Out Door Sports

Observer, Volume XXIX, Issue 6, 24 October 1908, Page 10

Out Door Sports

By Harrier.

THE opening matches of the Auck--1 land Cricket Association were started on Saturday last under the most auspicious circumstances. The day was beautiully fine, although tlio grounds were a trifle on the heavy side, in consequence of the rain that had fallen on Friday. The muster of players was easily the biggest recorded for the summer game, and there is no question that cricket is going ahead in popularity by big leaps and bounds. ♦ • • Two senior games were played at the Domain — Parnell v. University and City v Eden (Jolts. Parnell went

in to bat first against University, and made a poor start. Barry and Oliff were dismissed without scoring, but several of the other batsmen made a stands and the total realised was 86. University responded responded remarkably well, and when play ceased their score stood at 130 runs for the loss of three wickets. * * * The Eden Colts made a remarkably good beginning. Going in to bat, City could only make 86 runs. To this Eden replied with 89 runs for the loss of five wickets, so the finish of this game promises to be very interesting.

Grafton journeyed to North Shore to meet the local team. Grafton were the first to bat 3 and raji up the respectable total of 160 rims. Mason (59) and Horspool (89) were the principal scorers. North Shore did not shape so well, and their score stands at 83 runs for the loss of six wickets. m • • Eden and Ponsonby tried conclusions at Victoria Park. The latter team were the first to bat and rattled up 100 runs, J. Gavin being responsible for nearly half the score 49. Last year's champions then got going, and, so far, have a long way the best of the deal. BrookeSmith, Cummings and Elliott all made good scores, and the tally stands at 132 runs for two wickets. » • • " Chummy " Hemns made an inglorious start for Ponsonby. He was bowled for a " duck " by Cummings. J. Gavin has struck form oaa-ly. His score of 49 runs for Pons .n.by came just when it was badly wanted. Lie batted in good style, and may he keep it up during the season. With two wickets down for five runs, University's prospects looked none too good. lint the stand by Wallace and Jaoobsen gave tilings a different complexion. Wallace made 37 in a useful manner, but Jacobsen was a trifle lucky in getting to Gl not out.

Barry was bowled first ball in the game against University, and Olift' was dismissed without scoring in tlie second over. Brooke-Smith and Cusnmings t )iit up a fine partnership for Eden, and half-a-efMitury was rung tr. before the former was caught by Robinson. He made 32, whilst Cummings r/jaio 57, being dismissed l.b.w. Cvm umi^s batted well right through. Eden changed their bowling im quently against Ponsonby, and wibh good effect. Cummings was the most successful, with four wickj+s for 40 runs. Robinson snared two good wickets at a small cost, ati/1 Brooke-Smith bagged i brace

Cossey contributed 16 in good style for City, and Lambert' also got doubles — 10 runs. Elliott batted in bis usual cautious style for Eden, and is unbeaten with 42 runs against his name. Sale made top score for Paornell, wit nl7 runs. .^lter him came Mareroft (13), Wright (15) and Hitchings (11). Hollingrake was the mainstay of the Shore batting against Graf ton. He played a fine innings for 42, scoring rapidly. Next to Gavin, Kavanagh was the highest^ scorer for Ponsonby, with 1.2 runs*. None of the other batsmen got into double figures. The University men are to be complimented upon the manner in which they fielded against Parnell. Very few chances were missed. Woodward put up 15 runs for North Shore against Grafton in good time. Kallender just managed to get into double figures — 11 runs. I). Hay was the most successful bowler for Grafton, and wound up with four wickets for 16 runs. Mason was fairly good, getting two for 33. S. Jones was settling down against North Shore, but when he had made 9 he fell a victim to Hadden — l.b.w. I). Hay was given out with a similar decision when he had made 7. Jacobsen and Wallace bowled unchanged through Parnells innings, the former getting five wickets for 28 runs, and Wallace four for 37. Moth men kept a good length. 01 iff secured two of the University wickets for 31 runs, whilst Fairburn got one for 24. Mareroft, Hutchings, Barry and Wright were tried, but failed to secure a wicket. Several of the Kden Colts shaped in good style, notably Yates (18), llines (14). and Cilmore (17 not out). When this team gets the assistance of A. K. Relf, they will give them all. a W. Cray helped on the University score with 17 not out, and altogether the performance of University in their first senior game was the ground for much congratulation in cricket circles. With a fading light, the Shore skipper decided to keep his best bats till next Saturday. It will be interesting to see whether they are capable of taking Shore's total ahead of Grafton''s. Y\ . Stemson made his appearance in the City ranks, and ran into double figures — 13. Ho also did his. share in the bowline, taking threewickets ior 44 runs. Stemson should be of much assistance to City this season. -McMahon, a newcomer to the North Shore team, was given a turn in the bowling against Grafton. He was fairly successful, securing three wickets for 40 runs. Hadden did well by getting four for 46, and How rden got two for 37. Dick " Mason started the season in great form last Saturday. He hit out very freely, as will be seen from the fact that he hit three successive •; sixers." Altogether, it was a delightful innings to watch. Horspool played a capital innings lor 39 runs for Grafton. Howell also did well, with 15 not out. A match between teams from the Lands and Survey Department and H.M. Customs was played at North Shore on Labour Day. A win went down to tho Lands by 19 runs. The Collector of Customs (Mr Mills) gave a ( bat for the best fieldsman on the Customs side, and it was won by Thomas. The decision was a very popular one, and "Tommy" should make good use of the trophy. Cricketers of all classes will Ye pleased to hear that J. H. Bennett, who was undoubtedly Canterbury's best bowler last season, is returni a ■■>; to Christchurch, and should be here about the 16th November, as he left on the 3rd October. The Svdenham man has (remarks a Christchurch writer) not had too rosy - a time since he left New Zealand. It appears that the position he weub to take at Worcester City had been filled just prior to his arrival, ajuil he was unable to get anything to do.

Hobson was playing in the Ponsonby ranks against Eden, but was beaten by Cummings when he had made 7. Archer made a fair stand for City in making 16, but McCormick failed to get <roing, Francis bowling him when he had made 2. Heney came out as top soorer for City against the Eden Colts. He was going in good style when he was run out. His contribution was 20 runs. Myles and Stanmore started off in great style, the latter' s attitude greatly amusing the spectators, in tiie end, Mr Brown gave his decision ior a draw. The Mt. Eden schoolboys put up a big score on Saturday against i J arnell — 185 runs for eight wickets. McLauchlan made the splendid score of 86 for Mt. Eden. Bowling for the Gratfton Uoad School against Beresford-street School, Cahill bagged thirteen wickets for 15 runs. This is a rattling good average. The boxing carnival under tl.e auspices of the Northern Boxing Association drew a very fair house at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night. In all, there were four bo i,s — one of ten rounds, and three of six rounds. Each bout went the limit, and some of the most interesting boxing yet seen in Auckland was witnesseu. The exhibition was well managed, there being no waits, and the executive committee are to be complimented on their work. Mr T. Brown acted as referee^ whilst the time-keepers were Messrs Plugge and Hamilton. Messrs J. Trudgeon and F. D. Yonge, as organiser and secretary respectively, did their part of the work in an admirable manner. The 10-round professional go ' - twoen Smith and Kane was the most important event. Both men stripped in splendid condition, and up to the fourth round, Smith did all the lorcing, but Kane brought a lot of cleverness to bear. From this o. 1 . wards, Kane took the upper lia'H, although Smith rallied a bit at 'i.^es,. When the bout was finished, Aii Brown, contrary to the general opinion of those present, gave his decision in favour of a draw. i Ins caused much disapproval, as ther A - i.» not the slightest doubt that Iwr:.was the winner on points. Anyhow, on Monday eveni.ig toe executive of the club met to consider the matter. Mr Brown has admitted that i.n made a mistake, but the decisijii cannot be altered. The club, ho ■> • ever, have treated Kane in a •t ry sportsmanlike manner, and na /«j donated him the full amount vi '.he purse — £30. McCarthy and Craig put up a - > id <.■() lor six rounds. McCarthy r. vi « d <; winner in the earlier stages, but Craig kept pegging away, and ima'ly got the decision by a very uarr-.-w nuijcrity. Montague had very little the bet ter of Little in six rounds. Both boys showed much cleverness, and it was only by a very narrow margin that Montague got the verdict. The King's College held their annual sports on Thursday last, an I though the ground was a bit on tho heavy side, there was some excellent racing. Big fields were the order of the day, and the judges had some very olose finishes to decide.