Sports & Pastimes

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2151, 28 March 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

Sports & Pastimes

CRICKET. (Notes by “Short Slip.”) That the fight for the club premiership of Poverty J3ay is waxing keen was evidenced by the seriousness of the play at the Victoria Domain last Saturday, when To Itau and United met in a final death grip. Why, the very captain’s looked as desperately anxious as Prime Ministers with the care of nations on their shoulders as they faced each other to spin the coin. Somehow I was reminded of Bismarck and Napoleon as I watched Reg. liallamore and Bob Cary performing the serious operation of tossing. That the match was to be keenly fought from the first ball to the last was plainly seen from the countenances of the leaders. Reg wore the_ bull-dog, stern, indexible, irresistible look which Avas characteristic of ‘‘The Man of Blood and Iron;” while Bob Cary had the Napoleonic mein to the life —that air or magnificent isolation, of concentrated power, which Avas typical of “The Man of Destiny. 1

Anyhow, “Boney” beat Bismarck for the toss, and Te Rau batted. Owing to the heavy rain, the match Avas played on the concrete Avicket. With a greasy ball and insecure foothold, and on a hard, true wicket which gave the boAvlers no assistance Avliatever, it Avas expected that To Rau would take advantage of the opportunity to run up a good total. HoAvever, they failed to do so, and I can’t help thinking that over-can-tiousness AA r as the cause of their Avant of success. Everything favored an aggressive policy. The ground Avas so Avet that a plentiful supply of sawdust had to be requisitioned, and the foothold Avas so slippery that anything like fast boAvling Avas altogether out of the question. Had the Te Rau batsmen gone at the boAvling resolutely they must have got lots of runs; but the importance of the occasion seemed to overaivc them, and the majority lost their Aviclcets in pottering about on strictly defensive tactics.

Jack Pino showed his club mates lioav easy it was to make runs under the prevailing conditions. The loose deliveries caused by the greasy ball were banged as they should have been, and Pine quickly ran up his score to 29, Avhen ho mistimed one from Reynolds and Avas out lbA\ r . • -c Joe Monk played an invaluable innings, and Avas not out with 17 to his credit at the close. This batsman is in good form at present, and his defence is avcll nigh impregnable. Olsen, Vallancc, Cary, J. Wack, Dargan, Dudfield, and Schofield all failed to get going. This strong array of batsmen should have done better considering everything Avas their -favor. But lioav often you find in cricket that tho very time you want your batsmen to put forth their best efforts is the hour in which they fail. . Jack Wack was out mi a pccular Avay. After playing a ball, lie Aims standing a couple of inches otit of his ground. Hallamorc, the eagle-eyed, noticed this, and removed the bails, and poor Jack had to trail his bat after him to tho pavilion—a sadder but Avisor man.

Nino wickets were down for SO runs when Teddy. Featon joined Monk. Featon is a much better batsman than most people give him credit for, and he at once commenced to punish the bowling in a confident and resolute manner that must have convinced his captain that bo was worthy of a higher place on the list than last man. He demonstrated conclusively to his club mates that an aggressive policy was the correct one to nursue. Both Reynolds and Burke were pitching them-well up, and Featon made some forceful drives in rattling up his score of 21. The last wicket put on about CO runs, and redeemed the venture from absolute failure. The innings closed for 102. . Both Reynolds and Burke bowled well under the adverse conditions, and Hallaiuore did good, service in getting rid of Cary with the identical ball lie bowled him with in the last match. United’s ground fielding was capital. F. Sharp and Yeats being particularly brilliant. , , , When United went in at about live o’clock, the ligiit was b&cl ? «nid Gary was too keen a general not to bo anxious to get rid of as many of bis opponents as possible before time was called. W. Gibson and Bowman opened the innings to the bowling of Pine and Dargan. Bowman did not last long, as ho failed to stop an overpitched ball from Pine winch landed on the off stump. Reynolds followed, but threw bis wicket away jy insanely trying to hoo'k a fine length leg-break from Dargan. Yeats shared the same fate, Dargan again shifting the leg pin. Three wickets down for 11 runs was the disconcerting record on the telegraph board, when J. Gibson joined his brother. Despite the bad light, the pair safely played out time, and 39 was the total when stumps were drawn for the day. In the last twenty minutes the light was very bad, and Cary rang the changes on his bowling trying to effect separation. The Te Ran bowlers kept a fine length, and Pine, Dargan, and Valhmee took a lot of keeping out in the bad light. , , Valianec bowls a good last ball. He gets a lot of pace on, and comes fast oft' the pitch, while ho has a good command over the ball and scuds down lew loose deliveries.

The game now stands in an interesting state. United have to get 61 runs to lead on the first innings, am! have still seven wickets in band. '.I lib does not appear a large order, bid bearing in mind how frequently the United batsmen have failed against the strong To Ran attack in the earlier part of the season there is no certainty that they will do any better on this occasion. In any case, it should prove a game worth seeing. Can anyone inform me of what particular malady the "Wanderers eleven is suffering at present? At the beginning of the season, the man in the street considered that they would have a walk-over for the championship. They justified these predictions in the first round, but for the past few weeks they have absolutely gone to pieces. 1 think myself it must bo “sleeping sickness.” At Tarn--licru on Saturday last, on a wet wicket, which really favored the batsmen rather than the bowlers, thf strong "Wanderers batting sido was. sent, to-- tb'o.;,.nghh-ril>xmfMj2.\-;^Qiisb^

four Avickets, and should have an easy Avin. Athol Young, the aggressive Tarulieru batsman avlio has been putting up such tall scores this season, assumed a iicav role on Saturday by batting against the Wanderers for upAvards of tAvo hours for 5 runs! By-the-byc, 1 regret to have to chronicle the fact that the district is to lose tho services of this capable allround player at the end of the "season. Young Avas a one-time member of the senior eleven of the Newtoivn Club, Sydney, and severed hia connection Avitli it to go to South Africa Avitli the seventh contingent at the time "of the Boer Wgr. The management of the NeAvtoAvn Club have been anxious ever since to have him back again, and he lias decided to return to' Sydney in May, in order that lie may be able to put in the three month’s residtntal qualification necessary to permit him to play in the first grade cricket next season. Local cricketers Avill all hope that this capable player may yet Avin a place in the State eleven.

Cricketers generally Avill be delighted to hear that A. M. Howden, the well-known Auckland representative player, arrived in Gisborne on. Wednesday, having been ■ transferred to the staff of the local branch of the Ncav land Loin and .Mercantile Agency Company. lloAvden was until three seasons ago, a prominent Otago player. He played in Dunedin Avitli the strong Carisbrook A team, and regularly represented Otago in interprovincial matches. For the past tAA'o years, he has been stationed in Auckland, Avliere lie played Avitli tho North Shore Club, and -did. signal service for Auckland in representative fixtures. Howden is unanimously admitted to be the finest- right-hand leg-break bowler in Noav Zealand, and there Aims widespread dissatisfaction expressed -list season when the selectors did not include- him in the New Zealand team for the test matches against the Englishmen. Howden -lias this season captured 40 wickets .for North Shore at a cost of about 10 runs per wicket, and his batting average stands at about 25. The new-comer lias thrown in Ins lot with the United Club, and Avill greatly strengthen the' attack of tlie lovertv Bay representative eleven. athletics” RETURN OF THE N;Z. TEAM. iAN INTERVIEW WITH A MEMBER Tho N.Z. Amateur Athletic Team, the winners of the State Premiership at the Australasian _ championship meeting at Hobart, arrived in Christchurch last Sunday after an extended trip of six Aveeks. . . ■ „ . In a brief intervicAV wit-h Mr St. A. Murray, a member of the team, a “Gisborne Times” representative gleaned some fresh particulars regarding the visit to Tasmania. No member of the team, said Mr Murray, anticipated that Ncav Zealand Avould Avin more than five championships, but tho good form shown by all led to no less than seven being annexed. Barker (N.S.W.) Avas their most dangerous opponent and while he believed Henderson to be the Sydney sprinter’s superior in the ICO yards, Ml - 'Murray considered Barker to be invincible in the 220 yards and the quarter mile. The 100 yards Avas a disappointment to the NeAv Zealanders. Henderson, Avho Avas expected to Avin, had bad luck in tripping in a hole shortly after the start, thereby losing about six yards, and although he gained considerably on tho leaders, Avas unable to get up in time to secure a place. One of the finest races of the meeting Ava 6 the three miles, Avon by Sliarpe. The winner Avas not feeling too well, the hard ground having given him a -set-back during training, and several time lie Avas tempted to retire. Cheered on by his comrades he stuck to his man gamely and in the final sprint in the last 100 yards', a neck and neck race resulted in a Avili for Sharpe by inches. It Avas a great effort and he Avas much exhausted at the finish. Sharpe is quite a young runner and next season should see him running better than ever. His own race, the 440 yards hurdles, Avas, Mr, Murray said v somoAvhat of a surprise, for in this event he had to meet Davis (Victoria) the holder of the Avorlds record. The NeAV Zealander Avas going splendidly, and running the race of his life, had Davis beaten at 300 yards. The time Avas just 1-5 of a second under the Avorld’s record, and equal to the Australian record, and but for Davis, Avho was very pumped, swerving across his track, Mr Murray considers he could have beaten the-Avorld’s record.

Orliell did excellently hi the high jump, winning this event with a.jump of oft lOjin. He then attempted the Australian record, sft Him., and actually succeeded in clearing the bar but his leg caught the bar in his decent and brought it down. In the 220 yards, won by Barker, the New Zealanders had no show. The track was much too narrow for the number'’of runners and Barker, who drew inside position, bad a considerable advantage over tlie other competitors but it is doubtful whether, under other circumstances, be would have been beaten. The victory of Barker in the "Ualter was not unexpected. Treinbath was his New Zealand opponent Lui failed to secure even a place. Da vis, fi'cnibal'nl and Barker were qu cisiy U; Die front and, with 150 yards to go, the New ZealaiKlerjdioi-qut in an attempt fo repeat his sensational performance at the hist N.Z. championship meeting. Barker followed and speedily found lie could lio'.il Trembdth. The latter soon tired and was parsed in succession by Bar-_ ker, D.and Fisher, who finished in t'::t order. Trembatli’s early sprint übteclly was an error in judgment, but, in nnv case, it is unlikely lie could have beaten the Sydney runner. In the half-mile. Trembath did’ much bolter. The New Zealanders sont out Murray to make the pace and be run a fast quarter and (ben retired. TreinbaUi came to the front in the last 300 yards and although Bai'ker made a big effort, the Southland mail won easily. , The pole jump was won by-McKay, who was much too good for the other. A|. • i.*i . .■ - ...ry. ■—» r —-i^**** l *

In tho two walking events it was doubtful -whether Kerr’s style would pass the judges' but fortunately it was' not questioned. His chief opponent being liis team mate, Stubberfield.Mr Coombes, a well-known authority on Avalking, when questioned regarding Kerr’s style, said lie had never seen fairer or prettier 'walking in his life. This is all the more satisfactory Avhen it- is recalled that Kerr Avas disqualified at the N.Z. championship meeting. The team met with a spledid reception in Hobart, and Avere treated splendidly wherever they Avent, both, in Tasmania and Australia. They found the Hobart track much harder than those to Avhioh they haA r e been used, and their great success in Avinning the banner is all the more "meritorious.

In the last issue of the Australasian to hand “Harrier” gives the following interesting statistics in connection with the recent Australasian Championships : “There have been eiglit of these meetings now, and Ncav Zealand can claim four victories, New South Walesthree, and Victoria one. An examination of the results reveals a feAV curious points. The programme of 15. events has remained unaltered, and out of . 120 first places, New. : South. Wales claim 43, Ncav Zealand 42, and Victoria 26f. No feAver than 25 of the light blue wins are due to only four men, A'iz., W. J. O’Reilly, 7 wins; J. P. English, 5 wins; N. C. Barker, 9 wins; and S. lloAvley, 4 wins. NeAv Zealand has only two men to compare with this, viz., D. Wilson 4 wins; and G. W. Smith, 5 Avins. Victoria cannot show any Avinner of more than tAvo events, except A. 0. Barrett 3., Ncav South Wales has scored 18 wins out of 24 in the 100, 200, and 400yds.; and nine out of 16 in the hammer and shot; that, is, 27 wins in five eA rents, and only 16 wins in all the other 10 events, and has never yet won the mile, three miles, or 440yds. hurdles. NeAv Zealand strong points are the 440yds. hurdles (seven wins out of ' eight), mile Avalk (five), three mile AA-alk and three mile run (four each), pole jump (six), or 26 wins in fh-o GA r ents, and 16 in the other 10. The Dominion, curiously enough, has'nev-. er Avon either the ICO or the 220yds: It is an old tale, the warm climate develops sprinters, and the cold longdistance runners. Victoria claims four successes each in the one mile, three miles and the long-jump, and has scored in every event excent the hammer and shot. When it comes to second places this State swamps all others, and, as her teams .have not been specially numerous, it assists herclaim to high rank. The exact totals are:

George Blake, avlio is to represent \ ictoria- in the Marathon race from Windsor Castle to London, in July did a trial run from Prankston to St! Hilda (Victoria), a distance ox 224 miles, on Saturday lost. He coA rered the first five miles in 30$ minutes, ten and a half miles in 64 minutes! and the whole distance in 2 hours 4o minutes. No attempt Avas made to make any -pace, and the run is considered very satisfactory, especially ■as during the last seven milesiie Avas a. good deal troubled with cramp in the left leg, owing to his trying to rest the right foot, Avhich had‘blistered through grit getting into the shoe.

ROWING. Concerning the complaint of N. Z. ‘ press representatives that the man a- • ger of the Webb-Tressider match did not provide them with adequate ifacilities for reporting that event, a writer in the Sydney “Referee” says : Doubtless those concerned in the management of the race can fight their own battles, but I may say that in past races here it has, from experience, been found absolutely necessary to strictly limit tlie number of Press tickets on tlie umpire’s steamer. If Press tickets had .been given to all the applicants for same on the Parramatta there would have been no room, even on our largest river steamers, for tlie paying public. There are practically no free tickets here, - uid Mr Tuck had to ipny just the same as did relatives and backers of a Towns. -No distinction whatever is made, and this is done solely in the interests of tlie scullers themselves. I have known a case where even the stake-holder was not given a ticketand had to pay if he wished to.be present. I f lil to see how Mr. Tuck can be blamed in the least for strictly limiting the number of tickets. SWIMMING. The once well-known professional swimmer Marquis Bibbero, states that 1 he is about to retire (says the London “Sportsman,” of January 14). The old man, who is 87 years of age, has an unimpaired intellect, and forhis years is a- remarkable man. Until "recently he was actively connected with the art, and could have been seen every ■morning on Dover beacli giving lessons in swimming to Gordon Boys. He accompanied -Burges* in some of bis night swims, and proved himself of great service. A practical swimmer, he has written several foam* ablets oil the art, the chief of winch are “Brief Hilda,” published in 13i9, and “Athletic and Physical Training or. Land and Water,”. and “Lessons in Swimming.” His life has been a Useful one, and wc trust tint, has remaining years will be spent in happiness and comfort. BOXING. According to the Sydney “Referee” i syndicate has been formed to show Biii Lang, through "the principal ~ towns of ■ Victoria, and if s'.iccc-.nul ■-lie-Nnirlr will invade New Synth Wales, "BouTh Australia, and Queens on ail camera. Lang is casting covetous eyes on the Championship of England, ind it in quite likely that before the winter ccts in lie -will be •on bis way to the Old Country to tackle- Palmer, Roche, - .'.loir and crnipany, ard then if s.iccessiful -lie will cross the herrin.g-ipon.il. md have a go at Burns for * tki •vorkl's boxirg supremacy. In sug- , : . testing that Lang lur.dd leave Aid-.. : bourne for other worlds to conquer - : 'd-i; the fact of him hiving been beaten ■ by -Jack Johnson in Melbourne in. not • ■ - Q forgotten, but it muet.be remembered':" A

New South Wales ... Wins Seconds43 22J * New Zealand 42 301 Victoria 261 501 Queensland 7 A 10A Tasmania 1 3'