ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9455, 10 March 1894, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

CRICKET. The Cup matches were continued last Saturday afternoon, and attracted a large number of spectators. The two senior matches were both decided on the first innings. The Auck-land-Parnell contest resulted in an easy win for Parnell. Gordon and United had a very close game, the latter team ultimately winning by four runs. The result of last Saturday's matches leaves Auckland, Gordon, and Parnell a tie for the Championship. At a meeting of the Association held during the week, it was decided that these three teams should play off. Gordon drew the bye, and Auckland and Parnell accordingly meet on March 17th. All matches were declared off for Easter Saturday (March 24). In the first juniors, Parnell finished their match with the North Shore team, gaining a victory over them by five wickets. Wr.nderers I. had a very interesting match with Auckland 11., and just managed to defeat them. All Saints gained an easy victory over Parnell. The latter were only able to put together 74 in both innings, Elliott (17) being the only man to make a stand. The bowling of the Ponsonby boys was very destructive. In Parnell's »;• first innings, Langsford took four wickets for 15 runs, Crookes four 18, and Peacock two for 2. In their second innings, Langsford was even more successful, taking five for 16, Crookes secured two for 4, Peacock one for 3, and Dacre one for 0. Airey, Dacre, and Robertson were the most successful of the All Saints' team in the handling of the bat, making 17, 18, and 14 respectively. : ' The bowling of Parnell was up to the average, Kilgour took six wickets for 32 runs. Whitelaw two for 6, and Kilfoyle one for 2. Belmont easily defeated Avondale by an innings aud 34 runs. For the winning' team, E. Thomas made 50 runs, A. Walton 34, R. Cromwell 14, G. Grindrod 12, and A. Hendry 11. The best performance among the Avondale ranks was that of Johnson, who secured 29 runs.

Belmont A completely smothered the B team, making their second innings the grand score of 214, which is the highest score made this season amongst the championship matches. The chief contributors were J. Thomas 53, A. Jowitt 41, F. McKillop 47, G. Spurway 23, A. Parker 24, R. Cowan 14, and li. Totman 10. Quite recently there passed away a cricketer who half a century back was a prominent figure in important matches. The Rev. George Leopold Langdon, who died at Craysfoot Rectory a few days ago, was hon. secretary of the Sussex County C.C. as long since as 1.839, in which year he represented the county against the Marylebone Club at Lord's. Langdon's name is to be found in the score of the Gentlemen v. Players match at Lord's in 1841, and also in 1842, while at Town Mailing, for Sussex against Kent, in 1839, he played a grand innings of 37 on a difficult wicket against the superb bowling of Hillyer and Alfred Mynn. On Old Lillywhite's Ground, Brighton, at the end of the same year, he fccored 26 for the Gentlemen of Sussex versus the Players of Sussex, " old Lilly," who was then iu his prime as a bowler, securing his wicket. He further formed one of the Sussex eleven which played England at Brighton in 1840. He was a left-handed batsman, and generally fielded at point or mid on.

A FAMOUS RCJN-GETTKR. Under the above title S. W. Hitchin, in Cricket, has an interesting article on Arthur Shrewsbury. He stati-s that Arthur Shrewsbury played his first county match in 1875 against Derbyshire at the age of 19, and scored his first century at 20. The figures which follow—dealing with the whole of his performances from the start up to the close of the year 1893—need but little comment to emphasize the brilliant career in part consideration of which, the proceeds of the match versus the Australians are shortly to be handed to him. The amount raised is not yet publicly announced, but looking at the very substantial sums awarded to famous professors in other shires, and recognising _ how richly deserving the claims of the beneficiare are, it is earnestly to be hoped that the cheque will be appreciative to the player, and creditable to che county for which he has done so much. Through this extended period— which no fewer than 100 fresh young players have had a trial in the county team —on no single occasion has he, owing to loss of form, been left out of the eleven. Shrewsbury has journeyed once to America, and four times to Australia, and has been a consistent run-getter wherever and for whomsoever he has played. In County contests Shrewsbury has seven times exceeded the second century—a performance which is altogether unique. He has, moreover, been dismissed without troubling the scorers actually fewer times, than* he has- beeu with .a century to his credit, or in other words " he has got a 100 of tener than he has got a o,"a most remarkable statement to be able to make, and one which no other player living could claim credit for. He has also yet to get his first "spectacles" in a conuty match. He has been caught out 182 times, bowled 82, runout 12, stumped 10, leg before wicket 8, hit wicket 3, not out 28. The lbw figures are a curious commentary on the allegation of those critics concerning the " playing with the leg " theory. Eight times leg before wicket in eighteen seasons 1 It is worthy of note, too, that out of the number of "caught out" innings, nearly 40 have been " caught at the wicket," which is generally agreed to be more owing to misfortune than incorrect play. - He has averaged, during the whole of his career, slightly over 36 for every appearance at the wicket. Including a single innings of 56 for Notts against England in 1885, his entire work for the county in first-class matches is represented by the following figures , Completed Highest Innings. Runs. Inns. Average. 331 .. 11,598 .. 267 .. 35.13 To which, if we add those innings against second-rate counties, viz. 19 074 „ 96 .. 35.9 35C 12,272 267 85.22 We arrive thus at the grand total of 12,000, 272 runs in matches organised by the Notts County Executive. A # truly wonderful achievement, and one which merits a very high place in the records of remarkable players. Shrewsbury has piled up the century on 42 different occasions. Shrewsbury also (with Gunn) holds the record for the most productive partnership in a first-class match; the other occasions of long partnership in which he has taken part are given in the following table :— 1890 Shrewsbury and Gunn ~ Sussex .. 398* 1891 Shrewsbury and Gun a .. Sussex .. 312 1832 Shrewsbury and Barnes .. Surrey .. 259 1893 Shrewsbury and Gunn .. Sussex .. 274 1884 Shrewsbury and Gunn .. Sussex .. 260 1891 Shrewsbury and Gunn .. Kent .. 232 1887 Shruwsbury and Barnes .. Middlesex 214 1893 Shrewsbury and H. B. Daft Lancashire 189 1876 Shrewsbury and R. Daft .. Yorkshire 183 1887 Shrewsbury and Gunn .. Sussex ~ 181 1885 Shrewsbury and Attewell.. Middlesex 177 1890 Shrewsbury and Dixon ~ Lancashire 174 1885 Shrewsbury and Flowers .. Derbyshire 162 ISBB Shrewsbury and Gunn .. Gloucester 161 1889 Shrewsbury and Gunn .. Sussex .. 160, 1885 Shrewsbury and Scotton ~ Gloucester 159 * Must productive partnership on record in a firstclass match. CYCLING. Sixteen three-fifth seconds is claimed as an eighth mile record, made by W. J. Edwards at San Francisco on December 17. A path race was run in Paris recently between tandem safeties, a male and female rider in each case forming the crows. Wooden rims will be almost an universal feature here next season, says an American authority. For real news one still has to go abroad. There is a great deal of difference, remarks an American contemporary, between a pneumatic sulky and a sulky pneumatic in the bright lexicon of wheelmen. The French 100 miles (tricycle) road record has been certified at 6h. 10m. 50s. Duanip is the holder, and in accordance with the U.V.F. rules, the record was made on an out-and-home course. The latest from Lenz came from the coast of Burmah. Since he left New York he has travelled nearly 16,000 miles, 6000 on the water, 2000 on foot, the balance per 'cycle. He is six months behind his time, and will mot finish his little spin till next winter. PARISIAN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS* RACK. ~ At the winter track of the Arts-Liberaux, in Paris, a 24 hours' race was held at the beginning of the year. The track is very small, with sharp curves, and ii nob at all a safe one, vet, if (ne lap-scoring was correct, a wonderful performance was done by a new star. At five o'clock ten starters were dispatched on their journey. Duanip, Masclet, Arland, Williams, Huret, Parmentier, Baze, Hoden, Allard, and Linton. There was considerable interest directed to Linton.

The tactics of the French were to break up the new professional by hot pace, and Baz£ began at once to make things very sultry. But Linton was there, and stuck there until the 20th kilometre, when Williams sprinted away and got a ten lengths lead, only to be caught again by a bit of very fast work by his opponent. The 50 kilometres occupied lh. 28m. 50a. In the third hour Williams and Duanip, pulled out by the Fossier tandem, lapped Linton, who stopped and then went on again. 100 kil., 36. 2m. 1 — Williams leading. In the fifth hour Linton was fairly left. Unfit, and having reached Paris only the previous evening, he could not stand the pace. Williams, splendidly paced, lapped Duanip, and covered the English 100 In sh. 3m. 30s. Williams was drinking much, eating well, and riding better, and quite fresh. At 12 hours. Williams had covered about 226£ miles; the slight-looking Huret still riding pluckily less , than halWmile

behind. "Duanip was third, Hoclen fourth, and Baz6 fifth. Williams had fonr laps to spare at 14 hours. And so it went on. Every time Buret stopped his rivals gained a few laps. All interest was centred in these two. Four others were on the , track, but they had no chance. , v At 20' hours Williams wanted to go faster, but his pacers refused to let him, and even got in front and shut him into prevent him from running himself to a standstill- He was drinking champagne.: >• The building was now'filling with people over 15,000 being present towards, the finish. Williams was weakening considerably, while Huret and Duanip were going excellently, and lapping the leader rapidly. The excitement grew higher as Shorland'a record was approched.' Then it was, beaten, i and five minutes of frantic applause greeted the performance. At last the pistol sounded, [ the riders stopped, and the totals were found to be:— 1. Williams, 689ki1, 666 metres, or 4284 miles. 2. Huret, CSlkil., or 4231 miles. 3. Duanip, 658ki1. 333 metres, or 409} miles. Hodun, 624ki1. Parmentier, 575ki1. 333 metre Masclet, 48SkiI. 66Umetre«.

. . AQUATICS. _ The Maratea returned last Sunday from a Northern cruise, and the Viking is due back to-morrow. ' .

The fine weather last week caused an unusual number of yachts to go away for a cruise, and th«i harbour presented a very pretty appearance as they were working their way home on Sunday afternoon. . A meeting of the Auckland Yacht Club • was held last evening in the long-room at the i Harbour Board office. Mr. J. Wiseman presided. After disposing of minor matters, the question of a club picnic was considered. After a lengthy discussion it waa decided to hold the annual picnic of the club on the 17th March, the place of rendevous to be the Lake Beach if the weather was suitable, otherwise up the harbour. A committee was appointed to make arrangements. The time for starting was fixad at half-past nine a.m. from Queen-street Wharf for all yachts that could get away. The club races are to be held on March 31. At the meeting last evening .the following resolution waa carried. Proposed by Captain Gibbs and seconded by Mr. Goldie, " That the following clause in the resolution adopted at the committee meeting held-on the 20th February be rescinded, viz., ' And that yachts underrating may enter in the higher class provided they rate as 4,' thus adhering to the A.Y.C. classification of yachts." Regarding the Easter cruise it was resolved to ask all yacht owners who could get away to communicate with the commodore. . The Henley Regatta will be held on July 4, 5, and 6 this year. Last year's receipts were so satisfactory that after paying all the expenses there waii & credit balance which brought the reserve fund up to £1650. Mr. C. S. Mora til (M.R C.) is well known as a strong swimmer as well as an oarsman. Some days iig&'be saved the life of a lad who was carried out by the heavy sea which was rolling iu on Bondi beach. The act was most courageous, and was so difficult that only a remarkably strong and plucky swimmer would have faced it. Mr. Morath says he could not promise to do it again, and no wonder, for theriak in such a heavy surf is too great, and the "rip" is done well by being done once in a life time. Hobart oarsmen are thinking seriously of competing against . the other colonies in eights. Certainly the crew which rowed on the Parramatta in 1885 was by no means a slow one, nor did the rowing fall far short of real good form. Sydney has had several races against the Tasmanians in fours, but , not for some 12 years or more. The commission which Admiral Montagu has given Mr. Watson will afford another opportunity to that ingenious designer to : show his skill in marine architecture. The Admiral wants to replace his Vendetta with a 40-rater fit to beat any 40-rater the Americans are fit to challenge him with. Some new developments and sensations are therefore expected ; but whether the new boat is to be a keeler or a centre-boarder is still, I believe, undecided. Preparations are now being made for the Champion Eight-oared Race to be rowed over the Lower Yarra championship course on the 17th March, the entries for which are be sent in on the 3rd March. Two crews have started training on the river, Yarra Yarra and Mercantile. The Melbourne University Club intends to start next week the training of the crew who are to represent the club in the next Universities' race, which is to be rowed on the Parramatta river, Sydney, on the 28th April. As soon as the champion 1 eight race has been rowed the training of the crew to represent Victoria in the intercolonial race on the 12th May will have to be commenced. Already the selectors of the New South Wales crew have started a number of; candidates .at practice, and Jar selection is to 'be made shortly. The Queehslanders, too, are getting their crew together. There should be little difficulty in getting a good crew together to represent victoria. The race is to be rowed in Melbourne this year, and as a rule the field for selection is wider when the men have not to leave their colony. Lynx.