ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18335, 27 February 1923, Page 4

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

CRICKET. SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION. The Auckland Suburban Association will send a team to Matakana to play Roaney on Saturday, for the Walker Shield, vhioh the Rodney team won last season. 7 .'-e following team has been selected to represent Rodney:A. Shepherd, W. Tor kington, P. Dunning, A. Dunning, W. Dunning R. Bell, W. Tomlinson, E. Campbell, D. Kenoaly, J. Matthew, E. Munford. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The English cricket team for Australia:, where a series of matches will bo played, including the tests, in the season of 1924, will sail from Southampton for Sydney on September 24 next. The departure of the M.C.C. team for Sydney leaves a gap in New Zealand cricket hard to fill. The benefits to local cricket may not materialise until later in the season, when an advance in the standard of play may confidently be anticipated. Just''why the benefits that are rightly to be expected do not materialise immediately may be a question justly warranted. The club championship competition matches, which were resumed on Saturday, after an interval of play against the M.C.C. touring team, bear no evidence of the improvement that might reasonably have been expected in the standard of club cricket. The wickets wore excellent, the outfields keen and fast, yielding full measure for every stroke, but the team scoring and individual performances were poor to moderate. How to explain the position is somewhat difficult, for the conditions generally were good, and in favour of the batsmen. The bowlers, certainly, were assisted by the strong breeze blowing, but more than this can not be advanced for the comparatively poor team totals and individual scores. With one or two exceptions the batting was only moderate, and tho reason is far to seek. The breeze did not handicap the batsmen to tho extent it assisted the bowlers. One does not look for superlatives in local cricket after the latest exhibition against the M.C.C. team, whoso superior bowlers wero mainly responsible for tho dismissal of the best of tho Auckland batsmen for low scores, but one did expect that after the serious sermon of the missionary tour, the standard of club cricket, under favourable conditions, would have • been raised to a higher degree.. There is little to add to a resume of the games played, save to say that the matches, which will be concluded on Saturday, are at interesting stages. University's Poor Showing. In tho University-Grafton match at Eden Park the bowlers certainly had mastery ovor tho batsmen, but whether duo to superior bowling or to poor batting is a matter for individuals to decide. University, almost at their worst, are better than 99 runs on a batsman's wicket, with due recognition of the quality of the attack of Alcott, who was in fine form with tho ball. The only two players to make a stand were Kelly, who played a good innings for 86, not out, and W. Garrard, whose contribution of 22 was, to say the least, useful. The only other double-figure batsman was Metge. which speaks volumes for the rest. Alcott's seven wickets for 44 runs on «a batsman's wicket was a specially fine His form throughout the club season, and in tho two contests against the M.C.C. team justifies the opinion expressed by Mr. A C. MacLaren, repeated later by Colonel J. C. Hartley, that he is one of the most consistent bowlers in New Zealand. Colonel Hartley showed his appreciation in a practical manner when he presented the Auck land Association with a bat to be donated to Alcott for his performances against the M.C.C. team. Many were of the opinion that Anthony, who bowled so successfully against the English eleven in the second match, should have been awarded this, or a similar trophy. The second innings of University, with two wickets down for 11 runs, is no more promising than tho first innings of 99. A recovery is certainly required urgently when the contest. is resumed, else the students will fail disastrously against last season's premiers. The first innings of Grafton has only a little more to commend than that of University. Grafton surpassed the students' total, but only by a margin of —a load which University may reasonably be expected to reduce before further wickets fall. To Paterson belongs the honour of contributing the highest score of 47. compiled by forceful cricket on both sides of the wicket. Horspool divides half the honours for a useful 20, and Baker for a single less. Rowntree ran to double figures for a not out innings for the last wicket. The clever wicketkeeper has a penchant for last-wicket stands, an'l is certainly deserving of promotion. The most successful bowler for University was R. Garrard, who secured four good wickets for 32 runs. Graham taking three for 24. The match should furnish an interesting finish, albeit the present position favours . the premier team. A Model of Consistencies. The Ponsonby-North Shore, match at Devonport was a model of cricket consistencies with its glorious uncertainty. Pontionby won the toss, and, realising the wicket, had first-strike, scoring the good team total of 235, of which Grant, with a useful 40, was / the principal contributor. Snedden batted /well for 30, Brinsden for 29, Ritlhton and Smith for 26 each, while Flynn and Burton aerated to the extent of 18 and 19 respectively). The innings, however, sagged badly In the centre, three of the middlemen falling for small scores. "Extras'* was useful to/the cxtont of 34 runs, which suggests some weakness behind the wicket, perthtiia^ef^ wild bowling. • The most successful bowler was Scott, who the honours with five wickots for 41 runs, a good performance against a better batting side. The first innings for North Shore. was remarkable more for its consistent low scoring for six wickets of 34 runs than for any individual brilliancy. The one doublefigure batsman was Monteith, with a score of 12. North Shore is in a poor position for the continuation of the game, and only a cricket miracle can save the side. Parnell's Afternoon. Parnell occupied the whole of the stormy afternoon at Eden Park against the Eden eleven, scoring 231 runs, of which total Somervell was the highest contributor with? a well-compiled 48. Anthony materially assisted his team mate by knocking up 44; McLeod and J. Smith, the latter late of Otago, compiling 28 and 27 respectively. No fewer • than eight 'Eden bowlers were given r. trial at the crease to bring about Parneli's downfall. They succeeded in doing this, but at a cost of 231 runs, which gives Eden a big total to face when the game will be played to a finish. 'Three wickets for 51 runs was the best performance. an honour achieved by young Mills, a son of the popular Eden Park groundsman, George Mills. Covering the Wiclcet. Prior to the match against the M.C.C. team at Eden Park .the wicket bad been covered overnight with a tarpaulin, for protection in tho event of . rain. Cricket ! undo* these prepared conditions is scarcely real, but inclined to be artificial. The M.C.C. regulations certainly provide for protection, but it is not carried out m practice in England. Covering the wicket in not in tho best interests of tho game, though it may be protection. The practice tends to develop a good-wicket type of batsman who can only bat on such prepared wickets, and is not helpful to the allrfundor, but who should be prepared, for every class of wicket. In the variable j climate of New Zealand, where it is sometimes necessary to cover the wicket, an effort should bo made to play under all conditions with a view to developing the allround eland of batsman. M.C.C. Matters. •The M.C.C. team will play its first return match of the Australian tour against New South Wales, commencing at the Sydney cricket ground on Friday. In the first meeting of the teams in December the English eleven put up a. particularly fine fame against a strong side, including no ewer than eight international flayers. The approaching contest iB being anticipated keenly by the visitors, who have just arrived at Sydney after their New Zealand tour. Mr. A. C. MacLaren, who developed an old injury while in New Zealand and stood down for many matches, has been "resting" for the return match against New South Wales, and hopes to secure a victory, proving to the English authorities that the side which defeated tho Australians at Eastbourne in the memorable Eng- 1 lish season of 1921, of which several of the present players were members, did not have only tha surprise victory with which it has been credited. Should A. C. MacLaren lead his side on the field in this contest the English players will, ho a distinctly superior side to th*t which did service in New Zealand' without their regular captain. MacLaren is not only a wonderful batsman, but he is a cricket general and tactician of a high order. His physical and mental attitude on the field is an example to any cricketer desirous of playing at Old Trafford. The English captain, by the way, promises to return to New Zealand some time niter the English cricket season to take the Baths at Rotorua. Another who promises to return at the termination of the English season is Mr. J. D. Swan, manager of the M C C team. M.C.C. AVERAGES. Tho averages of the members of the M.C.C. team in all matches, including the three teats in New Zealand, are as follows

BATTING, ALL N.Z. MATCHES. 7 Runs. Ings. N.O. 11.8. Avge. MacLaren . . 270 3 1 200* 185.0 Chapman . . 693 16 2 . 183 49.50 Titchmarsh .= 659 16 2 | "164 47.07 Calthorpe . . 697 17 1 136 : 43.56 Lowry . . 489 15 1 130 34.91 Hartley .. 219 12 5 60* 81.70 Wilkinson . . 479,18 1 102 28.11 Maclean . . 313 17 5 84 26.08 .Gibson .. 220 12 3 58* 24.40 'Brand .. 285 13 , 1 85 23.83 I Wood .. 295 18- 3 . 52 19.66' Tyldosley .. 92 8 1 - 40 13.10 Wilson - . . 1M 15 2 42 • 12.92 Freoman .'. 95. 11 3 49 11.80 BATTING. TEST MATCHES. Runs. Ings. N.O. H. 5". Avge, MacLaren .. 200 1 1 200 200.0 Hartley . . 76 2 1- 60 .76.0 Lowry .. 2bß 4 — 130 64.5 Maclean . . 152 4 1 84 50.6 Chapman . . 152 4 — -77 38.0 Wilkinson . . 144 4 — '59 , 36.0Titohmarsh . . 113 4 — 40 28.2 Calthorpe .. 88 4 — 63 22.0 Brand . . 64 3 — 33 21.3 Wilson . . 57 4 — 20 14.2 Freeman ..14 3 e2 14 14.0 BOWLING, ALL MATCHES. Overs. Mdns, Runs. Wkts. Avge. Tyldesloy . . 98.3 83 212 19 11.1 Hill-Wood 42 7 124 10 12.4 Freeman .. 287.4 84 796 52 15.30 Hartley . . 87.1 14 268 17 15.76 Brand . . 136.2 29 487 30 16.23 Gibson . . 398.5 123 999 57 17.52 Calthorpe . . 321.4 100 786 44 17.8G Chapman (two for CO), Wilson (three for 24), Titchmarsh (four for 44), Maclean (none for 22), and Wilkinson (three for 28) also bowled, BOWLING. TEST MATCHES.' Overs. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Avge. Calthorpe . . 80.4 23 225 14 16.07 Freeman . . 161.3 48 403 18 22.3 Gibson . . 161 47 426 18 23.6 Brand . . 42 8 187 6 81.1 LAWN TENNIS. THE LAWRENCE CUP. MATATA WINS OUTRIGHT. [BY TELEGBAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MATATA. Monday. The Lawrence tennis cup, presented by the lato Mr. W. Lawrence, of Whakatano, about 12 years ago, was won outright on Saturday by Matata. They defeated Whakatane in the final by 11 sets to 8. Matata have won the cup five times. MANUREWA Y. EAST TAMAKI. A team from Manurowa visited the East Tamaki Club on Saturday, and were given a hearty reception by the local tennis enthusiasts. A series of interesting maiches was played, resulting as follows, Manurewa names being mentioned first:— Men's Doubles.—Corin and Watkins beat Preston and Preston, 5—6, 6—4, —5; L. Peeler and Warlich lost to Latta and Waters, 6—5, 4—6, 7—9; L. M. Peglor and B. Pegler beat Ross and Hill, 5—6, 64, 6—4. Ladies' Doubles.—Miss Lupton and Mr». Warlich beat Misses Ferguson and M. Hill, 9— Mrs. L. Pegler and Miss Gray lost to Misses Hill and Green, 7—9; Misses Lawrence and Turney beat Misses Ross and Curta, 9—4. Combined Doubles.—Miss Lupton and Corin beat Preston and Miss Ferguson, —0, —5; Mrs. Warlich and Watkins lost to Miss M. "Hill and Preston, 6—3, 56, 4—6; Mrs. Pegler and L. Pegler lost' to Latta and Miss Hill, 6—3, 4—6, 4— Miss Gray and Warlich beat Miss Green and Waters. —8; Miss Lawrence and L. M. Pegler beat Miss Ross and Ross, 6 —5, 64; Miss Turncv and B. Pegler lost to Miss Curta and Hill, 6—4, 2— 3—6. Manurewa "won by seven matches to five. CROQUET. ROTORUA CHAMPIONSHIP. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ROTORUA, Monday. In tho open croquet championship, section play-off. Miss Murray had a. bye. Mrs. Kibblowhite bea. Mrs. Worthington. In tho final three games between Mrs. Kibblowhite and Miss Murray, the former won tho first game, and Miss Murray ths second. The third is in progress. Much interest is being taken in the match. ✓ ROWING. AUCKLAND CLUB. The trial fours of the Auckland Rowing Club, for trophies presented by the president, Mr. A. I. Farmer, had to be postponed on Saturday on account of the bad weather, and were competed for last evening. Crews stroked by Strugnell, W. Stevenson and J. Stevenson competed in the first heat. In a splendid race throughout Strugnell secured a -win by a narrow margin. The second heat brought Fleming, Naylor and O'Hanlon to the starting post, and after another strong contest, O'Hanlon secured the verdict by two feet. Strugnell met O'Hanlon in the final, and after a splendidly fought race, the former won by a baie canvas. Tho successful rowers in tho winning crew were Strugnell, Barker, Brown and Haughie. Pair-oar races for trophies presented by Mr. Geo. R. Hogan will be competed for during the coming week-end. FOOTBALL. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. The first . annual meeting of the newlyformed Kiwi Club (late /Technical Old Boys) was held last-evening. There wjk< a large attendance of supporters, and the prospects for the coming season seem bright. It was decided to enter second, third, and fourth grade teams. The election of officers resulted as —President, Mr. Jas. Sutcliffo; vice-presidents, Messrs. F. C. Munro, W. T. Cole, E. J. Dugmore; hon. secretary, Mr. S. H. Sutcliffe: hon. treasurer, Mr. G. D. O'Leary; club oaptain, Mr. J. Munro; vice-captain, Mr. D. Grieve. The services of Mr. A. Sanderson were obtained as coach, and practice will commence immediately. ASSOCIATION TOURS. ENGLISH TEAM IMPROBABLE. The matter of projected football'tours wan discussed at a meeting of the New Zealand Football Association. . Mr. S. Storey, of Sydney, gave some particulars of the arrangements made for the visit of the New Zealand team to Australia. Tho team will play in Sydney, Granville, the South Coast, Newcastle, Maitland. Lithgow, Armidale, Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, then returning to Sydney, and afterwards visiting Goulburn and Melbourne. ■ Correspondence was read in regard to the proposed visit of a team from Britain to the Dominion. The secretary of the Football Association in Britain, Mr. F. .J. Wall, forwarded a copy of tho last communication sent to the Commonwealth Association with regard to tho proposed tour. The letter stated that inquiries had been made at the universities, senior amateur clubs, and professional clubs, with tho result that a team must consist of professionals, amateurs. not being able to i get away for six months.»» That would mea.a an increased cost for expenses, etc., of between £6000 and £7000. . Ma*. A. G. Gibbs, New Zealand rspresenta- • tive in Britain, suggested that the visit of a Canadian team would help to boom the ; game. He added that the International ; Selection Committee had gone to a great 1 deal of trouble in making inquiries as to the j possibility- of securing players to form such a team. Mr. Graves said ho did not think Nov,' Zealand had been treated too well in the matter. He could not believe an .amateur team was not available, but if so. they should confine their efforts to getting a team i from Canada. Australia, and South Africa The chairman said he also was disappointed. It had seemed likely as if it was possible to get an English team out, but he • was . afraid an amateur team could not be ; obtained. J Mr. Walls said that if they invited a : team from South Africa or Canada, they : would get as fine a team as a secondary one from Britain. ' It was decided to hold the matter over 1 T,Mr. ,4- Wakelyn, secretary of the Alberta ' Football Association, Canada t wrote, under 1 date January 11 last, saying it had come to 1 his notice through the press that New Zealand was anxious to secure a visit of a ' Canadian team. He forwarded a photograph 1 of their team which won the Dominion 1 championship last season. The club in the < past had done considerable toeing. In 1 1910 .they travelled over 5000 miles in their Dominion, and won the People's Shield, ' then emblematic of the Dominion champion- 1 ship. In 1911 they travelled to the Old ] Country and played exhibition games with ] nany of the leading clubs. Last year they ' won triple honours, viz., the City and Dia- 1 trict League, tho provincial chamtnonship and the Dominion championship. The club would be pleased to hear as to the terms if New Zealand thought it advisable to secure the visit of a Canadian team. SWIMMING. ' i KING'S COLLEGE "SPORTS. ' The King's College swimming sports will , bo hold at the Tepid Baths next Friday The programme includes a race for old ' boys.

GOLF. r THE AUCKLAND CLUB. ' EASTER TOURNAMENT. The Easter tournament of the Auckland Golf Club will be commenced on Saturday, March 31, and will be continued on the toilowing Monday and Tuesday. The, programme is practically the. same as last year, the principal event being. the Auckland' provincial championship for the cup i presented by the late Hon. Seymour Thorn© The 6 ' Auckland Golf > Club's season will open on Saturday, April 7. when mixed foursomes will, bo played. NEW GOLF. AN AMERICAN "AVIARY" TEST. There was an innovation in golf competitions on the Worplesdon course, near Woking, says a Daily Mail writer. . It was suggested by the experiences of the British amateurs, who recently visited the United States for the inter-national match. A good many members of the side came back with the conviction that, ,tlio supremacy of tlio Americana was duo ill no email measure to tho circumstance that they Oct for themselves a higher standard than that at which British players aimed. In his report to the Royal p and. Ancient Club, Robert Harris, the British captain, said: " The American golfer plays invariably for the pin; 3's at 4-holea are ever in his mind." . . It waa to stimulate, a spirit that would rest content with nothing leas than the excelling of perfection that the Worplesdon Club held this competition. The par score for each hole was fixed at tho stillest conceivable standard —the total worked out at 71 as against tho bogey .of 79— everybody had to try to beat it. _ _ , Roger H. We>thered, one of We British team that suffered defeat' at Long Island, New York, competed from scratch, ( and started in a way which boded ill for 'old man par," as the Americans call their standard enemy. With two fine shots &nd a putt he did the first hole (3B6yds.) in 3— one better than par. . ... This was the real American, inspiration. Subsequently, however, things did not go so well with him on the outward journey. He lost tho short holes, and stood 3 down at the turn. Coming home, Wethered had two beautiful " birdies " —the description by which every golfer in. tho United States recognises tho accomplishment of a hole in one stroke better (than the par score. Ho did the 11th (528yda.) in 4, 'and the 12th (446yd5.) in 4. Bo'th these were assessed as perfect s's. • But the short holes still bothered himhe lost 3 and halved (the ■ o'thor 2 in tho round—and his final return was 2 down. /He could not obtain an " eagle," which is the . American term for tho doing of a hole in 2 strokes ■ bettor than par, and naturally nobody expected an " albatross " —3 under par—which ia desperately rare even in the United States aviary of the links. . Still, he and 'tho other players agreed that it was an excellent form of competition to inci'to people to go all out for perfection or . bettor. Everybody received his full handicap and a special bonus of 3 strokes in view of the severity of the test. Thup Wethered and R. H. do Montmorency. instead of being plus 3 as usual, • played from scratch. De Montmorency finished 3 down. He had one bad notch in the middle of the round when " birdies " and " eagles " were • sorely weak on the wing; he lost the 7th, Bth, 9th, and 10th holes. E. A. Tooth, refceiving 4 strokes, and A. J. MoNnir, 6 ; tied at one down for first place. Wethered and A. E. Gould, receiving 15. camn next with 2 down each. Miss Joyce Wethered (plus 1) and A. H. G. Butcher (11) won the mixed foursomes with 1 down. BOWLING. PENNANT COMPETITION. The following are additional results of bowling matches in the- pennant competition played on Saturday, the names of tho players of tho first-mentioned club taking precedence: — Devonport v. Otahuhu.At O.tahuhu: Naylor, Knight, Weight, Johnson, 11, v. Crawford, Short, Connor. Mclvor, 21; Sissons, King, Golawater, Morgan, 21, v. Beat, O'Connell. Lippiatt, Bailey, 17^ Mount Wellington v. Otahuhu.—At Mount Wellington: Donerty, GatwanJ, W. Dunn, Higg3, jun., 18, v. Cook, Whito, 'Nicholls, Ferguson, 19. At Otahuhu: Malone, Higgs, sen. Hay. Taplin, 29, v. Cambell, Thomason, Taylor, May, 10. ' Epsom v. Carlton.—E. Richmond, McGowan, Hetherington, rattan, 17, v. McElone, Morgan, Wetherall, Lowry, 29; Lamb, Kingswell. Bull, Crabtree, 22, v. Leach, Gould, Rowe, Kent. 20; F. Richmond, Morton, A. Jones, Hayward; 17, v. Nixon, Harris, Stevens, Smith, 19; Hill Buttle, W. Smith, Tanner, 18, v. Angove, Cottorell, " Watson. Thompson, 27; Sansbury. Pollard, Parsons, Foubister, 22, v. Brittain, Nation, Ball, Truscott, 16. CLUB MATCHES. The following are the additional results of bowling club matches played on Saturday:— ' Otahuhu.—Percentage Games:. C. Jeffries, George, G. E. Whitmore, 24, v. Kimber, Tomes. Patton, 12; Stringer, Doherty, 23, v. Ogilvie, Clark, 17. Champion Singles: Lippiatt, 11, v. " Phillips, 7, Semi-final: Bailey 21, v. S. E. Harper, 15. INTER - CLUB MATCHES. .Papakura v. Manurewa.--Hales, Heslop, Boagey, Seaton, 17, v. Rogers, Osborne, Gray, Pegler, 18; Rowe, , Torrington, Hope, 17, v. Coxhead, Chadwin, Smith, Williamson, 19; Patton, McEntree, Howard, Bates, 18, v. Swaffield, Wood, Murray, Yeoland, 20., Totals: Manurewa, 57; Papakura, 62. On a previous mooting at Papakura in January, Papakura won, so that honours are now even. DOMINION CHAMPIONS; COMPLIMENT BY VETERANS. A unique match will be played on the Auckland green at 2 p.m. to-morrow. Eight veterans of tho Auckland Club have tendered a complimentary game to the champion rink of New Zealand, from the Ponsonby Club, skipped by Mr. Parsons, and to another Ponsonby team skipped -by Professor. Maxwell Walker. The veteran skips will be D. M. Dingwall and William Culpan.