ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1197, 8 February 1895, Page 25

ATHLETICS.

NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME. From, Our Own Correspondent. London, December 14. Mr J. M. Marshall, of Wnngtnui, who is pursuing knowledge at Cambridge University, has already proved himself a “bit of a champion" with the tennis racquet. A few days ago he had a friendly contest with Mr Hamblin Smith, the Peterhnuse captain of the ’Varsity six. The New Zealander “ tied up" the Peterhnuse champion thus : —6 —4, 6—l, 6—4, and the loser hadn’t oven the excuse of being short of practice. Scott, of Trinity, was to have given Mr Marshall a taste of his quality, but apparently deemed himself too much below par to tackle the doughty freshman. The New Zealander, I hear, said he would be tennis champion of Cambridge University when he first came home, and, as he is not in the habit of making idle boasts, I supp'se he will achieve that distinction. Anyhow, bar accidents, he is certain of his Blue. Probably Mr Courtney Redwill will also find a place in the six, for with Marshall owing 15, the pair are very well matched, and the ’Varsity has no redundance of tennis ability so far as can yet be ascertained.

Mr W. Mendelaon is a credit to New Zealand football, but withal is a very foolish young man. £ou will remember that only a week or so ago I chronicled the regrettable fact that he had injured one of his knees in the course of a match and had to get “on the shelf." Had Mendelson kept there a length

of time tho injury would doubtless have been completely healed by the time his services were required in the inler’Varsity match. Bat he unwisely reported himself fit to play for the Cantabs in their last Saturday’s match with Rosslyn Park —an affdr in which the Light Blue could well have spared his sei vices—and paid the penalty. Mendel - s n’s knee gave way completely ere twent y minutes’ play, and undoubtedly his folly will cost him his colours this term, fits mishap will also greatly weaken the back division of the ’Varsity team, for Paul is not up to the New Zealander’s form, and E Field, who would be quite as good as Mendelson at full-back, seems to have lost a good deal of bis old love f>>r “footer" Tho Cantabs beat Roelyn Park by 23 points to ni', so that Men delson sacrificed his blue very unnecessarily.

The protest lodged by Derungs against Hall in the three-mile race at the Caledonian sports at Napier has been sustained. That against Wyeth was dismissed, and the latter takes first money, with Derungs second. At a meeting of the committee of the Wellington Athletic Club on the 6th, the following were selected to represent the Club at the Championship Meeting at Napier on the 22nd and 23rd inst.: — 100yds and 250yds—Nathan, Patrick, and L. Harley. 440 yd M. Stuart and L. Harley. One Mile and Three Miles—F. C. Angell. One-mile and Three-mile Walk —W. Talbut. 120yds Hurdle Race and High Jump— R. Gore and W. A. Turnbull. Long Jump— R. Gore. Test races to decide who shall compete in the 880yds Flat and 440yds Hurdles will be held on the Basin Reserve at 6 o’clock to-night. It was decided that trainers should not be sent with the competitors.