ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1529, 27 August 1912, Page 7

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

INTERESTING LETTER, FIGHT FOR THE RUQBY SHIELD. . SPECTATOR'S STORY. '■i local Rugby enthusiast, who has just returned from a visit to, Auckland to see the Ranfurly Shield match between Auckland and Wellington, has supplied the following interesting notes and gossip on the big gamerThere was not the usual strong sup- • port for the local team among Auckland oarraokers." In all directions, it was iroely stated that the,visitors were going to. win—Auckland forwards (they thought) W fs? "fu bßtter thaa those pf Wellington, while the visiting back -division would be too clever for tho local rearguard. ~T wo antbusiastia spectators an'ived on the ground as early as 11.15 a.m., and by one o clock the pavilion was packed. Stand patrons after that hour, were accommodated on forms pluced on the raco' track, close to the touch-line. Behind, theso rows of forms people (at 2s. each) stood tor three to four hours, not particularly pleased at_ having to pay grandstand price to stand six or seven deep. Certainly, the Eeating arrangements suffered by comparison with the Athletic Park. The game struck ono as full of incident, although not so keen as some previous games betwoen tho two teams. Seen from a distance, without knowing what scoring took place, the spectator would have no hesitation in picking out Auckland as' the wiancr, especially in the second spell, arid fi-dt, as the game went, had the-Wellington men accepted tho simplo chances which came their way—chances which, if missed in. a dub game, would earn them most . uncomplimentary remarks from, the bank —there might have been a different story to tell. ■''•.' A Specimen of. tho Luck, H'Kenzie's.. lucky' star., was not in evidence. A brilliant effort from the centre of the Auckland twenty-five found liiui zig-zagging with a characteristic lvriggla within a few yards of the posts, having beaten tho defence badly without reckoning that the Wellington wing-forward would get in front, thus necessitating the Petone five-eighths changing his direction, and then, when on the point of scoring, Skinner turned round (from in front), aud 'snatching the ball scored instead, and— heigh-ho was promptly penalised; . Poor "Ranji," "Ranji" Wilson was a disappointed man. Once he grounded the ball within inches of the, gcal-linc, after in great; rush, ond the crowd cheered. Later on, 1 being tackled on tho line, he dived over some prostrate forwards, only to have the mortification to lose' the ball. Again cheers .went up for a try. On being questioned Wilson admitted frankly that, although his own players thought so, nevertheless in neither case was a try fairly scored. The Weird Luck Again. A Wellington-forward kicked the ball from tho corner in. the Auckland twentyfive, "which landed in Ready's arms,'right in front alid within twelve yards from the goal-line, with but ono Aucklander defending Ready, not noticing thai, he was supported, by the full line of backs, kicked across to Grace (wing), but the ball bounded the wrong way, and Grace missed it. Really,, there was no end to'the bad luck. ■..'•-...■• Macfarlane's kicEing, usually so deadly, was not a factor in the match. What kicks he had were from about the centre of the: field, and his chances were discounted by laxity on the part of the referee in allowing the opposing forwards to continually edge up from i tho mark. This was taken strong exception to by a section of the crowd. ,; Generally Speaking— The Wellington forwards ceTtainly played without, any dash in the second spoil, but this in some measure was due to the hard work of the first spoil, when the AucHanders got the ball from ' the Bcrum without exception. The kicking of the. Wellington backs, v too ; 'was much bs]ow senior cup ■ form, for with the exception of Ramsdea, and in a lesser sense Murray, none of the backs found the line. On the other, hand, O'Loary and his backs, in the second spell, played with, great confidence, and could do nothing wrong. Some critics blame "Fred." Roberts. He may not have been up to his ;• best form, but the ball did not como his way except in front of a rnshing pnek of forwards, who tackled and smothered like demons,, and these were about the-only conditions, under which any Wellington back' gothis hands on.-the ball. ; . ■ :. The crowd was a record,- but particu-. larly quiet—not nearly so noisy and monstrative as in tho case of cup match' barraokers .at the ' Park—even though their team were winning. ' THE RIVAL COLLEGES. '' WANGANUI WINS FIRST MATCH. (By Taleeraph—Press Association.) ;■" Wangahuv August 28. The annual initer-coLege tournament between Christ's College (Christchurch), Wellington College, and Wanganui Collegiate School commenced to-day, Christ's meeting Wanganui. The weather was beautiiul, and the ground in first-class order. The attendance was about 2000.; Tho game was a good one, keenly contested, and resulted in a win for Wanganui by eight poinis to six. Lala and Faber, scored for Wanganui, the latter convert-' ing his own try. Bush and Stitt crossed the line for Christ's College, .neither try being converted. . ' On Wednesday Christ's College play Wellington, and on Friday, Wellington meet Wanganui. ,-'■■■: NORTH ISLAND,'HIGH SCHOOL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) , , . Napier, August 26. The final match in connection-with the annual triangular ■ tournament between the high 6ohools of Napier, Palmerston North,- and New Plymouth took place today between- Palmerston and New Plymouth, and resulted in a win'for PalmcrBtonby l points-.to nil.; For the winners Chapman scored'a try (not converted) and Luxiord potted-a goal. FOUR PLAYERS TO EXPLAIN. 'By Teleeraph.—PreFa Association.) Invercargill, August 28. An inquiry- was held by the Southland Rugby Union at tho request of the Otago Union concerning allegations that members of the Otago representative team had created a disturbance in the ' Railway Hotel on their visit to Invercargill on August 8. Evidence was given to the effect that the responsibility for the disturbance rested on'four Otago players. NEW SOUTH WALES V. VICTORIA. By Telegraph—Pre=« Association-Copyright" Melbourne, August 26.. In a Rugby Union game New South Wales defeated Victoria by 8 to 5.,

HOCKEY.

WEDNESDAY ASSOCIATION. SIX-A-SIDE. TOURNEY. The following are the drawings for the six-a-side hockey turnament which will be played at Karon Park to-morrow afternoon. The first game- will start at 3 p.m. sharp. First Round. '• 1. Pakeha" B v. Hereawa, ground No. i. 2. Hui Mai A v. Karori A, No. 5, 3. Karori B v. Paieha A, No. 5. i Hui Mai B v. Petome, No; i: SiMxind Bound. . 5. Winners of No. 1 and 2, ground No. 4. S. Winners of No. 3 and 4, ground No. 5. Pinal Round. 7. Winners of No. 5 and G-, ground No. 5. ■ Writing to Mr. J. C. Cusnek, of the local Wednesday Hockey Association, Mr. Fair (Bullor) states that the match, BulVc.r v. Wairar&pa, has been postponed till September 12. Buller, however, is sure at getting a fairly good team away. '■■ GOLF. The Miramar Golf Club's medal competition was played on Saturday afternoon, and was won by .R. Li D. Kidston. The following were the best scores:—R. L. D. Kidston, 76—3—73.; Itov. J. G. S. Battlett,

05-16-79) J. S. Tennant, 97-18-79; M. W. Horton, 85—1-81; W. W. Carter, 91 -11-83; -A. Erskino, 93-10-83; W. E. A. Gill,-95—12—83j L. E. Watkius, 95-12-83; C. E. Richardson, 107-21-83. PARLIAMENT V. ARMY. An enjoyable match at golf was played yesterday at Heretaunga between a team of Parliamentarians and a team from tho Defence Forces. The game resulted in a victory for the Army men by six-wins-to four. Tho scores .and results were as follow:— Colonel Burnett Stuart beat Mr. Vernon Reed, 6 up, i to play. Captain Chosney beat Mr. W. H. D. Bell, 3 up, 2 to play. Colonel Knox lost to Dr. Buick, 1 up. Colonel Johnston beat Mr. A. Myers, G up, 5 to play. Captain Spencer Smith beat Mr. C. N. Wilson, 2 up., Colonel Heard lost to Dr. Collins, 3 up, 2 to play. Colonel Purdy beat Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, 6 up, i to play. Major Hughes lost to Mr. Thos. Buxton, 5 up, 4.t0 play. Lieutenant Daniol beat Mr. L. M. Isitt, 2 up. Colonel Wolfo lost to Sir J. G. Ward, 3 , up, 2 to play.

- BOXING.

"DAVE" SMITH INCAPACITATED. Every good sport will (says th "Referee") read with sincere regret th following, culled from our late Englis! files:— "The accident to 'Dave' Smith, the Not Zealand boxer, which compelled him t cancel his match with Private Palmer a the Liverpool Stadium, turns out to bi even worse than first reported iji th' 'Sporting Life.' Smith mot with the ac cident while swimming in the Thames a the completion of a morning's hard train ing. He covered about six miles at i good pace, and then left the water, bu tho desire for one more dive seized him and giving way ho plunged in, shikinj his left foot heavily against what' is sup posed to have been a broken bottle 01 tho river bottom. "Tho result was a revere wound on th< left instep. Smith, thanks to his gooc physical condition, has been assured thai the cut will heal rapidly, but the sinews will present difficulties. This injury maj affect his future boxing, and it will be many weeks bsfore he will be able to in,' dulge in boxing exercises." Fortune certainly has not been kind to "Dave" Smith since his arrival in London. He tried hard to get matches, but failed for some time, and the outlook appeared bad indeed beforo Palmer happened along, and now—well, tho sufferer and his admirers can only wait and hope that such a promising career may not be cut £&ort in its heyday. . •. i .i' SCULLING, THE 'WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP. ■ On Friday morning (August 16), at the request of Harry Pearce, the editor of the Sydney "Refereo" cabled Ernest Barry informing him that Pearce had lodged ■£100 with him as a first deposit for a mat6h for the world's championship. This message was sent to the editor of the London "Sporting Life," with tho request that he would at once notify the champion. ' On Saturday the following message reached the "Referee" from Ernest Barry:— "London, August IG, 10.10 p.m. ' Tearce, care of the 'Referee,' Sydney. Accept your challenge. Forward deposit. Row any time.—Barry." While others worethinking of it, Pearce haying received generous promises, got in quickly with a chnllenge to row for the title next year. The Australian champion was in a position last week to deposit with the Tteferee" .£IOO to bind a match with Barry, and in response to his request the "Referee" -cabled to tho Sporting' Life" offering : to ,meet -■ tho dhampion next year. This was answered by Barry that he would race him next year. ' ••■•■.. ~ The result is that Pearce will,''if Barry .is agreeable, race for the championship about August of next year, provided reasonablo expenses.are forthcoming, •

BOWLS.

THE WELLINGTON CENTRE. ~" The annual meeting of the Wellington f° ™s, Centre , w os held in the Welfiri"ton Club s Pavilion lost evening, Mr \V J. HuestoD presiding. Delegates present were; Messrs. T. L. Churchward and E. Moult (Wellington Club); V. Dimock and A. J. Benzie (Thorndon); W. J; Hueston o ' o T - s - Powell (Newtown); W. F. Newcombe and 0. C. Cox (Karori); E. Wyllo and G. H. Cate ketone); W. L. ThompT on ,,v Jo J' nsollvllle ); E - J - H 'U (Te Himflj tt ; T , K ' m »b™efc (Hataitai); C. Gannawav (Kolburne); T. C. Dawson (Hutt). ihe annual report and balance-sheet was read and adopted. The report stated that thoceDtres tournament had been a sucoessiul affair, and was won by Mr.-J. C. Webb's team, Wellington, Mr. G. B. DaU winning prizes for tho highest aggregate score. . . . It was announced that during the coming season a party of bowlers from South ! Canterbury and North Otago Centres are to tour the North Island, and propose playing the Wellington Centre on or about January 11, 1913. It was moved by Mr. V. Dimock, and seconded by Mr. Hill, that in the future two copies of the balance-sheet and report be posted to all secretaries of clubs affiliated to the centre. The election of officers for the ensuing resulted as follows :-Chairman, ir m P lm ° c,£ ; secretary and treasurer, Air. i. L. Churchward (re-elected); auditor, Mr. J, W. Kinniburgh-(re-elected): postponement committee, Messrs. Hueston, Moult and-Churchward. «JJ ? mei h i' Mr. Churchward: J.hat junior pennants and junior stars bo discontinued.' The mover gave as his reason for such action, that there was pracfaoally_ no competition. The motion was seconded by Mr. W. L. Thompson and carried. Mr. _ Churchward moved: "That each club in the centre be requested to find their champion rink by competition before the end-of February, and that the centre arrange for play-off early in March ■' to deoide tho champion of champion's rank in the centre." Mr. E. J. Kill seconded the. motion, which was earned. - .It was deoided to add to the above motion, ''That each club entering for the champion of champions pay an entrance fee of 55." ■ The following are the drawings for tho Edwin Feathers and Hill Pius, for tho 1012-13 season;— Edwin Feathers (Pctono Club, holders) —November 2, Khandallah; November 9 Hataitai; Novembor 16, Kelburne; November 23, Thorndon; November 30, Newtown; December 7, Wellington; December 14, Johnsonville; December 21, KaroriDecember 28, Te Hiwi. Hill Pins (Petone Clnb, holders).—November 6, Newtown; November 13, To Hiwi; November 20, Kelburne; November 27. Khandallah; December 1, Johnsonvillo; December 11, Wellington; December 18, Karori; January 8, Victoria; January 15, Thorndon; January 22, Hataitai.

MOTOR CYCLINQ.

The New Zealand Motor-cycle Club held a. ' flexibility" hill-climb on Eonjchton Road on Saturday afternoon. The event attracted twenty-one entries, and was watched by a.large nuraboT of interested spectators. The competitors were 1 divided into "teams" of three, and the aggregate "fast" and "slow" times wore taken into consideration to decide tho ginning team. Tho results were:— Harold Plimmer (2J Douglas), 13. G. Bender (o Rex), - Lo Compte (31 Rudgo), 1; total differenco of time, fimin. 4Sscc. L. R. Matthews (3 Hex). K. Barber (3J | -Triumph), N. Irvine (3} Rover), 2; total difference, 2min. 0 3-ssec. W. Wilson (5 Indian), R. Bum (34 Now Hudson) C. W. Tanner (3J Triumph), 3; total difference, 40sec. Fastest time-B. S. Bender (7 Indian), lmin. 10 i-sseo. Slovest time—E. G. Bender (5 Rex), 7min. 55scc. HEAL.TH IS WEAUTH! ZOUTH Red Tonic' Pills. They enrich the blood, invigorate the system. For anaemia, loss of strength, vigour! etc., results, are wonderful. A. Wonderful Restorative. Store prices, 40 pills 2s. .6(1., 120 ss. The Beat Tonio.