SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 12964, 29 May 1908, Page 4

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

PISTOL CHAMPIONSHIP. Press Association—By Telegraph—-(Copyright NEW YORK, May 28. (Recoived May 29, at 8.27 a.m.) Roland Prentys, formerly of Melbourne, won the American pistol championship cup for 20yds. ITEMS FROM AUSTRALIA. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, May 28. (Received May 29, at 9.48 a.m.) The New Zealand mare Torere won the Bacchus Marsh Jumpers' Flat Race. Divham, winner of the National Steeple, broke his leg while schooling, which necessitated his destruction.

INTER-STATE EIGHT-OAR RACE. It is a long time since Victoria had such a shock as she experienced (says the ' Sydney Morning Herald ') when her crack crew was defeated in the eight-oar race by a New South Wales combination. For weeks the excellence of the Yarra men had been the chief topic of conversation among the rowing men gathered in Melbourne. Everybody was confident that the local crew would win, and the only speculation indulged in was what State would fill second place. The general opinion was that Victoria was representee? by the best crew that she had ever had. The result, however, showed that "you can never tell till the numbers are up," for the crack team was defeated by a New South Wales combination that was not reckoned by tipsters class enough to fill second place. The six boats got away with a splendid start, and after about a mils the light blues went to the front. The knowing ones on the umpire's boat were surprised at this, but explained _it away by saying : " The Victorians will jump to the front soon, and it ought to be a good go for second place between New South Wales and Tassy." This the Victorians tried to do, but every time they made a spurt the light blues answered it with another, and kept the lead till the finish, when they were over a length in front of the much-boomed crew. Tho result was well received, and cheer after cheer went up from the crowds on the wharves as the crews pulled off to their sheds. THE SYKES BALL. AUCKLAND, May 29. The Lawn Teanis Association have' unanimously decided to adopt the Sykes ball and to support the New Zealand Association in selecting it as the official ball for next seaEon.

COURSING. The £i.ore Coursing Club's meeting was concluded yesterday. The Maiden Stakes was won by Mr C. 'Raines's Lady Fairfield, the runner-up being Messrs M'Cash and Smith's Miss Thornbury. The winner of the Supplementary Stakes was Mr A. D. Dunlop's Peppercorn, with Mr O. Kelly's Right Bower runner-up.