ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7788, 6 November 1886, Page 3

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FIXTURES. * CRICK . . . . NOvemMrtS.—Opening of cup tbatoMi.' Novembers—A.O.O. ». United, Gordon ▼. Holl&n . November 26 27, 5.9-Australians v. Canterbury. . December 2, 3, '4—Australian* v. Wellington December 7, 8, 9—Australians v. Auckland. February.—Auckland r. All England-lileven. AQUAT OS. ' ' . December IL—Bowing AjMoolatJop ■ Regatta. SPOKTS. ' ' November 5. — Auckland College and Grammai School Athletic Sports, Domain Cricket Ground. November 9. —Bport» at Agricultural Snow Grounds Green Lane. CRICKxST. This afternoon the cop matohei under the auspices of the A.C.A. will be started foi the season 1886 7. Owing to the inolement weather and other contingencies the matches have been rather later in commencing this season ; but this should result in more satis factory cricket, as the ground baa had a good spell to pick op condition during the spring, and is now in capital order, promising to be in tirst-class run-getting order for the afternoon's work. The draw has resulted in the A,C.C. meeting United and Gordon taokling Holland. As the senior cricket is limited to four clubs this season, the programme has been drawn up, but ' strange to say is not yet out of the printers' hands. It provides for three matches instead of the usual two teats between *eaoh club, Turning to the respective elevens announced for the clubs, the A.A.C., on paper, look by far the piok of the bunob, and at present they are very strong favourites tor the Senior Cup. Gordon have no change in their team, with the exception of E. McCausland instead of G. W. Holdship. The fine all-round form of this team last season should not be forgotten, and although the U.C.C. are undoubtedly the strongest on paper, the G.G.C. will not yield the proud position they attained in 1885-6. The A.C.C., with such a quartette of batsmen like Barton, Arneil, O'Brien, C. F Keid, and also Tomlin and A. C. Stewart, should be a tower of strength this season; while with the ball they are also very strong with A. M. Beale, Raid, Barton, and Robinson. It is very probable that Browning, of the Waikato, who has bean practising in the Domain during the week, may take his _ place in the team this afternoon. United ' are wso strengthened by the inclusion of DLynon, late of the West End, and have also secured a first-rate colt in Stinson, who trondies in capital style. ' I notice that J. Gar doner is also inoluded in their team to bowl this afternoon; unless he draws the line a little finer in bis distinction between a throw and a fair bowl should certainly be no-balled. It is always better to raise objection at first to this matter. Of coarse it is a delicate subject for an umpire to deal with, but even the most sanguine supporter of this playar s style considers that he does throw at tifflfs. It is a funny coincidence that the < United should have played the only spirited throwers in Auckland for the past sefon or eight years. The A. U.C.C. will no doabt make a good matoh with the A.O.C. to-day, but 1 hardly think that they can pull off the game. Holland is strong resuscitation ; of the Newton and Our Boys O.C. of last action with the cream of the Holland O.C. With this reinforcement even it can hardly «aid that they will take any very prominent place in the ranks of senior crioket. Gordon will*be a tough matoh for them to-day. . The oommittee of the A.C. A. resolved on Wednesday last to play 22 against the A us tralians. I hardly think it was a Wise decision. The "cornstalks" are about the weakest team that has yet visited this colony and since the previous visit of Murdochs Eleven, the game has gone ahead here with leaps and bounds, so that the odds chosen by the committee for the coming match are rather too' heavy. The meeting seemed to be guided by the fact that 1 Canterbury was going to play 22, but at a j recent meeting they reconsidered the proposal and decided upon eighteen, while I learn that even Wellington has deoided to pit a like Dumber against the visitors. Auckland prides itself upon being on the same footing in cricket with Canterbury and a step ahead of Wellington, yet our association have decided to play twenty-two. It is a matter that might well - be reconsidered, without in any way endangering the. .dignity of the province's renown at cricket. 1 , If fine weather favours the big matches in December next, the A.C.A., under the awarded terms of two-thirds to the Australians and one-third to the ground, should net a handsome profit after paying all reasonable expenses. The Saturday before the match! with the Australians (December 4) has been left open) so that , the Auckland team may have a practice match for the intercolonial contest fixed for the following week. V Players are reminded that* according to the: new rales .all practice must cease at a quarter-past two o'clock under pain of a fine i of ss, to be enforced by fcb * G,A» Secre-

! taries and captalt* should' 1 , impress . upon 1 members of clubs theimportanoe of paying ftttentioato this rale. ; ■ u Jit } \SSiIL | ' Giffin is still at the top of the batting i averages of the Australian - Eleven Witu^K i i innings, 1287 runs ? 4vei'age,;2B-27. '* " j The Canterbury Association, finding but 0 ; little interest fl taken J to" the association . { matches arranged as practice for , the Anetrai| lian Eleven, have abandoned the project and. r started the cup matches. Lancaster W fj considered the strongest team this season. * JThe rule of picking selection 'oommisteeß » of each eleven, and adopted in a leading club ; of Auckland, might well be carried out in tali ; the clubs. Christchuroh clubs -have tola •' idea invogue. •: •' . . .. a . Commend me to. the following, contributed by " Lillyblaok " to a Wellington paper I "With the exception of Barton, of Anck« Jand, and Wilding, of Christchuroh, these > ' »re few, If any, cricketers in New Zealand who would be worth their salt on an English i village-green." : :•. .. •/• AQUATIC. ; / .rx-.',C> , ' The following clubs ' intend furnishing > crews for the Amateur Whaleboat : Race -at i the anniversary regatta: —North Shore, j Ponsonby, St. George's, West End, Manni kau, and City R.C.'s. I understand the r Waitara 80. have signified their intention • to send a crew to compete for the Champion • Race, 1 " ' ■—■ St- George's R.C. is now the, strongest club on the Waitemata, having a member* ship roll of 60, and property in shsds, boats, and gear, valued at £200. . The club possess nine boats. ; ;i „ 1 ," _ L The trial fives of the Ponsonby R,O. »re fixed to. come off on the harbour this afternoon, and the number of • entries" announced should afford keen competition and be an interesting afternoon's sport. • . • • cycling:•/' The W.B.C. sported some handsome silver badges at the A.A.A.G. -sports, Which they have had' manufactured for them by Mr, Teutanberg. . -* The ; oyoling season will be . opened - this afternoon by a procession and opening run, starting from the junction of Queen and Grey streets. .The route, I understand, ".Will be down Queen-stnet, J and-' into Customs, Hobson, Pitt streets, Karangahape .Road, Symonds-sfcreet, Kyber Pass, and Manukas* Road, where the procession will be "photo* graphed.- —'■ Over two hundred entries . hava been received for the November , International Bicyale Meeting, to be held at Melbourne on November 13. ::il The cricket ground .ia still . aliv® '} every evening with machines practising for - th e cycling events at the sports on Tuesday next. .. Cyoli»ts . might well pay attention to the rule about not encroaching upon the good wickets in the centre of the ground. •- - • ' MISCELLANEOUS. "w • [ The A. A. C. "ports on Saturday last were the success that was anticipated considering » the splendid weather that th» club were fa- ' voured with. '1 he meeting in. every way was ' satisfactory, and I under*tand the takings at » the gates amounted to £97 in all, and that a . handsome balance will be carried forward J after paying the prizes, & c . c -The "firat 1 prizes in each event will be gold medals 1 of suitable design, which are being n*ann. 1 factured by Messrs. Teutenberg. Jn ad- • dition to the officers of the club who I promoted the success of the .ga&herinff ? were Messrs. E. M tchejson, M.H.R., and T7 e Henderson as judges, Mr. W. W. Robinson t in the owners' position of starter, Mr. J. ' Halyday .as call steward, and Mr. J. A. J Cooper as lap-keeper for the cycling events. - The handicapping, in ail events, save, the • 100 yards open, were satisfactory, and • , brought about capital finishes. The cycling if ; races excited great interest, and there can ■ be no doubt about the great attraction they 0 are to the meeting. No sensational breaking '• of records were made, as the, ground was •* rather heavy from th« previous rains. - The fourteenth carnival certainly may be numbered among the most successful meetings yet carried out by the club - The report which has been circulated South in -the New Zealand Referee, stating , that obscene language was used at a recent meet« ing of the Auckland Rugby Union, came under discussion at Thursday's meeting of the delegates; and the secretary was instructed to write to that journal contradicting the report. For tie information of the person who sap-' plied the report to one of the evening papers of Auckland, I can *t*te that no such language as that imputed took place at the meeting, and the statements made are pure fabrications. : An animatod discourse did " take place, - but the mettiug was then' adi t journed, and to the credit of the Auckland lnion and the Chairman this refutation is necessary. Joe Scott, the New Zealand pedestrian, e has been matched against Barriman for a 75 r hours' match in Hobart. , tiutchens, the champion pedestrian of 6 England, will arrive in Australia in - a s short time, having been brought out by Mr. s F. Smith, of Sheffield Handicap fame, in 1 Sydney. i _It is said that Charley Mitchell has cleared ;, £5000 by his exhibitions in the United e States. The feat of breaking the record in thrown b ing the Lacross ball has been achieved by ; W. B. Kenny, a leading player of • the Mel* 1 bourne University Lacross team. His throw reached 148 vards 2 feet. The previous best a rt cord was 147 yards 1 foot, by R. M'Kenzie, . at the Shamrock L.C. Grounds, Montreal,' s Canada, October 21. 18S2. , Parnell Tennis Club will commence play I for the season on the lawn, opposite Bishops- ' court, this afternoon. b The sports to come off in connection with > the Show on November 9 are exciting a i large amount of attention, and" the fact that • many of the events are restricted to i amateurs only, the meeting promises to be a success. The handicaps are in the hands of the same gentleman who apportioned the starts in the A.A.A.C. Sports, and on the whole are considered satisfactory. Geeloug i 8 -at the head of football in Victoria for the past , season, with South Melbourne second, and Carlton third. Abgcs.