SPORTING NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2661, 18 March 1885, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

♦ . [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. CRICKET.— ALL ENGLAND V. COMBINED AUSTRALIANS. (Received March 17, 10 p.m.) Sydney, March 17. The cricket match, England v. Australia was resumed to-day. The attendance was good, and the wicket heavy, owing to rain which fell last night. The first innings of the home team closed for 309 : Blackham, not out, 11; Jones, run out, 40; Bannerman, caught, 51. The visitors then commenced their second innings, and were alll disposed of for 77, leaving the Australians 31 to get to win. This the home team succeeded in obtaining with the loss of two wickets, winning the match by eight wickets. The highest scorers in the visitors' second innings were Shrewsbury, caught, 16; Barnes, caught, 25. >-—< SCULLING MATCH—BEACH V. CLIFFORD. £2OO a-side, and the Championship of the World. The race between Beach and Clifford on Saturday, owing, perhaps, to "the numerous attractions elsewhere," drew to the banks of the Parramatta little more than a tithe of the number who rushed to see the Hanlan-Clifford match. The wind was fresh from the south south-east but calmed down considerably up the river. The tide was strong flood ; in fact, a regular "full-moon tide," which gave promise of slow time for the men. Mr J. F. Meyers acted as umpire. The general opiniou was that the weather "suited Beach exceedingly well, and the result proved how wonderfully Beach has improved in science and skill as a waterman since the day on which he defeated the Canadian. The wind blew very cold, and it seemed as if rain was not far off. Beach soon appeared on the scene, paddling quietly up from Uhr's Point, and soon afterward Clifford pulled across from Ryde, shipping a lot of water in crossing, which he stopped to bail out on reaching the southern shore. Both men drew up at Charity Point, Beach choosing the southern shore, with Clifford well out in the stream. There was a good deal of finessing at the start, and a buoy seemed to trouble Clifford somewhat. At 4.29-40 the men were off to a good start; but Beach soon got a length's lead. Both men were in the buff, Beach at the southern shore and Clifford in mid-stream. At Uhr's, Beach led by one and a half lengths, and 5 to 1 was offered against Clifford. Coming up to the mile, Beach kept the southern shore, while Clifford kept in all the rough water and strongest tide. At the mile Beach led by three lengths, while Clifford shipped a quantity of water and steered a very erratic course. At the Gasworks Beach eased off, and Clifford having pulled himself a bit together, made "better weather" of it, but still steered wide. 10 to 1 were here offered against Clifford, but he gradually

drew on Beach and the excitement increased, for it looked as if Clifford had yet a chance left in him. Both men pulled exceedingly well up to Giadesville, where Beach again took a proper course, while Clifford was once more in rough water. Beach passed One Man's Wharf three lengths ahead of Clifford, who responded gamely, and everything looked fair for a desperate struggle. Crossing over to the beacon at The Brothers, Beach allowed Clifford to draw up, and when the flag fell Beach was only leading by a bare length, amidst the greatest excitement from crowds who had gathered in vicinity. The result was— Beach 1 Clifford 2 Time, 26mins. William Beach is, therefore, still the champion of the world and -will try his skill once again with Edward Hanlan on March 28. The result of the race on Saturday clearly shows how much he has improved both in the science of sculling and his skill as a waterman since his last contest; and his numerous friends are justißed in the great hopes they have of his being able to retain the championship in the colony. Of Clifford it only need be said that he showed wonderful strength, which, however, was not combined with the skill and judgment which are absolutely necessary to make a first-class sculler. Edward Hanlan was well pleased with Beach's performance, but thinks he could have pulled the course under similar conditions in a shade less time.—Sydney Town and Country Journal, March 7.