OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 99, 5 August 1882, Page 324

OUT DOOR SPORTS

The Australian cricketers defeated the Gentlemen of Scotland by one innings and seventeen runs. W. Houston gave Huckstep a trial in the Domain cricket ground last Thursday week, and is now prepared to back him for any amount. Jim O'Connor, Croxton, and Moginie made the best of a losing fight i'or Auck land, and were ably assisted by Stewart, Bindon, and Hardwicke. Spencer made a good run, and through the bungling of the Auckland, placed a touch-down to his credit, which Leekie failed to convert into a goal. It has been decided by the Tauranga Athletic Club to hold the annual sports on Prince of Wales* Birthday. W. J. Walsh gave his backers a trial on Saturday, in Mr Wallace's paddock, Mount Albert, and is reported to be going well. , Sadler tops the general batting averages of the United Second Eleven for the last season. He played. 22 innings, scored 239, averaging 10.19. The football match between Auckland and Graf ton Clubs last Saturday resulted in an easy victory for the latter by three tries to nothing. Ponsonby should try a new place kick tomorrow, and I would suggest that Clayton, Keesing or Bob Skeen should have a show. McPherson won the bat offered by Mr Holdship for the best batting average in a given number of matches amongst the United Second Eleven. Thwaitesand Sadler were close up. There is some talk of having an all-comers fouroared gig race with a £100 prize at the next Ponsonby Regatta, but it is doubtful if the suggestion will cometo anything. The seven-mile walking match for £50 asideand the championship of Auckland, between Walsh, and Huckstep, takes place in the Domain to-morrow afternoon, commencing at three o'clock sharp. Joughin, Mears, White, and Jordan, made some first-class runs on Saturday, although ' they did not succeed in crossing the line. Leekie was " all there " as back, kicking with precision and judgment. I am told that M. Monnook's challenge to Pickering is likely to be accepted, as Pickering is now quite well, and his friends seem confident that he can. give Mick the start asked for. Ryan played sy)lendidly for the victors on Saturday, kicking without fault and placing the first tryto his credit by a well-timed run. The kick at goal was a failure. A race for £25 a side has been arranged to takeplace in November between Tom Whiteside and Mick. Monnock. Tht distance will probably be 150 yards, orprobably three distances will be arranged as a- bettertest. Bobßiggs played his usual sterling forward game, making one especially good run, although by a piece of hard luck he was collared on the line, and Jordan reaped the rewards of his labour by carrying the ball over the tape. Although the angle at which the ball was. placed in Jordan's try was exceedingly oblique, Ryan made a splendid attempt at goal, sending the ball as straight as a die, only, however, to strike the bar and fall underneath. We have received a letter from a man in Coromandel, who offers to accept the challenge of Fagan,. which appeared in this column some weeks ago, and is willing to wrestle him Cumberland style, at Coroinandel, for £25 a side. Fagan can learn the address on application to the editor. A correspondent writes to inform its that "Bob Whiteside suys Harry Davy can beat' Pickering for a quarter of a mile. If Davy thinks the same, a match can easily be arranged by applying to Pickering, who will run hini for any sum up to £100 a side." We are very glad to hear it, indeed. Erom a correspondent I learn that J. Joiner,, who is said to call himself the light weight champion, is very slow at coming to Donovan's saloon in Hobsonstreet. An invitation is appended, to the effect that if he on Monday or Thursday evening, the little blinker, or one or two of his pupils will teach him that he can yet learn a little in the noble art of self-defence. This is a pretty fair programme for the Tauranga Football Cnib. They play Eatikati at Tauranga on 19th August, Auckland at Tauranga towards the end. of August, Katikati and Tauranga combined v. Auckland on 16th September -at Auckland, and same clubs v. Waikato, if possible, on 18th September. More powerto them ! May their muscles never give, and their bones never stiffen ! The following team will represent Ponsonby in the final struggle against the Grafton Football Club tomorrow. The match will take place on the Cricket Ground, and will be sure to attract a crowd of onlookers,. Us each club has, so far, won one game. The team will' .consist of T. Macky, (captain) Braund, Arneil, Whiteside (2), Clayton, (3;, Skeen, (2), Pilkington, Davey, Keesing, McConnell, and Hanna. Emergency — Cole. 1 The ball will be kicked off at 3 p.m. sharp, so as to, get' a decent amount of time to settle the questiou of supremacy. Much interest is manifested' in the approaching match between the Grafton and Ponsonby teams, which will take place in the Domain to-morrow. This is looked upon as the deciding match of -the season between the crack clubs, each having been successful in. one contest. Ponsonby defeated Grafton the first time they met by two points, and the Cambridge" blues- were victorious last Saturday week. This, however, was notby any means a decided beating, as there was a disputed try gained in the last few minutes, which, had a goal been kicked," would have altered the face of affairs. Both clubs have been backed to win, but I will pin my faith on the blue-and-black stripes, and declare for the* Ponsonby ligat weights.