LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 60

LAND AND WATER.

GOLR CHAMPIONSHIP. LONDON, June 20. Mr Jerome Travers has again won the Open Golf Championship of America. Mr Travers has previously—up to 1913won this championship for four successive seasons.

HOCKEY.

Bv Bully.

In common with most sporting- bodied throughout the Dominion, the Wyndham Hockey Club has had the ranks of its playing members severely depleted owing to enlistment. Three of last year’s team enlisted during the recess, and the team was re-formed at the beginning of the season. Of the newly-formed eleven, eight have handed n their names for service abroad, while a ninth, who is a professional man, has been ■lo-ov to <jrr( to the front since the beginning of the war.

The Ashburton Hockey Club, which, by the way, is the oldest established' hockeyclub in Canterbury, has been so hard hit by its playing members going to the front that it is practically, if not officially, extinct. It is understood that there 'are only four or five playing members left.

In connection with ; the New Zealand Hockey Association’s decision to play New Zealand Challenge Shield and Norden Cup matches as usual this season, it is interesting to read what the Wellington Dominion has to say on the matter: —“A question of considerable importance which the Wellington Association will consider at its next meeting is as to whether the asosciation will participate in shield garpes this season. Auckland and Otago have already given it out that they are strongly opposed to the games being played. And quite rightly 1 so. It is doubtful whether in these troublous tiroes teams are justified in journeying to another province (wasting time and money) in doing battle with rival provinces. The two associations who have already voiced opinion and lodged protests are convinced of the wisdom of this. It is understood that many members of the Wellington Association are of a similar opinion, wo that in all probability wo shall see the local Management Committee deciding at next meeting, when the matter comes up for consideration, to inform the parent body in Christchurch that it is of the opinion that shield games should not be played. If the Canterbury Association still persists in its challenge, then the only thing is for Wellington to hand over the shield to it.” This has evidently had the desired effect, for news has come to hand within the past few days that the_ Canterbury Association has definitely decided not to issue a challenge this season for the shield (which is at present held bv Wellington).

BOXING.

Bv Straight Left. i

Still yet another of our prominent boxers has answered tho great call while in action at the Dardanelles. This time it is Private W. Boreham, son of Mr Steve Boreham, of this city. Private Boreham will be remembered by patrons of boxing as one of the most daring andi determined boxers who ever donned a glove in tho local ring. He was always a straightforward, manly young fellow, and his many friends while regretting his untimely death will extend their sympathy to Mr and Mrs Boreham in their sad bereavement. Last Thursday evening “Tim” Tracey did the come-back act at tho Wellington Town Hall at a patriotic tournament, when he mot and defeated “Young” Taylor, an Australian boxer of some repute. There wore a number of other contests, but those were overshadowed by the Tracey-Tayior bout, which attracted a largo audience. A report of the contest states: —“As'it turned out, the contest was an unove'h one, terminating early in tho knock-out of Taylor. Both fighters entered tho ring at 10 stone. Tracey, who lias rested from tho game for some time past, looked as solid as ever, and capable of doing battle with tho best. Taylor comes from Australia with a number of wins to his account. Stripped, he presented

a fair figure, somewhat light about the calves. Bands which lie wore round his hands ho was allowed to retain after inspection. In his fighting ho exhibited a sufficient acquaintance with the art, but his deliveries were lacking in driving power, and he wasted energy in sparring. Before the first round was over it became evident that Tracey possessed by far the superior stamina, and indeed the Wcllingtonian was for some time merely playing with his opponent. In the second round matters were more businesslike, -and in the third Tracey got seriously to work, and had Taylor on the floor twice. The fourth round brought the climax; Tracey sent in a punch about which there cdfilcl be no mistake, and Taylor took the count.” There was a good bantam contest at this tournament provided by B. Andrews and B. Pointon. Andrews made the fight willing at the start, finding his opponent’s face several times. Pointon was hitting to the body lightly. Towards the end of the first round Andrews feinted a little, but not sufficient to puzzle the other man. Pointon was doing most of the leading in the earlier stages of the next round, which ended with the honours about oven. Andrews went to work with some hefty blows to the cheeks in the final flutter, but Pointon’s guard was still useful. The latter’s right eye was showing dark, and he began to tiro visibly. At one stage he was reminded by the referee about not breaking when ordered. Pointon rallied at the last and landed a couple of stodgy ones to the point, amidst applause, and the bout came to a conclusion, Andrews winning on points. The contest between T. Spearman and P. Desmond in the feather-weight division was willing throughout. Desmond’s opening showed an unusual wingy stylo, which allowed Spearman to get one in to the body. The former was tricky on his feet, and surprised his antagonist with a side cut. Spearman had the best of the latter part of the round, and after tapping Desmond once or twice sent him down at the ropes. The second round was opened by Spearman, who, besides striking well, was using bis guard to advantage. Ho put one on to Desmond’s nose which sent the latter to the ropes, and Desmond seemed to have lost the cool style with which he commenced. Spearman was still looking fresh when the last round opened, and got in a couple to the jaw before Desmond returned a swinging clout to the car. Spearman presently began to show signs of wearing off, and Desmond put on some punishment just on time. The victory went to Spearman on the points. W. Mack was put up against N. Bennetts, the man who won the Australasian featherweight championship at Dunedin three seasons ago, and who now is in camp at Trentham. Both gave a good exhibition of boxing, - and soon after the start Mack nearly had Bennetts down. Then, for a. while, both were hanging back, till the audience became restless. Bennetts next attacked and, brushed Mack’s head, following with a square blow on the cheek. Mack was putting ginger into h;s strokes, but encountered a strong guard, and the round ended with no material advantage on cither side. Mack opened the second round, and sat Bennetts down. The latter was up in a flash, and swinging to his opponent’s body. Mack sent a stinger to the point, and added 1 rapid work around the top-piece. Bennetts reached for the neck with a wellaimed blow. The soldier was active, and seemed to have slightly the better of things at the end of the round. The last round was willing. Mack rallying. Bennetts was as lively as ever, and punished Mack severely about the face with a quick left. The Trentham man continued the aggressive, giving Mack few opportunities to lead. At the conclusion Mack was declared the winner—a decision which met with a mixed reception.