Athletics, Etc.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 87, 24 March 1892, Page 7

Athletics, Etc.

THE A.A.A.C. AUTUMN MEETING. Despite a damp and unpropitious day, some 3,000 spectators gathered on the Cricket Ground, and enjoyed some exciting races. As usual the Club officials spared no effort to make the meeting a success, and barring that a few more policemen were required to keep back the trespassing crowd, no fault could be found with the management. The familiar face of Mr. J. B. Coates was missed among the judges, severe illness, which we rejoice to hear is abating, being the cause of his absence. The heavy state of the ground told against the chances of record-breaking, but some very good times were nevertheless achieved, and A. F. Burton’s splendid performance in the Mile Walk, together with Hempton’s 75 Yards in 7 2-sth sec, justly evoked great enthusiasm. The public had to put up with two disappointments in the failure of Batger and Hempton to start in some of their events. In the first case Batger was two and a-half minutes late for the final heat of the 120 Yards Hurdles, and as the other men were all at their marks the starter very properly fired the pistol. In the second case Hempton refused to accept the penalty for breaking away, and consequently did not compete in the 150 Yards Handicap. That the starter acted rightly in both cases cannot be disputed, but the fact remains that every one regrets losing a couple of interesting finishes. Batger did not start in the Quarter Hurdles, which was again a pity, as he might have lowered his record in chasing Martin, who, with 25yds start and several hurdles knocked down by other competitors, accomplished the fast time of sgsec. Hunter’s Band played some delightful selections, and afternoon tea was provided in the pavilion for the lady visitors. Appended are the results: — Mile Walk.—Nine started. Shaldrick was disqualified half-way through the second lap. A. F. Burton, in splendid form, cut one man down after another and won a fine race in comfort in 6min 53 2-sth sec, five seconds better than McKilvies’ record for Australia. Allen and E. W. Burton fought out a grand finish for second place, which the former just secured on the post. 75 Yards Handicap.—The five heats resulted as follows : —Hempton, scratch, 1 ; Langsford, 9yds, 2 ; and Johnston, o£yds, 3. Hempton got off well, and won with ease in 7 4~sth sec. The way he cut down his field was a sight to see. .nd Heat. —Boyd, 9yds, 1 ; Gibbs, 2 ; Burgess, 7yds, 3. Cuff also started. Won easily in Bsec. 3rd Heat. —Eight started. Hesketh was put

back a yard. Boston, 9yds, 1 ; Hesketh, syds, 2 ; Bishop, 7yds, 3. Time, 7 4-sth sec. 4th Heat.—Hackett was put back a yard. A. A. Martin, io£yds, 1 ; P. J. Hackett, 7yds, 2; A. J. Pilkington, Byds, 3. Time, 7 3-sth sec* sth Heat. —Barnes, giyds, 1 ; Ellett, 10yds, 2 ; Chatfield, 6|yds, 3. Time, Bsec. For the final heat the ten firsts and seconds started. Hempton got off grandly, but Martin was left at the post. The flier dashed through his men like greased lightning, winning by a yard from Ellett, with Burton a yard behind second man. Time, 7 2-sth sec. Mile Novice Bicycle. —Twelve entered, and all started, making a pretty race. Dacre fell almost immediately, and Bolton, who was going well, fell early in the last quarter. Nicholson, the scratch man, rode a good race, and won comfortably, Firth (30yds) 2nd and Cambell (45yds), 3rd. 600 Yards Handicap.—The large field of twenty-one started for this event. Beere, 45yds, won rather easily from Gaudin, 40yds, with Atkinson, 40yds, a moderate third. Derry Wood could not get through the crowded field, and so had to content himself with fourth place. Time, 72 2-sth sec. 120 Hurdles.— 1 st heat. All the four started. Roberts, owes 7yds, just won from Batger, owes 20yds, P. J. Hackett, owes 10yds, a moderate third. Time, 18 2-sth sec. 2nd Heat.—All three started, but Cuff fell at thesecond hurdle. Martin, owes 10yds, won as he pleased from Bishop, owes 4yds, in ipsec. . Final Heat.—Batger came too late, and the race, starting without him, resulted in a win for .Roberts, Martin 2nd, and Hackett 3rd. ’■ Mile Roadster Bicycles.—Cambell, 45yds, 1 ; Firth,' 30yds, 2; Lowe, 40yds, 3. Eight started. Dacre collided with Firth and fell. Firth rode a gallant race, but Cambell was a little too good. 1,000 Yards Club Championship.—Musker, Davis, and Farquhar were the only starters. The pace proved too hot for the last-named, who stopped about 250yds from the tape. Musker stayed better than Davis, and won a close race in the excellent time of 2min 28 2-sth sec, 15b Yards Handicap.—The six heats resulted as follows :— 1 st Heat.— Eight starters. Barnes, 19yds, 1; Langsford, 17, 2. Time, 14 3-sth sec. 2nd Heat. — Goldwater, 17, 1; Ronayne, 16, 2. Time, 15 2-sth sec. W. Owen, 20, ran very prettily and was only just beaten for second place. 3rd Heat.—Hackett, 14, 1; Barton, 17, 2. Time, 15 sec. 4th Heat.—Ellett, 18, 1 ; O’Meara, 14, 2. Tirhe, 15 sec. Laird, 8, ran well in this heat. . sth Heat.—Hesketh, n, 1 ; A. A. Martin, 2i, 2; Boyd, 16, 3. Time, 14 4-sth sec. 6th Heat. — Cooper, 22, 1 ; Pilkington, 15, 2; Gibbs, .’7, 3. Time, issec. Final Heat.—All those qualified started. Mr. Edwards got them off splendidly, and a fair contest resulted in a win for Hackett by a breast ahead of Barnes, who beat Barton for second place by half a yard. Hesketh ran grandly, and came in fourth. Time, 14.} sec. Pressure on our space compels us to condense the other events, which resulted as follows: — Two Mile Roadster Bicycles. — Cambell, 120yds, 1 ; Firth, 90yds, 2 ; Bolton, 200yds, 3. Time, 6min 41 sec. One Mile and Half Handicap. — Beere, 120yds, 1 ; Duncan, 150yds, 2 ; Clarke, 50yds, 3. Time, ymin i2sec. Three Mile Walk. —A. F. Burton, scratch, 1 ; F. H. Creamer, 320yds, 2; E. W. Burton, 180yds, 3. Time, 24mm Three Mile Bicycles. —Reynolds, scratch, 1 ; Firth, igssec, 2 ; Cambell, 230yds, 3. Time, 9min 58£sec —very good performance. High Jump. — P. J. Hackett won with sft E. T. Laurie second. Quarter Mile Hurdles. — W. H. Martin, 25yds, 1 ; Laird, 20yds, 2 ; Roberts, 30yds, 3. Time, sgsec. 300 Yards Ladies’ Bracelet. —The five heats were won as follows : — Ist. Langsford, Harvey, and Stevenson, in 33 4~sth sec. 2nd. Barnes, Cook, Cooper, in 33sec. 3rd. Martin, Vincent, Christie, in Jjsec. 4th. Chatfield, Burgess, Boyd, in 33isec. sth. Johnston, Hackett, *Barton, in 33sec. - - h.. ' )

The final heat resulted —Barnes, 24yds, 1 ; Johnston, 24yds, 2; Chatfield, 14yds, and Cooke, 20yds, dead heat for third place. Time, 33sec. Five Mile Bicycles.—Reynolds, scratch, 1; Firth, 290yds, 2 ; Bolton, 500yds, 3. Time, lymin igsec. Long Jump. —Gaudin won with a jump of 19ft zin ; Bishop second. This event ended a capital day’s sport.

CRICKET.

The first two days of our “ Canterbury week ” were marred by heavy rain. On Monday the match Wanderers v. Combined Parnell and United was played on what is known as a batsman’s wet wicket. The game ended in a draw rather in favour of the home team. Wanderers 166, Lawrence 30, Hon. Stevens 28, Matthias 26, and Labott 23 reached double figures. Stemson bowled well under the handicap, securing 4 for 47. Yates and King going in for the U-P’s made no stand, the latter being bowled by a beautiful break-back of Harman’s for 1. Gardiner joining Yates, the pair, with a good deal of luck and some excellent hitting, had run up 92 without being parted, when the bell rang. On Tuesday the Auckland Cricket Club v. Wanderers’ match was perforce abandoned for the day, but as we write (Wednesday) the weather is much improved and the match is proceeding, Wanderers being all out for 77 and Auckland commencing their innings. To-day (Thursday) the Wanderers play a Gordon team. The great match, Auckland v Canterbury, comes off to-morrow and Saturday, when every cricketer prays lor fine weather. The Canterbury team will probably be : —De Maus, Barry, Ridley, Lawrence, Mathias, Labatt. A. Harman, T. D. Harman, Fenwick, Chapman, and Stevens. The match should prove an exciting one, and we hope to see a large attendance on both days. The local men seem to have a bit the better chance, but Canterbury cricketers are never beaten until the last ball has been bowled.

BOXING.

Dick Sandall informs us that he is most anxious for a “go” with McConnell, New Zealand’s heavy weight champion professsional. He expresses his willingness to meet Mac for any substantial trophy value from /20 upwards, and a friend of Dick’s will put up a side wager for any amount between and As Sandall is two stone lighter than McConnell and five inches shorter, the above should be a tempting bait for the “ long un.”