AHLETHC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7319, 4 May 1885, Page 6

AHLETHC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL.

The football season was opened on Saturday with a match on the cricket ground between teams which it was originally intended should have represented New Zealand and the World, bat owing to the rather small mutter of players, no doubt owing to the inclemency of the weather, it was abandoned, and aides were pioked by Moesre. R. L'usk and Madigan. The usual epells of 45 minutes were played, and the game throughout was very fast. There were, of course, the mistakes always perceptible at the beginning of the season. The tackling was very good all through, but the passing and dribbling was rather a mediocre display. The kicking was good, considering the greasy state of the ball, but there seemed to be a want oil judgment as to placing the oval, while there were one or two laggards amongst the forwards who cam e in for a good deal of badinage from the onlookers, who numbered between 200 and 300. J. Braund very cleverly landed a goal from the field soon after the start for Lusk's side, but the play was tolerably even for the rest of the spell. After a good run T. Whiteside secured a try, and the shot at the bar by Daniels was unsuccessful. Marshall ran in, breaking the ice for his side, and the place taken by Madigan failed to score. Towardi the end R. Whiteside, after a number of good runs, got in, but no goal resulted from Lusk's place-kick. Amongst the backs, Jordan, Madigan, W. Whiteside, Lnsk, R. Whiteside, and Stewart, shone, while the forwards were not particularly noticeable.

A match was played on the Metropolitan ground between Ponsonby Juniors and Arawa, which resulted in a disputed win for the latter by a goal, kicked by Swanson from a try obtained by McEwen. II; is alleged that the ball was thrown on, and the matter will be referred to the association.

The match on the Domain Rise between Athletic and Gordon second fifteen resulted in an easy win for the Athletic by 20 points to nil't Poulsen scored three tries, H. G. Kissling, Meldrum, Moresby, and Wynyard one each. The play of the forwards and quarters could hardly be particularised as alt performed so well. The uniform (Gordon tartan) of the new club showed to good advantage. Albert second fifteen played their first match on Saturday at Onehunga against Manukau, and won by 11 points to nil. J. Miller, G. Smart, White, and J, Smart each secured a try, and G. Smart kicked a goal from one of them.

The international contest under Rugby rules between Scotland and Ireland, whicli was brought to an abrupt termination at Belfast on February 21, was resumed at Edinburgh on March 7- The weather was cold and the attendance numbered about 6000. Scotland was declared the winner after an excellent contest by a goal and two tries to nil.

At the annual meeting of the English Rugby Football Union to be held on March 25, the following alterations in the lawe of the game will be proposed :—l. That in lav; 43 the words " and there make a mark on the goal line" precede the words , "unless between the goal posts, in which case he shall bring it to either poet." 2. That in law 44 after the words "goal line," in line 10th, the words be added, " except when the try was obtained between the posts." Another resolution to be submitted for approval will be " that the committee be instructed, to consider the duties of umpires, and draw up regulations for their guidance." Football will not be allowed to be played in the Association oricker ground, Sydney, this reason.

Owing to the unremunerativeness of the visiit of the New Zealand team to New South Wsiles last season, and the decadence of the Rugby game in Queensland, it was thought in Sydney there would be no intercolonial contest there this season. However, the Brisbane Rugbians have invited Sydney to send a representative team.

The following appeared in the report of the Sydney University Football Club :— "Before proceeding to an account of the events of the season it will gratify you to learn that the movement for a memorial to your late captain [Mr. Raper] by his many friends pas an entire success, and a handsome marble monument now marks his resting-place." Richmond Footbali Club, Melbourne, has a senior members' roll of 250 this season.

MISCELLANEOUS. In order to encourage long distance roaclraoing, the Melbourne Bicyale Club recently instituted a gold medal for the best 100 miles record daring the year.

Beach gave an exhibition of rowing ab the Newcastle Regatta, on April 22.

A soulhng race in beat-and-best boats haa been arranged between Charles Messenger and Neil Matterson for £200 aside. The race is to take place over the Parramatta championship coarse on Saturday, June 30. in a Boulling handicap for professional rowers, on the Thames, on February 28 and March 2, 16 competed, the course being from Cheswick Church to the Star and Garter, Putney, and the final heat was won by Zl. Perkins, 4 seconds, from D. Godwin, 9 seconds. Bubear, Bright well, Clasper and Pearce competed. A match was arranged between Bubear and Godwin for £100 aside, on March 31, over the Thames Champion Course,

The N.S.W. crew in the Intercolonial Eight-oar fiaoe rowed on the Parramatta on Saturday, April 25, was as follows: —N. Johnson (bow), 10it; R. Moppe'tt, lOat 41bs; G. Seale, lOat 121bs; E. P. Simpson, lOst 71bs; J. Brodie, list 91bs; J. B. H. Kennedy, 12st 41ba ; S. H. Martin, lOst 121bs ; C. Bros, list 41ba; E. Benson (cox), Set lOlbi.

A foot race took place at Hobart oh April IS, between J. Summer and F. A. Stanfield, for £100 a-side an ' the championship of Tasmania. Stanfield kept the lead all the way, and won by about half a yard.