OUT DORE SPORTS

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 16, 25 December 1880, Page 140

OUT DORE SPORTS

— Christmas sports Avill "be held at Te Aroha. — The match between the Australian cricketing eleven and an Auckland team has been fixed for February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. — A match between the open-sailing boats *' Patriot" and "Eunice" will probably be arranged. — Arneil made the splendid score of 82 runs In the cricket match between the West End and North Shore Clubs last Saturday. — The "Hattie May" won the sweepstakes sailing race last Saturday, with the " Witch" second. — The Onehunga Cricket Club defeated the "West End second eleven last Saturday, with iour runs to spare. — Mr. W. W. Kobinson, the well-known and popular cricketer, is expected from England about a month hence. — The cricket match between the Auckland and Civil Service Clubs last Saturday resulted — Auckland, 73 and 45 ; Civil Service, 45. — The foot race between Messrs. J. Tinning and Maher for £10 a side, takes place in the Domain on Christmas Day. — A boat race, at Tauranga, between my old friend Jimmy Tadhunter and Mr. Henry Clayton, was won with ridiculous ease by the former. Bravo James ! — Messrs. Hewson and Melville are building an open-sailing boat, 24 feet in length, for Mr. McEwen. She is expected to compete in the first-class race at the approaching regatta. — It is not improbable that an Australasian football team will proceed to England next season. Efforts are now being made to secure that end. — The open-sailing boat " Whip," while competing in the sweepstakes sailing race last Saturday, accidentally capsized, rilled and sank near the hulk "Martha." — The newly-formed archery and croquet club held its first meeting at Vauxhall Gardens last Saturday. The scoring in the archery match was not briliant by any means. — The Auckland United Cricket Club played an eleven of the Eden Club last Saturday, and defeated them very easily, having two wickets and 111 runs to spare. — In the cricket match between the Auckland United and Eden Clubs last Saturday, Testro retired, after having made a good score of 54, ■while Mumford put together 24 before he was fowled. Both were United men. — The North Shore Rowing Club has sent to Sydney for the new string test gig, which is to make its appearance at the regatta. A concert ■was held for the purpose of raising funds to assist in defraying the cost. — A seven miles walking match between A. Brett and T. Fernandez for £50 a side, is on the tapis, and Avill probably come off about five -weeks hence. Fernandez is the champion of Auckland, and Brett, a resident of the Whau. — The second eleven of the Auckland United Cricket Club defeated the newly -formed Alpha Club in a match last Saturday. The scores ■were : United, first innings, 43 ; second innings, 47. Alpha, first innings, 20. — The West End and North Shore Cricket Clubs played a match last Saturday. The former made 171 in the first innings, and the latter had 17 runs for the loss of five ■wickets ■when the stumps Avas drawn. — The owner of the open-sailing boat "Patriot" has expressed his willingness to sail either the "Witch" or " Eunice" for any sum from £5 upwards. The "Witch" Avas second "boat in the SAveepstakes race last Saturday. — John Marshall and Weve Coupland leave here for Melbourne by "Rotomahana,"in order to be over in time to see the " Taniwha" beat the crack yachts of that place. I Avish them bon voyage.

— lii another portion of this issue, will "be found a portrait of Mr. T. D. Halstead, the ■winner of the sculler's race at the last Auckland Regatta and the owner of the well-known sailing boat "Hattie May", which defeated the " Imp" in a race last Monday. — Arrangements have been completed for a sailing race between J. H. Swaile's centre board boat "Olga" and H. Barton's keel boat "Nemo." The former will sail with sealed centre board, and the "Nemo" allows her sixty seconds. The race takes place on January Bth. — Messrs. Halstead, Dignan, and Morpeth are expected to compete in the amateur scullers' race at the approaching regatta. The boat which the last-named gentleman ordered from Messrs. Donnelly and Sullivan has not yet arrived. — The local cricketers will hold a meeting shortly to arrange for the selection of a team to represent Auckland in the forthcoming match with the \ustralian eleven. I hear that they do not intend to take any steps in regard to the recex>tion, and Avill leave that to the citizens. — The open-sailing boat " Crab," built by Mr. C. Bailey for Mr. McEwen, was launched last Saturday.' She has been fitted with a large iron fin, instead of the customary centre board, and supplied with a splendid suit of racing sails. It is intended that the "Crab" shall be entered in the second-class race at the next regatta. — I hear that Mr. W. W. Robinson has been " wielding the willow " to some advantage in the old country, having won a "pewter " for the highest batting average, viz. 2o|, in playing for his club. "Billy" is expected out next February, and it is to be hoped he will be in time for the match with the Australians. — An effort is being made in Ponsonby to arrange for a sailing race for open boats under twenty feet, to take place on January Bth, and it is now very probable that the contest will come oft". Mr. Stanford, of the Ponsonby Club Hotel, has very kindly promised to present a cup as first prize. — Albert White, of Mercury Bay, was entered last week for the champion sculler's race at the approaching regatta. He has the reputation of being a good oarsman, and he has come to Auckland for the purpose of competing at previous regattas. It will be remembered that about a year ago he went to Sydney to row against Trickett and Laycock, but his boat was fouled at the start, and his chance of winning consequently spoiled. — During the last week or two, considerable amusement has been caused by the arrangement of a pair-oared gig race between two couples belonging to the Ponsonby Rowing Club. The race was to have taken place this (Thursday) morning. The competitors arc Messrs F. Jones and R. Stodart, and Messrs. Murray and Dunnett. A good exhibition of rowing was not expected, but outsiders congratulated themselves on the prospect of having some fun. Messrs. Jones and Stodart were the favourites. — The race between the sailing boats " Hattie May" and "Imp" for £20 a side, took place on Monday, when the former won with about two minutes and a-half to spare. There was a strong south-westerly gale blowing, and the sails of both boats were close reefed. The weather was too heavy for the " Imp," but she sailed remarkably weli. The "Ponsonby" was not in very good trim, and therefore her performance could not be considered the fastest of which she is capable. It was apparent to all that she requires more ballast. There is no doubt, however, that the two boats are the best which Auckland has yet produced. In a stiff breeze with plenty of beating, nothing has yet equalled the "Hattie May," while for light and moderate weather, the " Imp" is quite a marvel of speed. — The Referee of Nov. Ist says : "Trickett has been absent from the river Thames for three or four days, but he has not been idle. Far from it. He has, so some of the whisperers say, been "asked a question " upon other water, and the result has been extremely satisfactory. This I don't believe, because trials to the watch are all rot and nonsense, unless, indeed, your man showed a mile in four minutes with the Avind and tide against him. In which case you might venture to back him against one of the English flyers now entered for Soule's specie ; and chance it. I was told the other day, in strict confidence of course, that Trickett can row from the Aqueduct to the ragged staff in 3 mm. 59| sec, with nothing in his favour. Notwithstanding the confidence of the Trickettites I am still of the same old opinion — with, of course, the same old reservations. — The Referee denies that Laycock Avon his match Avith Blackmail easily. My contemporary says : "At Hammersmith Laycock showed signs of distress and began to lessen his lead slowly, but none the less noticeably. He steered close over to the shore for the double advantage of shelter and the inside of the coming circuit ; and limes seeing this urged Blackman to increased exertions. Blackmail pulled with all his might and main, and began to gain rapidly, while Laycock, sitting by this time almost still on his seat, and burying his seven-inch blades, kept so close to the bank that a foul Avas imminent. Nearer and nearer came the hindmost man, and nearer and nearer came the chance of a collision. Laycock still hugged the shore, despite his danger. The Englishman struggled Avildly, sliding and rocking'and twisting, but still perceptibly gaining, until when not half the length of a walkingstick divided them, and it seemed the touch must take place, he collapsed all at once, and stopped opposite the Oil Mills. I suppose if Laycock had been able to do anything more than peg away blindly, he would never have remained right in his antagonist's water — and yet Aye are hoav told the race was Avon with consummate ease from start to finish. If this be so, then Laycock is, if not a champion sculler, a champion kidder, and that of the first lustre." ACTION.