Sporting Sprints.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 44, 12 January 1912, Page 16

Sporting Sprints.

A conference of soccer delegates from the Australian States and New Zeaalnd was held in Sydney recently to discuss the. best means of advancing the game. It was unanimously resolved to co-operabo with New Zealand to endeavour to arrange for a tour of Australasia by a British team as soon a; possible.

Miss Meredith has challenged Miss Moore for a race over any distance from 73yds to -IJOyds, including the 100 yds championship of Australia.

Du.e Smith's defeat of Jack Lester effectively squashes for all time the lattor's claim for "white hope" honors. At the same time, the bout demonstrates that Now Zealaiuler Smith is about tho moat promising white in tho ring, 'although a long way below the "hope' 'standard. • ;

The visit of the Sydney swimmers to New Zealand is practically settled, and elaborate preparations are being made at Auckland and Wellington for their entertainment. New Zivalanders will be able to receive some hints from the visitors, which should greatly add to the advancement of swimming in the Dominion.

* • * .. ■'■ V. I'Vix, who lias been first jockey .to. Mr. J. A. Rothschild in England for the past live years, has accepted an engagement for the next three years to ride as first jockey for the Weinberg stable in Germany. The retaining fee is said to be £2000 per annum.

Tom Burrows is still whirling the clubs about in various parts of New Zealand. His specialty is anything up to 100 hours.

Of the 21 test matches played in the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia has won 12 and Kngla-nd V.

Jones, the Australian "demon" bowler of a few years ago," "came hack" at Fremantlo on December ',). He sent down 17 balls, 1 maiden, for 5- runs and 6 wickets, and performed the hat trick.

Victor Trumper is the only man who h;»3 made six centuries in test matches against England, his highest beirtg 185 not out against P. F. Warner's 1903 team.

Frank Gotch is anxious to meet the wiiuier of tho Zybszco —I'aicevich match in January.

A very finue long distance motorcycle track record was established on Brooklyn track (England) last month by W. S. Spencer. Mounted on a 3i h.p. Dunlop-shod machine, Spencer covered 150 miles in 2hr. 38min. 1 3-5 sec.; 200 miles in 3hr. 28min. 51 3-5 see; and 171 miles 1074 yards in 3 hours —three very fine records considering the engine power.

There is keen competition annually amongst many English cycling enthusiasts as to who rides tho greatest distance on the road during the year. The record last year was 25,376 miles by H. Long, but these figures have been easily eclipsed this year by two readers, M. I'lanes and Wells, and they still had six weeks to complete the year's total when the English mail left. M. Plane, who was in tho lead, establishjd a remarkable performance up to 15th November, having since the beginning of the year ridden 100 miles no less Khan 288 times, and, barring accidents, \e anticipated covering 33,100 by tho 31st December. This total would beat E. Halo's world's record of 32,479 miles by 600 odd miles. Plane's scries of tides —which have been properly chocked —have been accomplished on a six-year-old machine, which, with full equipment, weighs 4olbs. The cost of the ride has worked out at about a shilling per 100 miles.

Australasia has again demonstrated its superiority in tennis by again defeating America in the Davis Cup contost. In almost every department of sport tho southerner can hold his own with tho men from tho north.

Faulkner, tho South African cricketer, who toured with the Springboks, broke his leg whilst playing football in England. * * # In the Rugby match, Ireland defeated France by 11 points to 3.

Canterbury has retained ihe Phmket Shied despite the effort.* of Olago and Wellington to wrest the symbol of New Zealand cricket supremacy from her. Judging from tho form displayed against tho other two provinces it will take Canterbury all its time, to withstand Auckland's attack.

Australasia's League football team again easily di.-n-i ,-..! ,-f England by 10 tries and 3 goals to 2 tries and a goal. The receipts from matches p laved have already covered expenses, and it is ox-pecte-d that the additional matches will yiiikl a fair margin of profit,

The following cricket team has been selected'to represent South, Africa tor the triangular tour :—-Slierwell, b'aulkner, TalicrCdj White, Snooke, Vogler, Pegier, Campbell, Nottrse, Zulch, llartigau, Beaumont, Taylor, Seiiwarz, Llewellyn, Carter, and J. Cox, or a fast bowler, probably Kotze.

The defeat of Australia in the-second test came as a surprise to most cricket, enthusiasts. On papea: Australia appears by far tho supe.-ior team, ot ine two.