FOURTH TEST MATCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2112, 11 February 1908, Page 3

FOURTH TEST MATCH.

AUSTRALIA 8 FOR 358. GOOD DISPLAY BY ARMSTRONG

SUPERB FIELDING BY ENGLISHMEN.. INJURY TO CRAWFORD. United Press Association —Copyright (Received Feb. 10, 10 p. 111.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 10. The weather was beautiful, and the wicket- rolled out splendidly being slow and easy. The day’s play on the whole placed Australia in nn excellent position, and though for the greater part the play was dull and of a stubborn and patient character, the last half was tremendously lively and enthusiastic.

Mill tm<l Gregory played cautiously, and the former was the first to go, through tlio magnificent work and machinelike precision of Barnes at cover, who fielded Hill’s stroke and returned to Humphries. Hill fell in endeavoring to regain his crease. An unusual thing in Mill’s score was that there were no boundary hits. Gregory was joined by Armstrong, hut tlio Sydneyite soon departed, after playing stylish cricket, and hitting three -l’s. Armstrong and Hansford now became associated, and the latter quickly got going, the hundred being scored after 135 minutes. .Rhodes bowled well, keeping a beautiful length. After lunch Fielder and Rhodes were bowling, and Hansford, when 2(1, gave a chnuco to Crawford in tho slips off Fielder. Hansford was batting in high-class fashion, when he was caught at the wicket after an innings lasting 103 minutes, and con-' tainirig only three boundary strokes. Macartney and Armstrong proved a fast partnership, which scored 54 runs in 33 minutes, of which Macartney had scored 29. but in tlio first over after tea. Macartney was dismissed. Rkiy so far had been dullish, but Carter enlivened the proceedings, scoring five successive tourers. Armstrong gained 88. which constituted his highest and best score, and for which lie received cheers. The partnership yielded 112 runs, and when Carter was caught in the slips he received an ovation from the spectators. He hit 11 tourers. O’Connor and Armstrong plaved out time, and the concluding half-hour was full of excitement and enthusiasm. Armstrong up to tho fifties played completely defensive and wearisome cricket, but afterwards opened into dash and brilliancy, and there was tho wildest enthusiasm when lie twice successively drove 13 ran ml for six. It was a magnificent and thrilling termination of tho day’s play, completely lifting it Horn practical dullness. Armstrong received mi ovation upon returning to the pavilion. Ho batted for 250 mnutes, and hit 12 tourers and 2 sixers. The w/c----ket is lasting well. The attendance reached 12,000. Crawford consulted doctors ho was feeling unwell, having strained his right side and heart. Tho doctors recommend a London specialist. 11 England loses, Crawford will not play agaTn in Australia, but otherwise ho plays in only tho last test. To-dav’s fielding was superb, and Australia fought for every run, and many couples only made singles by their brilliancy. The Englishmens bowling was good. Tho following are the scores:— AUSTRALIA—2nd Innings, (continued) Hill, run out 25 Gregory, Ibw b Fielder ... ••• '-9 Hansford, c Humphries b Rhodes ol Armstrong, not out ... ■■■ TU Macartney, c Gunn, b Crawford 2 9 Carter, c Braund, b Fielder ... 66 O’Connor, not out 12 Sundries 1° Total for eight wickets ... 358 Wickets fell at follows: 4 for 65, 5 for 77, 6 for 162, 7 for 217, 8 for 329. FOOTBALL IRELAND V. ENGLAND. United Press Association —Copyright LONDON, reo. 9. At llugby England with two goals and a try, defeated Ireland, a ,penalty goal. Porta, of Sydney, played for England. N.Z. PROFESSIONALS. ANOTHER WIN.

United Press Association —Copyright SYDNEY, Feb. 10. The New Zealajulers defeated Kingston Rover by a try, and the result fairly reflected tlhe merits ot the teams." With perhaps the- exception of "dribbling, the colonials held slight advantage in every phase ■of the g|iflaie; the forwards packed better than Usual, and gained possession of the ball readily, whilst tho hard dry ground seemed to suit the three-quarters. The latter were opposed to men who tackled keenly, and generally maintained a sound defence, but by straighter running the tourists managed to brcdt through twice. The Blacks commenced in most promising fashion, and immediately took the ball to their opponents’ line, and Wrigley, making a. cleverly conceived ■ pass to Tvne, the three-quarter went over. Messenger’s kick at goal touched one of-the posts and wamt ouits do. The home players mangcd to get a better share of the play subscquentlv and before the interval, from a cross kick West ran ... unopposed, and equalised the scores. Jhe li - ra, after the change of ends, # u uneven, and failing once bad .' Me=sei, <r er as the result of a brilliant u.fortT gained the winning try for the colonials. bowling. At tho Turangauui Club’s green yesterday two further games were played in the Bennett Cup and chainp,'unship gold medal competition. Sawyer, in his game with llird, led throughout, and won by 29 to 6. In tho erffme between J. J. Martin and Nasmith, junr., Martin got the lead, and was 5 to 2 on the 4th head, but on the 6th head Nasmith was 7 to 0. iho score was 8 all on the Bth head, and 9 all on tho 10th head. On the following heads the players scoied alternately, until on tlie 18th head Martin scored 3 and put the issue beyond doubt, finally winning by 2U to 14.

GISBORNE CLUB. A meeting of the committee "ill be held tikis evening to consider several impeiptant items including tlio resignation of -Mr AY. J. Hennessy as handicapped- and also the conditions for .the champion singles for the Champion Cup presented by the President, Mr' AVm. Pottie. ~~~ ROWING. ]>.T3. PRESIDENTS CUP FOURS. The races for the President’s Cup. presented b.v Mr. E. P. Joyce, and tor gold niddals presented by a supporter of .rowing, were commenced last night, two races being decided. '| |he first race wus between. C. Clark (str), J. Newton, R. Huston, f) Murray, and M. McLeod (str), It. McGultie, \V. Pritchard, and A. M. Orpwoud. Roth crews smarted evenly "and travelled together tor about 20 yards, when McLeod s ere,\ spurted and gained a lead of a length, vdjidi was main’* vmed to the finish. , , .> Tho other race was .between R. Jones (str), AY. Haines, (.«. Karton, j, Clark, and F. .Seymour (sti), W • jjrokcndh’ie, 11. Tliaxt.er, and J. Teesdale. Jones led from the start, to Ka.iti bridge, where keymoiu with a well-iedged spurt gradually oier hauled 'him and won a rtose and excitin'l, race by about, thiee itet.. Tim first round will be completed to-night, when G. Peterson (str). J. McConuetl. A, Briscoe, and i<- A'H.v a rL , '»i.a l c. K.