ATHLETIC STOUTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7936, 30 April 1887, Page 6

ATHLETIC STOUTS.

FIXTURES* FOOTBALL. May—Opening of Season. —Auckland v. Otago. AQUATICS. May 29—Intercolonial Eight-oar Race, Victoria v New Soutu Wales. May 30— Haitian v. Gaudaur. July, ISS7—llaulan v. Teenier, United States. November 28— Beach v. Han.an, Championship of.the World, Nepean llivor. CYCLING. April 80—Road race, W.8.C,. from Ouebunga to Parnoll.

FOOI BALL,

The new committee of the Rugby Union have shown their intention to carry on the concerns of the association with promptitude and vigor, and yesterday concluded arrangements for the lease of a suitable ground for the coming season. The piece. selected as being the nearest available, as well as possessing the necessary requisites of level surface, dry soil, and short springy turf, is that section of the Onehunga Road known os Potter's Paddock. The field secured is of ample dimensions for a dozen matches if need be, and six first-class grounds can be marked out closo to the road. The distance from town is by some considered an objection, but it is one that cannot be avoided ; indeed, in a couple of years this part of the suburbs will be thought quite near, and it would be advisable, when tho Union see their way clear, to secure a longer lease of the ground. The place of play is but a short walk from Newmarket, and there is a good footpath to the gates. The members of all football clubs are reminded that the Rugby Union will meet on Thursday next to arrange the annual programme, and will require all clubs intending to compete for either senior or junior cups to signify their intention to Mr. Dixon, the secretary ; also the names of their players for the season.

The Albert Football Club will hold a scratch match in the Domain on Saturday at three o'clock, and all are requested to attend.

The following teams have been, picked from tho North Shore Football Club to play a practice match to-day, at the Recreation Ground, North Shore, at three p.m.:—First Fifteen; D. Snow, H. Mays, J. M. Sibbin, G. Wyuyard, W. Wynyard (captain), S. Soinerfield, C. Maude, J. Patterson, J. Martin, C. Marshal], J. Lynch, M. Murphy, W. Murphy, H. Gra.ttan, W. Brown. Second Twenty : McLeod (captain), Bell, Tanfiold, F. Brown, Harris, Quiok, Pennalligan, T. Sullivan, J. Spraggon, P. Edson, Breen, Trayes, Jackson, W, Swinnerton, Harvey, LI. VV. Williams, Inglis, Harper, Shelly, J. McDonald.

There will be a practice match of tho Gordon F.C, this afternoon. Drags will leave from opposite the Bank of New Zealand for Potter's field, at a quarter past two, The following, .and any other members of the club who wish to play, are requested to turn up : —Meldrum (2), Lusk (3), Ansenne, Moresby, Clarkson, Collins, Dodds, Wynyard, McCausland (2), Barington (2), Hudson, Anderson, Snodgrass, O'Reilly, Lindsay, Reed, Poland (2), Jordan, Bintiey, Crowe, Gould, Cooper, Neil, Thompson, Burton, Moginie, Johnstone, Mariner, Purchas, Diddams.

The Albert and Remuera Clubs will each hold a practice in the Domain to-day at three p.m. sharp, and all members should be

present

The Auckland will meet for a scratch match in the Metropolitan Ground, Symondsstreet, where all members wishing to play are asked to turn up by a quarter to three p.m. The Auckland Association Football Club will hold their first practice in the Domain at half-past two sharp.

Ponsonby players will be sorry to learn that Harry Mclutyre, who formerly played for the " blue aud blacks," and was last year considered one of the best forwards' in Wellington, has decided not to play this year for bis club, the Pouekes, as his leg has given way. > The South Melbourne Football Club opened this season over in Victoria on Saturday last with a match between 20 seniors and 23 juniors. The attendance was large, over 2000 being present.

There is a consolation to our local footballers in the fact that at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union, held on the 20th instant, their balance-sheet showed £6 ISs 3d of a credit balance. With all her extravagance Auckland iB ahead of that total.

At the annual meeting of the Otago Rugby Union last week nothing was said about the proposed visit to Auckland save that the committee's report for the past year concluded with the words : " As ten yeara have passed since the famous fifteen of Otago made a tour of the colony, it is desirable to put forth a special effort to send a team North this seasou."

The Ponsonby Football Club will this afternoon attend on the Domain Cricket Ground to compete in a half-mile handicap race for trophies presented by friends of the club. Nearly all tho members of the team will compete, and the training they have undergone for this match will stand them in good stead during tho earlier games of the opening season. On the handicap it is difficult to say who will carry off the prize, but Stephenson and Whiteside are considered to be the most likely. Akgus,

TENNIS ON ASPHALT. A new era in winter sports will commence this afternoon by the introduction into Auokland, and at the same time to New Zealand, of tennis played on asphalt courts, under the auspices of the Newmarket Bowling and Tennis Club. This departure is due in a great measure to Mr. King, the secretary of the club, who saw the great enjoyment derived from the pursuit of this popular game during the winter months on asphalt in Melbourne, and determined to introduce the novelty to his friends in Auckland. He went to great trouble in the matter of learning the best description of asphalt for this work, and it was under his special recipe that Messrs. Fowler and Knight, the contractors, laid down the courts. The playing of tennis in winter will prove a great boon to many persons who are not alive to the attractions of football, which is the only game carried on hitherto during the, colder months, and the Newmarket Club, and their secretary in particular, deserve the thanks of a large .section of the community for initiating such an enjoyable pastime. Special moveable apparatus has been contrived for the fixing of the nets, and the boundaries are permanently marked out in paint. The opening of the new courts will be specially attractive to persons interested in the game by the fact that eight of the leading local players have accepted the committee's invitation to play the first game, as follows : —W. E. Baiton and Richard Oarr v, E. P. Hudson and Morrison Dr. Posnett and W. A. Hidings v. Dr. Corbetb and H. A. Morey. The Newmarket Brass Band will bo in attendance. Seats will be provided for ladies. Members are asked to attend in full force to give the visitors a hearty welcome.