ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 828, 28 May 1910, Page 13

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY'S RUGBY EVENTS.

At the Athletic Park this afternoon thoro should be an exceptionally largo crowd to witness the first meeting this season of Poneke and St. James. Ever since coming up to senior grade three or four years ago, tho St. Jarnes team lias shown itself capable of holding their own against some of tho best of tho other competing teams, and, with several now players, it was prophesied that this year they must be very doso to the top when the final championship fixture is played. TJp to the present they have upheld this prophesy very well, and as Poneke, with practically tho same team as that of last year, is regarded as one of the hardest teams to beat, considerable interest is being displayed as to the result of this afternoon's game. With two such teams meeting there should he a very fair exhibition of Rugby. On the No. 2 ground, two leading third-class teams, Potouc and St. Patrick's College try conclusions and hero, too, some very fair football should be seen. The New Zealand team to tour Australia has undergone some alterations. Cameron, tho brilliant three-quarter from Taranaki, not being available, his place has been taken by Wilson, of Auckland, while Budd, from South Canterbury, takes the place of Mitchell. The team to represent Wellington on June 3 will he selected this evening.

"ALL BLACK" CHANGES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, May 27. Owing to Cameron being unable to make the trip to Australia with the New Zealand .team,'F. R. Wilson, the Auckland University three-quarter, has been chosen in his place. H. Hay ward notified Mr. Langsford to-day that he would he unable to go, but, so far, his place has not been filled.

HOCKEY.

TEAMS FOR TO-DAY. The following players will represent clubs engaged in hockey matches today:— Wellington Club. Senior v. Weslev, at Day's Bay: Morpeth, Morrah, Harty, Dobson, Smythu, Smith, Clere, Hollis, Thompson, Dunn, and Rundlc. Junior v. Wesley, at Day's Bav. Shulcy, Myers, Schlaadt, Dyson, Tev/s----loy, Gill, Bay, Turton, Fear, Lynch, and MacDougall. Third v. Petone, at Petone. Train leaves Lambton Station 2.20: Thirkell, Huntingdon, Pickering (2), MacMorran, Haigh, Ashton, Dilnor, Kirk, King, Walker, and Coulls. Y.M.C.A. Club. Senior v. Karori, at No. 1, Day's Bay: Colley, Holmes, Parton (2), Dawson, Wickett, Luke, Loader, Garde, Haase, AVheatley, and Benton. Junior v. Gregg's, st No. 5 Day's Bay: Higginbottom, Luv, Brock, Wor*°V, Fossctto, Bruce, Eyres, Murroll, »att, Pago, and Page; emergencies, King and Tomlinson.

QOLF.

THE MIRAMAR CLUB. The Frost Medal competition was played yesterday in conjunction with Coronation Medal. The four best cards handed in were: Miss Carter;'loo minus 2-1—76. Miss Gray, 93. minus 22—7 G. Miss Marks, 113, minus 3G—77. Miss Holmes, 127, minus '15—82.

BOXING.

THE DATES OF CONTESTS. ~ (By Teleeranh—Prsss Association.) Chrlstchuroh, Hay 27. The Boxing Council has approved July 27, 28, and 29, the dates selected by the Maniiwatu Association for the New Zealand championships. A complaint from Southland concerning the clashing of dates of competitions in various districts lias been submitted to the affiliated bodies, with the suggestion that the council should be informed of all dates selected for competitions. The Australian bodies interested have been informed that September 1, 2, and 3 are the only dates available for tho Australasian championships, as the agreement provides that competitions must bo hold in September.

SCULLING.

BARRY'S EXPENSES. By Teleeraph—Press Association—GoDyriehi London, May 26. ■ Tho "Sportsman's" fund to defray tho expenses of Ernest Barry (the English sculling champion), who. will row R. Arnst (the world's champion) on tie Zambesi, has been closed. Tho amount collected totals £1036. Barry will sail for South Africa on June 25.

N.Z.A.A.A,

WELLINGTON CEtfTJIE: Tho Wellington Centre of the • N.Z. Amateur Athletic Association, met last evening, Mr. E. W. M'Villoy presiding. ' Mr. Rex Bridge wrote forwarding the resignation of his seat on tho centre, having made arrangements to remove to Taranaki. The resignation was received with regret, and it was resolved that a letter of thanks, for past services, be sent to Mr. Bridge. Two members of clubs attended, in compliance with a request from the centre to explain the circumstances connected with breaches of amateur status alleged against them. After hearing evidence, it was argued that further inquiries should be made boforo the centro gave its decision. The AVellington Amateur Athletic Club, in reference to a motion passed by the centro on March 13 on the subject of official correspondence, wrote stating that tho club had taken the resolution as a reflection upon itself. The chairman remarked that the motion referred to simply amounted to tho affirmation of a principle. It was a very small matter.

Mr. H. S. Robinson was glad to hear the chairman's opinion. It had not been so regarded by certain people. On tho contrary, the matter had been treated as a personal one. It was (lecided to acquaint the club with the fact that no such reflection as had been presumed, was intended. Tho secretary of the N'.Z. Council intimated that the following notice of motion by Mr. A. Davies (Southland) would be discussed at the next meeting of the council .-—"That the following be added to the racing laws: — " 'Competitors who in the opinion of the referee have given up a race, shall not continue on the track after half the distance of such raeo shall have been completed.' " The centre, after consideration, adopted tho following amendment to the motion:—"When in the opinion of the referee a competitor has given up a race such competitor .shall at once leave the track, failing which the rcforee shall ordor him off."

In connection with tho medals won by Wellington competitors at the Auckland sports meeting, it was agreed that the presentation of these would ho made at a gathering to take placo on si date to bo arranged lat«?j-. It was unanimously resolved to send a letter of condolence to Mr. W. Coffey (viee-presidflut of the centre), who was reported to be seriously ill.

HOCKEY.

(Br "Boua^aKi!

Matters in. Wellington hockey circles are well under way now, and brief reference to the leading teams is interesting. So far Victoria College have proved themselves capable of defending their claim to the cup, and their combination and exhibition of hockey on the whole have been very good indeed. It is certainly a difficult matter, at present, to decide between College ami Karon for first place. Then, again, United are in fair form, and they have had a bye, whereas the two former teams have not. Whether the barometer rises or falls tho team that receives tho honours will have to make quite sure that combination is a fact in practice, not a mere theory, because each of tho three leading teams already mentioned, have a keen eyo on tho cup.

United were out to win from Karori last Saturday, but the latter were ready, and probably the finest tussle which we will see this season in the cup matches was witnessed at Day's Bay, when Karori beat the United eleven hy two goals to one.

United played well, but Karori went ono better. On the afternoon's play, the latter were superior in attack work, but tho back division in tho United team was splendid. Tho very fine work of Campbell and Godfrey Davies for Karori was really a credit to the team. Pope was good at shooting from within tho circle but, apart from that, ho was poor. Loo Davies in goal did jjood work for Karori, so also did Sprcrs, Putnam, Murphy, Hunt (late of Thomdon), and Chris. Davies, whilst, on United's side, Wcybourue (left full back), Jones (bully), Smytlie (left .wing), Hickson (right full back), Hollis. and Day, also were ill fair form. 'Organ missed many passes, but although ho was. not up to his usual form, still ho mado a very fair showing. Weybourne has recently rejoined tho ranks, and he played just tho gamo which he used to play. Jones scored United's only goal on Saturday, and lie certainly deserves credit for his frequent splendid dashing attempts to score. Hickson was as sound as ono could desire. He is without doubt something out of the ordinary as a full back, every shot be> ing taken with comparative ease, discretion, and coolness. We all trust that ho will be right at his best when it comes to assisting Wellington to hold the shield. Hollis is up from junior rank, and gave a creditable display. A noticeablo feature of Godfrey Davies's play, on the Karori side, was tho many exceedingly fine passing rushes which he initiated. Unfortunately when rushing the goal mouth ho was onco badly obstructed. There is a very fair combination amongst tho College.' men, but poor shooting in tho circlo prevented them from registering more goals against Wesley. Hockey players , are apparently like motor bicycles—it takes a good deal sometimes to coax them to "go." Oftentimes, a spirit of enthusiasm and determination springs up amongst a team, this being especially noticeable ufter a goal has been scored.' The point 1 wish to get home is this: Combine together all the time; never mind how the other side is doing; be determined to win, and above all do not get excited, and obstruct. Referring back to College vorsus Wesley match,, the latter team found it necessary to concede many corners and, with all these chances, why did not tho College forwards secure rtioro. goals ?— Poor shooting.

Strack Bros., and Beere, amongst the forward lino, were up to form; and Taylor, in goal, was kept continually on the look-out. Most of Wcsloy's attacks were but short-lived, the opposing backs proving that they were alive to the responsibility reposed in them. Wesley made the best use of tho latter part of tho first spell, without addiug a. scoro to their credit. Anticipations—that they would liven up during the second half and score—were not realised, unfortunately for them. Smith for College scored a very fine goal, Strack's achievement being somewhat lluky. Y.M.C.A. were in better fettle last week, and tho few words extended to tho team by Mr. Holmes evidently did good. It is understood that this gentleman, who plays with the team also, was greatly astonished at the poor display made on tho previous Saturday, when College defeated Y.M.C.A. by ten goals to two. Carde and Loader were back, and, with the assistance of these two, with Collie also as "bully,'' tho team gave a better account of itself. Metropolitan are doing very well indeed for a new senior team. Y.M.C.A., however, wore grcatl> inconvenienced by their playing men short—thus placing the former in an awkward position —as regards off-side play. Y.M.C.A. have not a team just now so strong as they had last year, and "Bully-Oif" is somewhat disappointed with the results so far obtained by them. During the second spell Loader had two splendid charges down field without scoring. R. Barton is keeping up to the form shown, at the commencement of the season, and he has deserved the position given him in tho representative team. On previous Saturdays it was a noticeable fact that this player had no partner to assist him. The consequence. was that' ho had to struggle on as well as possible in difficult circumstances. Carde and Loader are a good pair as inside-left and out-side-left respectively. Carde is undoubtedly one of the best and fastest forwards in Wellington, but ho loses his head a little when near the circle.

Y.M.C.A. had the best of the latter portion of the first spell, and they frequently attacked during the second spoil. Mackenzie and Hall played well for Metropolitan, whilst Kollaway has improved. Tho Y.M.C.A. halves were poor. A word about the team which Mr. H. V. Walton has chosen to' play against Manawatu at Palmerston .North on June 3. Unfortunately we have plenty of loft-wing players, and there is certain to be feeling amongst the prominent left-wing men. However, tho fact remains, that Smytno and' Godfrey Davies must play together. They are admirably suited for the partnership. Jones, as "bully" has impressed many with his splendid and energetic e>bibition of hockey lately. Smith and It. Parton as inside and outside-right respectively, should give a good aocou;it of themselves. N. Smyihe is skh! to have caught the selector's eye as having done splendid work, and sHr.vn good form this season. "Bully-Off" fancied Dawson as a naif, and, although the latter is sometimes slow in pretimjr ins shot in, still he is certain aiui rolls Me. The other two halves, C.iMpholl and Christie, should do well. Hicham and Hatty, as full-backs, with Morpc.ii in goal, make the team strong a'l icund. Next week, it is understood that fhe Management Committee will meet to arrange dates for the shield matches. So far only one dale has been decided upon—namely, June "2o for (he Hawke's Hay match in Wellington.