SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2731, 9 February 1910, Page 6

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

CRICKET.

ROUND THE GROUNDS

(Motes by “Short Slip.”) The two senior games played on Saturday provided a striking contrast to those of Thursday. At Taruheru the excellence ol the turf wicket and the fast travelling out- • field, makes run-gettmg easy and it is always regarded as a ba.tsman s paradise.. However, on Saturday, in the match between AV anderers and Taruheru, the bowlers held the uppei Amiul throughout the afternoon, and the batsmen were, scratching for runs all the time. • Taruheru had first use or the wicket, dnd iust- topped the century the in•ninga closing for 108. Though no one reached 20, Gough, Dillon, Davies, and 'ilniiuigan all passed into double figures. Charlie Lasker, the lion hitter, who has been batting well lately, was clean bowled by Harry Babbs for a . Babbs (five for 26) and Young (three ■for 26) were the best of the half-dozen ‘bowlers tried by Wanderers. Young Gough is shaping in good •style lately. Last Saturday week he •'•it 17 in dashing form against united, and followed this up with notching one more against the strong Wanderers ’attack on Saturday. It is pleasing to see these youngsters coming along. Gough can als-cy bowl a steady righthand medium-paced ball, and is a smart and untiring fieldsman. He is a/ ■“trver,” and deserves to succeed at 'the' game, as lie is chock full of enthusiasm. Wanderers entered upon tlieir task 'of getting the runs set them in light'll ear tod fashion. But it was early an'parent that the Taruheru bowlers were on the spot. From my seat beneath the willow tree by the scoring-board, I could see that the batsmen were experiencing difficulty in keeping the deliveries of Davies and Hannigan out of ilieir sticks. Disaster came early'. Hooker relieved Hannigan, and clean-bowled Harry Babbs with the fourth ball of his second over. 2 —-I—7. Athol Young joined his captain, Leu. McMahon, who was opening cautiously, no doubt with a hope of repeating his performance in the last match against Taruheru, when he notched 122, not- out. With 17 up, Young was run out after just breaking his “duck.” Troubles came thicker, as with another sin'gle added McMahon was clean bowled by Davies. The Wanderers’ captain had been using his feet well to Davies, going well up the pit-h to smother the break. In adopting these tactics a batsman must have all his wits about him. McMahon went out to Davies, but failed to get to the ball, and bad to play at 'tlie' pitch. The break beat him, and over wont the sticks. Seven runs later Commons followed, l.b.w. to Davies. It is good cricket to utilise your pads in guarding your wicket against a slow break bowler to balls pitched outside the wicket; but it is suicidal to stop a slow straight one or one breaking from the Jeg pin to the 'off-stick or vice versa with your legs. 'Watch where they .pitch, lads; and if they land between wicket and wicket—well, put your pads in your pocket. While on the subject of leg-before, it must have been a source of grim joy to Davies to get a leg-before decision given in his favor for a change. Jack has been simply rioting in leg'before lately. He was out l.b.w. in both innings against United at Taruheru. 'One would have thought that This would have made Jack think, but no ! Davies serenely stuck his foot in. front of a straight one from Harrj r Babbs on Saturday. “How’s that!” yelled Harry. Skyward went the umpire’s arm, and Jack trailed his bat to the willow tree with conflicting emotions chasing themselves up and down his countenance. Three times l.b.w. in three consecutive innings! And letme tell you, Jack, you will most probably establish an l.b.w. record if you persist in your foolhardy practice of getting in front of your sticks to force well-pitched straight fast ones to leg. Trumper and Bardsley can do these sort of things; but .for 3'on „<nd I, who are getting on in years, and do not get too much practice—well, it is dangerous, Jack; highly dangerous! But to resume the thread of our broken narrative. Jim Moore and Glennie made a bit of a stand, and improved the Wanderers’ outlook considerably. Glennie shaped best, and hit three good fours in his 22, while Moore played stolidly for -a dozen. But both were got rid of, and Sain McConnell and Frank Tonks were together when time was called, the record then being six wickets for 69 runs. Wanderers will have to buck up next Saturday to avoid being defeated, for the first time this season in competition matches. Hannigan bowled remarkably well ■against Wanderers on Saturday at Taruheru. He sent down seven overs for 9 runs, and' clean bowled Moore They must have treated him with the greatest respect. Were the Wandevers batsmen afarid of the swerve, I wonder i Davies bowled ten overs for 30 runs and bagged two wickets. He had all the batsmen in trouble at times, and . did great service in getting rid of McMahon. Hooker, Monk, Dillon and Lasker all bowled steadily. There was quite a feast of run-get-ting at Victoria Domain on Saturday afternoon, when Y.M.C.A. and United met. Arthur Barker and Sam Mill made a splendid stand for Y.M.C.A., and pursued the even tenor of their run-getting; way until 86 runs had been scored for the first wicket. The United bowling was very wild and loose. None of the bowlers could 'keep a length; and full tosses and long-hops abounded, while many deliveries were so badly directed as to pass outside the legs of the batsman and travel to the boundary for byes. While Barker and Mill were associated, they never once looked like getting out. The plight of the United men reminded one of the story of the man who went down to play against W. G. Grace when the Grand Old Man was at his best. A friend was very anxious to know how the game was ~ going and wired asking to be informed of: tiie state of the game, lie receiv"ed the following reply: “We have not got a wicket .vet, but are hoping every day to do so.” At long length Barker was badly run out. It was one of those silly errors •'* of judgment which the best of players make at times. He had batted well for his 36, hut should have pasted the loose bowling more severely than he did.

Don Miller joined Mill arid the rungetting continued. The century was quickly hoisted, ape! the bowling banged about at will until 124 was up. Miller was then magnificently caught at forward cover by Billy Dods. Don got right on to /a fast long hop on the off from Andrews. He got tremendouspower into the stroke, which flew head

‘high straight for Dod’s right hand. The fieldsman ’brilliantly stopped the ball with his right hand, and secured it as it came down again. The welkin rang again in recognition of the brilliant catch. Miller had hit powerfully for his 32.

Nelson continued the game, and helped Sam Mill to .take the total to 160, when the colt was run out for 17. ■ Baku assisted Mill, who was now 'thoroughly set, to take the score to 172, when "Whyte bowled Baku. Featon was l.b.w. to "Whyte’s second ball, and as Y.M.C.A. had no more batsmen present the innings closed for 172 for the loss of six wickets.

Mill was left 'not out with 46 t-o his •credit. He played very soundly and was quick to .score off anything loose. If Y.M.C.A. had scored well, what must be said of the display given by •United. J. Lang and AA ; . Gibson opened and commenced to .put the runs on at an alarming pace. Jim Lang was particularly aggressive, and by means of eight footers ran to his half-century in half-an-hour. Gibson was by no means idle at the other end. Ho brought a couple of balls from outside the off-stick round to the mid-on boundary, and continued to score off almost every ball. With 94 up, or S more titan Mill and Barker had put on for Y.M.C.A.’s first wicket, a yorker from Nelson dislodged Lang’s leg-stick, and he retired lor a brilliantly-hit 56. Percy l Andrew joined Gibson, and quickly hit up a dozen, when Featon clean bowled him. Time was then called, the score standing at two wickets for 109, made in about an hour. Gibson was left not out with 37. He was in an aggressive mood, but did not get a great deal of the bowling, which was monopolised by Lang during the earlier portion of the innings. Two hundred and eighty-one run a were thus, put on during the afternoon . for the loss of eight wickets in three and a-half hours, and the bright batting was highly enjoyed by the spectators. MACARTNEY'S POSITION. [Per Press Association.! CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 8. In response to the Cricket Council’s request for a definite assurance that Macartney would comply with the residential qualification rule governing the Plunket Shield matches, the Otago Association lhave replied confirming the Otago captain’s statement that their arrangements with Macartney comply with Rule 9. TENNIS. NEAV ZEALAND LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. S. At a meeting of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association this evening a proposal arising out of an Otago request to establish a South Island singles championship was negatived. ROWING. POVERTY BAY CLUB. The final race for the Wilkinson medals took place last evening, when T. McConnell and L. Clark (13sec) defeated Jas. AYeston and G. Sceats (22 sec). From the word “Go,” Weston and Sceats, with a 9sec start from the other crew, gained a three lengths’ lead for themselves, which they maintained to the first bend in the river, at which point McConnell and Clark began gradually to creep up, and by the time the crews reached the junction of the two rivers AYeston and Sceats’ lead was lessened considerably. Passing underneath the bridge both crews were racing level. About two hundred yards from home McConnell and Clark proved themselves superior,' and, gradually forging ahead, won by half a length. This race, was one of the best witnessed in connection with the club. GISBORNE CLUB. The A grade races for the Muir Cup were continued last evening, when P. Hamilton, Grenfell, McConville, and Quigley had an easy win from AA r arren, H. M. Puflett, C. Morse, and G. Pollock. This evening the semi-final takes place. Curtis meeting Hansen, and Somervell meeting P. Hamilton. The final is to take place to-morrow. The races for the Post and Telegraph trophv were also continued. Rutherford and Miller forfeited to Mulvihill and AA 7 inter, and Payne and deLautourwon easily from Fraser and Brownlee. This evening Dalgety meets Payne, and Gallop rows Mulvihill. The final is to take place to-morrow. AMATEUR ROAYING ASSOCIATION [Per Press Association.] AYE LONG TON, Feb. 8. The Council of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association have appointed Mr. AY. Sharpe, captain of the Union Boating Club, AVanganui, to act as manager of the New Zealand representatives to compete at Hobart on the 23rd inst. Mr. Sharpe will act as extra man also. The inquiry into the alleged infringement of rules by the Blenheim Rowing Club, for advancing money to one of its members, has not been concluded. In the meantime, as it is understood there is a possibility of the club seeding a crew to"/ Hobart also, the crew arc to be notified that if they go it will be solely at their own risk. ARNST TO MEET AYHELCH. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 8. Arnst and Whelch, this morning, signed articles to row'at Akaroa, on April 2 for the championship of the world and £3OO a-side. BOWLING. GISBORNE CLUB. 1 A match in the semi-final of the Gisborne Bowling Club’s Handicap Pairs took place yesterdav evening, when Wilson and Benzie .(7) beat Burton and W. Pettie .(4) by 33 points to 17. Pett. ; e scored a couple on the first head. Benzie replied with two on the. second, and on the three following heads scored two singles and a five. On the seventh head Benzie was 13 to his opponent’s 3. The latter then rallied, and scored on some heads. On the thirteenth head the score stood —Benzie 16, Pettie 9. In the subsequent heads AVilson and Benzie improved. 1 their lead, finally winning by 16 points. Wilson, in the lead, played an excellent game. AVootton and Pavitt have'to play Kymo and Johnstone, and the winners will meet Wilson and Benzie.

TURANGANUI CLUB. . Great interest was evinced in the games played on the Turanganui Club’s green yesterday , afternoon, when the members assembled in strong force- to watch the match games. A commencement was made with the match between Sawyer’s and McAVhirtor’s rinks in the President’s Fours. The contest was carried on until the 16th head, when darkness setting in put a stop to play, the game, having. been commenced at 6 p.m. The score was then even. The results of the .other match games played during the week are v——Bennett Cup.—

J. J. Martin 23 beat W. Ratcliff© 21. —On the 3rd head the scores were 4 all, but Martin then made a break, and on the 9th head had a lead of 15 to 6. Ratcliffe then got irksome good scoring, and with a- single, two, threes, a two. and a three, led on the 14th head bv 18 to 15. On the 16th head Martin was but one down, 18 —17, and drew level on the last head—2l all. In the extra head played Martin secured two shots, and won by that margin. M. G. Nasmith junr. 16 beat J. P. Williams 15. —This furnished a keen contest. On the sth head the players were 3 all, on the 11th head 8 all, 15th head 10 all, 19th head 14 all. On the 20th head Williams drew one, and Nasmith replied with one shot on the 21st head, making the scores even—ls all. In the extra head played Nasmith got in one. and won by that small margin. This evening the competition for the Bennett Cup will be continued, and tomorrow afternoon the first round in the President’s Fours will be continued, when the rinks skipped by Nasmith .inland Ratcliffe will meet. CHESS. THE WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP. United Press Association—Copyrigxt VIENNA, Feb. 7. In the chess championship matches the eighth game was drawn. Schlechter wins if he draws two more games. THE TURF. THE POVERTY BAY TURF CLUB. The summer meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club is to commence at Makaraka to-morrow, and, from the entries and acceptances received for the various events, promises, from every point of view, to be highly successful. 'l'he course and lawns are in first-class order, and; some interesting racing is anticipated. Since last- meeting the outside stand lias been enclosed with an iron fence, the entrance to which is at the back of the stand alongside the horse paddock. The entrances to the members’ paddock and the lawn will remain as formerly. By this arrangement vehicles arriving on the/ ground may either drop their passengers at the lawn entrance at the end of the avenu e or go round to the horse paddock as may be desired. His Worship the Mayor requests the burgesses to close their places of business at noon to-morrow on account of the meeting. TOLOGA BAY JOCKEY CLUB. Acceptances for the District Race, Flying Handicap, and Uawa Stakes at the Tologa Bay Jockey Club’s meeting will close on Monday next, February 14th. Entries for the First and Second Welters, First and Second Hack Handicaps, and the Autumn and Farewell Handicaps will close at th© same time. CYCLING A. J. CLARKE S GREAT RECORD. Australians have every reason to be proud of their champion cyclist (A. J. Clarke), whose record for the 1909 season in America was a wonderfully lino one, and closed up with the winning of til© big Maddison Square Gardens six days’ race, when the little Victorian teamed with Itutt. Crossing over to Europe, Clarke opened his Continental tour by winning the big German six days’ race, with Rutt again as a partner. Clarke would be selected for the final sprint, and his victory would be immensely popular, lor the Australian was a popular idol with the Germans on his short visit last year, and was specially asked, on one occasion, by the German Crown Prince, to ride a match race; the Prince presenting him with, a diamond scarf-pin to commemorate his win. Clarke is, perhaps, the greatest all-round rider that the world has produced for many years. He is the acknowledged champion sprinter of th 6 world, and has proved himself the best stayer by annexing the two big six days’ races within six weeks. None of the champion sprinters of the past have shone at six days’ racing like Clatke. Clarke’s career has been a meteoric one. He was discovered in a little country town in Victoria, by Walsh, a Victorian trainer, and, being induced to visit Melbourne, won the Austral Wheel Race from a fairly short mark, in his first season. He continued to win, and was back on scratch when he had been racing a season. Such a good judge as MacFarland predicted that Clarke would develop into a worldbeater, and he induced the Australian to visit America ; and his judgment was correct, for the Americans declare that Clarke is the greatest have seen. Clarke will now race on the Continent until tile world’s championships arc decided, in July. He has valuable engagements in France, Germany, and .Denmark; and, judging by. the way he has opened his tour, it promises to be a successful one. The fact that Clarke lias developed championship form shows that other Australians would hold their own against Old World riders if given the same opportunities .