ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1488, 10 July 1912, Page 7

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

SHIELD CRICKET RULES

A CONFERENCE,

MORE INTERPROVINCIAL MATCHES,

Five delegates, representing tie distriot cricket associations of Auckland, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Canterbury, and Otago, sat in conference over four hours last ovening, and wrestled with the problem,, referred to them by tho New Zealand Cricket Council, of revising the Plunket Shield rules in tlio direction of providing an interprovincial tournament. The delegates present were': Messrs. Heathcoto Williams (Hawke's Bay), who presided, and Messrs. Martin Luckie (Wellington), Carleton Hay (Auckland), D. Reese (Christohurch),' and G. C. Wilson (Dune-

A letter from tho secretary of the Wellington Cricket Association (Mr. E. B. Vance) was read, in which it "was submitted that "tho existing method of determining the ownership of the Plunket Shield upon the result of a match to be played on the ground of tho holder for tho timo being should be abolished, and in its place a system similar to. that ob- 1 taining in Australia, in determining Sheffield Shield matches, should bo adopted. Each of tlie'associations entitled to compete for the Plunket Shield should play in each season not less than one oift and one home match, before being entitled to qualify, and tho shield to bo awarded at the end of each soason to the team showing tho greatest number of points—three points being scored for an outright win, two for a win on tho first innings, and. ono for a tie; three points being deducted for an outright loss, and two for a loss on the first innings. As a result of this method of scoring, should any two teams show an equal number of points the shield should go to the tea mthat shows the greatest difference.between its batting and bowling averages. . . The conference attempted, firstly, to draft a four-year programme of interprovincial fixtures* as tho suggestions in the letter of the Wellington Cricket As-, sociation evidently presumed such a, pro•gramme to be practicable. But after a long and earnest discussion, and the drafting of several tentative but unworkable programmes, it whs finally resolved, on tho motion of-Mr. lieoso, seconded by Mr. Hay:"That this conference, after carefully considering the question of revising tho rules fur tho Plunket Shield matches by means of a tourna--1 ment, is of opinion, that such a schcmo is impracticable at the present junc- , turo. Tho conference is of opinion that the number'- of interprovincial matches should bo increased, and that Canterbury and Wellington should play annual matches with each of tho other main centres, including Hawke's Bay, with whom matches should bo mutually arranged at convenient periods; Auckland and Otago to meet onco overy two years; tho Plunket Shield to bo competed for in any r,f tho above matches in which the holder is for -the time being engaged; the New Zealand Council to bo entitled to 5 per cent, and tho visiting team to receive 30 per cent, of tho net profits of all interprovincial matches." The above resolution, with a verbatim report of the discussion, is to be forwarded to tho New Zealand Cricket Council, and also_ communicated to tho district associations. HOCKEY. AUCKLAND REPRESENTATIVES. (By Tolerranh-Prou Aatoclatlas.S ' Auckland, July 9. The foEowing is the Auckland hockey team to slay Wellington and Canterbury: Goal, Allen; full-backs, Speight and Jacobsen; halves, Robinson, Porter, Kavanagh, and Alison; forwards, C. Jacobsen, Maboney, Mason, N. Jacobsen, Reynolds, and j. . SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. By 'Association-Copyright (Rec. July 0, 9.25 p.m.) London, July 9. Arnst and Barry are in splendid condition for their race for the world's sculling championship on July 29, and are sculling strenuously daily. Arnst's weight is 189 pounds. BILLIARDS. GRAY DEFEATS STEVENSON. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Johannesburg, July 8. In the billiard match between Gray and Stevenson, the former won. His score of 18,000 included a break of 1055. -Stevenson's score was 13,409. LINDRUM-REECE MATCH.' Melbourne, July 9. Lindrum and Reece have commenced a match,' 10,000 up, on level terms. Reecc has scored 1334 and Lindrum 1186. BOWLS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Gopyrieiit London, July 8. Tho New South Wales bowlers beat Whitehouso Grange by 89 to 77. LAWN TENNIS. ALL ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP. ■ By Telegraph—Prosß Association—Copyright London, July 8. At the All England championship meeting at Wimbledon Wilding defeated Gare in the singles, 6—4, 6—4, 'I—6, 6—4. Barrett and Dixon won the doubles championship, defeating Dccugis and Gobsrt. 3—6. (i—3. 0-4. 7-5. BOXING. DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS. . Next week will seo all the leading amateur boxers of tho Dominion in Wellington for the New Zealand Championships together with many of the principal officials connected with tho sport attending tho annual conference, which is' being held here on Tuesday next. Tho entries received outnumber those of any previous championship, while the class of competitors appears to be superior to that seen in amateur contests here for somo years.. Tho entries total fifty-four, tho following being tho entries in the several classes:—Bantam, 9; feather, 12; light, 9; welter, 8; middle, 8; heavy, 8. Mr. G. Bush, of Nelson, will bo referee, and Messrs. Sampson .(Wellington) and Sharplin (Canterbury) will bo the two judges. His Excellency the Governor, Lord Islington, lma intimated his intention of being present on tho second evening, July 16. The box plan opens this morning at Armit's.

THE TIMARU SELECTIONS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) . , Timaru, July 9. I'hie Timaru Boxing Association has selected Gunn (bantam), M'Grath (lightweight), and Fitzsimmons (heavy-weight) to represent it at tlio New Zealand Boxing Championships in Wellington next week.