ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16023, 15 September 1915, Page 4

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL. THE RUGBY GAME. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The Marist Brothers Old Boys' team, which has won the Auckland Rugby Union's senior-grade championship for the second time, has not been long in existence. Originally the club was formed from members of the Sacred Heart College Old Boys' Club, and first took pari in the Auckland Union's competitions as a second-grade team. In the first season the team finished last, but in the second acted as runners-up in the grade contest. Next year the club entered a senior team, and finished last, but rose rapidly in the following year, and tho City and Ponsonby Clubs, which had monopolised the final fights for championship honours for years, found a formidable opponent in the new club. . The Marists' Club finished as runners-up in its second senior year and as winners in its third year (1912). In 1913 \he team again acted as runners-up. In common with other senior Rugby clubs the officials have had a trying time this year, and at one part of the season the team did not appear to. have more than a remote chance of premiership honours. In fact, at the beginning of the season the committee seriously discussed the question of not entering a eenior team, so great had been its lossss. It was mainly duo to the encouragement given to juniors that the club was successful this season. Eight of the players in 'the final were not more than 30 years of age. General regret was expressed in the city on Saturday when the death -in action of Sergeant A. J. (" Doolan") Downing was announced He made a host of friends during his residence here, and was looked upon as one of the best of iho Dominion's excellent array of forwards. He was a member of the Marist Brothers Old Boys' Clubs of both Auckland and Napier; he represented both Auckland and Hawke's Bay Unions, played m the North Island team, and visited California as a member of tho New Zealand representative Yecm. As late as June 5 Downing played here as a member of the Trentham team which took part in a patriotic match against the Auckland representatives. Downing was a fiuo typo of man. Physically a giari* and one of the hardestplaying of the All Black vanguard, he was, withal, the most genial of companions, and his cheerfulness will live leng in the memory of those who knew him. On Saturday Mr. M. J Sheahan, chairman of the Auckland Rugby Union, wired to his parents as follows:"Please accept deepest sympathy from A.R.U. and players on the death of your chivalrous son. The Ellerslio Public School team, which has won the third-grade school championship has had a distinguished football career. In six years the school has won the championship five times, and on the other occasion was runner-up to Epsom. The scholars also excel in general athletics. The banner of the Auckland Public Schools' Athletic Association was won at the sports meeting held at the Domain last autumn. 0 The annual dinner of the Newton Football Ail? wj °* "eld on Friday evening. ■the annual smoke concert of the Auckland Rugby Referees' Association will be held on Saturday evening. Among the sixth reinforcements, the winter sport has many representatives who have changed their jerseys for khaki. Among the better known players are E. Roberts (Wellington). Taylor (Taranaki), F. Wilson (Auckland), Weston (Auckland), S. Cameron (Taranaki). Ross (Auckland). G. Murray (Wellington), and French (Auckland). Most of these men are New Zealand representatives.

THE LEAGUE GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Ellerslie jockeys' team and Sunnyside, winners of the fourth grade competition, provided quite an interesting curtain-raiser to the Roope Booster final The fourth grade champions— their opponents' known ability at the barriergot away first, and within a few minutes had scored a try and converted it- From then on the game was very even, and the jockeys were unlucky not to score on at least two occasions. Ryan, who had previously scored a try for the horsemen, was collared on the line after beat, ing half-a-dozen opponents, and Kelly, mistaking the goal-line, grounded the ball too soon when a try seemed certain- The heavy rain which fell during the second spell spoiled the game. Good work was done for the jockeys by Ryan. O'Bhea, McMillan. Puku, Rae, and Tilsley, and for Sunnyside the most prominent players were Wynyard. Robinson. Martin, and White. The football season, as far as the Auckland Rugby League is concerned, was practically concluded on Saturday, when the final in the "knock-out" competition for Roope's Rooster was decided between North Shore Albions and Newton Rangers- The rain was coming down in torrents when the match commenced, and the playing ground was a series of miniature lakes. In consequence good football was out of the question, and the game resolved itself into a scramble during the, first half. Newton appeared to have the better of to* play in the Initial stages, but in the second spell the North Shore forwards asserted themselves early and the score was soon turned in North Shore's favour. In the last twenty minutes Newton made desperate efforts to equalise the scores, but the North Shore defence could not be penetrated, victory resting with the latter by 10 points to 7. The gam* for the greater portion was uninteresting, but the last few minutes provided plenty of excitement, and with a little luck the match might hare ended in a draw. Newton, on a dry ground, would certainly. have been seen to greater advantage, for it has a really good set of backs.who can handle the ball well. The conditions, however, were all against them For North Shore MacAneny, J. Paul, Stewart, and Mason played well, while Clark. Williams. Rope, and Bennett were the most prominent of th© Newton team.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The rain of Saturday seriously interfered with sports, and the executive of the Auckland football Association wisely postponed the replay of the final for the Falcon Cup. The match will probably be fixed for Saturday next, when the tickets for the ground issued for last Saturday will hold good. The third division competition is finished, the positions of the teams being as follows: — _~ . p. W. d. l. Pts*. Richmond 12 10 1 1 21 Wild Rose 13 8 2 8 18 Y.M.C.A 12 7 2 3 16 Everton 13 4 2 6 10 Brotherhood ... 13 3 2 7 8 Northcote 12 3 — 9 6 Adelphian ... 12 2 19 6 HOCKEY. LADIES' ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Auckland Ladies' Hockey Association was held on Tuesday evening. There were present: Messrs. H. A. Milnes (chairman). L H. Norton. C. Reid. and Missea C. M. Latimer. H. Bicker, B. McLeod. E. Booth, < and E-. Mabbett. I It was resolved that the Omapere and i Whakatu teams, which 'tied in the second- ! grade competition, play oS for the championship on Saturday afternoon. m the event of scores being equal at the call of time, extra spells of 10 minutes will , he played, but not exceeding 20 minutes in ; all, . - It was decided to play the preliminary round of the Be-rnecker Challenge Cup matches on September 25 It will be played in tournament form, the draw being: Training College v. Henderson, Technical College v. Whakatu, Waiteroata and dahuhu byes The winner of the tournament will play the challenge round with Omapere (holder) on the following Saturday. It was also decided to play the Belmore Cup challenge match. Mount Eden v. Training College (holder), on October 2 if desired. It was »«rreed to send a representative team to Thames on Saturday to play the local, representatives. Mrs. E. Latimer was appointed chaperon and Miss C. M. Latimer manageress. AUCKLAND V. THAMES. ,r,-2w le 'r4. ollowine t aanl l> aB t**** MlecVed to visit Thames on Saturday. Any player unable to make the trip is. requested^ notify M™ U A IjorUm. Security Building! 'phone Si? 6 • ?/ )t o! at<Jr *$*■* to-day:— Goalkeeper Miss M. Stevens (Areta); («Hbackß, Muses B. McLeod (Thistle), C. McConnell (Aretah halfbacks. Misses & Bicker■ (TwiniS ColtS&»5; p 0 * Eo >>- M. White •Training College); forwards. Misses I W^ lo^""^ V& B. pother" Mount Eden),. W. Nprdea (Mount Eden). R. Daldy Training College). B. Baxter (Twain g Co? leee): reserve Mi« B C. Latimer. S W1 The association will pay sVeamer fares and players will pay their own expense. 1? Thames. The steamer will leave Auckland" a^lg ß, affe tOT *« *• GOLF. AUCKLAND LADIES' CLUB. The Red ? MM . match arranged to be played yesterday by members of the AuckE a Jff (l , Wl &lub ' »?■• oa account of the bad weather, postponed until Friday. WAITEiiATA LADIES' CLUB. r- T w™ mnbe i r °, ♦*? Waitemata Ladies' Golf Club will play the Red Cross Medal Mate* to-day. The conditions are; Post «**!•■! players to choose their own £$ The one-club match played on Wednesd V was won by Mrs. Stringer. we<UWß \

BOXINGHARDWICK BEATS POOLEY. l AUSTRALASIAN . CHAMPIONSHIP. HIGH-CLASS CONTEST. The contest between Harold Hardwick, of Australia, and Albert Pooley, of Auckland, for the professional heavy-weight boxing championship of Australasia, which was decided at the Town Hall last evening, was probably the best of its class seen in the Dominion. Both men have high reputations as clean sportsmen, and both were known to be in excellent condition, therefore it was not surprising that the large hall should have been almost filled, and that the sum of £830 should have been taken at the door. While it lasted, the contest was strenuous and clever and full of exciting incident. In the second round, while Pooley was forcing the fighting, a hard left hook from Hardwick caug.it the Aucklandor on the sido of the nose and closed up his right eye. The blow spoiled his vision and was really the beginning of the end- Hardwick fought mostly for Pooiey's body, and by a series of hard body blows eventually reduced the latter to a state of helplessness, and in the seventh round the referee. Mr. P. Bums, stopped the contest in order to save a game fighter from unnecessary punishment. Hardwick sprained his left hand in the second round when he closed Pooley's eye. Three preliminary bouts were fought by well-known local amateurs. E. Dowsing beat T. .A. Sensing on points in the featherweight class. J. Opai beat T. Allen on points in the welter-weight class, and P. Closs beat C. _R. Robertson on points in the middleweight class. The tournament was held under the auspices of tho Northern Boxing Association, and was well conducted.

. PRELIMINARY BOUTS. E. Dowsing (Sst 131b) and T. A. Koesing 'Sst 131b) boxed the opening bout of the night. The former, who had the advantage in height and reach, kept his opponent oil in the first and second rounds with a fast left, . which shot out frequently. When Keesing attempted >.: mix ma;ters he found Dowsing too tall and too fast to get at. Tho third round saw Keesins land *me heavy blows, but Dowsing scored trcQ-.ivntiy with both hands. It was patent a', the commencement of the last round that only a knock-out would secure a win for Keesing. Therefore, as both men were on their feet at the finif-h, there was no dissent when Mr. Burns declared Dowsing the winner. J. Opai (lOst 61b) and T. Allen UOat Gib) were the next pair to occupy the ring. The nien were abort and thick in stature, and about equal in height and reach. Tho antics of the Maori caused great amusement in th'» first round. Allen, who boxed with open gloves, did not force matters very much at the start, but early in the second round he went in. and some exciting rallies followed. Opai held his own in these exchanges There was groat excitement in tho third round. In one of his " pretty " periods Opai sent Allen's head back with a straight left. The Maori had the best of some hot exchanges. In the last round Opai connected with some hard punches, and Allen was very tired at the finish When the referee Placed his hand on Opal's head the Maori« face beamed, and he showed a row of gleaming white " ivories." The verdict wcs popular, ™ audience cheering the win- °« Opai. by request, although as be said. I have done some very hard woTk," gave a haka, for which, he gained further applause, nn P i $}?£* ,llst . 2n >> »n,d C. R. Robertson (lOst 131b), a pair of old opponents, opened vtry quietly Closs used his left frequently, put many of his blows were very light. He kept well clear of Robertson's wild swings, and stopped many of the latter'a rushes with well-timed straight blows. Closs's left was the feature of the second round, but in the tJSSI ™i % ffi er i« w^e , more - mi^ d ,- and Closs found difficulty .l keeping Robertson out. The latter had the best of some of the exchanges. Closs had all the best of the last round, and won a good-tempered bout by a fair margin of points.

AUSTRALASLAN CHAMPIONSHIP.

AN EXCITING CONTEST.

Ai l & lo,d s H ,* rd ?iA <12*t. 31b). Australia, and Albert Pooley <12at 81b). Auckland, entered the. ring at, 9.30 pm. to fight for tne professional heavy-weight boxing championship of Australasia and a puree of £100 and expenses. The contest was for 15 thrce-miuuto rounds. Both men were about equal in height, and reach, and looked in the nink of condition. Pooley was browner and "heavier than, when he last appeared here, and seemed heavier than the figures indicated. The first round was bright, with both men cconni freouently to face and body with both hands. Pooley kept on top of Hardwick. ana seemed to have the best of th* round - Many good ringside judges considered ?<*>ley wo? bidly advised to fore* the fighting with such a clever opponent. H * rfW,Ck showed clever defensive work. i.jJj second rou ? d , «U exciting. Pooley landed a couple of hard blows at the star? fe£u„ h d .i, left ->* .£ y Hardwick caughi J.ooley on the side of the nose, and his eve commenced to close up. PooTey was dax*d! n»ot^ f^i. E S co °W "cover Hardwick con! nected with two haTd rights to th* side of h TT,i a J* **".» ea ?£ Hardwick' round? . he third round, although good was not co exciting "At second BotV did good work, and. there was apparently very little mit to either In the fourthround h£S»SF f* eOOd .i de »J of m-nghtingf°and Hardwick freouently drove in hard bodv Tho fifth was ju*t as strenuous as the m» dica&ci OU of d ?i, and «««,.!«■ ™ outward P [n: dication of the approaching end of the cona2&°£3<£? °$i* he e L xth . ronn d ™» willing ralb? *TUrt£j h ? ng)l - •» th ? middle of a 5,° &**, the <5° a «»t of nine, and wis hardlv went to the boards for nine second* Tki gong gave him a premature wt for The seventh round was hardly started before he was dropped again. Hardwick kept ok ham" mering away at Pooley'e body, an 3 the latter was dropped four times, but gamely^ row on R,?™. aßlo * n 0r more punishment M? Bums eventually entered the ring and stopped the contest, and thus saved a gam* boxer, who was obviously beaten; from un* necessary punishment.

SCULLING. NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHD?. WEBB AND HANNAN TRAINING. [BY TELEGRAPH OWN COREKSPOXDEXT-] Wangaxui, Tuesday. The sculling race between W. Webb and P^£v,? anna S for £200 a-side and the cham&s&&Ls «? ew Z S2 ,ftnd will be decided on September 24. The whole of the stake money is now up.. and both men are very nt .ttannan had six months' solid training before he went to Wanpnui. and liriSS the four weeks ho has been there ho hat done a lot of solid work. He is a vour-rrffr SB! *&?» Webb, being 30 years of «£ while the Wanganui man is 35. and there are many who believe that this will P ive bun a big advantage over Webb. However Jiannan is a comparative novice at tho game, and there is still room for much improvement in his style. His catch is faulty and he jerks the weight on at tho finish while he "leathers" badly and splashes a lot. On the other hand he has a very powerful drive, and puts any amount of weight and vigour into ho la part of his stroke. He is full of grit and that ho will go el}, the way at a solid pace is certain. It will resolve itself into a question as to whether he can wear Webb down, but tho letter's friends do not think he will he able to dp this, and believe that not only will Webb prove more brilliant but that he will show . that his staying power is as good as ever it was. Hannan had a capital row over the full course on Wednesday, and covered tho distance in good time. He is very confident. On the other hand Webb has put in some rowing during the week, which makes him out to be back to his beet form He will row nt about list 81b and Hannan at list 91b. so that the pair will bo well matched so far as weight is concerned.