Out Door Sports

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 28, 28 March 1903, Page 10

Out Door Sports

Uy Harrier.

THERE was a good attendance at the cricket ground on Saturday, and spectators were well rewarded with the opportunity of witnessing a very close contest between Auckland and United. The former's win now places Parnell ahead with a clear lead for the championship.

At the start of Auckland's innings there were not many who thought they could top United's score— 2o9. McCormick made a good stand, but it fell to Hemus and Neill to do the bulk of the work. They piled on the runs, the latter playing in great form. When these two batsmen were dismissed there were still runs wanted to win, and when Cossey and Schmoll were at the wickets, ten runs were still wanted. Ataidst great excitement they were obtained, and Auckland, with a total of 222, registered their first win of the season.

Gordon made a very poor stand against Parnell. The wicket was good, but the batstaen found Oliffe's bowling too deadly, and the team only scored 7F, leaving Parnell as winner on the first innings by 94 runs.

United play Parnell next Saturday, and this match should be a most interesting on«. Barclay wac top scorer for Gordon with 16. Other bats&nen to obtain double figures were .Fish 17, R. B. Lusk 10, and Williams 10. Neill played an invaluable innings for his 69. He batted with all his old skill, and fairly knocked the bottom out of the United bowling. Schmoll and Cossey had an anxious time of it obtaining the winning runs for Auckland. They were a bit overanxious, and were inclined to run for anything. Hemus and McCorpiick were responsible for good scores. The fotfmer might have been at the wickets much longer, had he not attempted a slow one from Sfemson. The United fieldsnnen got very flurried towards the end of the game, and threw a lot of runs away. In the earlier part of the day their fielding had been a prominent feature. Now that Oliffe is given more opportunities in bowling, he has come on wonderfully. He got in plenty of break on Saturday, and his average— 8 for 50— was a splendid one. Resteaux seaured the other G-ordon wicket. Parnell rattled up a big score in their second innings against Gordon. Robertson and Murray opened well, but it remained for Ohlson and H. B. Lusk to make the best stand, and they were both not out when time was called. The bowling of United was very poor. Although Stemson secured the most wickets, he was also knocked about. N. B. Lusk was kept on far too long, and sent down a lot of trash. Barry was put on for a couple of overs, but had no chance to prove his worth.

The second carnival of the Northern Amateur Swimming Club, which took place last Wednesday night, was even more successful than the first one. The attendance was very large, the Albert-street baths being packed to the uttermost. The management was again first-class, and everything passed off without a hitch.

Several very close contests were witnessed. The 216 Yards Handicap was, without doubt, one of the finest races ever seen in the baths. In the last lap Chamjpion, Bell and Warbrick were almost in a line. They finished nearly together, and were placed in the order just given. Champion is still improving and will be a hard nut to crack in a fortnight's tim*.

Warbrick is a very game swimmer. He took part in the 100 Yards event, and the Rowing Club's Relay Race, and then came out and swam one of the best races of his life in the 216 Yards, j. . ■ 11 Wattfe " Dunn, the survivor of the ill-fated May, had a good win in the 100 Yards. He had a great go with Wilson, and just managed to get home. F. Drake, the Canterbury swimmer, who has been chosen to represent that province at the Northern Amateur Swimming Club's Carnival in the Calliope Dock next month, is a young swimmer of great promise. Tie is a member of the East Christchurch Swimming Club, and has been swimming very well this season. Caretaker Farquhar deserves great praise for the excellent order in which he has had the Albert-street Baths for the recent carnivals. Nothing has been too much trouble for him, and swimmers find him a most obliging and painstaking official. No doubt there will be a big crowd of swimmers to welcome Hamilton on his arrival in Auckland. The Northern Amateur Swimming Club intend turning out en masse and giving him a right royal reception. The entries for the Auckland Swimming Club's Carnival, to take place in the Auokland GTaving Dockon Saturday, are very numerous. A large number of new men appear in the lists, and the handicapper's task will be no easy one. Besides the racing, there are several novelties on the programme, and now that the sport is proving so popular, the attendance should be very large. Mr Eyre's handicapping at the Northern Amateur Swinyning Club's second carnival came -in for great praise. In every race the finishes were remarkably close. Nearly every competitor, too, swam himself out to a finish. This is as it should be. Hamilton's form in Brisbane has been first-class. He could not be expected to beat R. Cavill, but he comes back with several trophies as the result of his visit. His presence at the coming carnival in Auckland will cause great interest. The full programme of the Northern Amateur Swimming Club's Carnival, to be held in the Calliope Dock on Saturday, April 4th, appears in another column. It will be seen that two New Zealand championships and one Auokland championship arc to be competed for. The programme ,is one of the finest ever put forward here, and swimmers will note that entries close at Mr R. Eagleton's on Saturday night. How the double over-arm (or " trudgeon ") swimming stroke has developed. Much less than a decade back English swimming scribes wrote it marvellous that an English champion had swum a ouarter-mile with that method ; then Balmain (Sydney) champion Peter Murphy used it for half-a-mile, and the swimming wrrld wondered. By-and-bye some Australians " truidged " for a mile, but the latest feat in that line hea^s them all. T'other day Hobbs, of Sydney, swam every yard of three miles double over-arm, and created a new world's record (lhr. 28min. 17src.) for the distance. — Bulletin.

The North Shore Sailing Club had a big field in their race on Saturday. Volunteer was the scratch boat, and she came in an easy first, but Wairere gets the prize on time allowance, with Matua second, and Tuna third. Ponsosnby Crfuising Club will hold their annual race next Saturday. A good field has entered, and the auxiliary schooner Greyhound will be flagship. Great success attended the Ngaruawahia Regatta, held on St. Patrick's Day. The excursion trains from all parts were crowded, and the sport all through was up to a very high standard. The Maori canoe races caused great excitement, and the novelty events also afforded great fun. The officials had a busy day, but it must be said that they got through their duties most creditably. Waitemata had another day out, winning five events. Their lightweight juniors suffered a reverse, '>ut theii they had the worst of the positions. West End sent up three crews, and scored two wins and a second. The seniors rowed a great race, .md proved that their win at Rotorua was no flu'r f; Home Bay Sailing Club held a sealed handicap race on ''aturday. Nearly ah the club's boacs stalled, and the race was a closely-con i,esl cd one. Mtna held a prominent position, throughoit. and die won with a bit to spare on her time allowance.