The chief incidents of the championship games on Saturday were-the defeats of the leaders in the English and Scottish Leagues. Man-cheater United went under on visiting Sheffield United (2 goals to nil) and Falkirk had to acknowledge defeat (2-1) on the ground of Third Lanark. The English leaders are still far in front of all rivals, but Celtic and Dandee are now on terms with Falkirk. Another remarkable result was the defeat of Chelsea by Notts Forest, on the formers' ground, by 4 goals toto, The success of Birmingham on visiting Aston Villa is also worthy of special mention.
TURF MATTERS, Owing to the injury to Persimmon, the services of Florizel LI will be in cot siderable demand this season and the fall brother of the 1896 Derby winner will stand at the Sandringham Stod daring 1908. Writing of Florizel LI reminds one that one of his offspring—Formia—won the recent Johannesburg: Summer Handicap. Home sportsmen, were also much interested in the firat:
South African Derby and the venture ought to lead to improvement in the native-bred thoroughbred.
Home racing matters are a bit slack just now, Fortune was kind to the Hurst Park executive and the meeting on the banks of the Thames (once known as Happy Hampton) was carried through successfully. Matters were not 80 satisfactory at the Manchester fixture, however, one of the two day's racing scheduled having to be abandoned, owing to fog. The racing at both places, and also at Windsor, proved of an interesting character, though hardly of sufficient importance to warrant. special comment.
Home cricketers are awaiting the meeting of the M.C.C. on Monday with eagerness, as we shall then know the opinions of the county captains re the scheme of an Imperial contest. Some are known to be in favour, but others do not want to see the County Championship programme upset. Innovations are not much in favour among cricketers; otherwise they might see the ability of only playing the innings aside for county championship matches, which would enable three to be decided in a week.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.