ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9172, 29 September 1888, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Now that the football season has ended, or rather is about to terminate next Saturday with the athletic sports and burlesque foot- | ball match, which has been arranged by j the Rugby Union, a few remarks upon its chief events will be of interest. Taken altogether the year has been a busy one, for no less than six times have our reps" been called upon to don the blue and white bars" in defence of the province on the Rugby field. Their record in these contests has been satisfactory, for they have on three occasions been victorious, been defeated twice, and in j the last match with the Englishmen the "honours of war" were even. Though this record is creditable, it would most certainly have been much more brilliant but for a series of unlucky circumstances, which robbed us of many of our best back players. The loss of Whiteside, Lusk, and Braund, through accidents on the field, and the absence of McCausland, Elliott, and Madigan, was a heavy one ; and though the players that replaced these cracks were mostly good men and worthy of their "rep." caps, yet in combined play and general experience they were somewhat behind their predecessors. J.n regard to the four matches against the Englishmen, Auckland may be considered I to have acquitted herself very fairly, but it i must bo apparent to an unbiassed observer 1 and good judge of the Rugby game, that a little more coolness and combination would have enabled the local fifteen to have made a much better stand. In the first match the local men's defeat was purely owing to a piece of hesitancy and fumbling by the bucks that, would not be witnessed in a dozen cup matches. In the- second fixture the Auckland men showed much more contidence in the field, and did sterling forward work, while their backs also played well. As a result they won after a hardfought game. In the third match the bad play of several of the backs was trie cause of discounting good forward play ; yet the Englishmen gained a narrow victory by a potted goal oruy. The last game ended in a draw, the same defect being noticeable, the weak play of some of the backs. However, considering the losses referred to above, and comparing our record with that of the other provincial centres, Aucklanders have no great, cause to con.plain of their "reps." In the match ! against Warbrick's fifteen the chosen fifteen did excellent work, and proved themselves quite superior to their dusky brethren, who paid a great compliment to the quality of the Auckland players, when they took away three of our backs to accompany them to England. Though I have included the Thames match as a provincial fixture, it was not really so, and the Aucklanders, though the}' gave a splendid exhibition of fast combined play do not deserve any great amount of "kudos" for defeating the representatives of the mining town, who, indeed, made an excellent fight against odds. A weak team of Aucklanders played the Tauranga men on their own ground and beat them, but no exhibition of really good play was made by either team. The cup matches, as is well known, re-Miitt-d in u victory for the Grafton team, who, by-the way, will be presented with the A.R. 0, Cup and handsome caps at the conclusion of the sports on Saturday next. The club fixtures were played in a very friendly spirit, but the football shown in nearly all the contests was of an inferior order, anil a lot. of loose, careless play was j exhibited by nearly all the teams. La3t 1 year's winners—the Ponsonby Club—have j •or the past season the worst record they 1 liavs ever made, and were badly defeated j by both the Grafton and Gordon Clubs, i This was mainly owing to the weak i:or-;v-arris in the early part of the season, and •.vr.ov this defect was remedied the backs i hen showed that they were as a whole far from reliable. Grafton's strength lies in her first-class team of heavy forwards, who ■■laved iii excellent form in all her matches, Ind gave their backs time and room to operate, with success. The sports: which are to be held on Saturday next at Epsom are causing a great deal of interest among footballers, though it is a pity that larger entries were not received. The executive of the A.R.U. deserve credit for the promotion of such a venture, which not only provides a splendid day's sport, but will do a great deal to eradicate the violent and often unreasoning club partisanship which was so great a drawback to football some two years ago. The various events comprise all sorts of sports, and from the known merits of the performers, who have been placed as nearly as possible on an equality by the handicappers, are a guarantee that closely fousrht-out races will be the order of the day.

No doubt a great attraction will be the burlesque costume match which has been organised by the energy of a couple or so of footballers unconnected with the Union. From the enthusiasm displayed concerning

the preliminary arrangements, and the readiness with which the majority of the firominent players have signified their wilingnoss to take part, it promises to be a great success. The valuable aid of one or two well-known comical characters has been secured, and among the ranks of the "Impossibles" will be found Bunthorne, in all his aesthetical limpness, side by side with Sergeant McGinegan of the " foorce," and the Last of the Mohicans, while Mandarin Wong Foo, backed up by the ever-hungry Gobo, and encouraged by the smiles of the Girl of the Period, will cover himself with glory on behalf of the " Improbables." Cricket operations are now fairly under way, and nearly all the leading clubs are in active practice. A number of scratch games by the members of the various teams in each club have been arranged to take place this afternoon. Lovers of aquatics are also beginning to bestir themselves at the approach of summer, and yachts are being prepared and launched for the forthcoming season. It is probable that Mr. Logan's new yacht Akarana will be launched this afternoon, while the well-known crack five-tonner, Jessie Logan, will, as usual, be one of the first to start operations, and will likely have her first spin to-day. The various rowing clubs have been for the past few weeks indulging in desultory practice, and the West End R.C. hold the first trial-fours this afternoon at Ponsonby. At the meeting of the Auckland Cricket Association, held on Thursday evening, an important change was mad® by the adopting of an amended set of rules. These contain a by-law which precludes ordinary members of affiliated clubs having any direct voice in the affairs of the Association, as the sole right of voting at its meetings is vested in ths delegates alone. This innovation is based upon a similar regulation in the Rugby Union's code, by whioh body it has been found to answer very well. Jason.