ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10037, 25 January 1896, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

' • ' CRICKET. Mr ' >■? [Note,— of the Saturday afternoon junior mutches for publication in the Heiiaid of , the following Monday must be left at the office on the Saturday night, or placed in our letter box on the Sunday.]

The championship fixtures will be continued ou the Domain to-day (Saturday), when Gordon meets Auckland, and Parnell meets United. The first mentioned contest should prove very interesting, though the latter match is looked upon as a certainty for the Parnellites.

The United in their first venture Saturday last could only manage to put up 80.' Kelly was altogether too difficult tor them ; in fact, I think his performance was the best with the leather seen on the Domain for some time. He maintained a splendid length, the ball working from either way very quickly from the pitch. Gordon's other bowler, Steel, kept well on the wicket, and will prove useful to his club before the season is over.

In their second venture the, .United batsmen started poorly, losing Hay and Brown for a "duck" each,'but' Stemsoh hit out from the start, and kept registering " boundary " after " boundary " in such quick time that the onlookers could hardly realise that he had put up a century when the applause from the pavilion published the faot. Stemson's cricket not have been theoretically correct, but he got there all the same, and made some really splendid strokes. He eventually succumbed to Kolly after totalling 116. Gilfillan's 22 was the next highest scorer. The innings cloeed for 206. Gordon tried eight of their team with the ball, and I think T. Ball shaped about the best, with the exception of Kelly, of course.

Auckland made a very good start at their task of wiping out the score set them by Parnell, and thanks to some of the most third-rate fielding seen in any of the matches this seasou, the runs came at a great rate.

Clayton, who was let off by the Parnell wicket-keeper off Lawson's second ball, commenced his usual tactics of hitting out hard, but ho did not .seem very much at homo. R. Neill, on . the other hand, scored very freely, playing pretty cricket and much more aggressive than usual. He was particularly severe on Edmonds, and made one splendid hit off Lawson which went almost to the pavilion. Lawson, however, had his reveuge by getting him caught from a bit of " off" theory.

Thomas again showed the Parnellites a stubborn defence, and met the bowling like a tradesman. Ho was eventually caught by Ohlson off Lawson.

Lundon, who should have been caught by Restreaux, "before he had made 10, showed improved form, and hit well ajong the carpet. Restreaux, however, was . more successful in his second attempt, and brought off a fine catch iu the deep held, which " returned " Lundon for 30.

T. Neill, Hack, and Hatton each gave trouble, the iunings closing for 180, or about 60 behind Parnell.

The Pamell bowlers certainly were not assisted very much by the fielding and it must have been rather disheartening to them to see catches dropped and strokes which should not have scored more than & single repeatedly registering four owing to the fieldsmen allowing the ball to pass carefully between his legs. Ohlson and Edmonds, however, fielded up well. Lawson had hard luck but did not keep his usual length, putting in a lot of rather short balls. Edmonds whs also keeping them too short. Mills bowled very well at the start and so did Woods.

Resteaux, who has been such a success in the second eleven as a bowler, did not have a chance to distinguish himself, as he had only three or four overs.

The first junior matches at present bear a very open aspect. Gordon second met with their first reverse at the hands of Aucklaud second. Each team has now registered a loss and several of them stand about equal. The most exciting match last Saturday was that between Parnell 111. and North Shore 111., when the North Shore's last man went in to bat they wanted five runs to wiu, but after making a vain attempt to lose the ball was cleaned bowled.

The interprovincial match, Auckland v. Wellington, will be nlayed at the Domain on Saturday and Monday, February 22nd and 24th. If the Wellington authorities send up their strongest eleven the match should provo a very interesting and closely-contested one; although 1 hear it already hinted that the visiting team will hardly be a representative one.

_ Rumour says that Lawson and Mills will find some difficulty in obtaining the necessary leave of absence to play in the fixture against Wellington next month. This is to be regretted, as the loss of the pair would be keenly felt. By-the-way, I nope the local authorities will endeavour to obtain the services of Gould.

Pearce and DuMaus have been presented with bats for their play in the New Zealand and New South Wales fixture, and it is stated that a couple have also been forwarded to Dunedin to Rains and Fisher. No doubt one or two would have fallen to the lot of Aucklaud had any of our representatives been included.

In the five matches played by the New South Wales team they scored 1783 runs for the loss of eighty-five wickets, giving ail average of 20 97 per wicket. Their opponent Beared 1469 for the loss of ninety wickets, giving an average of 16*32 per wicket. It is curious to note that in the first innings of the visitors they scored 890 runs for the loss of forty-nine wickets giving an average of 18*16 per wicket, while in their second ventures they made three runs more for the loss of thirteen wicket.- less, giving au average of 2480 per wicket. In the course of a conversation with not out," Cobcroft, the captain of the New South Wales cricketers gave it as his opinion that it was not the good play of the New Zealanders that won them the recent big Intercolonial match, but the poor play of the New South Welshmen. Asked what he thought of cricket and cricketers in New Zealand the " cornstalk" said : " They have some good players, but not sufficient to get a team to play against this colony. Demaus is the best cricketer in New Zealand without a doubt. He is a fine big, though young fellow. Cuff,. Lawrence, and Labatt are also good bats and Holdship (who captained the representative team) though right out of form, is, evidently a good batsman. With regard to the sending of a team to Australia next year, I think the victory gained by them will encourage the Maorilanders in this respect, and though they will uot be good enough to meet our best team, I think they will play a good game with an eleven of about the same strength as the ouo that has just returned. However, I think we should neat them on our own fast wickets." "Slip," of the Otago Witness, in dealing with my n&marks re the selection of Raines, of Dnnedin, to the position of wicket-keeper for the New Zealand team, in preference to the Auckland stumper, E. Wright, whom I credited with being the inoro reliable bat of the two, says : " I am curious to see what the Auckland writer will say now that Rains has covered himself with glory by making top score for his side and by achieving the great feat of allowing not a single bye in either innings of his opponents." In order to satisfy the curiosity of the southern authority, I might say that I am delighted to find that Rains made such an excellent display in the big fixture, and take this opportunity of congratulating the Dunedin wicket-keeper on his fine performance. But to come back to the point at issue, that of the selection, I still maintain that tho Aucklandor called for the first consideration at the hands of the selection committee, that is providing the representatives were chosen on the merits of their previous performances. Wright heads the Auckland batting average for the present season with 48 60 to his credit for six innings. Can Rains lay claim to a similar performance with the willow? I think not I Then again when both these players were in Australia there was no comparison in the play, for whereas ..Wright passed through seasons with first-class averages, Rains was comparatively unknown as a batsman. Then when the New South Welshmen inform us that the Aucklauder is as good behind the wickets—and past doings show him to be the better man of the two with tho bat—l would like to know where my argument in Wright's favour is wrong! I might also add that a certain Southern gentleman (name known) who evidently had a leaning towards the Southern wicket-keeper, actually informed Rains that unless he obtained the uccessary leave the team would be without a stumper, there being no other candidate for the position. This is authentic. Regarding the selection of a captain for the Australian team, which leaves for England in March, a well-known Australian authority favours P. S. McDonnell's election to the position, he being, according to the writer in question, the best.qualified man. There cannot be any doubt abou him retaining his famous hitting powers and brilliance with the bat after his breezy batting against New South' Wales. Besides, he is a proved general. I know also that many New. South Wales cricketers regard the old Victorian and New South Wales favourite fas the best man to lead the Eleven. Next to MoDonuell comes Harry Trott. A Wellington writer sayslt may interest "Siip" and other enthusiastic trumpetblowers in Otago, that the , New South Welshmen considered Niven a better wicketkeeper than Rains, and they, now give the palm to Wright as the best wieket-keeper they have met in the colony. . Rains is uni doubledly a fine bat and he is deserving of [all praise for his' fine innings againsi the

I New South Wales team, but he is not by .any means the'best wicket-keeper.. in the [ world. . .. ... 'The Auckland Cricket Association will 'have a debit balance of £5 or £6,' after pay•all.expenses in.connection with the recent intercolonial match and the entertainment of the visitors. ' .

I would remind secretaries of cricket clubs who occasionally forward the names of the players chosen to contest the various fixtures of Saturday, that unless the practice is maintained regularly from week to week, it were useless to insert the notifications in our Saturday morning's issue. _ If, on the other hand, I eould rely on the information being forwarded with regularity every Friday evening, I should be only too pleased to give space to their publication. The task of selecting the Australian team (says "Hot Out,") is by no means an easy task, there being sufficient first-class players to form two elevens. To illustrate this fact, let me give the names of two suoh teams, in columns, in order to permit of a comparison. Which is the strongest ? No l. , No 2. Giffen Bannermanq Lyons McDonnell Jones Kady Gregory Jlrtico Iredale Darline; Turner Howell H. Trott Garrett f McKtbbin A, Trott Jarvis Kelly Graham Hill Donuam Coniughanj SENIOR AVERAGES. The following table shows the principal batting and bowling averages of our senior players up to and including Saturday last. It will be_ seen that Wright still maintains his position as leading batsman, but that Lawson has fallen away in the trundling to fourth place; whilst Clayton, who was second in the previous week, now tops the average Batting. Name. Club. In'ngs. N.O. R'ns. H.S. Arerage. Wright, E... P. 6 1 243 87 48-60 Wynyard, W. A. 6 1 199 164* 39*80 Clayton, D. A. 7 1 227 128 37 82 Ohlsoii, F. .. P. 7 2 179 87 SB'Bo Mills, I. ..P. 7 1 213 112* 85-60 • Cottorill, K. J. G. 7 1 209 60* 34*60 . Steinson.-W. U.' i 0 135 116 3371 Laws.itt, 11, W. P. 1 2 136 78" 27*20 Brown, At .. U. 7 2 126 69 25-20 .Ball, T. ..O. 0 0 141 41 23*60 Watts, J. „ U. 6 3 46 21* 23* ' * Signifies not out. Then followSteele (0.), 35*0; Pabst (G.), 20-16 ; T Gould (G.), 19*66; Hawkins (U.), 19-40 ; Lundon (A.), 19-0; Thomas (A.), 18 33; Arneil (A.), 17*40; T. Neill (A.), 17*40; D. Hay (U.), lfl'60; R. Neill (A.), 1610; Fairburn (G.), 16-50; Stone (A.), 15-0; Buck (A.), 14-66; Hemery (G.), 12*86 J Nicholson (P.), 12-14; Seagar (P.), 11-71. Bowling. Name. Club. Runs, Wickets. Av'ge. Clayton, D. „ ..A. 86 12 7*16 Kelly, F. V. .. G. 126 17 7*35 Neill, R A. 287 29 9*89 LiWaon, H. W. .. P. 244 22 11*09 Williams, N G. 213 15 14-20 Edmonds, F P. 168 10 16*80 Stone,C. „ ..A. 203 11 18*45 ATHLETICS. The New South Wales Athletic team, on their arrival home, admitted that: the. New Zealand representatives were , too many for them, and refer in most eulogistic terms to the Duneain distance man, Bennett, and the Auckland trio, Martin, Roberts, and Creamer.

All those present at the smoke concert held by the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, to welcome home our champions, say the function was one of the most successful they have ever attended.

In tho mile walk at Feilding, A. Coleman, of Hawera, was timed to do 6m 17 25s off 60 yards, T. W. Leslie, who finished fourth from scratch, is said to have done 6m 335, The well-known local half-mile runner Croker, has been transferred to Dunedin, and A. J. Pople, another of our amateurs, has taken up his residence at New Plymouth. Thoroughly experienced as the timekeeper at the Caledonian Society's sports in Dunedin is (writes "Amateur" in the (Jtago Witness), 1 hesitate to accept as correct the time credited to A. Crichton in the mile walk, tlufc time being 6m. 19s. If it were aocepted, it would mean that Crichton had beaten the professional record of 6m. 235., which, created by W. Perkins at Lillie Bridge, on June 1, 1874, has stood for more than2l years."

CYCLING. Speaking of the ex-New Zoalander Pitlier, a Melbourne paper says he is just the build for a crack cyclist, for he carries his weight well distributed over fine strong limbs. The latest development in connection with the visit of the several crack 'cyclists now in Australia to New Zealand comes in the form of a letter from Mr. Chris. Wilson to Mr. Howden, secretary of the local cash club, in which the writer states that the wheelmen in question will arrive in Christchurch shortly, and may be expected to reach Auckland about the third week in February. Amateur and professional riders are now allowed to compete against each other in Belgium. The amateurs will take their prizes in plate and the professionals theirs in cash.. , . . . The five-mile championship of Australia will be decided on Monday next. R. W. Lewis will represent New South Wales. A straightaway mile, with a flying start, Ims been ridden in lm. 255. dead at Denver, U.S.A., by a rider named Ureen. He had the benefit of a 28 mile an hour wind.

Mr. G. W. Burston, president of the Melbourne Bicycle Club, has had a memento of his recent New Zealand tour struck off in the way of a New Year's card. Photos of the tourists, with uplifted cups, form the centre, while around are a miniature map of New Zealand and Tasmania, with red route lines of tour running through, and a picture of Itilmore shows the road leading up to the president's birthplace. At a recent visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to Dunrobin Castle, 22 out of the 27 guests brought their bicycles. The international race meeting, to be held at Christchurch on February 6 and 8, will be the largest cycling carnival yet held in tho colony. A Christchurch contemporary says that the re-instated rider, Keu. Lewis, will not ride for some time to come.

Cash amateurism has spread so rapidly throughout Australia, that a pure amateur rider will shortly be as great a rarity on the other side as a moa is in New Zealand.

The 'cycle champion, A. A. Zimmerman, arrived hero last evening by thes.s. Monowai, en route to America, he having decided to return home on account of the firm of the Zimmerman-Nimrod Bicycle Company, in which he is a partner, having got into difficulties. The committee of the. Auckland Amateur Athletic and 'Cycle Club propose extending the visitor the courtesy of driving himself and wife round the city and suburbs during the morping, in order to give them an opportunity of viewing the sights of the city. The Monowai will sail at two p.m.

POLO. There was a record attendance present at the matches on Saturday last, including a number of visitors. The matches of to-day will be played at Potter's Paddock, Epsom, commencing at three o'clock, and the most important contest will be that of the Founders of tho club versus other members. The teams will be:—Pounders: Messrs. E. D. O'Rorke (captain), H. Wynvard, J. F. Colegrove, and Dr. A. C. Purcnas. Other members; Messrs. H. Tonks, Gordon, Whewell, and Dr. Sharman, In addition to the above there will be several scratch matches, and it is expected that there will be equally as many, if not more, present as was the case last week.

LAWN TENNIS. The dispute in connection with the interclub matches between West End and Remuera is infusing an interest into lawn tennis, which has been somewhat wanting of late in Aucklaud, thongh it is to be regretted that so much personal feeling has been imported into the matter. It is understood that the Remuera Club will send their players to the West End ground this afternoon, but will, of course, refuse to play, if no fresh entry for_ tho combined match is made. Persistence in the attitude of opposition to the decision of the Match Committee will probably lead to the disqualification of the West End Club for the rest of the seasou, in all matches under the auspices of the Association. The West End committee, I understand, contend that they are not disobeying the constituded authority m this matter, inasmuch as tho lady in question has not beon expressly disqualified, the' Match Committee having merely ordered the contests to be played over again. This, however, is surely an unworthy, quibble, inaamuoh as the protests were made on the ground that the lady was not eligible, and hence the very fact that the matches were ordered to be played again, implied beyond the possibility of mistake, that her ineligibility was considered as established by the committee. It is to bo hoped the matter will be amicably settled, otherwise a feeling of bitterness will be introduced, which has, happily, up to'the present, been absent from Auokland tennis matches. I hope the unmistakable spirit of the Match Committee ruling will be cheerfully obeyed. Let West End set a good example in this matter. Anyone can agree when the ruling is favourable, but it requires some force of character to bow gracefully to thedccisiou of the proper tribunal, if that decision should be an adverse one. I have purposely avoided going into the facts of the case, but have simply stated the clear duty of the club, in view of the decision of the Match Committee. ''

There was a very good muster of players I at the Eden and Epsom ground on Wednesj day afternoon, the lady players being in ! strong force. - Amongst the visitors were Miss Lean, of Cnristotiuropi, and Miss Jolly, • of Hamilton. f Of the local players, Misses ■ Nicholson, Spiers, Gwjp, ami Mrs* C^P-

man were playing steadily, A good number of . these will probably enter for the Championship. Singles. .'Among the gentlemen players were Mr. Harold, of Wanganui, Messrs. • Peel; Ridings, Stevenson, Brown, Sykes, and Hurrisoj. The lasr-named player is in exceptionally good form this season, and should show up well in the Championship. Players are reminded that the entries close lor the championship singles, ladies and gentlemen, atone o'clock on Friday, the 31st instant, with the hon. secretary, and all entries must be accompanied by the entrance fees. These matches are open to all members of the associated olubs.

AQUATICS. Considerable interest is being taken in the race at the Auckland Regatta for man-of-war and naval volunteer boats. Three crews from the Katoomba and Goldfinch are hard at work practising every morning in the harbour, one of the crews having the cutter belonging to the Thames Navals, winch has beeu kindly placed at the disposal of the men-of-war's-men. The crew of the Goldfinch are to row in the cutter belonging to the Auckland N&vals, the latter not intending to compete. The Devonport men issued a challenge to the Auckland crew, who,have beaten them on two occasions, to again try conclusions with them at the regatta; but there been no response. It would have been a very keen contest if these two crews had again met ; as the Devonport men have very much improved in their rowing during the past yoar. The Viking, Volunteer, Moana, Ida, and Thetis, were all floated into the Auckland Dock, on Thursday for cleaning, preparatory to the regatta. They came out again yesterday. The yacht Atalanta, built by Bailey Bros., a couple of years ago, for Mr. Canning, of Napier, and which has been laid up there for some time past, has been purchased by Mr. Winstanley, of Wellington. Tom Sullivan, was getting off a sculling handicap on the Thames, when the mail left London, for which there were no fewer than 97 entries. In the first round Charles Stephenson, with 6s. start, won a heat easily. - At the meeting of the Auckland Regatta Committee on Wednesday night, when the entries were received, there was a large gathering of those interested iu aquatic affairs, a good deal more interest being shown in the matter than has been the case for some years past. The entries compare very favourably with those of previous years, numbering 44 for the sailing and 27 for the rowing events. The Union Company's steamer Flora is to act as flagship on the occasion; and as the committee have arranged for a number of amusing events to take place aronnd the flagship, there will no doubt be plenty of sport to keep visitors amused.

On Saturday last the fourth race of the Worth Shore Sailing Club took place, and excited keen interest. After a good race the result was; Hineinoa, I; Mona, 2; Putare, 3.

The Ida has had a new mainsail fitted, which appears to have made an appreciable differencs in her speed. Her first meeting with the Moana takes place at Judge's Bay Regatta to-day, and is creating a good deal of speculation. Lynx.

CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA CLUB. (BIT TKLKGKAPH.—PKKBS ASSOCIATION,] Christohcrcii, Friday. At a special meeting of the Christchurch Regatta Club Committee, this afternoon, the resolution carried on Wednesday, altering the conditions of the Ladies' Plate, making it open only to oarsmen not competing in any of the senior events, was rescinded.