ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1802, 15 July 1913, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

RUGBY CODE. MATCHES & GROUNDS FOR SATURDAY, Representative game—Wellington; t« Hawko's Bay, at Athletic Park, at 2.45. Junior Cup game—Selwyu v. Oriental, at Athletic l'ark, at 1.30. Fifth Class—Athletic v. Selwyn, at Newtown Bark, at 1.30; Melrose v. St. James, at Wakefield Park, at 1.30; Poneko v. Marist Old Boys, at lfelburno Park, 1.30. HOUSE FOOTBALL. Yesterday at the Athletic Park a challenge cup trophy was contested by a team from Messrs. Laery and Co., Ltd., against the holders—a loam comprised of players from Messrs. G. Thomas and Co., Thompson Bros., Ltd., Griffiths and Co., Ltd., Pownsend and Paul, and the N.F.C. After a hard gamo tho "combined" team won on the call of time by G points to 3. Tries were scored for tho winners by Murray and Boyd, whilst Thomas scored tho try for Laery and Co. During tho couiso of tho game Blenkinsop, ouo of tho players engaged, had to retire in consequence of injury received. SPECTATOR & REFEREE. A meeting of the Wellington Rugby Ifeterees' Association was held last ovonV. lff ' i lr, vK'i' e Prosiding, in the absence of Mr. D. M'Kenzie. A "scene" occurred when the fourthclass match Athletic v. Melrose—was eoneluded at the Newtown Park on Saturday last. Tho facts were reported last evening by a member of tho association, who 6tated that the referee of tho match in qiiostion (Mr. H. G. Shakes) had been struck by a spectator. The ball had gone out, and tho lino-umpiro had marked Iho position, when a spectator came up and said that the ball went out in a placo which was more beneficial to Melroso. Tho referee came up and decided in favour of the lino-umpire's decision, with' tho result that after, tho match had concluded tho spectator is alleged to liavo struck tho referee a blow in tho face. It was decided to make further inquiries and refer tho matter to tho 'Wellington Rugby Union. EXHIBITION SPORTS. THE PROGRAMME. The Athletic Sports Committeo of tha Auckland Exhibition have made arrangements to hold a big sports gathering on January 12, 14, and 17. A glaneo at the Srogrammo denotes that they liavo been rawn up somewhat on the old Caledonian .Society lines, and no provision appears to have been made for amateurs. Tho big event of tho meeting is tho Sheffield Handicap (of 120 yards), tho first prize for which is .£45, tho second ,£ls,' tho third .£7, and tho fourth £2— ,£69 in all. The heats will be run tho first day, tho semi-finals the second, and tho final on, the last day. There ore also championship running and cycling events over all distances, field ovents, wrestling events, and Highland piping and dancing contests. Mr. A. J. Woodloy is tho secre tary for the sporta. AUTOMOBIIiE GRAND PRIX. PEUGEOT CAR WINS: A FATALITY. By Telegraph—Pro6s Association—Copyright Paris, July 13. Twenty ca,rs oompobed in the French' Automobile Club's Grand Prix, 570 miles, at Amions. Boillot, on a Peugeot car, was first, his time being 7 hours smin. 50sec.; Goux, on a Pougeot, being second, time 7 lioure sGmin. 225e0.; and Chassaigxie, on a Sun. beam, third, time 8 hours Gmin. 20.sec. During tho race, Guiness, driving a Sunbeam car, dashed into a fence, and tho car fell into a river. Guiness's legs were crushed, a.nd an onlooker killed. ENGLISH CRICKET. GENTLEMEN AND PLAYERS By Telegraph—Press Aeoociataon—Copyright London, July 18. The Gentlemen declared their second innings closed with nine wickcts down for 421—Jessop, 127. Tho Players have lost eight wickcts for, 334— J. W. Hearno 126. [In the first innings the Gentlemel scored 131, and tho Players 139.] SPORTS PROTECTION. LEAGUE'S ANNUAL REPORT, After rehearsing details connected with" tho birth of the New Zealand Sports Protection League, the report for the period ended May 31 states that branches have been formed in eighty towns in New Zealand. The main concern during tho ooming financial year will (says the report) _ be to oontinuo further the work of organisation. Ono of the principal planks of tho organisation will bo to protect tho people's rights in tho way of recreation. A few specific cases to. which tho league will require to devote attention are:—To defend sport and games of all kinds from extremist aggression; to resist encroachment on grounds available for games; to assist in tho direction, of providing more playing areas for the people; to scrutinise and oppose legislation promoted against amusemonts: to cncourago as far as poa siblo the different brandies of sport. BOXING, (By TeUgraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 11. Tho Auckland boxing team for the New Zealand championships at Timaru on July 30 and 31 is:—B. Payno (lwatara), If. Bennetts (feather-weight), W. James (light-weight), S. Mitchell (woltor-woaght), J. Oadman (middle-weight). Mr. F. Burns will act as manager. LAWN TENNIS. WELSH CHAMPIONSHIP. By Tclcerapli—Proas Ab>ociat,lon-CoryrfeM London, July 18. At lawn tennis, In tho Welsh championship final, Dixon boat Hailey, G—l 6—4, G—2.