ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 6, 11 February 1893, Page 126

ATHLETICS.

SATURDAY was another beautiful day for cricket, being bright and sunny, while the heat was tempered by a fresh southerly breeze. The wickets were in fine batting order. There was a good attendance of spectators, the Wanderers v. Belmont junior match attracting the majority.

The principal senior match was between United and Auckland. The former won the toss, but as Miller was leaving for Sydney in the evening, they decided to take the field so as to have the advantage of his bowling. However, United must have regretted their decision afterwards, as Miller, for about the first time this season, failed to take a wicket. The Auckland innings produced 127, while United have lost 1 wicket for 9 runs.

There were no less than 21 extras in the Auckland score, a very material addition to the total. United are evidently sadly in want of a regular wicket keeper.

HATTON was top scorer with the bat for Auckland with 20. He plays in very peculiar style, but his runs were got without any actual chance.

J. Arneil, with 14, showed the best form on his side, and his score included several, nice cuts.

T. Neill (15), R. Neill and Seccombe (13 each), and Howard (11), all assisted to increase the score, but the Auckland batting all round was not at its best, there being far more snicks and miss-hits than usual.

Hawkins was fairly on the spot with the ball for United, and his record of 8 wickets for 36 runs stands out as one of the best performances of the season.

D. Hay captured the remaining 2 wickets, and proved himself a very useful change, though as yet his length is somewhat uncertain.

Gordon won the toss from Onslow, and gave the latte an afternoon’s leather hunting, scoring 246 for the loss of

wickets. Onslow have had some real treats in the way of fielding lately.

H. Goulstone was the largest contributor to Gordon’s total, and he played very good cricket for his 78 runs, his defence being sound, while at the same time be scored freely off all loose balls.

Williams hit up 40 in his usual free style, he and Goulstone putting up 76 for the first wicket.

Ansenne (27), Moresby (27, not out), Kelly (22, not out), D. Meldrum (20), all scored freely off the Onslow bowling, which was pretty loose by the time Goulstone and Williams had done with it.

Kallendar’s debut was watched with some interest. He started well, but was bowled by a fast ball after scoring

A good deal of attention was given to the match between Wanderers and Belmont for the decision of the First Junior Championship. So far the game has proved rather onesided, and it seems as if Wanderers must win easily. Wanderers in their first innings scored 134 while Belmont have lost 6 wickets for 25 runs. It was universally considered that the Belmont captain made a serious mistake in sending Wanderers in to bat, after winning the toss.

H. Thomas batted in fine form for Wanderers, and was unlucky in being badly run out after a capital innings of 39.

Waddingham also batted well for 24, while his bowling proved destructive to Belmont, 5 of their wickets falling to him.

Bathgate proved most successful with the ball for Belmont, securing 3 wickets for 14 runs, and Morrison also bowled steadily, getting 3 for 35.

Parnell 11. put together the good total of 168 against Auckland 11-, while the latter have 44 for 1 wicket.

A. Brown, who has scored very consistently this season, was top scorer for Parnell with 38, and Cooke was close on his heels with 33, while several others scored well.

For Auckland F. E. Gaudin has 25 to his credit, and is not out.

Gordon 11. met Pitt - street Mutual, the latter scoring 67, while Gordon have 99 for 7 wickets. Craig with 24 not out was the most successful batsman for Pitt-street, while for Gordon, Bigland (28 not out), Dr. Egan (28), and P. Gould (17), were the chief scorers. A. M. Kelly took 5 of the Pitt-street wickets for 26 runs.

Unless the weather is unpropitious, one of he most enjoyable of outdoor functions of the .season should be the North Shore Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club’s carnival on Saturday the 11th instant. The meetingis to be held on the Takapuna Racecourse, and doubtless will be very largely patronised. The entries are good, and the committee of management able, so everything should combine for the common good. A description of the races, etc., will appear in the Graphic. AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION. At the Midland Hotel, Birmingham, on Saturday, a meeting of the general committee of the above Association was held under the presidency of Mr E. B. Holmes. A proposition, brought forward by the Northern Counties A.A.A., to abolish maiden and novice races, produced, after considerable discussion, a decision to leave the matter in the hands of the divisional associations. It was decided not to accept records accomplished in

races where assistance is rendered by pacemakers. This, however, it will be seen, was not allowed to interfere with the 600 yards record made by E. C. Bredin, but the five miles record made by S. Thomas at the Romford meeting was rejected, for some substantial reason doubtless. The question of licensing starters at athletic meetings was, after some discussion, leftover for future consideration ; hut it was resolved * that in tuture a fee of 5s be lodged with all objections to the value of prizes, to be retained if the objection be considered frivolous.’

600 Yards—lmin 11 4-ssec, by E C. Bredin, L A.C., at the L.A.C.’s autumn meeting at Stamford Bridge, September 24th, 1892. Five Miles.—2smin 7sec, by S. Thomas, Essex Beagles, at Herne Hi l !, October 22nd, 1892. Six Miles.— 30<nin 17 4 ssec. by Thomas, at the same place and time. Seven Miles. —35min 36 4 ssec, by Thomas, at the same place and time. Twelve Miles.—lh 2min 43-ec, by Thomas, at the same place and time. Throwing the Hammer.—l34ft 7in, by W. J. M. Barry, Southport A.C., at the Manchester A.C’s meeting, July 23rd, 1892. No claim was made by the N.C.A. A. for Barry’s 137 ft at the Salford Harriers meeting, September 3rd, 1892. NAPIER FOOTBALL CLUB. THENapier Football Club was formed in 1874,and is theoriginal pioneer club of Hawke’s Bay. Mr Robert Dobson was one of the founders of the club, and for years acted as captain. In 1884 the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union was formed, under the presidency of Mr Dobson, who had then retired from the football field. From 1884 to 1887, inclusive, the Napier Club were in their palmiest days, as they succeeded in winning the Championship four seasons running, and winning outright one silver cup presented by the late Mr Sheehan, M.H.R., and one by the local Rugby Union. Mr Herbert Gibbons (then the best half-back in Hawke’s Bay) captained the club from 1884 to 1886, inclusive, and in 1887 Mr Jamieson, formerly captain of the West of Scotland Football Club and for years a member of the Scottish International team, was elected captain. At the end of this season a number of the best players retired, which weakened the club very considerably. From this time the Club had a very uphill struggle, but sticking well together, regained their old pride of position, winning the Championship of Hawke’s Bay last season rather easily, winning 7 matches and losing 1, scoring 109 points to their opponents 22. In 1890 Mr Pat Gorman—a well-known figure in Napier sporting circles—presented a handsome silver challenge cup to the Club for the best all-round player. In 1890 Mr R. H. Whyte (late

of the Grafton Club, Auckland) won the cup. Tn 1891 and 1892 Mr J. Wilson (late of Thames) won it two seasons running, the cup thus becoming his property. In 1888 the Napier Club defeated the Wellington Athletic Club in Napier, and at the start of last season the Melrose from the same city. Next season the Club will do its best to return the long-owed visits to the Wellington Clubs. MATCHES PLAYED. IST ROUND. points. May 14th v. Firebrands won by 14 to 0 May 28th v. Pirates „ 6 to 5 June 11th v. Te Aute .. 9 to 0 June 25th v. Pakipaki lost 10 to 2 2nd round. points. July 9th v. Firebrands won by 39t00 J uly 16th v. Pirates ~ 18 to 0 August 20th v. Te Aute , ~ 10 to 0 September 17th v. Pakipaki 11 to 7 The following men scored tries: Hislop, 5; Weisman, 5; F. Bowes, 2; G. Fleming, 2: J. Wilson. 2: K. H. Whyte, 2; Pyke, 2; Jack Taiaroa (of the New Zealand—New South Wales team), 2; Ihimaira (smiler of the Native team). 1; Lindsay, Prentice, A. Rees.E. A. Rees, Barnett, Elliot, Percy, and Cattanach, 1 try each. Potted Goals. -A. Rees, 2; E. A. Rees, 1; F. Bowes. 1. Placed Goals Howard, 6 and 1. Penalty Goal: Bowes, Whyte, Percy, and E. A. Rees, 1 each. Full Back.—*W. Prentice: Very safe, and tackles very surely ; good kick and takes the ball well. Very nervous in ‘Rep.’ matches. Three Quarters.—- Weisman : Runs well, gets out of difficulties smartly, and takes the ball well; tackles surely. F.rst year in the ‘ Reps.’ Hislop: Strong running man, often scores; grand tackler, but indifferent kick. Bowes (centre): Best kick in the team ; tackles well ; but had a wrist badly sprained and was thus heavily handicapped. Half Backs.— * Arthur Rees: Far and away the best man in the team; extremely dodgy runner; most unselfish; passes grandly ; dangerous drop kick and always in good form, probably the best half back in the colony last season. *E. A. Rees : Passes and tackles well; good runner and drop kick ; handicapped by being short sighted. Ihimaira: Very.heavy: strong tackler, good kick but won’t pass enough. Taiaroa: Only played twice last season ; very strong runner and tackler; fair kick.

Forwards.—*G. Fleming (captain): Weighs 14 stone 71bs; powerful heavy forward, shines on the line and in passing rushes ; very popular. *J. Wilson : One of the most consistent grafters : weighs over 13 stone ; good on the line and passes and takes the ball very well; a trifle slow. *Howard : A nother good line man ; hard grafter, very fast in loose ; the place kick of the team. ‘Cattanach : Brilliant forward in loose rushes, and tackles determinedly ; very fast. *Elliot: Another fast man ; hard grafter ; good on line ; follows up well. Barnett: Hard grafter: clever with his feet; all there in loose work. Pyke : A real ‘ plugger ’in scrum work and tackles surely. Whyte: Fast forward in loose ; follows up well, and can tackle. Linasay : Height, 6ft 4in. Tremendous reach on the line. Only played two or three times; was badly hurt in Pakipaki match.

Messrs Percy and Hughes played as emergencies. Names marked * played in last season’s ‘ Rep.’ team.