WON BY A RUN.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 77, 31 March 1924, Page 9

WON BY A RUN.

SENIOR SUBURBAN FINAL. | | THE HONOURS TO ELLERSLIE. I The championship matches for 1923-24 i season were brought to a close on Saturday, j Ellerslie, a promoted Junior team of last, i year by defeating R.V., champions for j several seasons, annexing the honours. Cricketers under the Suburban Associa-, tion control will be generally pleased at the result, which is the outcome of ran- | Bistent practice and capable organisation. ] Had R.V. obtained a two-point win. which I appeared highly probable after the first day's play, a play-off would have been : necessary, but Ellerslie, taking full advan-, tage of a bad wicket, brought off a surprise. Ellerslie's first innings realised the modest total of 64, for which the rain-sodden -wicket was responsible, and at the end of tbe day's play R.V. had four wickets down for 32, and "their best batsmen to come. It' therefore looked a fairly good thing for R.V., but on resumption on a tricky wicket the batsmen collapsed before the consistently good bowling of Lonergan (four for j 23). R Watt (three for 31) and A. Watt; (three for 6), the only batsmen to make! any stand being Cloke (20) and Simpson (17). At one stage R.V. had four wickets to fall, with only 5 runs to get, but once again the glorious uncertainty of cricket Bhowed up in the tricky wicket, well directed bowling and keen fielding. j On resuming, Ellerslie put the issue beyond doubt by compiling 132 runs for seven wickets, a splendid aggressive innings by A. Watt (52), which included four sixes, being most attractive. i Ellerslie owe their victory to youth and j enthusiasm. The team was ably captained I . and well balanced, with a coterie of varied I bowlers In Lonergan, Watt (2) and Wil- : Hams, and consistent batsmen in Lonergan, I Williams. Watt and Gedye. - The first innings of Ellerslie produced 64 runs (Gedye 30, Lonergan 17. R. V.I made 63 in reply (Cloke 20, Simpson 17, MitcheU 11). THE EASTER TOURNAMENT. Thanks to the courtesy of the Auckland Cricket Association the Suburban Association Easter tournament will be held this j year on Eden Park, which, with its superior wickets and faster outfields, will tend to make tbe cricket much more enjoyable. From six to eight teams, including WeUington. Christchureh. the A.C.A. and four country teams are expected, so the public may confidently anticipate interesting cricket over the three days, alternately. Mr. Stallworthy, the secretary, has arrangements well in hand. Next Saturday a team from the Rest will play Ellerslie in a two-day's match, after which the selectors, Messrs. Elliot, Breese and Miller will select the Suburban team for the tournament. It is also the intention to put in a junior rep. team, stiffened by a percentage of seasoned players. SECOND GRADE. HARBOUR BOARD B V. AUCK. MILK CO. Harbour Board B.—First innings, 93 (Simpson 28, Douglas 22, Dudley 10). Auckland Milk Co.—First innings 77 (W. Foster 37. P. Foster 12). Douglas, four wickets, and Baggstrom, six wickets, bowled splendidly for Harbour Board, which won by 2 points. The result of this match leaves Harbour Board A and the Milk Co. level for the championship, and they ■will play off next ■ Baturday.