming, and sideshows, which should help to ensure the success of the function. The Ngapuhl wi'l make a special excursion, leaving town on Tuesday, returning after the

At the Ponsonby Club's fixture today the small classes will race over ? new course which has been mutually agreed to by this club and the V :etoria Club and will be used throughout the season for the harbour races of these Clubs. Permanent marks have been laid by nermission of the Harbourmaster. The'mark off Shoal Bay is a red buoy surmounted with a fitting to carry a flair This has been laid by the \ ictoria Club, while the mark just below the Watchman has been laid by the Ponsonbv Club. This course is about four knots, and the boats will sail two r °The S North Shore Club will hold a cruising race for the larger classes to Awaroa Bay next Saturday, and narbour races for the five small classes. Arrangements have been made to hold a concert and dance in Mrs. Gordon's large shed, special concessions being made to pas■;en~ers by the Northern Coy. The Victoria Club will hold harbour races for all classes on December ICth, and an "At Home" after the races when the new top floor of the Club Houee 25 feet by 50 feat, will bo formallj opened, the Club proposes to pay an Official Visit to the Point Chevalier club next day. The first boat to finish in all races of the Victoria Club will receive email rod and black pennants, winch have been donated by P. Boonstra for this purpose. Hie sub-committee set up by the yacht and Motor Boat Association met the Auckland Harbour Board en Tuesday last and discussed the w-aole question of a boat harbour. A number of plans were submitted, including one of the area off St. Mary's Bay, which the sub-committee was instructed to feature, but no finality was reached as the question of ways and means has to be further aonadered. A sub-coinniittec Of the Board has now been appointed and will again confer with the yachtsmen, when "definite proposals will be made to be submitted to all clubs. We sincerely hope that a real boat harbour •will be" the outcome of these negotiations, no matter where it may to situated, and that yachtsmen will pull toother until this much-to-be-desired end is accomplished. We ieel sure that the sport will become even more popular when an effective safeguard against the bavoc caused by the exceptionally severe gales to which we are subjects every few years is built in the shape o£ a properly designed and constructed boat harbour. There us no doubt that the members of the Board are inclined to help us, and it is to be hoped that certain engineering difficulties which now etand in the way may be overcome. A correspondent at Tahiti sends word that the American power yacht Speejacka was lying there ou the 9th inst. She is owned by Mr. A. Y. Gower, an American millionaire, who, together with his wife, is making a cruise round the Pacilic. Speejacks left Chicago on June 20, aud came via Panama. She has covered 5.500 mires to date without any sign of engine trouble. The yacht is 98ft overall, and Captain W. J." Lewis, who is in charge, cays she is a wonderfully good sea boat, having only shipped a couple of big seas during her trip on both the Atlantic and Pacific. She is driven by twin seta of 200-h.p. Winton engines, "which give her a speed of 13.9 knots, but Speejacks cruises at S knots. Mr. and Mrs. Gower arrived in Wellington on Tuesday by the Tahiti, and will visit Auckland, the yacht awaiting them at Suva. The Twigg Engineering Company have just completed an engine for Dr. Mo-.r's new launch, which is different to their usual type of heavy duty jobs. This one is a medium duty engine, and can run up tc 1,000 revolutiont, at which speed it develops 15-h.p. Several new features are contained in this type, including magneto ignition, with impulse starter, and a special device xo burn kerosene. Rugged construction is a feature of the machine throughout, and as it is made entirely by local labour, it should appeal to launch owner?.

j The Manukau Yacht Club opened their season last Saturday, when a race for I yachts, launches, and models was on the ' programme. The club now boasts of I quite a lleet of white wings and over 20 model yachtS; -while the launches arc ' more numerous than ever. Owing to many launches not being quite ready, the launch race was postponed till Saturday week, when the yachts and models wil! again bo. catered" for. This club lias j always been very fortunate in having a few real hard workers at the head of affairs, and keeps steadily improving its position each season. At the next races Mr. Donald Sutherland's fast runabout Brooke is exppcted to compete, as well as several launches lately brought over from this side. lies, Speedwell, Mahaki. and Waione went off during last week. Artono, Virginia, Avis, Wild Thyme, and Valarci are also on their moorings looking spick and span in their white paint. When they have been subjected for a week or two to the smoke and grime which is a feature of Meeharfic : 3 Bay they will not look so smart. Rontro and Tamure.'ivhich have been afloat all winter, were hauled out for a clean-up for the season during the week. Lady .Sterling. Windward, Kathryn "R., Coquette, and Wai tea wore at Arkle's Bay on Saturday night. ATHLETICS. The Xgaruawahia Athletic Club has now got matters in good train for its next meeting on March 11. An enthusiastic executive has been appointed, ' and the meeting promises to be well organised, and smartly run. This year's programme haa been extended by the inclusion of Highland dancing, and of quarter and half-mile races, both open I and amateur. A H. 5 Sheffield is the chief of the running events, while the programme provide? for the usual outside events, >uch as married ladies' I race*, etc. The programme will be ■ advertised shortly. ] (.'. H. Taylor, the New Zealand amateur half-mile champion, ran splendidly in the 1001) Yards Handicap at the High School Old Boys' A.A.C. evening meeting ■ last Tuesday. However. !:c h:iU to give ' away too much start, and though he ran the distance in time. Liiat was only 2s outside A. W. Dormer's Xcvv Zealand record (2.16 3-5), and i 4-.">;-, outside A. F. Thorpe's Australasian record, he had to be content with second place.

K. D. Mountain, noted Cambridge I'niversity athlete, made a ne-n- world's running record at the Stockholm .Stadium for 500 meters. He ran the distance in 1 mill 5 3-5 sec. Tiie -old record was liuin 7 3.1 sec. A day or two later Mountain -was beaten in a half-mile race l>y Limdgren, the Swedish champion. l.undgien'd time was lmin o7 l-ssev, anU Mountain's lmin .">!3 :i-r>.-ev.

A. C. McLaren, the fxmo'.u Lancashire and England amateur crickettr, wa* recently appointed instructor at Old Trafford by the Lancashire County Crioket Committee. ,