OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10, 16 November 1912, Page 10

OUT DOOR SPORTS

[By Harrier.]

WHEN are we going to have a fine Saturday aiternoon for our outdoor pastimes P Regularly the rain seems to come on Saturdays, and last week was a repetition of what we have had for some time past. But most of the games went merrily on, although things were a bit uncomfortable for the participants.

The Auckland Cricket Association concluded its second round of fixtures on Saturday, and it was noticeable that the batsmen showed improved form, and two centuries were recorded in the senior games.

With five wickets down for 47 runs Grafton continued their batting, and the innings realised 173 runs, as against Parnell's total of 227 runs. Thus the latter had a two-point win by 54 runs.

University made a better stand against North Shore in their second innings, making 134 runs, and in their second strike North Shore lost two wickets for 74 runs. North Shore secured a two-point win by eight wickets.

Ponsonby suffered defeat at the hands of Eden. The latter carried their score of 89 runs for three wickete to 221, Cummings being responsible for 114. In Ponsonby's second innings they made 87 runs for three wickets, scored during the past 29 years.

Grenier (23) and Anthony (19) made good in their batting in Parnell's second innings.

Pratt was to the fore with a late innings for Grafton and was unbeaten with his tally at 29 runs.

Gordon was responsible for some nice battin gin making 24 runs for Eden, but Smeeton has not s J form yet.

Oliff got three more the Grafton batsmen on Saturday, which made his average for the innings six wickets for 65 runs.

McMath and Wilson did the best work in bowling for Ponsonby. The former got five for 81, and Wilson three for 19.

E Horspool and McCormick put tip a fine partnership performance for Grafton on Saturday, both batsmen getting into the forties.

It remained to Horspool to get the Parnell wickets on Saturday—three for 39. Five other bowlers were tried, but they were well pasted.

Jackson made 20 runs by fairly good batting for University, and others to show a bit of form were Eraser (14), Martin (18), Graham (14), Taylor (10) and Baker (11).

Verily, cricket is in a parlous state (remarks a London writer). The season which has just ended has been one of the most disastrous from every point of. view in the whole history of the game, and it is almost certain when the counties issue tlieir annual reports next spring that we shall hear of empty exchequers, if not of complete insolvency and disbandment of clubs. The wretched summer had, of course, much to do with the alarming statement just issued by the M C.C. on the Test match receipts, but the weather conditions do not explain everything away. We are afraid that as a public entertainment cricket has lost much of its popularity, and it would appear that nothing can save it from becoming a game that will be more or less, confined to Universities, public schools, and a few of the professions. The great English summer game can, of course, never lose its hold on the affections of the best class of amateur sportsmen ; we should be extremely sorry if it did,

Caradus had the honour of being top scorer for University on Saturday at the Shore, making 29 runs. He was going well, when he sent one into Young's hands.

The North Shore batsmen rattled up runs in quick style on Saturday for the short time they were batting. J. Dacre, Howden and Farrell were the run-getters.

Hemus has not got into his stride yet, although he contributed 16 runs to the Eden total. Taylor (11), Mills (10) and Brooke-Smith (12) were fair m their batting.

Woods (22) and Kavanagh (28 not out) stood out as best of the Ponsonby batsmen in their second innings. Eobinson and C. Snedden just managed to get over double figures.

Howden's bowling was again the most effective for North Shore on Saturday, getting three wickets for 81 runs. Townsend and Bush also did good service in this department.

The feature of Parnell's innings on Saturday was Sommerville's big score of 128 rims. He forced the pace all through, and it was a display that delighted the spectators. Euns came in quick succession, and it was a really clashing display of cricket.

Cummings is batting consistently this season, and he was one of the two century scorers in the senior grade. It was a slashing innings, and the runs were obtained by really first-class cricket. He was eventually bowled by Wilson with his score at 114.

From West Australia comes a good cricket story which is vouched for. W. ,T. Facy, who has now returned to Tasmania.was playing in a match there, and one of the batsmen went forward to play a ball and missed it. The wicket-keeper whipped off the bails, and yelled : "How's that ?" The umpire promptly responded, Dead heat !" and the batsman continued his innings.

Another cricket story is told of C J. Eady. He was many years ago one of an eleven who toured the Sore 11 (Tasmania) district, and, after one r their games, they paid a visit to an old friend's place, where they spent a most eniovable niprht. Before retiring to bed it was arranged that the cricketers should, rise early on the folliwins mornins? and so for a swim. Tin's wa« accordingly done, and on the way to the water's edge th»y had to pass « cemetery. One of the players Raw the tombstones in the distance, and. tn-rninsr to Eady, he said : "My word, Charlie, these fellows are out early for practice !" In his halfawake condition the tourist had mistaken the tombstones for flannelled cricketers.

W. Curran sailed for England on Tuesday night, having accepted an engagement with the Wigan Club. B> is a young player who shoxtfd have a prosperous career.

The news that the Auckland Ruirby Union has secured a long lease of Eden Park has been srladly received an football circles. Handy to town, this ground should become a most popular resort.

Last week the Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union discussed a number of amendments to the rules of the game. Several recommendations were made, and they will be further considered at a meeting ot the delegates of the New Zealand Pugbv Union this (Thursday) evening at Wellington. Mr F. J. Ohlson has gone down specially to represent the Auckland body.

The Christchurch Sports Club is endeavouring to arrange a match between J. Hagerty, feather-weight champion of New Zealand, and J. Hill, of Sydney, who is regarded by leading authorities as the legitimate champion of Australia at the weight. Should the negotiations prove successful, the match will take place about the middle of December.