ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 13, 1 April 1893, Page 295

ATHLETICS.

LAST Saturday was one of the most pleasant days cricketers have experienced this season—bright and sunny, though not too warm, while the wickets after a dry week were in first-rate order. A considerable number of spectators were present, and play was watched with much interest.

Chief in importance was the senior match between United and Gordon. The former won the toss, and of course decided to take advantage of the good wicket. A very inauspicious start was made, the first 6 wickets falling for 22 runs. MacCormick and D. Hay, however, doubled the score for the next wicket, but the total was only 55 when W. E. Harvie, the last man joined Carlton Hay. These two played up boldly, and added no less that 35 runs before Hay was caught, the innings closing for 90, a very small total on such a good wicket, but more than was expected after the collapse of all the best batsmen. Gordon made a much better start and had scored 49 for 1 wicket when time was called, so that the match looks a good thing for them.

C. Hay was top scorer for United with 24, made by capital cricket, when runs were badly wanted. Both his driving and cutting were first rate.

MacCormick played his usual fearless game, and his 16 included several brilliant strokes. He was the first batsman to play the bowling with any confidence, and his being run out when thoroughly set was a great misfortune to hie side.

W. E. Harvie came out of his shell at the right time, and was] not out with 16 to his credit, obtained by very vigorous hitting.

McPherson started nicely, and bad put together 10 when he was smartly stumped off Kelly.

Kallendar proved the most successful bowler for Gordon, taking 4 wickets for 31 runs. His pace was too much for the batsmen at first, but he seemed to tire very

Kelly, though not quite so destructive as usual, dismissed 3 batsmen for 27 runs, while Moresby and Kenderdine were responsible for 1 each.

Fowke was in capital form behind the wickets, catching one and stumping two men, while he also very smartly ran MacCormick out. Just before the close of the innings Fowke received a very nasty blow on the leg, and was compelled to retire from the field. He will, it is thought, be able to bat next Saturday.

Norman Williams played a free and dashing innings of 30 not out for Gordon, but it was marred by at least two easy chances, C. Harvie in particular dropping a very soft one.

Ansenne batted in his usual patient style for 12, before being bowled by D. Hay.

The other senior match between Parnell and Onslow did not attract much attention, but it produced some very good cricket. Onslow won the toss and batted most of the afternoon for 118, while Parnell had lost 1 wicket for 8 runs when the bell rang.

Grierson was the chief contributor to Onslow’s total, his score being 44. He hit very freely, and made some very big diives and leg hits, one of the latter pitching over 100 yards from the wicket.

J. Whelan also scored very fast, and his total of 22 was obtained by good free batting.

Rice (17) and M. Foley (15) both batted steadily and well for their runs, the former making some pretty cuts.

Gordon 11. promise to have an easy victory over Wanderers in the final match of the supplementary round for first junior teams. Wandeiers batted first for 56, there being no double figure scorers, while Gordon have 100 with 2 wickets down, so that it seems pretty certain that Wanderers’ will experience their first defeat of the season in this match.

C. Kissling and W. Howard were responsible for Wanderers’ small total, the former taking 5 wickets for 26, and the latter 5 for 29.

Ball scored 33 in good form for Gordon, and Kissling, Williamson, and Dr. Egan were each responsible for double figures.

Koller Mills and Belmont 11. started to play off their tie for the Second Junior Championship. Messrs Hesketh and Lank ham (appointed by the Association) acted as umpires. Roller Mills batted first, but could only score 34, the bowling of Spurway and Gillespie proving too much for their batsmen.

Belmont responded with 67 for the loss of 7 wickets.

B. Tolman played a capital innings of 27 for Belmont, and be was well seconded by Molloy (13 not out.). Blewden was the most successful bowler for Roller Mills. A cricket match which excited some interest among even the ladies was played last Saturday afternoon at Hobsonstreet, Wellington, between the boys of Mr Gardiner’s school and a team got up by Mr W. Turnbull, which consisted of gentlemen who had not played for a number of years, the result being a win for the boys. Afternoon tea was provided by Messrs Gardiner and Woolridge, assisted by Miss Gardiner, of Hawke’s Bay, who is visiting her brother, and among those present were Mesdames Barron, Adams, Johnston, and Higginson, and Misses Barclay, Johnston, Henry, Harding, Izard, Pynsent, Cooper, Fairchild, L. Williams, and Grace. The ten mile foot-race at the North Shore, Auckland, created a great deal of interest among running men. Nine athletes started, but before the twenty-eighth lap of 400 yards only Spraggon and Saunders were left to contest the race. Spraggon put on splendid speed for the last 200 yards, and reached the winning post a little over a lap in advance of his opponent. His time was Ihr. 6min. 38 sec. The winner will receive the gold medal and clasp, and also a gold medal to become his own property. Next year the race will be extended to all clubs at the North Shore. POLO SPORTS AND RACES. The polo players were singularly fortunate in their weather. All the time the tournameut lasted bright skies and fresh breezes were the order of the day. On Saturday, the day set apart for the sports and races, the same favourable conditions prevailed, and large numbers of people found their way to Potter’s Paddock. A large party from Government House, including Lord and Lady Glasgow, Lady Hopetoun, and the Duchess of Buckingham, were among the spectators. Looking at it from every point of view—except, perhaps, that of the points—the gathering was a most interesting and amusing one. With the exception of two slight accidents, which befell Mr Stewart and Mr Chapman, nothing occurred to mar the enjoyment of the afternoon. The injuries of these two gentlemen—Mr Stewart dislocated his shoulder, and Mr Chapman sprained his ankle —were at once attended to by Dr. Purchas. One of the most interesting events of the afternoon, although it had no place on the programme, was the presentation by Lady Glasgow of the Savile cup to the Christchurch team, who have again won it. After receiving the trophy on behalf of his club, Mr A. H. Rhodes responded in a suitable manner.

A very long programme of sports had been prepared, and in it were several novelties, the most picturesque of which was the ribbon race. In this competition the liders had to start with flowing ribbons, gallop round a post one furlong distant back to the starting point; there dismount and lead their ponies to their lady nominators who threaded a needle with the ribbon, remount again, gallop round another post a furlong distant, and thus home. The race, which reminded one somewhat of circus riding, was won by Mrs E. D. O’Rorke’s pony Gimbo in the first heat; by Miss Kerr-Taylor’s Bamboo in the second; and by Lady Hopetoun’s Punch in the third. In the final heat Bamboo carried off the bracelet.

The Steeplechase was a splendid affair, the ponies clearing the obstructions in grand style. The distance was about one and a-half miles, and the order at the winning post was -. —Mr J. G. Wilson’s The Lion, first; Mr Harrison’s Maori Girl, second ; Mr Watson’s Scroggins, third.

In the Hurdles Maori Girl took the first place, and in the

Polo ]Ball race, Mr R. H. Rhodes’ Blazes carried off the trophy. (A prize of £5 was given by Colonel Dawson, the President of the Polo Club, to the winner of this race.) Bamboo, who was the winner of the Ladies’ Bracelet, was equally successful in the Cup race. He was closely followed by Featherstone (Mr H. Cameron), and Fairy (Mr S. Williamson).

That amusing event, the Cigar and Umbrella Race attracted many competitors. The result was as follows :—Mr Riddiford’s Tam, first; Mr O’Rorke’s Gimbo, second ; Dr. Purchas’ Black Draught, third.

The Tandem Race of four furlongs was won by Mr Riddiford’s Tam and Ted, Mr R. H. Rhodes’ Jack O' Lantern and Vitex coming second, and in the final heat of the Bending Competition Captain Hunter-Blair’s Punch was the successful pony.