CRICKET.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7842, 15 October 1903, Page 2

CRICKET.

'• Willow is King " —local cricketors enthroned him yesterday—in other wards the season was formally opened Two matches were played, ono between scratch teams representing the Cricket Association and the Umpires' Association, and tho other between sides selected by Messrs Hitchings and Baker. Both were matches of small scores, for the pitches were bumpy, and the bowlers held the upper hand.

Batting first, tho Cricket Association ran up a total of 64, Johnston (10) and Malcolm (10) being the only ones to reach double figures. The batting was uninteresting, and at this early stage of the season players are clearly out of form. Warden (4 for 37) and j. Skelley (6 for 24) divided the bowling honors. The Umpires' Association were dismissed for 27, six batsmen, probably the best on the side, failed to score. Veteran Turner, who smote heartily for 13, endeavoured to stem the tide of disaster, but he played a lone hand—or bat. Malcolm (5 for 3) was the chief destroying agent, and he was ably assisted by sub-destroying agents Picking and McMurray. The Cricket Association thus won by by 37 runs. The other rpatch was won by Hitchings' side by 15 runs. The winners made 78 (Palmer 32, Mowlem 11), to which Baker's side responded with 63 (Benjamen 20, Astel 11). Frith captured 9 wickets for the winners, clean bowling six. Silcox was the most successful trundler for the losers.