Door Sports

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 925, 19 September 1896, Page 27

Door Sports

Bt f Haekier.' ""

COMING EVENTS. FOOTBALL FIXTUKES. Sept. 23— Otago v. Southland, at Invercargi.il A.E.U. Cvi» Fixtubes. I'iaST FIFTEENS. Sept.,l9— Newton v. City.

The Senior Championship match, Parnell v. Newton, on Saturday attncted the largest attendance to Potter's Paddock ever seen on the occasion of a Cup fixture. The game, which resulted in a well deserved victory for Newton by 11 points to 8, was extremely close and intensely exciting; the winning score being only secured within two or three minutes of the call of time. Neither of the full-backs, Hedges nor "Webber, played up to their best form. Of the Newton pack forwards I liked best : Wilson, P. Murray, Hazeman, and Heffernan in the order named. Ronayne was not a success at three quarter ; he had not a great deal to do, and that little was not done at all well. F. Murray, Anderson, Handcock, &nd Gordon all played sterling forward games for Parnell ; as did also Bvitt on the wing. Jervis, at centre-three-quarter for Parnell, was, despite his weak shoulder, the most useful back on his side, by reason chiefly of his fine kicking. Of the Newton wing forwards, Mills and Clarke, the latter was the more frequetly prominent, a feature of his play being consistent fast following up. Elliott did not shine particularly at five-eigbthsforParnell, but accomplished a lot of useful work nevertheless. Parnell's only try was the result of a clever, dodgy run by him. C. Freeman, at five-eighths, was of great service to his side. He handled the ball well and did a lot of good work in intercepting passes of his opponents, and in tackling also. Young Kelly shaped very well at centre-half for Newton. One feature I particularly liked about his play was the manner in which he made an opening be fore transferring to his five-eighths His kicking was none too good, however. Of the Newton three-quarters, Siddle played the soundest gajie all round. During the first half his passing was not up to the mark, but in the second term his work in this respect was cleverly accomplished, whilst throughout the match his defence was of the soundest. Newton's success on Saturday was undoubtedly due to the all round superiority of their back division both in the matter of pace and cleverness. So far as the forward contingents were concerned, Parnell held a slight advantage, not in weight or dash, but by virtue of a better knowledge of scrum and lineont work. H. Freeman, at wing-three quarter, displayed a fine turn of speed, and scored the winning try in great style. His kicking and defensive work generally was, however, of the weakest possible description Watching him on Saturday I found it hard to believe that he was the same boy who played such a sterling full-back game for Newton last season Roberts made a number of dashing runs ; kicked well and passed better than I have seen him for some time, but at times, t when pressed, displayed a want of ' head,' ' notably on the occasion when he took the ball from a kick at goal within- a foot of his Own line and running behind was compelled to force. His want of judgment in not letting the ball go behind before forcing made a difference of five points against his side, as from the ensuing scrum Parnell secured a try and converted it. I hear that W. Mills is likely to play for North Shore Cricket Ulub during fche coining season.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club will be held on Tuesday, the 20th inßt. The Cricket Council have wisely decided to play 15 men in the New Zealand team against the Australians. The cricket match, New Zealand v. the Australian team, has been fixed for Nov 30 tb, Dec Ist and 2nd. At the annual meeting of the United Cricket Club, held last week, Mr L. A. Cuff was unanimously elected captain. Of the five gentlemen nominated as selectors of theN.Z. Cricket team, Messrs McConnick, Ashbolt and Eattray were elected. The Wellington Kugby Union has donated £1 Is towards the fnnd for erecting a monument to the memory of the late ' Barlow ' Madigan. The Otago Kugby Union has decided to prosecute the appeal against the decision of the, referee in disallowing the try claimed by the Otago players in the match against Canterbury. Probably no Australian athletic body (says a Sydney paper) ever had to tight harder for its position and ultimately conquered so signally as the New Zealand Rugby Union. Gregory's average of 81*82 is the highest ever secured in England by a member of an Australian team. Murdoch comes next with 80 62 in 188-1, and 30 58 in 1882. Parnell have entered a protest in connection with Saturday's match, the point raised being a question as to the legality of one of the tries obtained by Newton. The matter will be dealt with at a meeting of the A.R.U. Committee this (Thursday) evening. The Wellington College senior football team has not lost a school match for three years. In the twelve inter-school matches in which it has taken part, 2GI points have been recorded in its favour, and only .-51 against. Until the team's first win in 1894 it nad not won a match for five years. Edmonds, at centre half, would, I think, have done better, seeing the nature of the support he was getting,had he passed out a little less frequently. Had he instructed his forwards to play a close game after getting a lead of 5 points half way through the second spell, the match might possibly have had a different ending. The local A. and C. Club are endeavouring to arrange with the Cyclists' Alliance for a cycle meetiog to be held in Auckland in February next, in conjunction with the New Zealand Amateur Championship Meeting, and it is thought with some prospect of success. If, as appears likely at the time of writing, both the Licensed Victuallers and North Shore cricket clubs decide to enter teams for the Senior Championship, the Auckland Cricket Club will loose three of its prominent members. Stone and Lundon are, I understand, pledged to the Victuallers and Wynyard to North Shore Congratulations to the Auckland Association Football representatives upon their success in the tournament at Dunedin. In the nnal against Wellington on Saturday they had the misfortune to lose the services of Kice early in the game, but in spite of this handicap, succeeded in winning a stubbornly contested match by two goalß to one. I note with great pleasure that both Cuff and Marsnall have, in true sportsman like spirit, thrown in their lot with the cricket club most in need of assistance, the United. As Labatt, who played for Gordon during a portion of last season, has also joined the ' old club,' it should make a very brave showing in the championship matches of IS%-7. "W. H. Martin and A. Brady, who have been chosen to represent Auckland at the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association's Championship Meeting on October sth, leave by the Tasmania on Tuesday uext. \E. Reynolds, who was chosen as the representative of the New Zealand Cyclists' Alliance, is unable to spare the time necessary for the trip from his business. We have never in all our experience (says the Athletic News in dealing with Banjitsinhji's innings against the Australians) seen a batsman, who, for grace and skill combined, could equal the dark and supple young gentleman who on Friday and Saturday last was the recipient of an ovation which surpassed anything of the kind ever experienced. Those who have never seen him cannot for one moment realise what a batsman he is. Suffice it to say that he combines in himself the power of a Sioddart, the elegance of a Daft, the variety of a Grace, and the pluck of a Hercules. He is, in a word, a marvel.

The costume match at Devonport on Saturday between the Takapunas and the Orakei nativeß was an unqualified success. There were over 2000 people present, and never did a crowd enjoy a day's fun better. The costumes and antics of the Levonport players were worth going miles to see, and the general opinion is that the game was the best of its kind ever witnessed in Auckland. The Maoris entered into the fun with great zest, thereby contributing greatly to the day's success. The management is certainly to be congratulated on the smooth and satisfactary way in which everything went off. The Club should realise a good sum towards its ground and gymnasium. Cardno (Li Hung Chang) played a splendid game at full back for the Takapuna on Saturday, while King (Topsy) was the best of the three quarters. Walker will never be worth his place as centre until he learns to run straight and pass >n field. S. Mays (Svengali) and Gerrard (Trilby), at five-eighths, passed and cut through with splendid judgment, and are just the men to make the three half back game a success. Philcox(Bags) should pass quicker and not use the touch-line when two backs have good openings and are waiting for the ball. Nicholson (Little Eva), J. Mays (The New Woman), Sullivan (Day and Martin), and Frankham (Paddy Green) were the pick of the forwards * For the Maoris, Te Paa, at three-quarter, played a brillian t game, while Paul ' put in some dashing and useful work. .; The Orakei natives, in return for the kindness shown them by the Takapuna C]ub,at the costume match,have volunteered to give a war dance at the CoromandelTakapnna match on Saturday. Sept. 19th. Shrewsbury was left out of the Gentlemen v. Players match because hhre r asked for time to consider whether the ordinary terms were good enough. The j Nottingham veteran is regarded by the powers that be as the root of the discontent that is growing up among the players.' K. J. Key, captain of the Surrey County eleven, writing in the Strand Magazine, for Jane, remarks that lustra liau cricket is ' perfectly marvellous, considering the small population, the absence of professionals who devote their whole time to the game, and the fewness of matches played.'