ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8361, 15 September 1890, Page 3

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL. PoxsoNny v. Selwyn.—This game turned out, as most people who are acquainted with Auckland football expected, an easy victory for the former team. From the commencement of the game until time was called, with the exception of a few father brilliant rallies on the part of the Selwyn, the Ponsonby boys had the game in their own hands. When time was called the scores stood Ponsonby, 15; Selwyn, 4. This was the final cup match of the season, and this leaves the Ponsonby team the senior cup winners.

Ponsonby 11. v. Giufton ll.— chief interest at the Epsom grounds on Saturday centred round this match. During the first spell the contest was very keen, only one point being scored by the Ponsonby team. But in the next the Graftons were not in such good form, and their opponents succeeded in scoring two tries, from one of which a goal was kicked. The final result was Ponsonby, 5; Grafton, nil. From the above it will be seen that both the cups this year fall to the lot of the Ponsonby teams.

Herald v. Star.—On Saturday afternoon a very interesting match between teams representing the Herald and the Star, took place at Ellerslie, whither both fifteens and numerous friends journeyed in breaks with colours flying. The match resulted in a victory for the Herald by 7 points to 1. The Star team was somewhat stronger in forwards, but the Herald men played well to their backs, who displayed excellent form throughout. Poland got a try for Star shortly after the start, and no further score occurred till well in the second spell, when Roberts potted a goal for the Herald with, a grand long drop. Mackie got two tries, of which one was neatly converted into a goal by Roberts. Besides those named, Wilson, Blewden, and Haslain did excellent work for the winners behind the scrum, Horton, Hunt, and Rotherham being the best forwards. For the Star, Poland, Brett, and Kelly were most noticeable amongst the backs; while Brooks, Sainty, and Drummond showed strong and fast forward play. BICYCLE ROAD RACE. The eight mile bicycle race (time handicaps) which was run off on Saturday from Panmuro to Bishop's Court, created much interest in 'cycling circles. Of the 15 acceptances, only II started. At four o'clock Hazard, the limit man (5Am.), led off as though ho would give a good account of himself, but soon broke down, owing, as it afterwards transpired, to cramp, and Nicholson (.'ifin.) also crippled his chances and his machine by running into a cow near the Panmure Hotel. Short (.'{m.) soon worked his way into first place, with Waters (3.< sin) second, Reynolds til.) being third, and in this order Ellersfie Hotel was passed. Reynolds was now riding very strongly. 1 and by the time the Harp of Erin was reached, he had drawn up to second place, Waters next and Lecky (Um.) fourth. Short kept up the pace well, but as Farmer's Hill was reached, Reynolds, who had been gaining all the time, shot past him and took the lead, which he held until within 200 yards of home, when Short spurted and passed him. Reynolds, who was rather disconcerted, having thought the race was all his own, responded, but only managed to get to the tape second, being a length of the machine behind Short, while Lecky, hard pressed by Waters, came in after a good interval for third honours. The time was 37m. CRICKET AND FOOTBALL. Speaking of the Australian cricketers the Standard to-day says : —"The doings of the Australians have been followed with interest by the public, but it must be confessed that the team have not altogether satisfied the expectations formed at the outset. They have played twenty-six matches, of which nine have been won, eleven lost, and six drawn. When one remembers what the Colonial cricketers did in ISS'2 and I$S4, the results so far arc comparatively disappointing; but, after all, it would be wrong to form a , hasty judgment upon them. Experience, has shown the folly of placing a weak team against the Australians, and much greater care is now exercised in the selection of mixed teams. Over and over again our. visitors have to meet elevens nearly strong enough to represent the full strength of the country ; and, as matches of this kind have been increased, too much stress ought not to be laid upon the relatively small share of success which has fallen to the lot of the present Australian team. Something also must be credited to the improvement on our own side. We think it is indisputable that the standard of all-round play lias been raised in England since the first visit of our cousins from the Antipodesa fact which helps to make a just comparison exceedingly difficult. Messrs. Turner and Ferris are remarkably clever bowlers, and it would bo a fruitless waste of time to inquire whether they are superior or inferior to Mr. Spofforth, when he was at the height of his fame. Messrs. Murdoch,. ones, and Trott have hardly played up to their reputations; but Mr. Lyons has fre ' iciitly delighted the spectators by the In ncy and the fearlessness of his hitting, _ and Mr. Barrett has repeatedly given a line exhibition of defensive cricket. It is satisfactory to know that the mother country can still hold her supre-. macy at the game which, for.varied interest and the cultivation of manly qualities, is without a serious rival in this or any other land, especially as the colonial players are entitled to high credit for the ability they display. But the present team is not absolutely the strongest that could be got together in Australia, and seeing how small is the population from which the players are drawn, we heartily admire them for the capital fight they are able to make against the elevens chosen as the best in England."

Arthur Shrewsbury, in answer to a representative of the Sportsman, has declared that he has no intention of taking out another football team to Australia. It required such a number of men, and the expenses were consequently so heavy, that nothing was to be got out of it. But he thought it might be a success to bring a really strong representative team of New Zealand footballers to lingland. He would not limit this team to whites, or exclude good Maori players, provided the latter " were such as knew how to behave themselves." Of course, the first step would be to get the sanction of the English Rugby Union, but- lie did not think there would be much difficulty in making things all straight in that direction, provided the team was properly organised and credentialled, and was in good hands.