ATHLETICS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1665, 4 February 1913, Page 10

ATHLETICS

THE. PROPOSED EMPIRE TEAM. The Now Zealand Olympic Council re;cently commuhicated with 'Mr. E. Coombes, representative for Australasia on tho International Olympic Committee, asking tbat he oommunicate with tho various Olympic Councils in Australia, and ascertain their views on the proposed "British Empire Team" for fututo Olympiads. This has been done. However (says Mr. Coombes in tho rt ßeferee"), no matter what the views of Australia and New Zealand, it would now appear that Canada will withdraw from 'further backing the proposal owing to the apathy or indifference of the British authorities. It would thus seem to be almost a waste of valuable time to proceed further in the matter'—l say- this with much, reluctance-and very able regret. But ✓as the scheme was brought forward with the object of assisting the Home Land in what appeared her dire distress, and as her controlling authorities now, seemingly, don't desire any assistance—well, that musit end, it. And by controlling bodies, I mean such.as tho English Swimming Association, English A.A.A., "English Lawn Tennis, Association, and so on, and' not Hie great leaders of amateur sport and games, like Lords Desborough and Alverstone. both of whom arc 'staunch supporters of the proposed "British Empire Team." A CAPITAL TWO MILES. At the A.N.A. sports at the Exhibition, Melbourne, on. Saturday night, January 25, A.' Vcate, of Carlton, ran two miles in Om'in. IGsec, beating the Victorian record of Omin. 4-ssec, put up by the' English runner Shrubb, when visiting Victoria in 1905. WILL AMEEICANS COME? ■ The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association fmet last night. .: Mr. A. Marryatt presided, and there wcro present also. Messrs. A. Davics, W. F. Larkin, J, C. Cusack. B. A. Guise. M. H. Oram, J!. L. G'liaffey, C. E. Bridge, and J. H. Pollock. , It was decided to communicate with the Amateur Athletic Association of America asking on what terms it would be possible to arrange a tour of New Zealand and Australia by a team of American-champion-ath'etes, commencing about a week More' Christmas. 1913, and lasting about five weeks in New Zealand and nlwiiit three months altogether.. _ ,' The Australasian Association is to be invited to co-operate with the New Zea; land Association'in this matter. It was decided to ask tho New Zealand Swimming Association if they would care to go into the question of bringing out an American swimming chnuipion with the team. The Canterbury Rugby Football League wrote asking: "Can a League' football nlavcr run as, or be a member of any bidv or centrn affiliated to the New Zealand A.A.A.P" It was decided to reply that if they can sign the n c < ! ocint>nii*s amateur definition runnrrs are entitled to compete.

BOXING.

TRUFFIER BEATS SULLIVAN. That a .faithcr-weight besot could nut "Syd," JiuUivan was a llupr.ouin,? which not on« of tho large aiuiy ot fight-follow-

ers would for a moment hnve thought probable or even possible,, yet (says tho "K-eferco"), such did practically happen last Wednesday night at tho Stadium. After dropping him heavily for tho third lime, tho trench b'oy. T.eou. Truflicr, had Sullivan so badly beaten that "Syd.'s" seconds .were compelled to throw in the towel as a token of defeat while tho fifteenth, round was in progress. '

"Up to his defeat by Truffier no other man, excepting 'Tommy' Uanley, ever managed to puc him to tho boards, This happened on June 10', I'JUO, when, wixh a well-timed lclt hoot, tho then clever ifaniey managed lo cntcli Sullivan oil' his balance, and caused him to toppleover on his side, although he rose immediately. 'I'hnt tlie blow- had little or no ell'ect on 'Syd.' was evidenced by the fact that ho caused 'Tommy's' towel to come in at tho termination of the tenth round. Lasc week "Syd.," by forcing the paceup to tho end of the first five rounds, had tho margin of paints in his favour, and looked the probable winner, but ever after until tho end, tho Frenchman forced the pace,, and held tho upper . hand throughout. HOCK KEYS DEFEATED. llock Keys, a boxer well known in New Zealund, went'under to Frank•l J icato, at t'ho Sydney Stadium, on Saturday, Janu-. ary 25. The end of the .bout is described by the Sydney "Referee" in the' following terms:—' "Keys was' very shaky when he came out for tho eighth, and depended almost entirely on defensive work, which ho did as only he can. Still, a few weighty ones from either hand broko through tho guard, and got homo on head and body with damaging effect. During the last few moments of this session "Hock" was the attacking party. Ho-swutfg his left and' again, on each occasion, ducking "Frank's" straight left, and landed left and right, and right upper-cut to the mouth just before the gong rang.' "Hock" still had tho balance of points' in his favour at the end of the ninth.' They were chiefly made through clever blocking, which stylo of defence was weakening him, and he was compelled to alter his tactics in order to evade the blows of his stronger, heavier, and' 1 much betterconditioned opponent. Keys, therefore, resorted to back-moving, by'which ho for a time succeeded in, causing Picato to miss frequently, but by continual forcing Picato managed to corner his brave, but nlpw badly-used-up antagonist, and hooked a mighty left. 'It. was well for poor "Hock" that the gong sounded soon after. It was plainly evident that Keys would not last much longer. .He was not strong enough to Wock the many blows Picato' sent during the !tenth round, although hy a supreme effort now and then he stood and jabhed left nnd swung right to the head, with no. apparent effect on his adversary. The- exertion told on himself, and he was nil in on going to his corner.

"Hook" got ii.ba<l.tini<! in flip eleventh; nnti much worrc' in. tho twelfth. Usinu his feet.to get liim out of trouble was out of tho question—tie. had * not .the strength left; and. at tho request of many round the rinc;, bis towel came in when he went to his chair.

FOOTBALL.

NO ENGLISH NORTHERN. UNION' '■.-'. VISIT. , By Tolesraph—tress Association—Copyright Sydney, February 3. The New South Wales Rugby league has received a cablegram from the North-, em Union stating that its refusal -to send a team .to Australia in 1913 is definite. ■.'.■■■•.■■.■

LAWN TENNIS.

(By Telegraph.—Proas Association.)' ( Nelson, February 3. Tho Nelson provincial tennis... tournament was continued in fine weather. The championship final resulted:— ! ■ Ladies' singles—Miss Dimant beat Miss' Wright. .{ ■■' Men's ; doubles—Walker and Muhlham .beat Smith -and Townsond. yifLailiis' tind'Maginnity' beat Misses Clarke and Dodson. i Combined" doubles—Muhlham and ,Miss jDimant bent. Walker and. Miss Ledger! •