Athletics, Etc.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 94, 12 May 1892, Page 2

Athletics, Etc.

The Cripple Race between Hoppy Jackson (of Auckland) and Johnson (of Christchurch) came off on on the Domain Cricket Ground at 2.35 on Saturday last. A good start was effected, and both men travelled at an astonishing dot-and-carry-one pace. Johnson led for about 50yds, when Jackson put on a spurt and won comfortably by 3yds in 12£secs. (so it is said). The winner was carried shoulder high to the pavillion amid loud cheers from a big crowd of admiring spectators. It has been decided by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association that, under Rule 16, persons taking any part in tugs of war will be classed as professionals. A. local weekly, under the heading of “ Out Door Sports,” says that before J. Buchanan, the amateur, went South, he gave Pearson nearly 10yds in 150 and a licking, while Pearson is credited with running the 100yds l-stn faster than Buchanan. We are authorised to state most positively that at the time Pearson was not in training, Buchanan gave him 7yds in 150, and Pearson beat him by a clear yard and a-half. Funnier still.

Considerable interest is being aroused in Wellington over the ‘international tug of war tournament, which has been arranged on a most elaborate scale, a committee, comprising the principal residents of the Empire City, have taken the matter in hand, and the Hon. R. Seddon has identified himself with the enterprise. The first prize is £5O, the second £2O, and the third £lO. The first pull is to take place on Tuesday next. It has been decided that the English team shall consist only of men born on English soil and of English parents. Special trains have been laid on by the Railway Commissioners for the season. The management have drawn up the following conditions: —“Each team will consist of ten men, representatives of a different nationality, with a substitute and a captain. Teams will have one pull against each other, and the team beaten four times will drop out. The rope will be Manilla, 4in in circumference, and have a knot in the centre, which will be confined in an iron clamp fixed to the floor. The pull will start by pistol report, when the rope will be released from the clamp. A crease will be painted on the floor 7ft each side of the clamp. The successful team will have to pull their opponents over till the centre knot is past the painted mark. Members of each team are expected to appear in the national dress of the country they represent, or wear distinguishing badges of their national colours.” E. Bain, of the Thames, and Frank Mahoney have been matched for a half-mile run for £lO aside, Bain to give Mahoney 20yds, the latter, who belongs to Paeroa, being allowed £2 for expenses. The match is to take place at Parawai on the 14th inst.

CRICKET.

Final Junior Cup Match.—Auckland 11. v, Gordon 11. This match was played out on Saturday last, and resulted in a win for Auckland by 11 runs. In the first innings Auckland having made 32 against Gordon’s 28, had a lead of 4 runs. At 2.55 p.m. Auckland started their second innings on a hanging wicket, sending in Howard and Smith. Each batsman had made a single, when Mowbray at deep cover finely caught Howard off Kenderdine. I—2—l. Hamerton filled the vacancy, but with the score at ~ Smith was neatly taken at point by Kelly off Kender dine. 2 — 7—4. Cuff, senior, joinqd Hamerton and took the score to 11, when he skied one and was c and b by Kenderdine. 3—11—2. Seccombe was the next man, but after making 3 he was clean bowled by Kenderdine. 4—16 —3. Mulgan came in, and after a maid from Kelly and another from Kenderdine, lost his partner, who was bowled by Kelly. 5—16—2. O’Keefe joined Mulgan, and the pair put on 4 runs, when the newcomer was smartly taken in the slips by Peter Macky off Kenderdine. 6— 20—1. C. Cuff joined Mulgan but without scoring played Kenderdine on. 7—20—0. Gaudin came next and made a short stand with

Mulgan, during which the latter was let off by Gorrie, and a run resulted. Presently Gaudin was splendidly caught by Graham in the long field. 8—27 —4. Taylor joined Mulgan, who was batting steadily, and the pair made another stand, bringing the score to 34, when Bedlington failed to hold a soft one from Taylor off Kissling, who had taken the ball from Kelly, and a run resulted. In Kenderdine’s next over Taylor was smartly taken at mid-off by Hesketh, who got to the ball with amazing celerity. 9 —35 —4. Mears, the last man, did not add to the the score, being taken at slip off Kissling by Macky. The innings closed at 3.50 for 35. Gordon with 39 to tie and 40 to win, started their second innings at 4 p.m. with Gorrie and Gilfillan to the bowling of Seccombe and Howard. The pair had made 8 when Gorrie fell a victim to Howard. 1—8 —2. Kenderdine followed, but was immediately bowled off his pads. 2—B—o. Graham came in, but with the score at 10 also fell a victim to Howard, who was bowling dead on. With the score unchanged Kissling, the next man, also succumbed to Howard’s prowess. Kelly joined Gilfillan, and the pair added three more runs, when Kelly was missed at the wicket, but gave another chance next ball, which Cuff accepted. 5—13—1. Bell was bowled first ball by Seccombe. 6 — 13—0. Mowbray took the rest of the over. Gilfillan made two off the last ball of Howard’s next over, but soon lost his partner who was splendidly caught off Seccombe by Howard at slip. 7—15—0. Macky came in, but after Gilfillan had made a single played Howard on. B—l 6 —O. Hesketh joined Gilfillan and the two made a stand, raising the score to 27. when Gordon’s chief hope, Gilfillan, was clean bowled by Howard, having played a most praiseworthy innings. 27—9—22 Bedlington joined Hesketh, and the pair showed steady defence, but only added one to the total when Howard distributed Hesketh’s sticks, and the innings closed for 28, at 4 minutes to 5 p.m. The protest against Howard will have to be considered before the match and cup are finally awarded to Auckland. As the matter is sub judice we refrain from making any remarks on the subject until the decision is announced.

BOXING.

R. Matthews challenges, through the medium of the Wellington press, to fight to a finish S. Hill for £5O or £lOO aside, the fight to take place either at Wanganui, Nelson, or Palmerston North. Jim Burge, the “iron-bark man,” has decided to visit America. Over £50,000 changed hands over the Fitz-simmons-Maher fight. The former won about £2,000 over his victory. Slavin witnessed the Fitzsimmons - Maher “set to,” and the following is his opinion of the pair:—“ Maher is a man of little science; he can’t punish with his left hand, and depends on his right for a mascotte blow. He is slow on his feet, his eye isn’t quick, and he is very poor on the guard. He cannot see an opening when it is time to get in with a right and left, and his left hand is simply a tickler. He has nothing clever in the top of his head, and what little knowledge of boxing he has makes a show of him when he goes against a first-class man like Fitzsimmons. Fitz is one of the best men I ever saw, either in boxing, on guard, or ducking. He has two good hands and a head to back them up.