ATHLETIC SPOUTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10128, 11 May 1896, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPOUTS.

FOOTBALL. OPENING OFIHE SEASON.

VICTORIES FOR PARNELL, CITY, AND GRAFTON.

The 1896-97 football season was opened under most favourable circumstances on Saturday afternoon last, as far as weather was concern ed, and a large attendanoe witnessed the contest between Parnell and Ponsonby, in which the former secured a verdict by the substantial majority of 13 points to 3. Tho Grafton-Suburbs fixture, which was to have been played on No. 2 ground, went to the former by default, the latter not being able to place a team in the field. The match at Devonport between City and North Shore was won by the former by 11 points to 7. The particulars areas follow :—

PARNELL V. PONSONBVT.

Almost immediately after the stroke of j three o'clock the Parnell fifteen trooped on to the field of play, and took up their i position on the eastern goal, the blue-and-i blacks following after a lapse of two or three minutes, where they were greeted, with three hearty cheers by the maroons, to which they responded in an equally hearty manner. The public, who were anxiously awaiting the commencement of the fray, also gave the Rngbyites a warm reception, and much speculation was indulged in as to the ultimate outcome of the game, the j majority appearing to favour the prospects of the maroons, a feeling doubtless instilled ! by the victory of the rarnollites over the crack Waimate fTaranaki) team a fortnight previous. Mr. Parker acted as reforeee, and that gentleman's decisions wero evidently in accord with the opinions of the spectators, as in no single instance were his actions called into question, while Messrs. Geard (Parnell) and Eaton (Ponsonby) also acquitted themselves satisfactorily as line umpires. The play was opened by Parnell, Murray kicking off, but a smart return by Cole saw the leather out of bounds in neutral territory. The ball was called back for a throw on, and the Parnell forwards carrying the scrum that followed went away with the oval ii.tueir toes, but the onslaught was cleverly averted by Braund, who, picking up smartly, kicked out of bounds. Loose play followed the throw-in, the Ponsonby forwards eveutuaily establishing a strong forward rush, which carried the scene of action into their opponents' territory, but the maroons, not to be denied, soon centralised matters. The Ponsonby forwards, who were warming up to their work in fine style, continued the aggressive, and carrying pack after pack, slowly drove their eastern defenders well back into their own grounds. The latter were, however, just beginning to wake up, and their forwards settling down to work in real earnest, headed by Anderson, Hancock, aud Broberg, came with a combined rush that swept the Ponsonby fifteen back to their own twenty-five, where a. penalty relieved the latter, which was returned by Ronayne, going out between the half ami twenty-five flags. Murray secured the leather fiv i the throw in, transferred to Edmonds, who, however missed, and the Ponsonby forwards, who were following up in good style, carried it below the dividing line. As the ball came into play the black and white forwards passed it to Braund, who in turn transferred to Masefield, but little or no ground was gained. A lot of fast open play followed, of which the maroons bad the best, the oval being carried down to the Ponsonby 25, but Mitchell saved by kicking down the line. Scrums followed, and Ponsonby making tho most of their advantage, drove the maroons across tho line, but no score resulted. From the kick-off Parnell commenced to force matters, and several short dashes' initiated by Edmonds, who was treating his backs to every chance, in which Ronayne, Elliott, and Jervis shared the honours, backed up by the judicious kicking of the latter, saw the play transferred close to the | Ponsonby goal line. The blue and blacks were kept busily engaged defending their line for the next few minutes, aud a kick up the field by Val Masefiekl was neatly marked by Jervis. The angle was a stiff one, but Murrav, who took the kick, landed a magnificent goal, right between the uprights, and a burst of applause greeted the first score,

Parnell 4 Ponsonby 0 Several exchanges up and down the field followed the kick-off, Jervis kicking out near the half way. Broberg and Whitley initiated another nice dribbling rush for Parnell shortly after the throw-in, and the latter picking up transferred to Elliott, who. after a nice dash, passed to Routyne, and by the latter to Jervis, who reached the Ponsonby 25 before being grassed, and a smart return Ijy lkauud relieved the danger and centred play. Several nice passing runs by the blue and blaoke carried the game back to the Parnell 25, where some very lively and interesting play was witnessed, Braund, who was waiting for an opportunity, picking up smartly, passed out to Mitchell, who got dangerously close to the northern end of the maroons' line before being collared. A breach on the part of Parnell gave Ponsonby a shot at goal, and ' though the attempt was a good one no score followed. The game continued fast and furious, the ball going up and down the field in rapid succession, and a chance was shortly missed by the Ponsonby fullback, who, however, cannot be blamed for not taking what appeared to be a somewhat wild pass, Keeping the Parnellites in thoir own 25, the Ponsonby forwards continued the aggressive, but Jervie ultimately relieved the maroons, and following up, the Parnell forwards carried the play down into tho blue and blacks' country. Keeping up the attack, the Parnellites kept their opponents busily engaged defending their line. Two or three dashes initiated by Edmonds resulted in Ronayne crossing the line close to the corner flag, the major points bciug added by Murray, who safely piloted the oval between the bars from a most difficulWingle. Parnell 9 Ponsonby 0 For the next ton minutes the honours were divided, and after several kicks had been exchanged Jervis kicked out near the centra flag, ami from the throw in the Parnell forwards worked their opponents back to the 26, whBFo a breach gave Ponsonby a free kick and the oval went out in neutral ground. From a scrum immediately after the throw in Edmonds got the leather out and transferring to Ronayne, who after a nice dodgy run passed to Elliott, who carried tho ball below the Ponsonby 25. At this stage the bell denoted half-time. Parnell , ,„ $ Ponsonby „ 0 SECOND SPELL. Gallagher kicked off for Ponsonby, Evitt returning, and the Parnell vanguard; following up their advantage carried the scene of action into Ponsonby territory, where the full-back relieved his side by a long kick down the line the ball going out about half-way ; From a scrum tho Ponsonby vanguard heeled out nicely to Braund, who passed to Galloway, a dodgy run by the latter carrying the ball near the Parnell 25, where Ronayne came to tho rescue. The Parnell forwards, who were working together in good style, headed by Auderson, Whitley, and Hancock, reversed the order, with a nice dribbling rush, which returned the leather to the Ponsonby quarter flag, and the Parnell baGks initiating two or three short dashes, looked dangerously like scoring on more thati one occasion, but a force saved their opponents. Parnell continued on the aggressive, and forcing the blue and blacks back, several short dashes ensued, in which Elliott,. Rouayne, and Jervis played a prominent part, Ronayne eventually getting within a tew feet of the Ponsonby line, where he was brought down by Mitchell in the nick of time. After several exohangeß in dangerous ground Mitchell relieved his side by kicking near thehalf-way. Fromthe throw-in the Ponsonbyites initiated a nice passing run, which transferred play to near the Parnell line. Shortly after another sally was made by the Ponsonby backs, in which Braund, Galloway, and Masefield participated, the latter reaching the Parnell quarter-flag. The Maroons were, however, not to be denied, and a nice rush, [loaded by Murray, Whitley, and Anderson, saw the scene of action again transferred to the Ponsonby territory, where Rouayne attempted to drop a goal and Galloway returned. One of Jervis' long kicks, which had been doing so much for Parnell, saw the ball go out in the Ponsonby ground, and Edmonds securing from tho throw in punted across the line, and the fullback forced. Parnell continued to have the best of the play, and another attempt at goal was made by Jervis, the ball just going below the bars, who a few minutes aftgr proved more successful, landing a capital goal after a neat, dodgy run.

Parnell 13 Vonsonby 0 Shortly after Ponsonby managed to carry the Parnellltes well into their own 25, and a smart dash, in which Ramsay and Masefield were the prime movers, resulted in the latter getting- dangerously close to the Parnell line, but the whistle called them back for a throw-on, Ponsonbyagaiucarriadmatters back to the Parnell line, Attter several determined efforts, Miller got across, securing a wellmerited try for the blue and blacks. The kick was entrusted to Val Masefield, but the attempt was a poor one, the oval sailiug wide of the mark.

Parnell 13 Ponsonby ... , 3 Play was again carried back to the Parnell territory, and for the remainder of tho spell tliePonsoflbyites wore kept busily engaged

staving off the determined attacks of the maroons, the close of the game seeing no alteration in the scores. The Parnell fifteen was captained by Edmonds and the Ponsonbyites by Braund.

CITY V. NORTH SHORE.

This match, which was played on the Devonport ground, Was witnessed by a large number of spectators from the marine suburb and several town enthusiasts. City, who had the best of the game all through, won by 11 points to. 7, Absolum being responsible for the three tries obtained by the victors, this player being in great form. Charlie Stone successfully piloted one of the tries over the bar. North Shore's score va,s made up of a peoalty goal, kicked by Harold Speight, and a goal from the field.

GRAFTON V. SUBURBS.

In this instance the Graftonites scored a bloodless victorv. Suburbs not being able to put a team in the field, the game going by default. The players present indulged in a short practice. [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.! Thames, Saturday, THAMES V. KUAOTUNU. There was a fair attendance at Parawai this afternoon to witness the football uatch between the Kuaotunu and Thames football clubs. The visitors, who arrived here by the s.s. Stella, at about noon, were captained by Swindley, and the local team by J. McGregor. Swindley won the toss and elected to defend the northern goal. Sullivan kioked off, Tho game was pretty fast, and was watched with great interest by those present. Shortly after the kick-off McLean for Thames made a fine shot at goal, but tho ball struck the bar, and was forced. After the kick out Swindley lifted the ball over the line and nearly scored. A few minutes after Dousland secured the leather, and dashing over the line, scored the first try for Thames, Knight making a fine attempt to convert. Kuaotunu after this rallied somewhat, and, headed by Swindley, made some fine rushes, and Callaway by a splendid run crossed 'the Thames line and scored for Kuaotunu. Renwick took the kick, but failed to add the major points, and the first spell ended Kuaotuuu 8, Thames 3. In the second spell the game was very fast from the kick off, Kuaotunu making some fine passing rushes. Shortly after the kick off McLean and Carter each made fine attempts to pot for the Thames, but the ball went just below the bar, and was then kept in the Thames 25 for awhile until Carter with a fine rush brought it back, and Cameron got over. The referee, however, ordered a Bcrum, and W. Wilson picking up dashed over, McLean converting. Swindley, who had played the best forward game on the field, had to retire, and time was called soon after without further score. For the visitors Swindley, whose heeling out was much admired, Hogan, White, Renwick, Bramble, and Callaway played the best games, as did J. McGregor, Carter, Dousland, Downes, Coote, Meehan, and Wilson for tho local team. In the evening the visitors were entertained at a smoke concert in the Governor Bowen Hotel and leave for Kuaotunu to-morrow.

WAITEKAURI V. KARANGAHAKIS.

Paeroa, Saturday.

A football match took place this afternoon between vVaitekauri and Karaugahake, when the former proved victorious by 7 points to oil.

Wellington, Saturday.

In the senior football matches Athletics beat Pouoke by 8 points to 3, and Petone defeated Wellington by 6 to love.

CRICKET IN THE WAIKATO.

The cricket contests here were concluded on Saturday, and resulted in Alexandra winning the caps, Hamilton being second. The victors played 11 matches, winning 8, and losing 3. Hamilton played 11 matches, winning 7 and and losing 4. Taupiri came next, with a win of 5 matches and i lost out of 9 matches. Te Awamutu played 10 matches and lost 6. The Tuiiikaramea Club's score was the same as Te Awamutu, and Cambridge lost 6 matches out of 9 played.

HOLDER BREAKS THE WORLD'S 440

YDS. HURDLE RECORD. [BY TELKORAPU.—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] Napier, Sunday. At the Amateur Athletic Sports, on Saturday, Holder, of Wanganui, beat the world's amateur record for the 440 yds Hurdles, his time being 60s. He also won the 100 yd* event. Hill, a novice, won the mile, 440 yds fiat, and maiden. The other events are only of local interest, [Holder's time is Is better than the previous world's record of 61s, held by T. Roberta, of Auckland, and put up by him in the Domain in May of 1895. He (Roberts) also equalled his record at the recent Championship gathering at Christchureh.]

BOWLING.

AUCKLAND CLUB.

CLUB CUP WINNERS,

In 1881 the Auckland Bowling Ciub resolved to procure a sterling silver cup, to be competed for yearly by its members, to be played single-handed, all compi itors to start from scratch, and as it may be interesting to the new members we publish the! winners of tho cap from 1881 to the present date, the following were the successful competitors ;—lBBl-82, won by Mr. Peter Oliphant; 1882-83, competitions not concluded ; 188384, won by Mr. E. A. Mackechnie; 1884-85, won by Mr. J. Chadwiok; 1885-86, won by Mr. R. Saunders: 1886 87, won by Mr. Peter Oliphant; 1887 won by Mr. J. S. Scott; 1888-89, won by Mr. P. Oliphant. This being the third win for Mr. P. Oliphant thesilver cup No.l becomes his property. The following names are on the present cup :— 1889 90, won byilr. J. Paterson; 1890-91, won by Mr. Win.Gome; 1891-92, won bv Mr. J. C. Taunt; 1892 93, won by Mr. D. M. Dine wall; 1893 94, won by Mr. VV. K. Payne; 1894-95, won by Mr. Andrew Holden; 189596, won by Mr. J. M. Mennie, In 1884 the club resolved to offer each year a pair of silver-mounted champion bowls, and that the winner of the bowls was to be the champion for the year, the difference between the bowls and the cup was that the bowls are the property of the winner, and the cup has to be won three times before it becomes the property of the winner, all competitors in each event starting from scratch, and the entries for each are entered for by the same competitors. The following are the winners of the champion bowls from 1884 to 1896:—1884-85. won by Mr. J. Chadwick; 188586, Mr. 0. Scott; 1886-87, Mr. J. Bitliugton; 1887-83, Mr. J. Billington; 188889, Mr. P. Oliphant; 1889-90, Mr. 0. B. Kingswell; 1890-91. Mr. J. Miller; 1891-92, Mr. J. Frater; 183293, Mr, William Culpan; 1893-94, Mr. A. Stewart; 1894-95, Mr. C. B. Kingswoll; 1895-96, Mr. WilliamLcdingham. On reference to the above it will be observed that only on two occasions has the double event been won by one competitor in the same year, viz., in 1884-85, Mr. J. Chad wick won both events; and in 1888-89 both events were carried off by Mr. Peter Oliphant; lasS season Mr. A. Holden came very near the possible, having won the cap and played in the final for the champion bowls. However, his opponent, the veteran bowler, Mr. C. B. Kingswell, the champion of 1889 and 1894, proved the victor. There was a good attendance at the Grafton Green, on Saturday, when the following matches were played, No. l Kink. Wilkins v. Shackelford Ponsford llardie Ktrkwood lawson Dingwall, skip .. 29 Hooper, skip.. .. 22 No. 2 UISK. fpreckley v. Ross Zimmerinann Pirio J. Held Ruddock Mennie, skip.. .. 16 J. J. Holland, skip- 20 No, 3 Rink. Moritzson v. West Jones Lewis Butts Hancock Holden, skip.. .. 23 Patterson, skip .. 13 No. 1 Rink. Perritt v. Hoiking McCallura Squirroll Scott Winks Culpan, skip.. .. 21 Thomson, skip .. 14 No, o Rink. Rhrenfried v. Coleman Towsey Myers Frater Khodea Ledingham, skip .. 28 Carlaw, skip .. .. 23 Club Cup-The Final. | Mennle .. ..21 v. Holden .. .. 14