SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 18973, 21 June 1923, Page 3

SPORTING

NOTES BY SIR MODRED. Hawke's Bay Jockey Club Winter meet tug concludes to-day. Ranui’s win in Napier Steeplechase was * very comfortable one. That speedy but unsound pacer, Gleaming, is in work at New Brighton. Grim Joke and Paul Pry are being qualified for hunters’ racing competitions. Logan Pointer (£18,916) has topped Harold Dillon’s beet score by over £6OOO on the winning liat. Surveyor, Young Thurnham and Uralla may be sent to the Wellington R.C.’s Winter meeting next month. It was Mr Weymouth, of Auckland, who purchased pacer Escort in Christchurch last week at 925 guineas. Mr M. O’Brien (Christchurch) has dispoeed of the trotter General Derby to the well-known trainer, J. Bryce. Since her arrival in New Zealand the Victorian square trotting mare, Dixie Mac, has won £879 in stakes. The entries received for classic events last week by the Canterbury J.C. total 769, as compared with 653 for the past season. It is claimed that the two falls sustained by hurdler En Route at Auckland have taught him to jump in a safer fashion. Riccarton reports state that R. W. King has put Many Kittle and Pilliewinkie into work again after beneficial runs in the paddock. Christchurch Star’s Napier correspondent •elects Alteration to score in the near future oxer two miles or a longer distance. Bir George Clifford’s imported stallion, The Ace, is reported to be displaying promise at Riccarton. The English horse stands up in the air to some extent. Insurrection failed to win a race this season, but he earned £9OO as a result of being placed three times in important events at Auckland R.C. headquarters. The sires entered for the Australian J.C.’s Sires’ Produce Stakes, 1925, include Absurd, Boniform, Kilbroney, Lucullus, Paper Money and Umond of New Zealand. Mr I. G. Duncan (reports “Sir Lancelot” of Wellington Post) made Mr J. Wren tr substantial offer for the colt foals by Kilbroney from the Bobadil mares Nat a and Talia. The Australian owner, however, decided to retain possession of the youngsters, and they were shipped to Sydney by the s.s. Marama on Friday last. At the monthly meeting of the Riverton Racing Club members referred to the election of their president (Dr Gordon) to the Otago District Committee, and expressed the opinion that he would do his best in the interests of racing in Southland. Dr Gordon thanked members for their remarks, and stated that the position was not of his seeking owing to the claims on his time; still he would give his best attention to matters pertaining to the office. The luck of buying yearlings found another exemplification in the result of the Oaks Stakes at Epsom. Brownhylda only cost 310 guineas, while Teresina, who filled third place, was secured by her present owner at 7700 guineas. Despite the fact that he covered more ground than any other horse in the race, Ranui is reported to have fairly cantered borne when he won the Napier Park Steeplechase last week. It was a case of a brilliant jumper and speedy horse opposed to a field of plodders. First line, who is said to have looked very well, could make no impression on the winner.

One of the finest looking horses see* at the Napier Park meeting (reports the Hawke’s Bay correspondent of Christchurch Star) was Polonett, a half-brother to Sycorax. He is a handsome dark chestnut colt, three years old, by Polydamon—Witchet. He is not nearly ready yet. He has plenty of length, and is well ribbed up, with beautiful quarters. He should be better with a bit more age, and when the ground is firmer a decent handicap may not be beyond him.

It is hoped that Pamplona and General Petain will be competitors in the steeplechase events at Trentham next month, in which case an early comparison should be possible between the cross-country form of the north and the south. The North Island has plenty of steeplechasers, but it teems doubtful if they are quite as good as usual.

The case of mistaken identity of two yearlings, purchased in Sydney at Easter, and brought to Riccarton on the same boat, has been straightened out (reports Christchurch Star). Mr G. D. Greenwood’s Demosthenes—Scotch Light gelding is now under the care of P. V. Mason, while Mr G. Fulton’s Buckwheat—Petal gelding is in S. Trilford’s stable.

Two heavily-supported favourites failed badly bn the concluding day of the Napier Park meeting. Whipcord was in the rear throughout in the open steeplechase and fell at the last fence, while Otauru Kid ran badly and was last to pass the post in the Poraite Hurdle Race. Whipcord has not raced up to expectations since the Wanganui Winter gathering.

Hie Woodville track watchers are greatly taken with J. S. Jamieson’s team, all of which look well. Included in the team are several well-bred youngsters and an English mare that will race as Maria Hereford. Ihe last-named is very like Glentruin in conformation, and she is being given every opportunity to become thoroughly acclimatised before being asked to race.

The locally-owned Frenchman, now a jumping student with S. Trilford at Riccarton, has been engaged in hack hurdle events at the Wellington R.C.’s Winter meeting. It is reported from CJ.C. headquarters that the son of Danube took to the batten game like a duck to water and created mild surprise by the promise he displayed at facing timber.

The steeplechaser Ranui, who has kon his first three steeplechase contests right off the reel has been engaged in the leading crosscountry events at the Wellington R.C. Winter meeting. The following letter from Mr Les Duncan, of Nelson, and published by the Wanganui Chronicle, gives a little of Ranui’s early history:—“There is a great history attached to Ranui. He was given tr me as broken down and done, and I took him so, as the owner would not shoot him. After getting him well and winning the Maiden at a country meeting (Takaka), I was sued for the recovery of the horse, and as a result of the case Ranui became my own property. I then sold him for £5O and £lO out of his first win, and to-day I am pleased to hear of the headway he has made since his new owner got him.” Ranui now races in the colours of his owner-trainer, Mr J. Tyford, who has been very patient with him and is now reaping a good reward. The following is his five months’ record since he became the property of his Hawke s Bay owner as a bargain from Se Nelson gentleman quoted:— Trial Hack Race at Wairoa in January, £55; President’s Welter, Wairoa (January) £7O; Hack Steeplechase, Wanganui, in May £135; Grandstand Steeplerhaae, Wanganui, in May, £275; Napier Steeplechase, in June, £325 total, £B 6 O. P. T. Hogan has a fair string nominated for the Winter meeting at Trentham, including:— Marmont, Mandrake. Aviapado, Wild pilgrim, Guaceee and Master Peter.

A fire which occurred at Trentham last week destroyed a range of twenty-five boxes. This was just half the number on the course, and means that a similar quota of horses at the Wellington Racing Club’s Winter fixture will have to be stabled elsewhere. Mentioning Mr Alfred Drake’s death, a writer in the Melbourne Argus states that his one-time racing representative, Spade Guinea, ran her last race in the Melbourne Cup of 1888, won by Mentor. She broke her shoulder when entering the straight. The race was also fatal to Ensign, on whom Hales had beaten Carbine in the V.R.C. Derby on the previous Saturday. It is reported from the North Island that the well-known trainer F. Davis appears to have secured a very promising rising two-year-old in the Finland —Lovelock youngster purchased at the Sydney yearling sales on behalf of Mr Eliot Davis, of Auckland. The juvenile sprinted well over a furlong when tried out last week. A number of the stewards of the Southland Racing Club paid a visit to the local racecourse on Wednesday afternoon and held a comprehensive inspection of the property, and as a result it is understood that they will recommend to the General Committee of the Club that a number of minor improvements be adopted. One of the improvements will be the erection of very necessary shelter for patrons of the outside enclosure to replace that destroyed by fire during the war period.

HAWKE’S BAY JOCKEY CLUB.

OPENING DAY OF WINTER MEETING. FIRST LINE WINS STEEPLECHASE. (Per United Press Association.) HASTINGS, June 20. Beautiful weather greeted the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Winter meeting. There was a good attendance, and the course was in splendid order. The sum of £16,607 was put through the machine, as compared with £15,648 on the first day of last year, an increase of £959. Results:— WOODLANDS STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, £175. Second £3O, third £l5. Two miles. J McCormick’s blk m Ramanuwhiri, by King’s Guest—Ramona, aged, 95 1 Seadown 12.3 2 Noble 9.6 3 Also started—Mahia 9.0, Multive 11.0, Blue Hall 9.3, Master Oriflamme 9.0. Won easily by seven lengths. Time, 4mm 23sec. WHAKATU HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, £l5O. Second £3O, third £l5. About one mile and three-quarters. S. G. Davidson’s br g Nukumai, by Manchineel —St. Clements mare, 4yrs, 10.11 1 Eerie 9.9 .. 2 Palm Gil 9.6 3 Also started —Bodyguard 9.7, Rapid Stride 9.0, Triboulet 10.9, Treeor 9.0. Won by a bare length. Time, 3min 21 2-ssec. HAWKE’S BAY STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, £450. Second £9O, third £45. About three miles. H. Stanbridge’s blk g First Line, by Advance—Ballarat, aged, 10.12 .... 1 S. K'rkpatrick’s b g Goldscene, by Goldfinder—Arosine, aged, 9.10 2 T E. Whelch’s b g Zeus, by Martian— Stephanie, aged, 9.0 3 Also started —Dick 10.1, General Raven 10.5. Won by a length and a-half. Time, 6min 34sec. HAWKE’S BAY HURDLE HANDICAP, £3OO. Second £6O, third £3O. About one mile and three-quarters.

W. R. Kemball’s b g Vagabond, by MarGirl, aged, 10.6 1 C. E. Twist’s b g Woden, syrs, 9.9 .... 2 I. George’s b g Alteration, aged, 10.3 .. 3 Also started—Otauru Kid 10.9, Kyoto 9.13, Kail 10.9, Complex 10.3, Killard 9.13, Silver Stride 9.0. Won by a length. Time, 3min 10 4-ssec. WINTER HANDICAP, £125. Second £2O, third £lO. One mile and a furlong. B. H. Aislabie’s br g Heather King, by Heather Mixture—La Sabine, 4yrs, 9 10 1 Westerner 10.4 2 Doleful Ditty 10.1; 3 Also ran—Birkenella 10.7, Fera 10.4, Merry Bells 9.0, Polonett 9.0, Pink Rose 10.6, Highway 9.7, Kingly 9.0, Slave Mart 9.10, Soldier’s Love 9.5, Birwick 9.0. "Won bv twu lengths. Time, 2min 1 3-ssec-I ADIES’ BRACELET, £75. One mile and arh&lf. Toa laua, by Mountain Knight—Fairy Gold, 4yrs, 11.9 1 Maunga 10.7 2 Complimentary 10.7 3 Also i an—Mervotia 11.5, Silver Lady 10.7. Won by a neck. Time, 2min 49sec. HERETAUNGA HANDICAP, £175. Second £3O, third £l5. Six furlongs and a-half. M. Thomas’ b g Civilform, by Formby —Civilisation, syrs, 10.12 1 Kahiaxatea 9.0 2 Strategy 10.10 3 Also ran—Barrier 11.1, Aratura 10.1, Bagdad 9.8, Kaotane 9.5, Suspicion 9.0, Battle Knight 7.10, Tenterfield 9.7. Patuku 9.5, Mosthenes 9.0, Kilbird 9.9, Island 97, A&kari 9.2. Won by half a length. Time, Imin 24 3-ssec.

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB.

ENTRIES FOR WINTER MEETING. The following entries have been received for the principal events of the Wellington Racing Club’s Winter meeting:— WELLINGTON STEEPLECHASE, of 1500sovs. About three miles and a-quarter. —Master Peter, Sartolite, General Petain, Merry Owen, Sea De’il, Palencia, Pamplona, Oakleigh, Snake, Royal Abbey, Tigerland, Young Thurnham, First Line, Ranui, No Bother, Sturdee, Red Cent, Vociferate, General Raven, Seadown, Whipcord, Dick, Zeus.

WELCOME CUP, of 600sovs. One mile. —Guncase, Kilkee, Prince Ferous, Tatau Tatau, Kahikatea, Tame Fox, Zircon, Tinohoro. Demos, Blackmail, Solfanello, Urgency, Bonny Heather, Dominant, Surveyor, Bitters, Tenterfield, Lady Ben, Haurangi, Printemps, Askari, Santiago, Kilbird, Red Bob, Cold Steel, Koa Tane, Martulla, Bonibrook, Barrier. Sir Agnes, Strategy, Twinkle, Patuki, Arch Salute, Comical, Bagdad, Blissfulness, Pink Rose, Hindi, Crueelle.

TRENTHAM HURDLES, of 500sovs. One mile and three-quarters.—Complex, Mandrake, Kyoto, Triboulet, Tinokaha, Penury Rose, Poanui, Peter Amans, Royal Abbey, King Abbey, Militaire, En Route, Red Gown, Gladful, General Advance, Otauru Kid, Nukumai, Killard, Alteration, Cerebus, Silver Stride, Kail, Mia Bella, Matatua, Great Fun, War Loan, Vagabond.

PARLIAMENTARY HANDICAP, of 650sovs. One mile and a-quarter.—Gun-case, Kilkee, Prince Ferouz, Kahikatea, Demand, Tame Fox, Zircon, Tinohoro, Demos, Blackmail, Urgency, Bonny Heather, Surveyor, Bitters, Tenterfield, Printemps, Askari, Frizzier, Red Bob, Kao Tane, Martulla. Bonibrook, Barrier, Strategy, Twinkle, Patuki, Arch Salute, Comical, Bagdad, Crueelle, Detroit. WINTER HURDLES, of 1500. Two miles and a-quarter.—Palm Oil, Complex, Mandrake, Kyoto, Gamecock, General Petain, Triboulet, Sea De’il, Tinokaha, Penury Rose, Poanui, Peter Amans, Snake, Royal Abbey, King Abbey, Omahu, Militaire, En Route, Red Gown, Young Thurnham. Vagabond, Gladful, General Advance, First Born, White Ranger, Rouen, Otauru Kid, Killard, Alteration, Cerebus, Silver Stride, Price, Kail, Mia Bella, Matatua,, Whipcord, Toa Taua, Great Fun, War Loan, Rowan.

WINTER OATS HANDICAP, of 500sove. One mile.—Guncase, Kilkee, Prince Ferouz, Tatau Tatau, Joy Ride, Demand, Tame Fox, Island, Fabrinade, Zircon, Tactful, Tinohoro, Demos, Blackmail, Solfanello, Urgency, Bonny Heather, Dominant, Surveyor, Bitters, Passionless, Tenterfield, Lady Ben, Haurangi, Printempts, Amber Tips, Askari, Frizzier, Santonio, Santiago, Kilbird, Red Bob, Cold Steel, Kao Tane, Martulla, Bonibrook, Barrier, Arataura, Strategy, I’Amour, Twinkle, Patuki, Fera, Musketoon, Arch Salute, Comical, Bagdad, Blissfulness, Glument, Pink Rose, Detroit, Crueelle.

JULY STEEPLECHASE, of 650sovs.’ About three miles.—Master Peter, Sartoline, General Petain, Merry Owen, Palencia, Pamplona, Oakleigh, Snake, Royal Abbey, Omahu, Tigerland, Young Thurnham, Mahura, Blue Hall, Te Haire, First Line, Ranui, No Bother, Polthogue, Sturdee, Red Cent, San Forte, Vociferate, Raumanuwhiri, General Raven, Seadown, Staff Officer, Orange Bitters, Whipcord, Oak Rose, Dick, Mervotia, Zeus, Bill, Passin’ Through.

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB.

AN EXTENDED WINTER FIXTURE. (Special to the Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 20. To-night the Star has the following:— The Wellington Racing Club’s Winter meeting will be opened on Saturday, July 7, with two more days on the Wednesday and Saturday of the following week. In spreading the fixture over such a period the club has committed a breach of the Rules of Racing, in which it is provided that no race meeting shall extend over a longer period than six consecutive days in the case of a three day meeting. As an argument against this contention, it may be urged 'that the meeting was originally fixed to provide two days’ racing and that the third day was added only through an extra permit becoming available when a North Island Hunt Club decided to abandon its meeting. In other words, the Winter meeting of the Wellington Racing Club is officially two separate meetings, but this does not provide a legitimate escape as the Rules of Racing also state that no club shall hold more than four meetings in any racing year, which number the Wellington Racing Club has already had. The position, therefore, is either that the Wellington Racing Club is holding a three-day meeting extending over a longer period than six consecutive days, or it is holding more than four meetings this season. Under one or the other heading, therefore, the club is infringing the Rules of Racing. Possibly it will be urged that the Wellington Welcome Week, to be held at that period, is a reasonable excuse, but this is poor argument, which further loses force when it is recalled that the club is only repeating its action of a year ago. Attention was drawn to the position then, but, with this repetition of the trouble, it becomes apparent that under certain conditions the Rules of Racisg can be ignored. In the present case owners and trainers in all parts of the Dominion have a distinct grievance, as it will entail about a fortnight’s absence from home if they desire to see the three days out with their horses. The Wellington Racing Club in many respects is a very fine institution which has made great headway in recent years, but it should not be permitted to flout the Rules of Racing.

FOOTBALL.

MID-WEEK COMPETITION. MARIST AND STAR WIN. WINTON SHAKE UP GREENS. The second series of mid-week matches was played yesterday in good weather. There was a fair attendance at Rugby Park, where the ground was a big improvement on Saturday’s underfoot conditions, but still badly knocked about. The MaristWinton match was expected to be a good thing for the Invercargill side, but the visitors, who were short, found two very efficient substitutes in Watson and Blee, while Marist missed Coakley’s guiding hand. The Winton forwards never let up on their opponents, with the result that Winton made the game a solid and interesting encounter all the way, the extra finish and combination of the Marist enabling them to come out 8 points ahead of their opponents. On the other area, Star had an easy win against Blues, the match being a rather one-sided contest. MARIST (14) v. WINTON (6). (Green and Black). (Maroon). Marist—Backs: Kelly; J. Fogarty, Holz, W Wills; Walsh, Cosgrove; O Halloran; forwards—Heeney, Toomey; Roche, C. Ryan; J. Ryan; Staunton, Lee; Walsh. Winton—Backs: Dawson; Lindsay, Blee, Hagerty; Jamieson, Cleland; O’Neill; forwards—Egerton, Collett; Theyers, Balch, Popenhagen; Clapp, B. Balch; Watson. Winton kicked off, facing north. An exchange from the kick off ended in the ball going into touch at half-way. From a line out Winton came away in a loose forward rush across to the north-west corner, where Greens were penalised for hanging on, and Theyers’ shot at goal went just outside. Play continued in the centre with a lot of kicking until the Winton forwards sent back to O’Neill on a line out, the half booting high into the Marist 25. The visiting forwards followed up at a great rate and bustled the defence, Winton carrying over the line, where Marist forced a hard kick. A similar fate befell a second Winton rush, then veteran George Lindsay aroused merriment by lifting the ball on to the pie cart. Blee had a pot at goal, which went short. Marist relieved after a solid time on defence, and started a passing rush from midfield, which took play into the 25, Holz being prominent in continuing the attack, as a result of which, good play by Heeney and Cosgrove, nearly saw a score for Marist. The Greens continued to press until Watson passed from a ruck to Lindsay, who cleared to neutral territory. Marist rallied and shifted play to the Winton 25. where the Green backs swung across to the south-east corner in a passing run, Holz coming round for a return pass and, after a good dash, scoring in the corner. His kick went wide. Marist 3, Winton nil. For several minutes play swung backward and forward in midfield in loose rushes, then good kicking by Holz sent the Marist forwards away in a dribbling rush to the line, where Lee dived across near the posts. Walsh goaled. Marist 8, Winton nil. Watson broke through from a midfield line out, the Winton forwards carrying on to the corner, where Marist narrowly cleared to touch. Winton continued to press, shifting play oyer to the posts, but Kelly broke through and cleared to midfield, where play remained till half-time.

Marist attacked from the outset and dr'bblea into the Winton 25 where, from a line out, Watson broke through and cleared to midfield. Twice Winton were saved on their line by free kicks, but Walsh got the second one near the 25 line and dodged right through the Winton side, being tackled down a yard from the line, after a gieat run. Winton rallied and cleared past their 25 line, Blee assisting to return play to the centre with a fine kick. The Winton fullback, Dawson, was running up well to take his ball and quickly changed defence into attack. Misfielding by the Winton backs transferred play to the line, where a five-yard scrum was ordered for carrying behind. Winton worked clear to midfield, but Marist retaliated with a passing rush, started nicely by Holz from loose play, but Fogarty kicked over the line and Winton forced. Winton rallied and dribbled downfield, working gradually to within a few yards of the line in solid rushes, but several useful kicks cleared Marist and enabled them to dribble on to the Winton 25, where C. Ryan whipped the ball out to Holz from a ruck, the latter transferring in turn to Wills, who scored wide. Walsh’s kick went outside. Marist 11, Winton nil. Winton rallied in great style and swept on to the line in a good dribbling rush, Egerton securing and diring across. Theyers’ kick went outside. Marist 11, Winton 3. Holz was injured hi midfield play following

and changed places with Kelly. Jamieson roused the hopes of the Winton supporters with a breakaway run from midfield, but Kelly saved. A high kick by Holz put Marist on attack, but Dawson cleared well. In midfield Watson broke away, with Jamieson in attendance. Beating Holz with a “dummy” pass, Watson sent the ball on to Jamieson, to Cleland, who ran over near the posts. Cleland’s kick failed. Marist 11, Winton 6. Marist made a final rally and took the ball into the Winton 25, where J. Fogarty passed to Lee, who dived across wide. The kick failed. Full time sounded, the Winton support, Balch, having to be assisted off the field, through sustaining a knock on the head in going for a mark a minute or two previously. Marist 14 points (four tries, one converted) to Winton 6 points (two unconverted tries).. Mr W. Baird was the referee. STAR (27) v. INVERCARGILL (8). (Black and White.) (Blue and Black.) STAR.—Backs: Lilley; J. Oughton, H. Brown, R. Oughton; Queree and Agnew; J. Oughton ; forwards: Murray, Smith; Aitken, Lowry, Mcßobie; Naylor, Leggett; Padgett. INVERCARGILL.—Backs: Sutton; S. Robertson, Brown and Checketts; Meffin, McCallum ; forwards: Sims. Clelland; Todd, Fraser, McKay; Broad, Robertson; Kerse. Star kicked off and the Blue forwards brought play into the Star twenty-five, where, from a loose scrum McCallum sent his backs away. Agnew intercepted a pass to Brown and got as far as half-way where he kicked high. Sutton was collared in possession and Star forwards following up well dribbled over the line where Murray scored. Agnew failed to convert. Star 3; Blues nil. A fine dribbling movement by Fraser and Todd put Star on the defensive once more and securing from the ruck McCallum passed to Meffin, who potted unsuccessfully for a goal. Shortly after McCallum marked a kick by a Star ‘forward and narrowly missed goaling a place kick. From a kick by Meffin at half way, Agnew secured and passed to J. L. Oughton, who beat two men with a swerve and then came away with H. Brown in attendance, and only the full-back to beat, but sent out a blind pass which Brown missed. The Blue forwards broke away again, but a hard kick by Broad gave the ball to Queree, who sent Brown away, but a forward pass stopped the movement. Shortly after Agnew secured from a ruck and the ball went to Queree and then to H. Brown, who beat two Blue forwards before passing to J. L. Oughton who scored easily. Agnew converted. Star 8, Invercargill nil. From a scrum near the Blue twenty-five, Star heeled and J. S. Oughton worked the blind side, J. L. Oughton scoring well. Agnew failed with the kick. Star 11, Invercargill nil. Star forwards kept Blues on the defensive, and Agnew, marking a kick from Sutton, narrowly missed goaling. Halftime sounded shortly after. From the kick-off, Robertson at the head of the Blue forwards carried the ball to Star territory, where McCallum secured and. tried to send his backs away, but Meffin was collared in possession. From a ruck near half-way Agnew passed to Queree, who cut-in and passed to H. Brown, the latter scoring. Agnew failed to convert. Star 16; Invercargill nil. Almost immediately afterwards H. Brown sent Queree away for an easy score between the posts. J. S. Oughton converted. Star 21, Invercargill nil. Blue forwards headed by Fraser put Star on the defensive. A cross-kick found Star backs out of position and Meffin secured and sent Brown away for an easy score. Robertson converted. Star 21; Invercargill 5. Star forwards dribbled through the Blue backs and took the ball across the line, Murray scoring. Lilley failed with the kick. Star 24, Invercargill 5. Shortly after, J. S. Oughton centred to H. Brown, who dribbled down the line and scored. Lilley failed with the kick. Star 27; Invercargill 5. From a scramble, J. S. Oughton sent his backs away and the ball went out as far as R. Oughton, who in-passed to H. Brown, the latter being collared near the Blue line. The Blue forwards headed by Robertson and Fraser put Star on the defensive and from a scrum in front t)f the Star goal Agnew was penalised for off-side play. Robertson missed an easy penalty. McCallum got his backs away from a scrum, but Agnew was penalised for obstruction and Robertson kicked a fine penalty. Star 27; Invercargill 8. Time sounded with Star attacking strongly. Mr E. Kelly refereed. JUNIOR GRADE. An even game took place at Park School between Winton and Invercargill. The country players could not secure a full team but in spite of this disadvantage they carried play down to the Blue twenty-five. Forward play followed for some time then by punting and following up fast Reds bustled their opponents and Perrelle scored near the posts. Egerton goaled, making the score Winton 5, Invercargill nil. Shortly afterwards Perrelle made another good dash for the line but infringed. Blues took up the attack and a passing rush resulted with Johnson prominent in a clever dodgy run. Blue forwards continued the attack, carrying the ball over the Red line for one of their number to fall on, but the scorer was ruled off-side. The Red forwards used their weight and carried play downfield, where Hamilton picked up and scored far out. The kick failed. Winton 8, Invercargill nil. On the resumption of play Reds secured the advantage but no score resulted. Blues were now the fresher team and their forwards broke through repeatedly, only to have their efforts frustrated by Anderson, the Winton full-back. Then from a line-out Henderson secured and after a good run transferred to Johnson, who scored a welldeserved try for Blues. The kick failed. Winton 8, Invercargill 3. Another fine effort by the Blue forwards, Gardiner prominent, saw the Red line in danger, but Stoddard’s transfer was knocked on. Ferguson missed with a Blue mark from far out. Reds again carried play downfield, where Hamilton broke through from a line-out, but was swamped by Blue players when nearing the line. Scrum followed scrum in close proximity to the Blue line until time sounded. Mr S. Webb refereed. A willing game resulted between Star and Southern, two well matched teams. Both sides secured two unconverted tries, Southern through Philpot and Foster, while Auld and Montgomery scored for Star, the game ending in a draw. Foster, Neilson and Jordan played well for Southern, while Auld and Montgomery were the mainstay of the Star fifteen. Mr F. Sutton controlled the game.

The match between Marist and Pirates ended in a win for the Greens by 14 points to 9. Mr T. Henry refereed.

HOCKEY

YESTERDAY’S MATCHES. The weather was fine and the playing areas were in fair order for the matches played on Queen’s Park yesterday afternoon. Three grounds were occupied, two with senior games, and the other with a B grade fixture. The play in both the senior matches was disappointing and none of the teams displayed the same form in evidence a little earlier in the season. WINTON (3) v. HIGH SCHOOL (1). The country team did most of the attacking in the first spell, the High School backs being hard pressed on many occasions. L. Jamieson 1, and H. Horner (2) scored goals for Winton before half-time was called. Play was very even in the second half and the High forwards frequently invaded the Winton circle, but the latter’s full-backs were safe. Winton’s attacks lacked sting and it failed to add to its score. Just on the call of time R. Geddes scored a goal for High from a corner hit. Mr A. Hamilton controlled the game. UNION (2) v. COLLEGIATE (0). The opening stages of the game were uninteresting because of the frequent infringements by the players of either team. The play went in favour of the Union team, whose forwards frequently caught the Collegiate backs out of position and gained a

clear run to the circle. For Union goals were scored by W. and G. Clark, but several other good opportunities of scoring were missed. In the second spell Collegiate was almost continuously on the attack, except for occasional breakaways by the Union forwards. Union’s backs played a sound defensive game, but the Collegiate forwards failed,to take advantage of several good openings. Mr S. Smith was referee. —B. Grade. — In the B gbade fixture between H. and J. Smith’s and High School B the teams were evenly matched, and after an interesting contest High won by 3 goals to 2. High’s goals were scored by M. Roy, I. Roy and F. McKenzie. M. Murdoch scored both goals for H. and J. Smith’s.

BOXING

HEAVY-WEIGHT TITLE. DEMPSEY AND GIBBONS IN TRAINING. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) NEW YORK, June 19. With the championship bout but two weeks off, Dempsey and Gibbons are in serious training. The former is at Great Falls, and the latter at Shelby, Montana. According to the newspapers, the fight will be no one-sided affair. Gibbons is in the pink of condition, while Dempsey is regarded as lacking his old time fire. It is only within the last few days that the champion has taken any serious interest in training, his trainers having been forced to allow him a holiday on several occasions in order to take on weight. Evidently the reports concerning Gibbons’ condition have caused Dempsey some worry, as he has suddenly put on a spurt. The men will probably enter the ring with little difference in weight. The scene of 'the fight is somewhat extraordinary, Shelby being a small frontier town full of bars and gambling houses and dance halls, which were operating in full swing until the State authorities stepped in and closed them up as the usual fight characters began to reach the town. The huge wooden stadium where the fight will take place has been almost completed, and tickets are reported to be selling well.

TENNIS

DAVIS CUP. SPAIN DEFEATS BRITAIN. LONDON, June 19. Spain beat Britain in the Davis Cup preliminary, Degomar defeating Lycett 6 —4, 6—l, 7—5.

BASKET BALL

The following are the results of senior matches:— Middle 16 v. Waihopai 8. Bluff 16 v. South 6. Makarewa 30 v. North 14. Waikiwi 47 v. St. George 6. Makarewa 8 v. South 6. —Junior. — South 24 v. Bluff 13.