ATHLETICS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 490, 19 July 1890, Page 5

ATHLETICS.

W. Warbrick, who is now in Queensland, captained the Brisbane Fireflies against the Arfoma Club, Sydney, on May 31st. Tho Arfoma Club won by 18 points to nil, their first try being obtained owing to YVarbrick fumbling tho ball. Do you remember Wellington ?

Football seems to be flourishing among tho natives at Rotorua, where they havo a very good team. Recently they visited Tauranga and other districts, playing matchesj as I learn by a private letter from our old footballer, Mr Tom Ryan, who is at present there for the benefit of Ids health, and who, by-the-by, has been umpiring and coaching them. He eays that tho Government are about to lay out a football ground on tho Reserve at Rotorua, and they will have a splendid field. Our Auckland footballers would be a bit shy at playing on it, for the other day they were doing a little digging and came on a hob spring, with the result that the man with the spade nearly did tho “ disappearing ” trick. It would certainly bo a very curious, though not improbable ending to a game, if sixteen forwards were engaged in a packed scrum and the thin crust of earth should give way with the result that they should be plunged into black night and boiling water. My Sydney correspondent sends me one or two interesting items this week. Regarding the defeat of Zealandia by Arfoma he says : “Our chaps (Zealandia) showed the worst form of the eeason. At times their play was hot up to junior standard form. It is true they had a weak team and had to play against an extra strong one. Wo had tho best of the scrums, bub were overmatched in tho back play. Wixey, Levein, and G. L isk were our moeb useful backs, while Manlowe, Penny, and White played well forward. Ned Mills was unable to play. Whiteside is in the Hospital for treatment to his leg. No matches were played last Saturday (28bh) owing to very heavy rains. Luckily, we had a bye. Next Saturday we go to Parramatta to play the local club, who, by tho way, have no good blood for our team, because on the last occasion that we met we had three of tho Maori team to assist us. This will be another defeat, but nob by much. In the Arfoma v. Zealandia match tho former had a young Aucklander to help them named McMurdo. He played well, and obtained a try. Many of your readers will remember S. E. Buchanan, and be pleased to know that he won the Lillio Bridge 100yds. Handicap this week off the Biyds. mark in 10 secs. Ho started first favourite in the final at 6to 4 bn. He told me the other day that he was going better now than ever he did.” MISCELLANEOUS, New Zealand is beginning to take some standing in the sculling world, now that two of our men are in Sydney learning the game and preparing to do battle with the best men of tho day. Our professional and amateur champions are now both in Sydney ; though Sullivan’s pure amateur status is of course destroyed by his joining tho professional ranks. McKay, whom Sullivan beat the other day, also intends to go to Sydney in a few months. We need nob expect to hear very much of either Sullivan or McKay for some time, as they will have to spend some months learning and unlearning before they arc fit to try their powers in a big contest, When Tom Sullivan does begin to row in proper stylo I expect to hear of his doing something good. He is a tall, well-built young fellow, with lots of determination, and as honest as steel. I was well pleased to find that those wishing to give Sullivan a good send-off decided to present him with a purse of sovereigns. The sum of £42 10s was more valuable to him in every way than a dozen smoke concerts, and the compliment just as valuable. Hie send-off was a good one, and New Zealanders, especially Aucklanders, will watch his career with interest.

Copeland, formorly amateur champion sculler of New Zealand, has joined the Auckland Rowing Club. Ho should prove a valuable addition to the Club.

Dick Matthews was badly beaten in a fight with Pettongell at Grey mouth some little time back. Poor Dick was quite unfit to fight, and could hardly stand on his leg 3 after a few blows on tho head and face.

Mr F. Wilding, who has captained the Canterbury cricketers in so many of their victories, has expressed his determination to give tho game best, while Mr A. M. Ollivier has stated that ho will not again stand for office as selector of the Canterbury Cricket Association.

Billy Murphy, the light-weight boxer, is reported to have fared so well in ’Frisco that he proposes to make that place his home, and has taken out his first papers as a citizen.

.Hanlan goto £3O a week and expenees from a theatrical manager for rowing across the stage in a light shell at each performance. He has beaten Hosmer this week.

Here is an instance of extraordinary batting. S. J. Crawford, playing for Northumberland C. C. v. Durham University, on May 14, went in to bat at the fall of the first wicket with the total at two (extras), and at one time during his stay the score was 105) (four of which were extras) for three wickets, Crawford being out at one hundred, thus having up to then made all the runs scored from the bat with the exception of five. the match against Lord Sheffield’s team Mosers W. G. Grace and \V. L. Murdoch, representing respectively the highest development of batting in England and Australia, were photographed in front of the pavilion.