OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 226, 10 January 1885, Page 6

OUT DOOR SPORTS

BY REFEREE

NOTICES.

Secretaries of all kinds of Clubs for the ■promotion of out-door sports will confer a favour by communicating any items of interest connected with their sport, game, or pastime; more especially withrespect to coming events. Short sketches of sporting or pleasure excursions will be welcome, and questions en all matters connected with sports will be gladly answered. All communications must 6e addressed to jfr " Referee."

The 18 feet open boat Belle, owned by Ridings, was on a cruise to Coromandel last week. The Nottingham amateur came off with his usual contribution last Saturday —an extremely well-made duck's-egg. Barton has, so far, done better in his lawn tennis matches than in his cricketing displays. He has won both matches against Canterbury men. Could not our Cricket Association pick an eleven to play Robinson's team on its return from the South ? The best eleven from the following eighteen, viz., Arneil, C. Bowden, Beard, Dewes, H. Kissling, Mathieson, A. McCormick, McCausland, McPherson, L. Meldrum, Muniford, Nesbitt, O'Brien, F. Porch, Steel, Gr. Walker, Yates, and Young, would give them a time of it. The sculling match between Hearn and Harrington for the championship of the Colony and £400 eventuated on Friday last, Jan. 2nd, and resulted in the champion winning easily and retaining his title. Harrington's boat swamping was hard luck for him, though I do not think it had the slightest influence upon the result of the race, as he was evidently a beaten man when the mishap occurred, Hearn being fifty yards in front. What a downfall was that of N.S.W. in the intercolonial cricket match on 26th, 27th, 29th, and 30th ult. ! N.S.W. scored 403 in the first innings, Victoria replying with 483 ; then N.S.W. could only manage to reach 74 in the second innings, thus losing by an innings and five runs. This makes the thirty-third match between the two colonies, Victoria having won 19 and New South Wales 14. The return match will be played at Sydney in February. The match between Holland's and the Albion C.C.'s resulted in an easy victory for the former by 57 runs. All the Albion men were clean bowled for 31 runs, six men managing to make the coveted duck. Thomas took six wickets for 10 runs, and Beard four for 17. Holland's scored 88, Beard 27, Thomas 25, ' H. Henn 16, and "Extras 1 ' 10, all scoring well. A match was played in the Domain on Friday last between teams picked by Messrs Saddler and Brown. Saddler's twelve went to the wickets first and made 76 runs, P. Steele, with 39, being the best man on the side, and Jordan, with 10 (not out), rendering good assistance. Steele saAv no less than nine men out while compiling his score, which was made without a chance. Brown's twelve could only make 45, Goulstone (14) and O'Brien (12) being the principal scorers. There were no less than seven left-handed batsmen in the two teams, and no fewer than ten batsmen made the dreaded " duck egg." On Tuesday last the annual match between the bookmakers and publicans was played on the Domain Cricket Ground. The Books went in first, but could only make 28, G-. Belcher (8) and Blaikie (6, not out) being the scorers. Donovan took 6 wickets for 9 runs. The Publicans replied with 41, of which number Donovan made 21. Harris took four wickets for 11 runs, and Weston four' for 12. The Books in their second innings scored 79, Forward (21), Lyons (15), and Carter (10) being the principal scorers The Publicans, requiring 57 to win, made them for the loss of six wickets, Mathieson making 21, Glover 22 (not out), and Donovan 15 (not out). On New Year's Day the Thames C.C. sent an eleven to do battle with the I. Zingari on the Domain Cricket Ground. The visitors went to the wickets first but could only manage to score 40, Aitken (15) and Smith (10) being the principal scorers. The bowling of I.Z. in this innings was very good: Beale took 5 wickets for 19 runs ; Lewis, 4 for 26 ; and Ansenne, 1 for no runs. I.Z. in their first innings scored 77, Dauiells (26) and Beale (21) being the only double-figure scorers. Harrison took 3 wickets for 15 runs ; Smith, 3 for 21 ; and Pearce 4, for 30. The goldfield representatives on going in for the second innings scored 54, Clark (12) and Lougb (11) being the double-figure scorers. Milner took 2 wickets for 7 runs ; Lewis, 5 for 23 ; and Beale, 3 for 20. The Zingari, requiring 24 runs to win, sent in Milner and Laird, who speedily made the required number, Laird making 15 and Milner 10, both not out, I.Z. thus winning by 10 wickets. , I am indebted to a member of the team for the following account of the trip as far as Wellington: — "The Auckland team of cricketers had a rough passage as far as New Plymouth, and, as there was no chance of landing the 30 passengers bound for there, the Penguin anchored, and everyone was ill, even the captain of the steamer was nearly caving in. Lynch, Mills, and Coxon were very, bad, and all the other members of the team suffered more or less.v A pleasant run

to Nelson, with an hour or two on shore to recruit, and a couple of hours at Picton, arriving at Wellington at three o'clock on Friday morning, a brush up at the hotel, then breakfast. After enjoying a good meal the team started for the Basin reserve, where a field-out practice was indulged in, neai'ly all showing good form. Ten minutes practice at long catches, then back to the hotel for a bath and lunch. Leave by Penguin at 12 p.m. Play Dunedin team at Christchurch 37th and 31st ; Canterbury, 3rd, sth, and 6th of January; leave same night for Wellington. Play Wellington Bth and 9th ; leave same night for Auckland. Barton and Carr will play several tennis matches after the team leaves. Team all well and in good spirits." The match between the Englishmen and the Combined Australians was played at Melbourne on the Ist, 2nd, 3rd, and sth instant. The Combined team was the strongest that could be picked without any of Murdoch's team, and consisted of Bruce, Horan, Jarvis, Jones, Moses, Marr, Musgrave, Pope, Robertson, Trimble, and Warrall. H. Musgrave, who played for the Auckland Second Eleven last season, has evidently improved a lot, or he would never be picked to play in such a match as this. The Englishmen went in first, and in the first day's play lost nine wickets for 303 runs. On the second day the last wicket added 98 runs, bringing up the score to 401, the chief scorers being Briggs 124, Shrewsbury 72, Barnes 53, and Bates 35. The Australians, in their first innings, scored 279, Jarvis 82, Horan 04, and Trimble 59 being the top scorers. Being 122 to the bad, they had to follow on, and were all dismissed for 125, Bruce 45 being top scorer. This left the Englishmen three runs to make, which were made without the loss of a wicket. Up to date the Englishmen have not lost a match. On Monday evening last, at the Theatre Royal, W. Murphy and E. Donovan met in a glove fig-lit for £i> aside, and the lightweight championship of Auckland. The building was comfortably filled, and to fill j up the evening vaz'ious set-to's were engaged in, F. Burns and Lowe showing plenty of skill and science, while W. Burns and Alexander made things lively for each other. " Deerfoot " and W. Murphy went for one another very energetically, while Donovan and F. Burns served to show Barney's skill. An interval of ten minutes then took pla,ce, after which the contest of the evening, under Marquis of Queensbury rules, took place. Mr George Belcher acted as referee, and Mr F. Woods as time-keeper. The M.C. introduced the antagonists to the notice of the audience. Donovan looked in grand condition, and far too big for his opponent, who seemed very seedy and unwell. The referee having called time the men faced each other, and the fun seemed likely to begin. Both men, however, were very careful, and seemed disinclined to come to close quarters, and being content with very little sparing, of which Donovan had the best. Round two : Donovan made the fighting from the first, Murphy being very cautious in his tactics. Towards the finish of this round several rallies took place, Donovan having all the best of it. Round three : Donovan led off with a lefthander on Murphy's nasal organ, which, however, fell rather short, Murphy getting home, however, with three or four body blows ; but Donovan would not be denied, and planted a right-hander on Murphy's claret-tap, which had the effect of drawing the fluid. (First blood to Donovan.) Round four : All this round Murphy made the fighting, Donovan being content to play a waiting game,"which evidently would ultimately pay him best. Round five : This was a very hot round, the infighting being very good and severe towards the finish of the round. Murphy began to appear very groggy on his pins, and seemed as though he had had pretty well sufficient. Round six : Donovan had evidently made up his mind to try and finish his opponent off in this round, and went for him with great vigour. Murphy's blows appeared to be delivered in a half-hearted manner, and without any power. Both men closed and fell, and naturally everyone expected to hear a "foul" claimed, but it was not — both men were groggy on their pins and had bellows to mend. Round seven : There was a great amount of infighting in this round, which, however, was all in favour of Donovan, who scored the second event, knocking Murphy off his pins twice. At the end of the round Murphy spoke to the referee, who informed the audience that he awarded the fight to Donovan, as Murphy declared himself unable to finish. The crowd then, in a most unmanly style, commenced groaning and hooting the defeated man. I could not make out why, for he had fought most pluckily, and had certainly given the spectators plenty for their money. He was fighting at the time under very great disadvantages, having for several days previous been unwell, and, therefore, he deserves great credit for the plucky way in which he stood up to take his gruel. I have no doubt that as soon as he gets all right he will have another go at his opponent, and even if beaten again will fight like a good plucked 'un. Murphy is about 20lbs lighter than Donovan. The cricket match between Our Boys and Auckland Club was concluded on Saturday. On the previous Saturday Our Boys had concluded, their first innings for S3 runs, and had lost two wickets in the second for 21 runs, whilst the Auckland had made in their first innings 51 runs. The not- outs of the

previous Saturday, Steele and Walker, resumed tlieir places at the wickets, to the bowling of Mathieson and Beale. Walker did not stay long, Mathieson bowling him before he had added anything to his J. Hill came in to fill the left-hander's place, but, after making a single, was bowled by Beale, the score being 26 for 4 wickets. W. George then joined Steele, and both men played well, and scored freely till George, after making 17, was bowled by a " bailer " from Beale. The score had been increased to 65 before this. Alick Cromwell came to keep Steele company, and Blair went on bowling in Mathieson's place, but was " no balled" for his first delivery. Alick kept his wicket up for some time, but did not score, and was bowled by Blair for a duck's egg- Ripley fiilled the vacant crease, and played very steadily for six runs, when the , Auckland Bonnor managed to get one into his timber stack. Nesbit occupied his place, j but did not make a very long stay, unfortunately being run out after making 7 runs. J J. George did not make a long stay, as before he had scored he started for a run that was almost impossible, and tried to get back, but in vain. All this time Steele had been playing remarkably good cricket, and scoring well. Whiteside was the last man, and after making 3 off Blair was bowled by Beale, the innings closing for 119 runs. '. Steele had carried his bat right through the innings for 73 runs, made with only one possible chance, after he had reached 50. j His batting is worthy of the highest praise, ' every one of his hits, with the exception i mentioned above, being along the carpet. His 73 was made up of one 4, seven 3's, twelve 2's, and twenty-four singles. The I Auckland, as usual, had some of the best fieldsmen in Auckland fielding as substitutes. Requiring 152 runs to Avin, Auckland began their second innings, with Blair and H. O. Barton, to the bowling of Whiteside and Walker. Raus came very freely at first, till, with 32 up, the bowlers changed ends, when Walker immediately caught Blair off his own bowling for 12 runs. .Beale joined Burton, and after making 4 was clean bowled by the left-hander. Dewes went to Barton's assistance, and quickly made 10 before Walker bowled him with a beauty. W. Thistle occupied the vacancy, and Ripley went on. bowling for Whiteside, his first delivery being "no balled." Thistle did not make a long stay, Walker getting him l.b.w. for a duck. The batsman was not satisfied with the decision, and said that the ball had struck him in the chest. It seemed to me that, considering the manner in which the batsman came down in playing at the ball, he would have been out 1.b.w., even if it had hit him on the head. F. C. Checseman went to the wickets, and, with his usual slogging, made 11, when ho was caught by White at long-off off Ripley's bowling. Mathieson was the last man, and had made 3, whon Barton was splendidly caught by J. George at long-off, off Walker's bowling, after making 31 runs, the score being 73. Our Boys thus won by 78 runs. The Auckland, in their second innings, only batted seven men, four of those who played in the first innings did not turn up, and Our Boys rightly refused to let any substitutes go in their places. It has not been the custom to play the game so strictly as this in the past, but the Auckland Club in their match with the United insisted on this law being carried out strictly, so on Saturday last they Avere served with their own sauce. The eleven Auckland cricketers made a commencement of their trip on December 30 by meeting an eleven of Otago at Christchurch. Otago won the toss and went in, but the captain was caught by Robinson off his own bowling almost immediately. The score ultimately reached 141, Parker 45, Grieve 31, Mallard 18, Fairburn 13, and Mallard 13, while extras (whistle it) reached the respectable number of 13. The Aackland bowling seems to have been managed in a very peculiar manner, Mills, by far the best trundler in the team, not being put on at all till five other bowlers had tried their hands, then he bowled seven overs ; off the first two four runs Avere made, Avhile the last five Avere maidens. Good enough this most people Avould think to keep him on for a Avhile, but evidently the skipper did not think so, and took him off. Stafford took 5 Avickets for 21, Meldrum 3 for 27, and Robinson 2 for 37. The Auckland men, on going in, lost 9 Avickets for SI runs — Stafford 21, Barton (with a bit of his usual luck) 16, and Robinson 10, did most of the rungetting. The match was to have been continued on the 31st, but, OAving to the bad Aveather, did not finish till the 2nd inst., Avhen the last two batsmen managed to bring up the score to 83. The Otago men collapsed Avoefully in their second innings, only making 35 runs, of Avhich number McGregor made 14, while six of their batsmen did not make a run between. Lynch and Meldrum both bowled well in this innings, the analysis reading thus, Lynch, 20 overs, 11 maidens, 17 runs, 6 Avickets; Meldrum, 20 2 overs, 11 maidens, 15 runs, 4 Avickets. Auckland, requiring 94 runs to win, sent in Coxon ? 'id Testro. The former made runs p. ty rapidly, but soon lost Testro, who^/as bowled for a duck, Barton making the .-ame. Coxon, after making 21, Avas caught at midon. The requisite number of runs Avere obtained for . the loss of five Aviekets, Robinson scoring 42, not out, and Lynch 20. The match with Canterbury Avas played on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday last. Auckland Avon the toss and went in, but

could only make the small score of 98, Osmond 19, Coxon 19, and Barton 18, being the only men to make a score at all. Canterbury replied with the huge total of 347, Wilding getting into three figures, making 10-i before being caught by Barton, off Mills. Secretan made 72, Cotterill 44, Fowke 36, Ashby 17, Longdon 12, Rayner 11 (not out), , Strange 10, and "extras" 30. Ned "'Mills was the the only bowler able to do anything. His performance in this match is truly a grand one. Out of 317 runs obtained from the bat, only 27 were got off his bowling, while he took seven wickets (five of them clean bowled) at an average of less than four runs each. Auckland, requiring 252 runs to save the innings defeat, sent in. Mills and Coxon. Ned soon lost his partner, who made five. Testro then came in to keep '' our boy" company, and between them the score was brought up to 50, when the little stonewaller had to retire to a catch at point, having made 20. Barton came in, but only made five, when he was caught in the slips. Ned was then joined by Stafford, but the former's time had come, for, with the score at 72, he was bowled by Dunlop for a well made 35. Our Boys' skipper proved himself, in this match, far and away the best man on the side, and with a fair show in the first innings, and in the Otago match, would have done better still. All the Auckland men scored, Stafford making 20, Robinson 8, Lynch 17, McCormick 6, Ewing--36, Osmond 16, and Meldrum 2 (not out). The total score, however, was only 181, the northerners thus being beaten by one innings and 74 runs. The much-talked-of matchbctween Woods, of Dunedin, and Pickering, of Auckland, came off on Wednesday last. The whole thing was a complete swindle, Pickering running the distance alone, as Woods refused to leave his mai'k when the pistol was fired. Pickering I acquit of all blame, as I believe he really knew nothing about Woods' intention to let him win; but the Southern crowd evidently meant Woods to run to suit their books, one prominent metallician declaring, with a great amount of blackguardly language, that he was not going to let his man run for the public money; he wanted hundreds on it. The whole affair is a disgrace to the Southern, crowd. I believe that, anyhow, Pickering would have won, as I think he is the better as well as the straighter man of the two. |