Athletics, Etc.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 88, 31 March 1892, Page 1

Athletics, Etc.

NORTHERN ATHLETIC CLUB. Bad luck seems to follow professional running in Auckland. The Northern Athletic Club’s inaugural meeting was originally fixed for St. Patrick’s Day (17th inst.) ; but Jupiter Pulivus would appear to have no special regard for Ireland’s Patron Saint, for on that day he has of recent years put in his unwelcome claim oftener than on any other public holiday. This caused the postponement of the above sports till Saturday last, when the weather was everything that could be desired ; but the counter attractions of the Interprovincial cricket match, the Papakura races, and several aquatic picnics proved too much for the newly-formed club, and the attendance at Potter’s Paddock was meagre in the extreme—there being only between 200 and 300 persons present. Every possible arrangement had been carefully attended to by Mr. G. Robertshaw,'the secretary. A number of new hurdles were on the ground ; as was also jumping posts, etc. A circular track, a quarter of a mile round, was laid off, and the straight run of 200 yards was taped carefully, and was in splendid order. Tilting the ring posts were erected round the J-mile circle, and indeed everything was excellently managed, and the contests close and exciting. A little trouble was caused at the start by a refractory pistol, which persisted in not going off when wanted ; but Mr. Foley, the starter, got over the difficulty by borrowing a fowling-piece from Jimmy Wattie. Impey’s band was on the ground during the afternoon. W. C. Walker, Esq., was judge, and had some remarkably close finishes to decide, and gave general satisfaction. He was assisted by Mr. A. H. Trubshaw. Mr. E. G. Sandall was judge of walking; Mr. Geo. Mcßride timekeeper ; and to Mr. P. Quinlan, who was handicapper, special praise is due, the finish for the 300 yds being a treat to witness, all the competitors finishing within a yard of each other. There is no doubt but that the failure of the meeting was greatly contributed to through not being properly advertised. The following are the results:— 150 Yards Novice Race.—lst prize, £2 ; 2nd, fi. —S. Roberts 1, Jno. Moore 2. Won in a walk. No time taken. 100 Yards Boys’ Race (under 16 years).—A. Long I, J. Tunny 2. Won easily. No time taken. 75 Yards Sprint.—lst prize, 2nd, First Heat.—H. Simpson 1, E. P. Good 2, A. Pearson 3, Time, 7 3-sth secs. Second Heat—S. Murphy 1, W. Purdy 2, R. Keenan 3. Time, Bsecs. Final Heat.—R. Keenan l|yds, 1, A. Pearson lyd, 2, T. Shelly, 6|yds ,3. Time, 7 4-5 th secs. Half-Mile Handicap.—lst prize, Mr. G. Mcßride’s suit of clothes; 2nd prize, . —D. Somers, 26yds, 1;

J. Hendry, 13yds, 2; H. Peebles, scratch, 3. Time, 2min I3secs. . w . ; One Mile Walk.— Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd, A 1 -— w - Welch, 100yds, I ; A. Brady, scratch, 2 ; A. Hendry, i>3Oyds 3. Time, 7mm 32secs. Welch walked veiy unfairly, and should have been called oft the track, Brady, who took 7min 51 secs, walked splendidly, and was loudly second 10s.—B. Bishop (eft 2jin) 1, A. Wallace 2. Three other competitors. • Northern Athletic Cup, 100 Yards.—lst prize, Zl2 : 2nd, Z 5; 3rd, -First Heat.—A. Pearson 1, W. J. Tremaine 2, H. Simson 3. Time, 10 I.sth secs. Second Heat.—S. Roberts 1, R. Keenan 2, J. McKean 3. Time, losecs. Final Heat.—A. Pearson, 2yds, 1 ; S. Roberts, 7yds, 2 ; R. Keenan, 4yds, 3. Time, losecs. First Heat—2oo Yards.—J. McKean 1, S. Roberts 2, E. Scott 3. Time, 21 3.5 th secs. The third man ran in pretty style, and many are of opinion he could have won* Second Heat.—A. Pearson 1, M. Duffin 2. These were the only starters. Time, 22sec. * Final Heat.—S. Roberts, nyds, 1; A. Pearson, 3yds, 2; J. McKean, syds, 3. Time, 21 secs. 300 Yards.—J. McKean, nyds, 1; S. Roberts, 16yds, 2; A. Pearson, 3yds, 3. Time, 35 i-sth secs. This was the concluding event for the Cup; 4 points were allowed for a win, 2 for a second place, and 1 tor a third. The following proved to be the result:—S. Roberts, 8 points, I; A. Pearson, 7 points, 2; J. McKean, 5 points, 3. . Tramway Steeplechase, about 2| miles.—l st prize, Z 3; 2nd, Z2; 3rd, D. Barry, 33secs, 1 ; W. Patterson, 45secs, 2 ; H. Peebles, scratch, 3- Time, I imin 35 2-sth secs. . 120 Yards Hurdles, over 10 flights of hurdles, 3ft 6in high.—lst prize, £3; 2nd /i. —S. Murphy, owes 12yds, 1 ; H. Simson, owes syds. 2 ; S. Minmnix. owes 12 yards, 3. Time, 20 4.5 th secs. International Tug of War.—t st pnze, po ; 2nd, /s.—English (H.M.S. ‘ Ringarooma’) I, Colonial (N.Z. born) 2. The Colonials were favourites from their superior physique, but the “Jack Tars,” by their supeiior combination simply did as they liked with the other teams. The third team was from employees of the Tramway Company. The Scotch and Irish teams did not put in an appearance. The men o’ warsmen won their first pull from the Colonials in I7secs., and the second in SQsecs. They beat the Tramway team in qsec. The following are the names and rank of the winners : — W. R. Rogers (captain)—torpedo instructor. Robert Goldsmith—Bomb. R. M.A. Wm. Bates—L. stoker. Geo. Kitchen—chief stoker Wm. Langdon—Master at Arms. Geo. Ryder—A.B. Wm. Bowden—lst class P.O. (captain’s cox) Jas. Keating—L. stoker Wm. H. Frost-Gunr. instructor. Edw. Futcher—chief bos. mate One Mile Handicap,—l st prize, ; 2nd, £1 10s.; 3rd, ios.—A. E. Smith, 35yds, 1; F. Hendry, 25yds, 2; H. Peebles, scratch, 3. Time, jmin 3.5 th sec. Tilting the Ring.—lst prize, ; 2nd, 10s. —B. Bishop I, J. Stewart 2, G. Clark 3. The Irish Jig, prize £l, was awarded to a boy named Follas,

CRICKET.

THE CANTERBURY WEEK. Somewhat better weather on Wednesday enabled the players to proceed with the match Canterbury Wanderers v. Auckland C.C., but the lost time spoilt what looked like an interesting finish, as the match ended in a draw, rather in favour of the local Club, who required 25 runs with three wickets to fall. On Thursday, in bright weather, but on a pitch which was necessarily heavy and slow after so much rain the Wanderers met Gordon C.C., who displayed a revival of form which delighted their supporters. Capital bowling and smart fielding lowered the visitors wickets -with startling rapidity, the innings closing for 43, the smallest total of the visit. Gould with 5 wickets for 12, and Kenderdine with 6 for 30, together with Johnnie Fowke’s great display behind the wickets and Moresby’s splendid fielding at point deserve special E raise. When Gordon went to the wickets the pitch had ecome faster, and some brilliant batting by Moresby, Williams, Kelly, Fowke, Ball, Gould, and Kenderdine, raised the score to 170 at the fall of the last wicket. When the bell rang the Wanderers had 28 for 2 wickets, and the Gordon’s therefore won on the first innings by 137 runs. It must however be remembered that the Wanderers had indulged in the worship of Terpsichore until 2 a.m., and that Lawrence did not play for them. Auckland v. Canterbury. The great match was started on Friday morning in glorious weather. The attendance was but moderate. Messrs. Mumford and C. MacCormick where the umpires, and throughout the match acquitted themselves with impartiality and attention. A. Harman winning the toss for Canterbury, eleted to bat first, and with Ridley started the innings at 10.35 a.m. Boundary hits were arranged and six balls bowled to the over. Only two singles had been scored when Neill in his third over clean bowled Ridley with a stupendous break. 2 —I—1. De Maus filled the gap and three maiden overs followed until the new comer hit Neill hard to cover. Howlett showed a fine bit of fielding and with a smart return Harman should have been run out, but Fowke missed the chance. Maidens and maidens, spoilt by a single followed, until Harman got Neill away for 2 and four in the same over, bringing 10 up. The scoring again became slow until De Maus got hold of Stemson for a boundary 4 and followed it up by a snick for 2, bringing 20 up. The pair continued scoring, Harman’s fine carpet drive for 3 and De Maus with an equally good square leg boundary 4 quickly bringing 30 up, but at 33, Wilson at long leg

held an uppish stroke off Neill and disposed of Harman. 33—2—16. T. D. Harman joined De Maus, but only 3 runs were added, including 2 byes when Neill clean bowled De Maus with a beauty. 33 —6 —17. This disaster was soon followed by another for Lawrence, who came in next, was well caught by Arneil at point off Neil with the score unchanged, 36 —4 —o. Mathias joined Harman and a fine stand ensued, the pair bringing up 40 and 50 when Howlett replaced Stemson. Runs still came, and 60 and 70 successively appeared until Howlett got one past Harman, and the board showed 70 5 Labott filled the breach, but only saw Mathias add 1 when the newcomer’s wicket fell to Neill. 7 1 —6—Chapman joined Mathias, who was batting with power and dash, but was soon cleaned bowled by a beauty from Neill, 7 5 7 2. Fenwick came next, but soon lost his partner, who put up one of Neill’s to the off and enabled Stemson to make a fine running catch. 80 —B—3o. Mathias merits high praise for a dashing yet steady innings. Barry joined Fenwick, and the partnership proved a profitable one, as 90 in due course appeared, followed by the century, which was greeted with loud applause. Shortly after Lawson replaced Neil, and a few overs later Stemson relieved Howlett, when the board showed 110. At the luncheon adjournment the pair were still in possession with the score at 115. Play was resumed at 1.40 p.m., Neill again bowling, who with the score at 124 got Barry l.b.w. 124—9—18. Barry’s 18 was a most valuable innings. Studholme joined Fenwick, but before long Neill bowled the new comer with a trimmer, and the innings closed for 136, Fenwick being not out with a well hit 30. At 2.30 p.m. Yates and Arneil started Auckland s innings, Barry and Lawrence being the bowlers. The pair scored quickly, bringing the 10’s up in quick succession, Arneil being especially busy. A. Harman presently replaced Lawrence, and 40 went up, but shortly afterwards Yates was well caught by De Maus at mid-on. 41 —I —I I. Gardner joined Arneil and the pair by hard but not faultless hitting took the score to 65, when Arneil played de Maus on and the board read 65—2—26. Howlett followed, and made another good stand, Howlett playing the safer game of the two. De Maus fielded his own bowling brilliantly, and the Canterbury ground fielding was good. Still the 10’s came until 90 appeared on the telegraph, when Labott took the ball from Harman at 3.40 p.m.; the 100 went up compiled in one hour and ten minutes. The partnership was not dissolved until Labott bowled Howlett with a trimmer. 122—3— 33. Howlett’s batting was sound and free. Mills joined Gardner, and presently the latter returned a very hot one to De Maus, whose left hand suffered from the shock, causing T. D. Harman to replace him at slip. Soon after Mills was magnificently caught low down by the new slip off Labott. 126—4 —4. Lawson joined Gardner, who gave a chance to A. Harman, which was missed by that usually sure catch. 130 went up and Gardner made a splendid drive for 5, but immediately after Lawson was easily caught off De Maus by Studholme at mid on. 137 —s—4. Fowke followed, and the two took the score to 149 when Gardner at last succumbed to Barry, who had taken the ball from Labott. 149—6—61. Gardner’s display although not without blemishes received well merited applause. Wilson joined Fowke and brought 160 up after being let off by Mathias at square leg. Soon after he put a soft one of De Maus into Fenwick’s hands at point. 160 — 7 —8. Neill came next and the pair played good steady cricket putting on 21 runs when Fowke was well caught off De Maus by Fenwick at point. Stemson joined Neill, but did not long survive, being bowled by Barry. 188-9—3. Hawains whipped in and made a couple of boundary fours, but in attempting a third one was held by Studholme. The innings closed for 197, Neill not out with an excellent 9. As only a quarter of an hour remained, Canterbury postponed their second innings until the following day. SECOND DAY. Perfect weather in every respect. The game started at 10.40 a.m., A. Harman and Fenwick opening to Neill and Stemson. Immediately after 10 had appeared Neill bowled Harman with a beauty. 11 —I —4. De Maus came in next, but good bowling and frequent maidens made the scoring slow. At last Fenwick failed to stop a good one from Stemson. 24 —2—17. B. D. Harman followed, but fell to Neill in the next over. 27—3—2. Ridley joined De Maus, but the latter played Stemson on. 27 4 —3. Mathias joining Ridley a stand resulted, both playing carefully and bringing up the 10’s in slow but sure succession. In due time 50 appeared, and then Mathias had a life from Yates ; at last 60 appeared and the deficit was wiped off. Howlett then took the ball from Stemson and Mathias made a fine off hit for 4 ; 70 appeared and Arneil replaced Neill. In Howlett’s next over Ridley was well caught by Neill at mid-on for a brilliant 21. 75 —5 —21. Lawrence came in but lost Mathias Ib.w. to Arneil. 79—6—27. Chapman followed but after making 4 was clean bowled by Howlett. 86— 7—4. Barry joined Lawrence, but in Arneil’s next over was caught by Mills at mid-uff. 87 —B—o.8—o. Labott the next man in, lost Lawrence immediately, clean bowled by Howlett. 87 —9 —2. Studholme whipped in but had no show to distinguish himself as a couple of runs later Labott was fairly taken by Neill at mid-on of Howlett. 91 —10—1. Auckland having but 31 to win After rolling a new pitch, the choice of which seemed rather a doubtful advantage, as the old wicket being specially prepared played splendidly. Auckland started the second innings at 2.30 with Mills and Wilson. Most expected a 10 or 9 wicket victory, but the glorious uncertainty of the game was again illustrated. After scoring a single Wilson was smartly taken by De Maus at slip off Barry’s second ball. 2—l—l. Stemson came in and Mills made a fine square leg boundary, but in De Maus next over Mathias at forward cover caught Stemson. 7 —2—1. Gardner joined Mills, who made another boundary 4 off De Maus. Barry speedily disposed of Gardiner with a trimmer. 12—3—1. Arneil came in next and with Mills took the score to 20, but soon after Mills was clean bowled by De Maus. 24 —4 —15. Yates followed, but De Maus second ball proved too curly, and the veteran had to retire 24 — s—o.5 —o. Neill joined Arneil but the latter was splendidly caught by Barry oft his own

bowling. 24—6—6. Fowke came in and with Neill made the required runs without further disaster, the match ending in a victory for Auckland by 4 wickets and 3; runs. Canterbury as usual fought an uphill game with indomitable pluck, The game was continued for the benefit of the spectators, Howlett making a fine 64 and the ‘ tail proving itself by no means devoid of sting, Hawkins especially playing a free hit innings. In the evening the teams and many friends met at the Central Hotel and enjoyed a capital smoke concert. Mr. W. L. Rees in the chair was decidedly the right man, and kept the ball rolling. Messrs. A. Harman, Mathias, Stevens, Fowke, Esam, Rees George, and others made capital speeches, and good songs were given by Messrs. De Maus, Ridley, Barry, Moresby, Yates, Upfill, etc. For cordial good fellowship we have never had in Auckland a team to equal the Canterbury reps, and Wanderers of 1892. The fun was concluded by “Auld Lang Syne ” most enthusiastically sung in true Scottish fashion, and so ends the ‘ ‘ Canterbury week ” with good wishes from us all for our visitors, and a bumper to our next merry meeting.