ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9919, 7 September 1895, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND V. FRANKLIN.

The annual football match, Auckland v. Franklin, will be played at Pukekohe this afternoon, and promises to be an interesting contest. The following are the names of the players taking part—

Auckland : Fullback, Smith; threequarters, Roberts, Warnock, Siddle; halves, Ramsay, Gillespie: forwards, W. Geard, Freeman, McConnell, Williamson, Hogan, Eaton, M. Breen, Sterling, and Gallagher. Franklin : Fullback, R. Pyke; three quarters, D. Jameson, J. Cranston, C. McGough : five-eights, James Roulston ; halfback, George Blake; wings, J. Kennedy, J. Luke; forwards, W. Luke, P. McElwain, Jim McKeon, D. Dalton, T. Graham, E. McKean, John McKeon. CHURCH UNION. St. James's v. Sr. James' Veterans (Avondale).— James's :H. Walton, Healy, A. Walton, Crawford, \Yebb«r, Sims, Ferguson, Drummond, McKerras, McClusky, McCullough, Stewart, Baildon, McGregor, Jenkin. St. JameV Veterans ; R. Walton, Moncui (2), Woods, Dewitt, Reid, B. M.-Kerras, Blakey, Purdy, Donaldson, Young, McGibbon, Maxwell, McNab, McWregor (2). St. Johns v. St. Mark's (KUerslie).—St. John's will be picked from the following : Bell, Gray, Riley, Currie (captain), Tomliuson, Conway, Munro, Speers, Payne, Rule, Nankarris, Griffiths, Finer (2), Sheppard, Ebert, Fawcas, Kwan, and Gillespie. ST. Patrick's v. Onehunoa (at Onehunga).— St. Patrick's will be picked from the following: Bullock, Scott, Gimmick, Loggia, Bruce, Keenan, Burke, White (captain). Gordon, Patterson (2), Mollis, Marshall, Cook, Thomas, Gibbons, Donaldson, Keegan, Jones, Heading, Anderson, liwan. Pitt-street v. all Saints' (at Surrey Hills).— Pitt-street : Reynolds, Buckly, Tremain, Ellis, Cornish, Adams, Gallot, Rossman, Blakley, Gunson, stone, Winstone, Bodley, Preston, Wheeler, Hicks, Craig, Kolleston, Rodgers. OTHBII MATCHES. Railway Employees : Tikffic v. Workshops (No. 4 ground, /'titter's;.—Traffic : Noikes, Poland, Hume, Stehr, Murphy, Buchanan, Von Stunner, Hickson, Brodie, Frost, Kelly, Boyce, Beere, McDonald, and Brown. Workshops : Hedges, McGill, Elliott, Buchanan, Bock, liandcock, Ramsay, Taylor, Pierce, Hearn, Nolan, Smith, Lynch, Holder, Riley, Cowan, Kelly. Takapuna v. Northern (at Northcote).—Takapmn : Francis, Walker, King, Philcox (2), Grattan, Hyues, Beeston, Chamberlain, Blandford, Sullivan, Gerrard. J. Mays, Bull, R. Clark. Emergencies : Shaw, Walker. A team of Ponsonby players, consisting almost exclusively of the second fifteen, left last night at half-past ten for Whang*rei, to play a match with the Whangarei City Club. The team was as follows : —Kdwards, Mitchell, Heap, •Masefield, Lendrum, Tedd, Cooke, wrahaui, Memtt, Corbett, Tait, Binney, Rodgers, Dickey, Plummer.

best record. This reflects great credit on Mr. C. Hay, who has taken great pains to get the teams into form. The Auckland representative team played the last match ot their tour at New Plymouth on Thursday, when they were successful in drawing with a Taranaki fifteen, no score being obtained on either side. # The game was a hard fought one, some fine individual play being shown on either side. The Auckland forwards made a much better stand against Taranaki than was expected, and in many points of the game showed themselves superior to their opponents. The backs also played with greater combination, and at times got off some* very pretty play. Gage, Edmonds, and Absolum being especially, prominent. Of the seven matches played the team won three, the same number was lost, and one was drawn. The Aucklanders arrived from New Plymouth by the Takapuna this morning. The Lytteltou Times, commenting on the match at Christchurch, says :—" Victory at the finish rested with the Canterbury team, although neither side was able to cross the other's line throughout. Splendid place-kicking by Appleby, one of the home team's forwards, enabled the local team to claim a win by the substantial majority of ten points to nothing, as he landed two penalty goals, and one from a mark. The game was too closely fought out to be altogether pleasing from a spectator's point of view, added to which the refereeing of Mr. Firth, who had sole charge of the game by arrangement, was on the ultrastrict side. Auckland bad bad luck _in playing; against a strong nor'-wester, which blew diagonally down the field during the whole of the first spell, and which died away practically to nothing soon after the teams changed over. Canterbury's forwards seemed all at sea for a long time, but pulled themselves together better in the second spell, and assisted the backs to maintain even play. A few minutes before the close of the play the referee, after several cautions, was compelled to order Ronayne, one of the Auckland threequarter backs, off the field." The followiug list shows the results of the matches between the two provinces : —

1875, at Christchurch, Canterbury won by 9} points to nil. 1876, at Auckland, Auckland won by 7 points to 3. 1883, at Christchurch, Auckland won by 1 gual and 1 try to 1 try. 1887, at Auckland, drawn, 1 goal to 3 tries. 188 J, at Christchurch, Canterbury won by 1 try to nil. 1892, at Auckland, Canterbury won by 25 points to nil. 1895, at Christchurch, Canterbury won by 10 points to nil. The victory of Wellington over Auckland on Saturday last makes the fifth win to Wellington. The teams have played seven matches; Wellington has been once defeated and had one draw. "An Old Aucklander " sends me the following notes on the Auckland-Otago match : — The fixture had been looked forward to with considerable excitement for some time, not only by footballers but by the general public. The match, Otago v. Southland, pliyed on the previous Saturday, had been watched with keen interest as ikely to give some idea as to the form the Otago team would show in later interprovincial matches. The day for the Southland match was not favourable, but that condition affected both teams, so that they were on the same footing. The result, however, showed that the visitor* from "little Southland"—the land of oats and turnips-were men swift of foot and stout in limb. The game was principally between the forwards, and in this department Southland carried the day. Otago, however, crossed the line of their opponents, and gained the victory by the small score of three points. The character of the play was, however, very disappointing to the supporters of Otago, and when it was announced that the same team had been selected to play against Auckland the following week ther-* was a very general feeling of dissatisfaction expressed. This increased during the week's interval, and on the morning of the day of the great match— great match it certainly was—Dunedinites were quite prepared to see the Auckland colours victorious.

Nearly 5000 people must hare been present to witness the match. The gate-money amounted to over £158, besides which members of the Caledonian Society, on whose ground the match was played, had the privilege of free passes for themselves and families. The. appearance of the Northerners just "on time " was the cause of loud cheering, and when they stood out on the fluid in their several positions, it was at once seen tltiey were a very tine lot of young fellows, and the local "reps" would have all their work to win the match. Otago had the kick-off, and took advantage of the ground gained, but Cunningham (threequarter back) missed his chance, and Absolum snapped up the ball and was away like lightning. Then followed one of those brilliant exhibitions of the "passing'' game which have gained for Kuxby football its strong place in the estimation of a New Zealand crowd. No sooner bid Absolum start on his journey than Brown, Masefleld, and Murray followed, and, placing themselves correctly, the ball was successively passed to and taken by each in turn with such accuracy and confidence, and each going at a terrific pace, the last-named player crossed the line close to the goil posts amidst loud cheers from all parts of the ground. The whole thing was done so smartly and so brilliantly that the ciowd and the Otago players were completely taken aback, and when the ball was sent spinning over the bar, and the major points were scored, a deafening cheer rang out from the thousands of people present. The critics on the selection of the Otago teim were more confident than ever, and many were the denunciations meted out to the Selection Committee. But a Rugby game is never lost until it is won. The Otago team seemed now to awake to the fact that if they intended to make any show at all they would have to play their beet. Auckland again resumed aggressive tactics, and towards the latter part of the first spell, from mid-field started another of their brilliant passing rushes. Braund getting the ball, sent it on to H. Stephenson, thence on to Gage, who passed to Abs<>lum. The latter took the ball magnificently, and again sent it back to Gage, who transferred to H. Stephenson, the latter scoring another try. Shortly after this half-time was called, the score being Auckland, 8 points; Otago, three points from a penalty goal. The Northerners were warmly congratulated by their friends, who were confident that they would now win the match, as it was thought that even five points take a lot of rubbing out' against such a team as that now playing. Otago's supporters were not, however, without hope that their men would yet rally up, and with combination in defence and attack at least make a draw. " Our men always play up better in the second spell," said many an Otago friend. " They 'last' better than most teams," said others. Everybody expected that in the second spell both teams would play their be*t, and that there was every prospect of a close finish, and in this we were not disappointed. Shortly after starting a distinct improvement was discernible in the play of the Otago men. Their attack on the Auckland lines showed fine combination and was most persistent. Their forwards were now playing a sterling game, and by their fine dash, sure tackling, and strong scrum work completely reversed the public verdict of the previous week in the Southland match. The Otago backs were also working to more purpose, especially Mason and Duncan at half. The former made some mistakes, but on the whole played with judgment and calmness under conditions of great excitement, whilst nothing finer in ; halfback play has been -een here for many years than the exposition given by Duncan last Saturday. Throughout the game he played a strong part, but he in the second spell particularly was undoubtedly the strong man of his own team, did a vast amount of hard and fast work, and covered himself with i glory by the unselfishness he displayed so long as his own side gained an advantage even of a few feet of ground. No player amongst the Outgo team deserved better than he to secure theory from which the goal was kicked which made the scores equal, and the spectators w.ere not slow to recognise his brilliant play by cheers, both long and loud. During the second spell Auckland was mostly on the defensive, but on several occasions became dangerously aggressjve. Twice Absolum was on the point of scoringonce, when he was brought down right on the Otago lines, after a splendid passing rush by the Northerners ; and again, later on, the same player just missed the ball, which, had he taken, would have given him the opportunity of a Certain score.

The game was fast from start to finish, and although Otai;o scored the most points, yet Auckland has no reason to he ashamed of her defeat. In fact, it was anybody's game up to within a few minutes of the tinish. The same was played in a most excellent spirit on both sides, and wis entirely free from anything in the shape of an accident. The tint was in splendid condition, and the little wind there was at the beginning of the game died away, and a dead calm prevailed fur the most part of the time. These favourable conditions helped to secure the fine exposition of the Rugby game, which ths match undoubtedly was. The Otago Daily Times says, ''It was one of the greatest struggles ever witnessed on the ground, and Otago residents are naturally pleased with the victory of the local team. When the " reps" of North and South again meet, "May I be there to see." A tootball match between Hayman and Co. and Partridge and Co. will be played at Potter's Paddock, to-day, on the No. 1 ground. The teams are as follow :—Hayman and Co. : L. Stewart, A. Webber, T. Maxwell, W. Brodie (captain), F. Taylor, 6. Leigh ton, W. Whitley, J. Beale, A. Laird, P. Howden, H. Burgess, W. Coghlau, P. Cash, S. Sargeant, A. Paltridge. Partridge and Co.:' Howard, A. White, Waymouth (captain), F. Wilson, Wiseman, Pierce, Smith, Weir, Major, Hay, Hull, Neumegan, Wyatt, McCabe, Eraser; emergency, Stokes. GOLF. The monthly rrjatch of the Auckland Golf Club takes place to-day, and should prove very interesting, for two of the members have won the silver cleek twice, and if either win to-day it becomes his property. The following: are the handicaps :—Gillies, plus 2; O'Rorke, 3 ; Col beck and Laseron, 6; Beatty, 7: Carr, H. D. Heather, - Norton, and Walker, 8 ; Upfill, 18 : Greenwav, 20 ; Duthie, J. L. R. Bloomfield, Earl, Grimshaw, Stevenson, and Denniston, 22; J. Hall, 24; H. Bloomfield, Baume, Clark, Blair, Car rick. A. Heather, Chambers, Murdoch, George, Russell, 26; Bruce, Dargaville, Cochrane, Greer, 32; others, 36. Next Saturday it is proposed to play foursomes, only first-class men to take secondclass partners. The Dnnedin Club has one of. these foursome days every month, and it is found to improve the play of the second-class players very much. AQUATICS. A general meeting of the Auckland Yacht Club was held on Wednesday evening, there being a full attendance of members and a great deal of interest was taken in the proceedings. Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfield, Commodore of the club, presided. The proposed introduction of the new rating rule evoked a considerable amount of discussion, and ultimately the following notices of motion were given for the annual meeting;, to be held on October 4 : -—" That the new rating rule of the Y.R.A. by adopted by the club." "That the present rating rule remain in force during the season

of 1895-96, ari, the new Y.R. A. ratMsg rule come into fore the following season." I was pleated to see such an amount oi interest take* in this matter, though it appeared fronjwhat fell from a number of speakers duriq the course of the discussion, that they hadpot studied up the question very closely. ', However, the discussion did a large amount agood, as it ventilated a lot of very useful inf&marion. I hope that in the meantime yachtmen generally will look into the subject as cWly as possible, and come prepared to full} discuss the subject at the annual meeting.i Next week I will go more fully into the suoect, and show how the new rating rule will fleet the various classes of yachts. \ All yachtsmen rill, I feel sure, regret that Mr. George Gold.*, has, owing to continued ill-health, been compelled to resign his position as meajuter to the Yacht Club. Mr, (ioldie has fci many years been a most enthusiastic yaclsman, and has spared neither time, truble, nor expense in conscientiously caning out his duties. While expressing regrejat Mr. Goldie's resignation the Club unaniniusly passed a hearty vote ot thanks to tha gentleman for his cast services. While avering his connection with the club in his Jfficial position it is to be hoped that Mr. (oldie will be long spared to take part in hij private capacity in yachtmatters generalr ; for he is possessed of a vast amount oi expert knowledge of the most valuable aid on the subject. The foUowinguotice of motion was given at the Yacht i/lub meeting on Wednesday night, and Will come up for discussion at the annual rreting on October 4 :—" That the first line of so. 1 sailing rule directions, viz.,' All yachUßhall be sailed by owners or amateurs, be stuck out, and that in all races sailed unir the auspices of the club anyone shall be otitled to sail a beat." This motion, I think! will not have much sympathy from yacfsinen generally, because if it were passed itiyould do a vast amount of harm to the pasime, inasmuch as if yachts were allowed to be controlled by professionals," numbed of our young men, who take a vast amount ofcride in handling their boats in the races in Which they engage, would be debarred from liking part, when they knew that they had "in old colonial hand" pitted against them at the tiller of the opposing boat. What of local yacht club should endeavour to stpngly maintain is the sailing of yachts by auateurs, as more real sport would be gainej by the spirit of rivalry which is eneendired when young yachtsmen handle their ova boats in a contest, than would be tie base if a "professional" were in charge of affairs. It is to be hoped, therefore, that Then the motion comes up before the Cub members will relegate it to the "shades,'as it is absolutely certain if the professiotal element is allowed to creep in, the interest will be to a large extent knocked out >f the competition between the yachts. I understaid that the Messrs. Harvey, of the North Shore, have purchased the two-and-a-half nter which Mr. R. Logan, of the North Shore has just completed. The well-known yacht Girola, owned by Mr. H. P. Eawson, has been sold to some fisherman in Napier. She will be used in the fishingtrade at that place. _ The Girola is the moss comfortable cruising yacht in Wellington, and is now being fitted up prior to her departniro for Napier. The annul report of the committee of the Star Boatiig Club states that the membership roll agiin shows an increase, ther; being now 3G9 nanes, of which 44 have been added during the season. The receipts for the year were £716 '.Is, and the expenditure £587 13s sd. Of thebalance of £128 17s 7d, the sum of £100 hadigain been paid off the debenture liability, wiioh was now reduced so £700. The assets, sfter allowing for depreciation, are £2634 8s Id, and the liabilities £700 Y.U 3d, the balance to credit thus being £1928 MalOd. Lynx,

A magnilicait plan of the Favourite Special Claim on tIE Thames foreshore, which is being placed on the London market, has been prepared by Mr. James Slator, the wellknown engineer and draftsman, and it will be forwarded to London by the outgoing mail to-day. Jt is six feet long and five feet deep, and is oua scale of one and a-quarter chains to the inch. It shows all the old gold-producing mines from the Kuranui Creek to the Prince Imperial, together with the whole of the reef, also the Moanataiari and foreshore slides or faults, and there is a sectional plan which gives the course of tin reefs seaward. The plan has been most carefully compiled ar.d artistically coloured, and it was greatly admired by those who had an opportunity of seeing it yesterday. The treasurer of the Women's Home, Parnell, begs to acknowledge the following gifts received in August:— Air. Walker, £1; F.K., 10s; also clothing and household necessaries from Mrs. Morton, Mrs. Baakart, Rev. P. S. Sma'lfield, Friend, and Messrs. Smith and Canghey. Any contributions, however small, in money, clothing, or household requisites will be thankfully received by members of the committee : —Archdeacon Dudley, Rev. G. Mac Murray, Mr. Walker, Mrs. Cowie. Mrs. Dudley, Mrs. Kinder, or by the matron, Miss O'Grady, May Cottage, Parnell, to whom orders for needlework can be sent. . Epps's Cocoa.— Grateful and Comfort-ing.—-"By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected Cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided for our breakfast and supper a delicatelyflavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctor's bills."— Civil Service Gazette. Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in quarterpound packets by grocers and storekeepers, labelled "Jajjes Epps & Co., Limited, Homoeopathic Chemists, London, England."

Auckland COIXKGES Euobv UNION. SENIOR. Matches Pts. scored. Teams. Played Won Lost Dm. For Agst Grammar School I. .. 8 6 0 0 96 4 Queen's College .. 6 2 3 1 15 35 St. John's 'College I. 6 0 5 1 i 75 JUNIOR. , Matches Pts. scored. Played Won Lost Drn. For Agst Grammar School "A" 9 6 2' 1 40 22 Grammar School "B" 9 5 2 ■'■ . .2 > 40 10 Prince Albert Col. I. 9 4 4 ': ; rl 68 „ 37 St. John's College II. 9 1 8 0, « 85 It will be seen that both in the senior and junior matches the Grammar School has the