ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1836, 23 August 1913, Page 13

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

LEAGUE & LEAGUERS. THE LOCAL MEN IN AUCKLAND, CENTRE OF CONTROL. (Br TaloifraplJ.'—BdocJol OorresoonSsntJ „ Auckland, August 22. A.' reception was tendered by tho officials and members of tho Auckland League to-day to members, of tho Wellington. team which has como north in the hopo of taking away tlio Northern Union Challenge Cup. Tho chairman of tho Auckland League (Mr. B. Brigham), and various officials, joined in voicing u hearty welcomo to tho visitors who were assured that, if their mission proved successful, tho cup would bo handed, to them in truo sporting spirit. The mau«;or of tho Wellington team (Mr. W. Kerr) expressed the thanks of his men and himself for tho cordiality of the reception. He stated that the challengers Had como up "lit ond well, with tho determination to do so. If successful they felt that Northern Union football in their city would bo given a big impetus, but if defeated, they would bow gracefully to tho superiority of the defending team. In conclusion the speaker assured those present, that the gumo was making substantial strides in Wellington, and lie expressed the hope that it would continue to do likewise in Auckland. (Applause.) Mr. Stanley Brico, co-selector for the New Zealand teams to play New South Wales, also spoke. If defeated, ho said, Wellington would liavo no excuses, for tlioy had brought up thoir beat available te«in, with perhaps ouo exception (Bensemann). Tho men wore in the best fettle, and in his candid opinion, the combination was a hundred per cent Btronger than that which played against ''Auckland for tho cup last season. Allowing for improvements in tho Auckland team he looked forward to a great struggle, and a first-class exhibition of tho Northern Unioncodo in its finer points. After, emphasising the progress of tho gamo in tho capital city, Mr. Brico made'reference to what, ho termed "the livest topio of reoont date in Loaguo circles," namely, tho proposal brought forward by tho Auckland League (and subsequently withdrawn) for tho removal of llio headquarters of tho New Zealand League from Auckland to Wellington. '.'We, in Wellington, really know very littlo about tho proposal," said tho speaker, "but wo can tell you that, as matters are going at present, we do not desiro that the control of tho Leaguo game in New Zealand should bo shifted from Auckland. He went on to say that tho Wellington League had just got together a worthy set of officials, who could be relied upon to control their own aifairs successfully, and if tho headquarters came thero a shortage of this class of officials would probably bo felt." Mr. Brice paid a tribute to the whole-hearted work of the New Zealand president (Mr. M'Lean) and to tho energy of tho New Zealand secretary (Mr. Oakley), and concluded by stating that, until thero was any substantial cause for a chango to Wellington, Leaguo supporters wero quite satisfied for tho headquarters to remain in Auckland— perhaps for another two or three years. (Applause.) Tiie visiting captain (Mr. Barber) olso spoke, and callod- for cheers for the Auckland Leaguo and tho New Zealand Leaguo which wero lustily given. RUGBY CODE, WELLINGTON & TARANAKI. Tho victory of Taranaki oVcir Auckland last Saturday for the lianfurly Shield has added groat interest to tho WeJldnff-Iwn-Taranaki maitch, to bo .played at the At'bletio Park to-day. It will bo remembered that .Wellington bent Ttiramaki after a brilliant game by 13 poinfe to 9at Ilawcra on Juno 20. The big gamo Tvill bo preceded by fclio Wellins-ton-Maiiiawatu schools' rcprewntatire match,, which should produce o.n micro~t>in'g display of football. WAIRARAPA'S MEN. Tho Wiairarapa football toam to play Taraaiaki at Cartoton on Wednwday next is as under Full-back, A. Tait; three-quarters, W. Durvifl, S. Sim-ens, K. Strang; five-eighths, C. Groubo, Geo. Doss; half-back, F. Ball; wing-forward, P. Brough; forwards, A. Goldor, N. Johnson, J. Clark, H. M'Konzio, A. Hodge, A. Desmond, D. Ross. BILLIARDS. ALCOCK CRYSTALATE CUP. ■ A very fine exhibition of billiards was witnessed last oraiing in. Messrs. Alcock and Co.'s showroom, when J. Congdon (Mastoi'ton) met and defeated J. Key by 61 points. Tho gamo was of a striking character. Congdon, at his fourth visit to tiho table, compiled a magnificent break of 54, mostly at the top of the table, and followed this up with runs of 9, 15, 24, and .19, rcaohing his first hundred <beforo Keys had got dcnitfin figures. However, Keys mover allowed this to deter his efforts, and by sheer (loggedncss, together with safety tactics,, lie not only caught has opponent beforo tho second hundrod, but passed liim. Prom then on, ltowovor, Congdon gradually drew away, and won as stated aboyo. The spectators showed hearty appreciation of ite individual efforts, tho appflauso being great when Keys brought off a fine double baulk oamon, playing n.ll round tho table. Tho winner's breaks were:—sl, 40, 25, and 24; and tho loser, 31, 23, 21. To-night's games are:—n. I. Simsan v. A.C. Steward, at 7.15 o'clock, and Geo. Ward v. P. Bovine at 8.30. The draw for the third round, commencing on Monday, resulted as follows:—Simson Or Steward v. Ward ot Devino; Liptrott v. War Ten or PoLron. Tuesday:—Grimstono v. Congdon; Hamilton v. Corson. ITEMS BY CABLE. PROLIFIC COUNTY SCORING. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright August 21. In the orickot matchs there has been extraordinary scoring throughout tho country. Seven centuries in first-class matches wero mado to-day. Haywa.nl scored I*IG and Hobbs, 18-1 in a first-wicket partnership of 313 for _ Surrey atjainst Worcestershire. Hobbs in this match completed his 2000 runs in first-class matches this season. BRITAIN'S "BEST" TO GO. ' London, August 21. The King has approved of tho British Olympic Council's appeal for funds. His Majesty says ho hopes Britain will bo represented at tho Olympic Games by her best athletes. GOLF. The following will play in tho semiftnal~foi' the championship of tho Waiwetu Golf Club:—Pringlo v. Macaskall, sen.; Simpson v. Jackson; Cook v. Holmwood; Dawson v. Ccilolt. Tho Golf Ball lo use when the courses aro heavy is tho 2GJ Challenger or tho full sizo Challenger floating. The paint on tho Challenger Golf Ball is perfect. You can play thorn 20' rounds or more—Advt.