ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1974, 3 February 1914, Page 10

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

CRICKEIV : THE AUSTRALIANS ARRIVE. FORMIDABLE SIDE. {By Teldffr&nh.— Vums AisaclaUoa.l Auckland, February 2. Tim Australian' cricket team, which commences its tour of New Zealand tomorrow, with a match against- South Auckland, arrived, in Auckland by the Victoria this morning, arid left immediately for Hamilton. The players are fully representative, of Australia, those making this, trip being -.—-Noble, Waddy, M-ailley, Collins, "Cody, and Trumper (Nsw South Wales),; Armstrong, Lavej 1 , Ransford, M'Kenzie, and M'.Gregor (Victoria); and Crawford and Dr. Dolling (South; Australia). Trumper nod Crawford did not come with .the team, but the former is expected to reach Auckland on Thursday: Crawford will not arrive till next week. Mr. Sims, who organised the team, is hot expected until Thursday, and,, in :hts absence, Mr.. F. L'aver is acting as Manager. No, captain hfts y ; efe bowi .appointed, but. it is understood, that . Noble will lead his side. • The team was met on. arrival ■ by. Mr. C A. M'Kinne'jvrfeiiresentmg the. New Zealand Council. Mr, A. N. Sned* don,' vicevpreside'nt of tho Auckland Association, and Messrs, Lusk, Beak, Hay, Watts-, of the Management 1 Comtnittce.

. THIRD-CLASS ■■ The follmrifl-g arc the fisturcs for the second round, of the .third-class cliampionship, tho teams, having .been divided into : two grades as tinder:—. '■ ; ■'; ■ A Grado. '. ■ FebtiiiWT ".—St., David's v.'-Johnson, villoj at Pdtone; Petone v. East, at. Petone; Institute v. Earori. February 14.—Institute v, Potond, at P«tone; St. Diiyid'S;*-. 1 Uaet/.at Petoilo; Karori v. Johnsoiiyille, at Jteltome. February 21.—St. David's WPetohe, , at Potone; Instituto v. at JolmsontiUe; Bast v. Earori, at Karorl. February 28.—St. David's- y. Karori, at Earod; Institute v'. East;' at Eclburnis; Johnsonville v; ' Petone, at Petoae. Jilafcii 7.—§t. David's v. Institute, at Petone; Petone v. Karoriy- at Earori; Bast t, Johnsonville, at Joluisonyille. B Grade. ' February T.—Col'legc A. t. Central,, at Co-Uego; College B v. Old Boys, at College; North v. Victoria, College, at Kelburne. ■ . Fcbfuiry 14.--Collego A r. Victoria College, at College; CbHege B v. Central, at; College; Old Boys v. North, at KeJDiijFriev'-. .. • . ■ Pebrttafjr 21.—College A vi Colkge B, at College: 013 Boys v. Victoria College, at Eolbtirna; North v. Central, at College. ..."'- r . iVjbrqary 28.—College A v-' Old Boys, at College; College B'V., North;,.at College; Central v. Victoria College, at Eclburnts Mnrdi 7.—College A v. North,-at-Co-1, lege; .College B v. Viefcoria College, at College;' Old Boys' ? v Central,- -it: Eclhnme. . ■ " . These fixtures are subject to c-hange at the discretion of , the comntitte'e. In tho fttcrtt oi wet weather : the sarfl& mritcij Trill be ptoyed on tho next Saturday.

' . RETURN OF MR, D. REESE. (By Telezraph.-Pre-ss Association.) ftupklahd, February 2. Mr. D. Reese, captain of the JC-ow Zealand cricketers, returned with Ji'ay* lor, Sneddon, ■ and Somraervell by- 'die Victoria to-day from Syduoy. Mr. Reeso, in the course of an interview, Said that he had-considered* tho tour fully, and he thought that another team should be sent in three or four years. 1 The team, 'although pleased with its success in minor matches, was disappointed'by the failures in Sydney and Melbourne. The non-success of the batsjnen he. attributed to the fast wickets. Prior to playing at Sydney they had played on two matting wickets, and a soft wicket at Brisbane. He considered that the country matches should he eliminated , from the nest tow. . The team's great weakness, however, was its bowling . The bowlers performed well at- times, but generally laokeel accuracy and system. Another feature of the play was the tendency to play : back. Forward play Wa's best on fast -wickets, and when the players recognised- this they ditl much Better. .Cricket in Australia.', he thoughts, Was not of such n. Mgh standard as , when the last New Zealand team paid their visit. , .