BENEFIT SPORTS MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 63, 8 October 1891, Page 4

BENEFIT SPORTS MEETING.

An attractive programme and so deserving an object, should have ensured a much better attendance than the seven or eight hundred who patronised Potter’s Paddock on Saturday. The sports, under the auspices of the A. AC. and Cycle Club, together with the Rugby • Union, would, it was hoped, have added a substantial sum to the fund which the athletic bodies throughout New Zealand are raising to send a team to the old country. But various causes took the gilt off the ginger-bread. To begin with, the mile match between Goodman and Wilson was run on the domain ground at 2.30 p.m., the hour fixed for the first race at Potter’s. Many persons being under the impression that 3 p.m. was the hour appointed at Potter’s, went to the domain with the intention of seeing the mile race, and going on to Potter’s immediately after. Until the last moment the advertisements did not state the hour at which the first race was to start. Hence, when it became known that both events started at 2.30 p.m., many of the domain visitors gave up the idea of attending Potter’s. Surely it would have been possible to arrange with Goodman and Wilson to run their event at Potter’s, and so benefit all concerned. The 110 yards Handicap for amateur footballers was the first event on the programme. Mr. F. Edwards, who controlled the starting with his customary decision and watchfulness, was justly severe on those who broke away, and several were penalised. The heats resulted as follows—first heat: T. Roberts (4yds) 1, J. C. Hutchison (scratch) 2 ; second heat: C. Hesketh (scratch) 1, A. Kilfoyle (4yds) 2 ; third heat: L M. Myers (9yds) 1, H. A. Norris (syds) 2; fourth heat: F. Gaudin (4yds) 1, W, L. Pritt 2. From the ease with which Myers won his heat most people picked him as a “ dead bird ” for the final, which he won with consummate ease in 11 l/ssec., Kilfoyle and Norris making a close fight for second and third place in the order named. For the non-amateur 110 yards Handicap, seven started, Keenan. winning cleverly from scratch in 12 l/ssec. S. Roberts (7yds) ran a fair second, just beating J. Cole (4yds) who secured third place. The other starters were Hughes, Box, Tidmarsh and McGuinness. The Bicycle Handicap, 1 -J> miles, prcved an interesting event, eight out of ten entries coming to the post. The going being rough in places, was all in favour of the pneumatic-tires. Aickin (60yds) won easily, with Service (100yds) second, both riding safeties with the patent tires. Selby (scratch) rode gallantly and well, and secured third place. The popular ‘ Buke ’ did not ride up to form. A Steeplechase 2J>miles, brought out thirteen starters out of sixteen entries. The absentees were J. W.

Burgess (owes 25sec), J. H. B. Bull (owes 45sec) and A. S. Clark (owes 60sec). After an excellent race H. Burton (owes 15sec) sailed in an easy first. C. Speight (owes ssec) ran well and secured second place, with Osborne (owes 20sec) a fair third. Burton could have won by much more than the 20 or thirty yards which divided him from Speight. Farquhar fourth, and May fifth, also ran pluckily and well. The 110 yards race for footballers, carrying a football, was won cleverly by Roberts, who, after a bad start just beat Kilfoyle by a very few inches, T. Whiteside ran third by a bare yard. This was a splendid race, and the time, 12 1/5 sec. was very good, when the handicap of carrying a football is reckoned. Besides the placed men J. Meldrum and Peter Mackie also competed. The Football Tournament was a novelty to both spectators and players. The latter have evidently not realised the difference made in the game by playing only seven a side. The importance of having a good fast and sure collaring full-back, who should keep in his place, was demonstrated by the number of clear runs resulting in tries. Parnell met Grafton first, and after some good passing, Gaudin got away smartly and scored. Kilgour took the place, but failed. Gordon and Madigan were conspicuous, and a poor bit of play presently let Jervis in. Kissling failed at the place and the score was 1 everybody at half-time (smin). In the second five minutes after a free kick to Parnell, Gaudin got on a fine dribble well stopped by Rees, but Kilgour took the ball on and scored behind the posts. Gaudin placed a goal, bringing Grafton’s score to 4. Immediately after Pearce made a grand run and presently Jervis ran in and scored, converting the try himself. Score—4 everybody. Elliott next, by a tremendous run got in, and Whyte placed a goal, leaving Parnell the victors by 7 points to 4. This was perhaps the most interesting heat in the Tournament. Second heat—City v. Newton. Comparatively dull and slow. Stevenson scored, and Stone placed a goal for City, which was the only score in the two spells. City 3, Newton 0. Third heat—Ponsonby v. Parnell 11. Ponsonby did all the scaring and won by 7to nil. Roberts and Masefield scored two tries each and Hales one. O’Connor placed one goal. Second round—Ponsonby beat City by 4to 1. Masefield after a fine run. scored, and O’Connor converted. Hayles also scored, but the place was fruitless. In the second five minutes A Ibie Braund secured a clever try, but Stone did not succeed in the place. The final heat between Ponsonby and Parnell was fast and interesting. Ponsonby showed excellent passing, and Madigan worked like a Trojan. Madigan scored a try in the first spell, but Whyte failed to improve. Shortly after Madigan was badly winded In the second half Roberts made a grand run, but was speedily stopped by Madigan. Next Masefield got well away, and after a fine run secured a try, which O’Connor converted. Airey all but scored, but contrary to football etiquette, was somewhat roughly pushed into touch by Madigan from behind. Ponsonby thus won the final heat by 3 to 1. In the Tug-of-War (5 a side), City won the first and last pull against Newton. Ponsonby beat Parnell and after a good struggle with City, won the final. Although overmatched in weight, City pulled grandly. The management of the sports was by no means up to the A.A A.C’s wonted high standard. Spectators were allowed to encroach on the ground durilng the events, and occupants of the grandstand justly complained that they scarcely received the value of the extra fee paid for the privilege of occupying that coign of vantage.

We have received the Egmont Racing Club’s programme for their Summer meeting, to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, 17th and 18th of February, at Hawera. It comprises seven events for each, day, the aggregate amount to be given in stakes being 1050 sovs. The principal race on the first day, is the Egmont Handicap of 300 sovs., two miles ; 150 sovs. are devoted to the Waimate Handicap on the second day. Special attention seems to be given to hacks, for they have no less than four events assigned to them on the programme, two of them being over sticks. Mr. Alex. G. Brett is the club’s secretary, while Mr. H. H. Hayr is their Auckland representative, and Mr. A. T. Danvers is the same for Napier.