ATHLETICS

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 437, 15 January 1890, Page 5

ATHLETICS

(By ACTION.)

The following is from the “Otago Witness ” re the Auckland-Otago match : “ So remarkably weak was the exhibition of cricket in the match between Auckland and Otago thac I prefer to say nothing about it. An interprovincial cricket match finished in one day is one of those unusual occurrences that seem to happen when they are least expected or wanted to.” Moss, the Christchurch bowler in the match Canterbury v. Wellington, did a remarkable performance, taking the whole 10 Wellington wickets in our innings for 28 runs. Such a performance has never before occurred in an interprovincial match. The 43rd intercolonial cricket match between Victoria and New South Wales took place the other day, and ended somewhat unexpectedly in a win for Victoria, being her 22nd out of the 43 contests. The features of the Victorian first innings,in which 251 runs were made, was the fine play of Blackham, Barrett, and Bruce, who made 63, 69, and 61 respectively. The last; played magnificent cricket for his score. Barrett is a stone waller, but nevertheless ran up a great score. Garrett and Charlton were the most successful bowlers for New South Wales. The first innings of the Sydney men was very sick, Trumble being the best of the Victorian bowlers. He secured 10 wickets in the match for 107. In the follow-on of New South Wales Bannerman played a magnificent innings for 117, gaining a trophy presented by Mr Best, M.L.A. Donnan played a fine innines of 34 nob out. Barrett and Trott easily secured the runs required by Victoria in the second innings.

AQUATICS. The World’s Fair “Police Gazette” Regatta in America for 1892 is nowa fixture. Large money prizes for sculling races will be given, though it is yet too early to say what the amounts will be. The races will comprise probably : A single scull race, three miles with a turn, open to all oarsmen in the world. A single-scull race open only bo oarsmen who have never held the championship. A pair-oared race for the championship of the world, open to all comers. International four-oared race, open to collegiate crews. International four-oared race, open to all professional crews in the world. In conversation during the week with Mr V. Brown, the well-known rowing enthusiast of the Thames, who has done so much for the sport there, I learn that the two champion crews from that place will be very strong this year. He says one of them will be the strongest ever sent out of the Thames, ar.d that is saying a good deal. The maiden nd under ten stone crews also will be very strong; and the names of those chosen certainly speak well for their prospects. One of the champion crews is having a new boat built especially for the race by May of Shortland. .From “Town and Country.”—“ As the Mabterson-McLean match will nob take place till March, it is not likely that we -hall have a great deal of professional rowing before that race is settled, unless on Bubear’s arrival he is sought for a match by one or two of our leading scullers As both Matterson’sand McLean’s backers have signified their willingness bo back the winner in this race against Peter Kemp for the championship, the lastnamed sculler will once more have an opportunity of showing whether he is qualified to hold that proud title. Then again, Stansbury is not likely to remain idle, as his supporters ought by this time to know what sort of a chance he has of being champion of the world. Brown, of the Clarence, is a man of whom many things are expected. • • • • • Matterson intends to coach Stephenson in his coming race with Hearn for the New Zealand championship, and will proceed to Maoriland to pub the final touches on him. While in New Zealand Matterson will compete in the outrigger race in connection with the Exhibition Regatta, and it is not unlikely that he will form one of a four-oar crew to complete at the same regatta. The other'members of the crew are likely to be Ale:; Cormack, Brown, of the Clarence, and Stephenson. Should this four get together it should prove a hob lot. It is rumoured that the four who contemplated going from the Balmain Working Men’s Club are nob likely to start.”

MISCELLANEOUS. As was generally anticipated,new records were made for several distances at the Pioneer Bicycle Club meeting, viz.— Half-mile by A. C. Wilmob, reduced to lmin 19 2-ssec. Two miles by Steadman smin 58 4-ssec. Five mile by N. Hall, reduced to 14min 55 4-ssec’ Three mile by Hall, reduced to 9min 3-s?ec. Ten mile by A. C. Wilmot, reduced to 29min 23 l-ssec. In regard to the paragraph above, re the visit oi a New Zealand team of amateur runners to Sydney, I see by the “Christchurch Weekly Press ” that the New South W ales men are very anxious that such a team should visit their colony and would be willing to suit the New Zealanders in the date. Funds for the trip will have to be raised by subscription from the public, for of course the New Zealand Association is not a wealthy body. It appears that Mr Cuff, Secretary, has already received several offers of help, and I have no doubt each of the large centres would contribute if active canvassers were appointed from the athh tic clubs there.

There seems to be very little stir as yet over the two amateur races at the Squadron Sports during Jubi ee time. Th« events for the running men are the quarter-mile and 150 yd handicap ; and for the cyclists a three mile and a one mile race. Entries are to be in to Mr Haliday by the 18bh inst. and acceptances by the 25th. It is about time intending competitors were in training.

Many people are inclined to doubt Hempton’s wonderful performance in the 100 yards at Dunedin; but competent judges all speak of it as being quite correct. He strikes the Southern writers as a wonder—one man says he i- “so to speak, a man with genius in his legs.” Seward, the American, has done 91>ec ; F. Hewitt, 9jsec ; Hutton, 9 4 sth sec (with a gale behind) ; and others are credited with breaking the lOsee. We in Auckland know what a flyer Hempton is, for he could, when here, look round and laugh at our best men ; but breaking the watch as he has done wants some believing. Jt appears from a letter just received that there is every probability of a New Zealand team of running men being sent over under the auspices of the N.Z. Amateur Athletic Association to Sydney, to take part in the Intercolonial Amateur Championship Meeting to beheld theiein April or May next. Mr L. A. Cuff, th 9 well-known and popular Secretary of the N.Z. Association, thinks there is every likelihood of such a team being sent. The following are the men on whom the choice of the Selection Committee would be most likely to fallH. M. Reeves, mile and 4-mile; J. Hempton, 100yds and 220yds; P. Morrison, mile and steeplechase ; J. McKelvie, walking ; Upfill for jumps ; Batger and Shaw for hurdles.