ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1832, 19 August 1913, Page 8

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

CRICKET POSITION.

GOLF.

HOCKEY.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS.

ENGLISH CRICKET.

BILLIARDS.

MEHEGAN & WELLS. ■ PACKED STADIUM LOOKS ON. 'englishman wins.' FOOTWORK & DAZZLING SI'EED. Mr. "Snowy" Baker, at (he cml of their twenty rounds' boxing contest at the Stadium on Saturday night (August 1), gave Matt Wells (England) t'he decision over Ilughie Mehcgau (Australia). Jlo dill tho right thing (says tho "Sydney Daily TeKgrnpli'';, notwithstanding that there were probably as many hooting as cheering when tlie winner was indicated. Tjioug'h the odds as to the chances of tho boxers were short, it would have been safe to wager pretty long odds that, whoever won, there would be a row troiu tlie opposing section. It was a great crowd, the largest, without doubt, that has compressed itself into the enclosed Stadium. ±jy 7 o'clock, an hour and a half before tlie contest started, between 5000 and GOOD people hail seated themselves. By 8.30 three times that number was there. And it was an evenly balanced crowd. Partisanship there was, but it was a case of .six of one ami half-a-dozen of the other. There was not, as many anticipated, a vastly preponderating section who would cheer tho Australian on all the way. Wells had his admirers before the bout started —he had more when it ended. Long Range or Short Range? Tile uie.'i presented an extraordinary dispaiity. There were only 2oz. between them in weight, yet the lathy Australian lcokwl a full stone lighter than the rug-gedly-built Englishman. And the. disparity did not end there. Their styles were as striking a contrast—Wells, skipping in will-o'-t'he-wisp-like fashion round the ring, darting out an unerring left; Meliegon crouched, following him at slower pace, with overy movement suggestive of what might happen if one of his sledge--'laiumer blows landed on. it vulnerable epoj;. Again, Wells's defence was wonderfully clever;' Mehegan bothered little

•ibout defence (except fa - .' blocking Wells's fight cross), being intent all the time on getting to olose-quarters. When lie succeeded in doing that, Mehegan was the master, but, generally, tho Englishman's speed helped him to avoid those situations. The clever 'boxfer won, though there wasMiot that wide margin at the finish that some thought. ' "Well done, Matt: well done, Hughie," shouted an excited ringsider through the hoots and the, cheers, and he'about sized the situation up. Both men had clone well in their respective spheres—Wells as boxer, Mehegan as fighter. Mehegan and the Whirlwind. The early rounds demonstrated clearly tho cleverness of Wells at long range boxing. ~ Equally they showed Mehegan as master at close quarters. The Englishman's footwork was a revelation, his speed in the big ring completely nonplussing Mehegan at times, and making him miss by feet. Still the Australian kept after lmn,' and when ho did corner Wells hammered home body blows. All through

Mehegan's hitting power was greatest. The cud of the fifth round saw the points about even, and Wells somewhat shaken as the result of a lightni'ng-liko right jolt to the body. Wells came from his corner apparently instructed to keep Jlehegan oil, for he started to uso his left with deadly precision, and kept off witli footwork 'that was dazzling. Mehegan's slow-

ness in following was in groat contrast to his rapidity in hitting when the position favoured ' him. Through tho sixth, seventh, and eighth rounds the' Englishman led by a big margin. In tho seventh term Mehegan rushed on to a 'heavy right cross, and it Shook him considerably. Still he got out of the difficult position cleverly, by means of his smother, and- pushing 'U'eUs.XJead aside with, the right. Footwork Did It. Wells, in the ninth round, with his open left-hand, pulled Jlehegan's head round as they left a clinch, and crossed tho right. Mehegan looked nil appeal at tho referee. It was very close to a foul. Mehegan was doing better now. Wells oneo pinned him in a corner, and battered away at that smothered head. Wells's partisans roared, "You've got him, Matt"; but Mohegan en mo out of it. with a $milo on his face, and proceeded to oven matters with body punching. It was in the fifteenth round that the Australian 3tartod to fight. Ho subjected Wells to body punishment that appeared to weaken him a good deal, and the Englishman's corner, began to look worried. Still AYclls's left and his elusive footwork were earning him points, and though Jlehegan held Hie advantage through the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth rounclsj thero was not much in- it. Had Mehegan kept going for the remaining rounds he would probably have won, but Wells was more elusive than over. Ho ducked swings, side-stopped, aud backmoved with wonderful speed, and had tho balance of points for those rounds. The Right Referee—R. L. Baker. Mr. Baker handled the match admirably. When ho said "break" he said it as if he meant "break," and when the boxers were slow ho became more peremptory. "Thfit will do," came from, him when Wells, whose clever clinching was a feature of tile contest, proceeded to force Mohegan, still holding him, against the ropes, and again, having said "break" twice, tho referoj exclaimed with a wealth of meaning, "I dont want to speak to you a dozen times." He had hardly, got the words out before the men had obeyed with alacrity. It was a clean contest, and the refereeing had not a little to do with that., fact.

OTAGO V. CANTERBURY. . A WIN FOR. THE LATTER TEAM. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Dunedin, August 16. Qtago met Canterbury to-day, the game resulting in a win for the visitors by six points to three. In the first spell .Russell (Canterbury) kicked two goals from marks. hi the second turn Burgess scored for Otago. WAJRARAPA AND MANAVVATU, PLAINS MEN WIN EASILY. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Masterton, August 17. The representative match Wairarnpa v. Manaw-atu was played here on Saturday. The weather" was cold and showery, aud the ground heavy. The local team proved muck superior ill all deportments, 'l'hc first spoil was mainly confined to forward plav, Wairarapa excelling in the lobso work. The score was the result of a passing riis'li by the local backs, Darvill crossing the line under the [Hints. , }). Ross scored from a forward rush, 'and Jl'kenzie converting. T'lie spell ended—' Wairarapa 8, AUuiawatu nil. In the second spell tho visitors showed up better, but lacked combination. The local forwards continued to held the upper hand. J). ]{ o ,s scored an- unconverted try, and bievi'i's kicked a penalty goad, the filial scores being— VVairurapa H, Manawatu 0. .Mr. L. Armstrong, of Carterton, was referee.

Hawera, August 17. Tire Tarannki B team, mainly a scratch combination, beat-a ten-m of Maoris by 115 til li. The Maoris also were short, and had to pick up men 011 the ground. Cade scored three tries and Cameron one. Kateuo scored a try, and liortikikne a penalty goal. Christchurch, August 17. 'Die annual junior representative game between Canterbury and Otago was played at Lancaster lVk 011 Saturday. 'J.he (jamc ended in a draw, Canterbury !) points (three tries), Otaco S points (two tries and a penalty s;oal).

THE GROUNDSMAN RE-ENGAGED. The encasement of Mr. John V. Saunders as groundsman by the Wellington Cricket. Association would, in tho ordinary course of events, have terminated in (ieptembw, ns tlmt month would lmvo marked tha ooiuplotion of his three yews'

term hero. Jinny cricketers, knowing I lie das, of wickets which he lmtl rauly for play each Saturday, would have regretted "'the Australian's departure, and in doubt the;o will Im? pleased to hear that tlie Wellington Cricket (Association iisus made liiin a further offer which will result in his remaining here during the coining summer. 'I'he groundsman had practically dccided to accept an Australian olfer for a position on "the other ,M<le'' when the Wellington A>sociation

a-'ked him to stay. As the present arrangement runs he will remain till the end of April, 1914, at tho same salory as before.

PARLIAMENT BEATS ARMY. A golf match, played on tho Heretaunga links I,etwee 11 teams representing Parliament and the headquarters stall" of tho Defence Department, resulted in it win for tho Parliamentary team, after a closo contest by 0110 game. Singles matches played in the morning resulted as follow' —-Mr. V. H. Peed, M.P., beat Colonel G. N. Johnston; -Mr. A. 31. Myers, M.P., halved witli Colonel H. 0. Ivnox; Mr. A\. H. D. JSell, M.P., beat Colonel ,1. K. Cochrane: Mr. C'. K. Wilson, M.P., lialved with Captain T. E. Estconrt T. E. Y. Seddou, M.P.; halved with Major J. E. Hughes; Horn Dr. Collins, M.L.C, defaulted 'to Colonel 1:1. S. Heard. ■ The Parliamentary team was, therefore, 0110 up 011 tho morning s play. In tho afternoon three foursomes were played, re'iiltiii" in a win" for caelvside, while one game was halved. The afternoon games were as follow—Captain Estcourt and Major Hughes bent Messrs. Seddon and Wilson; Colonel Cochrane and Colonel Knox halved with Messrs. Myers and Hell; Mr. Peed -and partner beat Colonel Johnston and Colonel Heard. MASTERTON V. FEATHERSTON. <By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Mastertcn, August 18. •V golf match played between the Mastertou and Featherstou Clubs resulted in a draw, each side scoring seven and a half game#.

SHIELD MATTERS DISCUSSED. Mr. C. N. Cathio presided oyer .a meetino, of the Management Committee of the Wellington Hockey Association lastevenX telegram was received from the CaiitoTbirrv Hockey Aviation asking sf Wednesday,• August 27, would be a suitable date for a shield match. It was decided to reply to Hie effect that Wellington could not put its best team m the field on a Wednesday., It wis suggested that AVelluigton might play Canterbury. on August 27, provided that the match was-not for the shield. In answer to a. letter from the Wellington Association,' Auckland wrote stating that September 20 would be a -suitable da!o for their shield match. A lotter was received from Hie Canterbury Association asking if 'Wellington, would receive a visit ifrom a junior representative team on a Saturday early in September. Tho secretary was instructed to write suggesting that the Canterbury. juijior team play Wellington on August 30 as a curtain-raiser to tho Otago-Wcllinjton shield match. It was decided 'hat Wellington' Club play K.Y.M.1., and that a ladies' senior trial game bo played on tho date of tho Otago-Wellington match. Concerning the proposed visit of a British team to New Zealand next season, it .was decided to offer a guarantee of ,:E75. Tho New Zealand Hockey Association asked for a guarantee of .£IOO.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Brisbane, August 18. In the inter-State lawn tennis match Queensland won 17 rubbers and New South Wales i.

KENT AND YORKSHIRE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, August 17. The margin between Kent and Yorkshire for tlio cricket, championship is now soven points. This is attributable chiefly to the bad weather interfering with the Kent matches. Kent still has four to play and Yorkshire three.

ROBERTS LAYS DOWN HIS CUE. Dy Telegraph-Preso Association-Oopyrieht London, August 17. John Roberts, the billiardist, has finally decided Ho retire. He has presented his favourite match cue to Reece. Roberts wa<3 born at Ardwick, Manchester, on August 15; 18-17. He won the billiard championship in 1808 and 1885. On several occasions ho has visited India. South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. His homo is in Devon. • ALCOCK CRYSTALATE CUP. Tho tournament for Messrs. Alcock and Ce.'s crystalato cup was commenced last evening in Alcock's Rooms, tho first game, P. G. Devine v. W. S. Brice, proving very close, ■ although rather slow. It was nevertheless; full of interest. Both players took sonio time to settlte down to serious work, aud this, no doubt, was duo to the strange surroundings and the tight pockets on the tablo. Devine ultimately won by a margin of 16 points, tho- marker calling the scores: Devine, 300; Brice, 254. Neither player had any big breaks, the winner having 22, 28, and 30, whilo the loser only had a 21 to his credit. Brice, however, gave a very good display of winning hazards, some of which earned much applause. The game W. W. Liptrott v. C. Masters proved a very exciting contest, both players keeping well within reach of one another. However, in fairness to tho contestants, it must be said that both were suffering from nerves, and played much below form, no breaks of any note being registered. Liptrott eventually got home with a margin of only 3 points. Tho final tally was:—Liptrott, 300; Masters, •207. Tho winner's breaks were, 13, 17, 17, and 18; the loser being responsible for 22. 21, and 23. ■ To-night's games will bo:—Mr. Congdon (of Masterton) v. Mr. Herdman (at 7.15 p.m.), and Mr. Frank Davis v. Mr. Geo. Grimstone. The games aro being played on a standard pocket-mntch table, built of oak, and of handsome Tudor design. A feature of tho lighting is the innovation of the cquaro shades, which is something ent.irejy new to New Zealand, and proves to be very artistic and effective.

AMERICA YACHT CLUB,

SIR THOMAS LII'TON'S CHALLENGE. By Teleirrapli—Prrea Association—Copyrieht New York, August 17. Three syndicates, headed by Messrs. Vanderbilt, George Pynehon, and A. Cochran, have been formed with the object of building defenders of the America Cup. The New York Club .firmly refuses to sign with Sir Thomas Lipton (the challenger) an agreement that the Cup defender shall not exceed a definite size. It is understood, however, that the members of the syndicates have agreed that the size of the (defenders shall bo approximately that which Sir Thomas Lipton'j challenge specifies.

YACHTING,

TE UVRIT CLUB. A meeting of To liuni Yacht. Club was held lost evening, Mr. t\ Kicrnau presiding. The chairman stated that, at a meeting of (he committee some 'recommendations aiVecting the constitution of the club had bsaii drafted. The first recommendation was that in future tile annual meeting should bis held on September l'J. This was agreed to. Tho sccond recommendation was that the name of the club be Te Ruru Yacht Club, instead of the Te Rum Social and Cruising Club. 'L'his was oho agreed to. It was further decided that the club's officers should consist of a commodore and rear aud vice-commodore, and a secretary «nd treasurer. The secretary (Mr. W. lirook-Taylur) reported that tho club's membership totalled over to, and there was a credit balance of Xj.