ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1295, 25 November 1911, Page 13

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

CRICKET.

THE BOY TRUMFER. It is over 1G years sinco Lewis first represented Queensland against Now South Wales with the side captained by tho la to P. S. M'Dimncll at Brisbane iu 1895 (says "Not Out" in the "Kofcrco"). S. E. Gregory captained New South Wales, whose eleveu included "the boy Trunipcr." I have a keen recollection of that match, for I was thcru '.* mnnnger uf tho New Houth Wales team, bixtucn years ngo-nnd yet oue does not teel any older than US. , . Frank Iredalo was originally a bowler of KOod purts having a high delivery, medium puce, with iv mixture in the pace and flight. But in first-class cricket captains never seemed to realise *!« f n «- On this occasion, however, alter U.I. JjTurner, T. 11. M'Kibbin, W. P. iiowell, and 11. Donnan had bowled lor some time without shifting that king or Queensland's stonewallers, Dr. Robert i<l -L'onald. "\ T oss "to his own surprise, was invited to bowl, and bis record was: Four overs, threo.niajdens, one run, and throe wickets, including the redoubtable stonewaller, who was brilliantly caught by William But that which is most strongly impressed oft iny mind is that one or two members of the Selection Committee desired to leave out Victor Trumpor after talcing him all tho way to Brisbane. And, kind reader, guess the reason put forward. It was that "he is too slow in tho Good fellows and great cricketers were the thrco on that committee, lo navo omitted Tnunper would have been, deplorable, I thought; and to think in such a caso at that stago of one's life was to say so. But V.T. played—and they left out B. TV. FarqubaT, who likewise should have been in it. Now, Farciuhar was one of the most gifted batsmen Australia has known; but he did not possess tlio periect temperament for cricket, and putting him in and putting him out tho eleven was just the one kind of treatment lo deter hi 3 development into a champion. I still think that if Farquhar had been put into tho team in those days and kept in, the records of Australian cricket would be emblazoned with his name.

A HAWKE'S BAT NOTABLE. The Hawke's Bay representative eleven (to visit Wellington about Christmastime) has not yet been selected, but it is more than probable that it will include tho Rev. 11. L. Blamires. His last two scores with the bat have been 112 and 50, while, in bowling, he has two recent "hat tricks" and a very fair average otherwise.

ADELAIDE'S IDEAL WICKETS'. Iu "Tuo Australasian" "Observer" writes: "After watching Warner's team, and especially tho now men, at practice on tho Adelaide Oval, for days before tho match on Friday, November 10, I would havo ventured as a.forecast tho opinioii that they wero still "short of a gallop. But practice wickets at their best are much inferior to the superb pitches that Charlie Checkott has the knack of getting ready for big occasions. Ho only started preparation of this wicket on Wednesday, nnd by Friday it was of a kind lo give bowlers that feoling of sinking about tho heart. I think the character of Adelaide wickets has changed a little of late years —there is less fire in them than forineny. At anyratc, when Warner won the toss from Hill on Friday the wicket had been timed to the minute, and if no rain fell, was likely to bo almost as good on tho fourth day of the match as at tho begining, for it had the surface gloss of a dress shirt on it. With five men to leavo out Warner will always have an awkward timo ot the ovo of a big match. Young Hearne, for whom he has a grsat fancy, had blistered his hand. Hitch, the fa.sL bowler, ha 3 still to find the dangerous length on Australian, wickets—more important still, to keep it when ho has found it—and I fanc.v Warner may savo him as much as possible for' test, events; so Douglas, who strikes,Qn£-a$ : |j?rdly ; ,irp to class, wi.a played;|pi. t All tho men with previous Australian' experience wore picked, though in practice it was quite obvious thai Rhodes had lint found h - "s form—and otherwise thero seemed to mi to be little room for choice."

LESE MAJESTE. On tho subject of tho M.C.C.-Sonth Australia match, a writer in "The Austrasalian" says:—"Anticipations, based upon practice, wero simply all wrong when the Englishmen camu to bat. 1 expected to see them often late for the ball, getting it tco high on the bat when driving—as H. H. Mossie, and, later on, Trumper used to do on the Melbourne ground—possibly giving catches in tho outfield. Nothing of the sort was seen. On the first day of tho match they simply gave an exhibition of class batting, hardly ever lifted a ball, and both their timing and placing were as nearly as possible perfect. Tho result was 331 for tour wickets—a fine start for the tour, and on tho opening day century scores for two of the six batsmen who were on view— Warner's hundred being tho first he has over got against Australian bowling of any kind. Rhodes was simply all abroad from tho start; never shaped at anything, hesitated frequently as to whether he should go forward or hack, and was bowled by Whitty when he had only scored 7. He was looking for swerves at the time, and expected a bigger one than he really got. Hobbs. however, batted very nicely indeed for 36, made in an hour, and then was out, through mis-hitting a loose leg ball, nt which he swung hard. Ho struck me as a more finished batsman thnn on his first visit. Tho second wicket fell nt 68, but tronble for the "-...Hi ftiish-ftlian bowlors came with the third wicket, over which Warner and tinnrjjp Onnn established a fine partnership of IC7. Gunn wnsn bit careful at first, crouching and watching them, but from the stase of doubt ho passed quickIv to tho other extreme of supreme confidence, and look such liberties with the bowlim.' a<; few batsmen would have dared on n Sometimes he ran up the wicket to i"e<>t a ball, sometimes ho calmly walked iro the wicket, no I always to hit, but often just In plav thorn, and nearly all of his first .w ruin were trot to the on or to lei. where his planner was nuite perfect. In fact Gunn rIM tli'ncs ou occasions (hat mane vnn think him contomnhimis— nnt f>nra»f»rl } n „ PP v,'o,,, ; irmno at nil. but -just nlnyimr with flip bnwlro. Tf cricket isIhn fcinir of snort?— Hip imperial mime— »ii»n Gum wns with leso nuijeste on Friday last/'

THE KEV. E. 0. BLAMIHES,

It is understood that the Rev. E. 0. Blnmires will play for tho Artillery (Wednesday) team this year. In connection with this, tho secretary of (ho Wednesday Association (Mr. J. fi. Ciisnck) states that it is unlikely that Mr. Blamires will ho able to mnko a regular appearance at the wickets, as liis work in connection with tho Mission nnd Brotherhood is growing, and there arc many calls on his time.

ROWING.

THE WELLINGTON' CLUB. Tho faUowinp strokes have been selected for tho Wellington Club's senior fours: S. Shilling, S. Shanden. Jl. iM'Kinloy, A. AV. Jackson. Crows will be selected this afternoon. Another race took place last night for the Ladder Sculls Hanuan dol'ealing Uoare. CANTERBURY FOR AKABOA. Tho Canterbury Club's crews selected to po into training for Akaroa Regatta aro u= follow:—Junior Four: C'ognn (stroke), Daxter, Farrow, and Parson. Maiden Four (No. 1 crow): Birch (stroke). Haps--I'ord, Button, and Whitcombe; (No. 2 crew): TosswUl (stroke). Skevinßton, l!obinson, and Dunsford. Vonths' Four: I'arFon (stroke), Livingstone l , Guthrio, and Talbot. Junior Double Sculls: Farrow (stroke), nnd Baxter. Maiden I)oub!o Sculls: Guthrio (stroltp), and Fox. Youths' Double Sculls: Archer (stroke) and .rinrgreavcs. The junior four selected, with the exroptiou of the bow, is identical with tho maiden crew that had such a phenomenal rii« of success last seas-ou, nnd it is [iroposed, if it shapes well in tho meanwhile, to ftart it as the club's senior fours nt the bi» regattas. Mnnutiine it i.s being coached by Mr. 11. Ayers, -who woe in charge last season.

BOXING.

THE COMING TOURNAMENT. Tlio Wellington Boxing Association's last tournament of this, season will take place in tlio Town Ilall on Wednesday |ie.\t. The principal ovent of tho evening will be a IS-round contest between two light-weight boxers, Hanrunn (Austraniul Ouult (Auckland). Tho evening's programme will include four amateur preliminaries betweon leading local ind visiting exponents. The box pl.in is now open at Armil's.

THE GAULT-HANNAN MATCH. A keen demand is reported for senta for tlio boxing tournament, which is to ba held at tho Town Hall on Wednesday Gault, who arrived from Auckland on Thursday, states that ho is in excellent trim, iinil Iliinnan is nlsn very well. There will bo four preliminaries to tho big contest. Barr, of Masterlon, is to oppose Kutner; and Finnic, who was runner-up in tho championship mooting nt Inverciirgill this year, is to meet Baiu an exponent of tho art uew to local enthusiasts. M'Carthy, . Iho holder of the local light-weight title, will meet Valentine, of Petonc; and Wilson, who met Ellis recently, is to oppose Stewart, another Pttc-ne man. Tho box plan is at Armit's.

GOLF,

THE ISLINGTON FOURSOMES. Following is tlio draw and order of starting in the Islington foursomes under the auspices of tho Wellington Golf Club;— First Tee.—A. Young and Miss E. Stafford (13) play A. Wylie and Miss Wheeler (l<). . . J. C. Crawford and Mis 3 N. Brandon (8) play E, S. Pearco and Mrs. Watkins C. T. George and Miss H. Miles (H) play W. H. Turnbull and Miss E. Simpsou (U). T. S. Weston and Miss Ewen (15) play L. C. Hales and Mrs. Firth (11). G,. F. Johnston and Mrs. Turnbull (8) play C. Elgar and Mrs. Elgar (H). K. D. Duncan and Miss R. Simpson (9) play A. E. Whyte and Miss Kennedy (11). R. W. Kirkby and Mrs. Webster (14) play J. S. Fairchild and Mrs. Thornton J. C. Hughes and Mrs. Tvjeed (18) play E. S. Hodson and Miss M. Pearco (U). Eighth Toe.—A. Duncan and Mrs. Duncan (6) play W. E. Reid and Miss F. Brandon (9). W. B.'Lees and Mrs. Lees (8) play H. G. Didsbury and Miss L. Brandon (2). A. J. Abbott and Miss Hanmiy (3) play A. Mc.C'osh Clarko and Miss A. Pcarce (3). A. S. M'Sliano and Miss M. Burnes (7) play C. St. G. Gore and Miss M. Tweed (7).

, E. H. Rawson and Miss Collins (5) play i. Cj. Dalziell and Miss Rarcourt (9> A. E. Pearce and Miss Ouncan (lo)'play J. A. Pike and Mrs. Biss (17), T. Young and Miss Tolhnrst (H) play J. A. C. Campbell and Miss G. Ewen

ATHLETICS.

W.A.A.C. SUMMER MEETING. The W.A.A.C. has drawn up its programme for its summer carnival at the Basin Eeserve on December 16. All olasses of competitors have been well catered for, and two of the field events—the hop, step, and jump and the hammer throwwill give our champions, L. M'Kay and A. Bisset, an opportunity each of registering New Zealand records. For the former event there *s none on tho books —M'Kay's championship jump at Christchurch not having been passed as such owing to an error in the length of the measuring tape. Thero is likewiso no existing record for hammer throwing under the present 7-foot circle rule, as Bisset's championship throw in Christchurch met with the same treatment as M'Kay's figures in his event. Ihc W.A.A.C. Committeo will havo an opportunity at this meeting of giving both M'ivay and Bisset the chance to obtain the record'honours, and which they lost through "a purely technical error, and should see that al , the conditions aro properly complied with in order that tho figures "jTt-ill meet with official confirmation and endorsement. Records at this meeting would bo particularly interesting as giving the Australasian competitors something to tilt at later in the month. The club's new president, Mr. W. 1 , . Larkin, has donated a trophy for the 220 yards handicap, to be competed for by members of the W.A.A.C. only, and as an encouragement to the middle distance men the coveted bracelet has been allotted to tho half-inile handicap. Intending competitors are. reminded entries for tho Karori A.A. Club's evening mcetins on Wednesday next close to-night, rhero aro two open events on the programme—a 100 yards handicap and one mile run handicap.

ASSOCIATION,

AUSTRALASIAN CONFERENCE. A meeting of the New Zealand Football Association was held last evening, Mr. C. E. i'ordhani presiding. The Otago Football Association reported that the U ednestlay Association had not carried out the New Zealand Council's instructions regarding tho presentation of the Charity Cup to the Penrose Club. Instructions were given to the secretary (Mr. B. L. Salmon) to write the Otago Wednesday Association asking for full particulars. Ou Wednesday 14 and 15 a conference of Association footliall delegates frorii all parts of Australasia will bo held in Sydney. Now Zealand's delegates -will be Mr. H. N. Holmes, late Chairman of the W.F.A., and Mr. B. L. Salmon, secretary of tho New Zealand Council. the matters to come up for discussion will be: (1) Slhemes to promote boys' football; (2) improving the standard of play; (3) uniform interpretation of rulings and laws of the game; (4) uniform examination of referees; (5) uniform system of dealing with breaches of laws of the gamo; (C) to promote inter-State games; (7) visits of English teams; (8) amateur versus professional status. Now Zealand's delegates will move the following resolution at the conference:— "That, while the New Zealand Football Association approves of conferences, it is of the opinion that the timo is not yet vipo for an Australasian Board of Control for Association football.

RIFLE SHOOTING.

SUBCBBS HIFI.E CLUB. The Suburbs Rifle Club continued shooting for trophies on Wednesday afternoon. A north-west, wind was blowing, making ihe shoaHii? difficult. The following were the scores (seven shots at 300, 500 and GOO yards):A Class. T. B. Caplin ... 32 !U 33 E cr. S9 C. •Whiteman ... 2'J 31 20 scr. S9 J. L. Turner 28 23 23 scr. 70 B Clas.-. W. r. Hornig ... 30 2ft 27 5 91 A. Otton 2B 2« 2S S 85 A. Turner 2(i 25 28 5 Si H. C. Wood, 27-23-19-6-75. C Class. A. H. Svmonds .18 "2 16 7 To J. Oilman 19 -"> 1« 7 63 S. Kutlcdgc 27 11 17 4 59 *\V. Isaac, 27i—2i —51. *B«tired at 600 yards. The following were tho result? of the teams' shooting for the iifth match in tho first series:— J. Smart's tnam, 320; Fcllin'ham's toam, 31G; A. Jackson's team, 3IG"; J- Eoss, 314: l\ Trice, 301; \V. Gower's, 295; AV. Jl. Jackson's, 275. The club shoots to-day at ranges 3CO, 600, 7W) vards, seven shots at each range.