SCHOOL CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 22 December 1926, Page 9

SCHOOL CRICKET.

HEATHCFTE-WILLIAMS SHIELD. CHRISTCHURCH'S UPHILL FIGHT. PLAY ON TRICKY WICKET. To the Auckland Grammar School's first innings total of 182 against Christchurch Boys' High School in the Heath-i-ote Williams Shield match at Eden Park, the challengers replied yesterday afternoon with a total of 130. Although 52 runs short of Grammar's first innings effort, the visitors' score was full of merit, in that conditions yesterday afternoon were all in favour of the bowling and fielding side. The rain in the morning prevented any possibility of play in the forenoon, and wWn the match was recommenced yesterday ■ afternoon the ■wicket was soft, and drying very unevenly under the influence of fitful bursts of sunshine and a slight breeze. In the circumstances, the pitch was a veritable bowler's paradise, and the game had not been long in progress before it became apparent that the batting side would have to fight for every run. The Christchurch boys started off fairly well, bvit a disastrous collapse occurred midway through the innings, which was only prevented from becoming an utter rout by the fine lighting innings

of Soanes, who went in first wicket down, and carried his bat right through • the rest of the innings. The last two batsI men, Henry and Eecott, both gave valuable assistance towards .the cloae of the innings, but the ftero of the day was undoubtedly Soanes, whose plucky effort unquestionably kept vfehe side together under most trying conditions. Had the fielding been better, Grammar might very easily have had their opponents out for a smaller eeore, especially as the bowling was particularly good. Cashmore, a slow break bowler, took full advantage of the conditions ruling, and his bowling was a constant- source of trouble to the Christchurch batsmen. Bracketed with Cashmore must be Chapman, a fast right-hander, whose fine style, even apart from his success yesterday, immediately stamped him as a bowler of more than ordinary ability. There was about half-an-liour left to play when Auckland Grammar commenced its second innings. The start wag a disastrous one. Both the opening batsmen, Sutherland and Chapman, were dismissed through "nibbling" at rising balls on the off, and that reliable field, Harper, made no mistake with either chance that came his way. The shield holders had lost two wickets for 8 runs when etumpe --were drawn for the day. GRAMMAR SECOND CLOSES FOR 204 Play was resumed In the Heathcote Williams Shield match at Eden Park shortly after ten* o'clock this morning. The wicket was very soft when the two not out nien, "Whitelaw and -McKearney, resumed Grammar's second innings, the score then standing at eight runs for two wickets. Both men started confidently, Whitelaw in particular opening out with a nice variety of shots on both sides of the wicket. After three-quar-ters of an hour's batting, .Patrick got one past McKearney, who had scored seven —all singles: 42—3—7. Partnered by Hay, Whitelaw continued to bat attractively, his best shots being a powerful pull stroke and a well-timed cut past third man. It was, however, *the pull shot that brought about his downfall, for, after getting Escott away .to the boundary in the la'tter's third over, lie tried to repeat the shot off the next ball, and misshit the ball to Patrick, who took a nice running catcli in the outfield; 59—4—37. For the next quarter of an hour runs came at a pace, Hay being particularly agg -sive. He got away several nice she to fine leg, and in nearly as many minutes had twenty to his credit. Then ho touched one of Escott's slows, and Mortlock, the wicketkeeper, did the rest; 77 —5—20. Schnauer was caught and bowled by Escott with six runs to his credit, and Grammar had six wickets down for 92. A prolific partnership between Fraser and Cashmore, however, considerably improved matters. The century went up after a little under two hours' play, and the score mounted rapidly, Fraser doing the bulk of the scoring with good shots all round the wicket. Cashmore backed him up well, and the running between the wickets was particularly good. Light rain, falling at intervals, was taking ! most of the sting out of the wicket, ami the batsmen appeared untroubled by the bowling. Cashmore brought up ! 1.30 with a square cut for a brace after lα.! minutes' batting. Shortly before the lunch adjournment I I'Yaser readied his half century, but a I minute or two later he lost Cashmore, j who was run out witli 30 to his credit. ! The partnership had put on CO runs for ! the seventh. wicket, and Cashmoru's innings was n particularly good one, characterised by pretty shots nil round Hie wicket. At the lunch"adjournment' the score was 104 for seven wickets, Fraeer being 59 not out. The innings closed for 20-1 runs. Scores:— AUCKLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL. First innings jg o ( Second Innings. I 11. Chapman, c Harper, b Patrick .. 2 .1. Sutherland, c Harper, b Patrick .. o MeKenrney, b Patrick Whitelaw, c Patrick, b Eecott '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 37 Hay, c Mortlock, b« Escott •■0 .Schnauer, c and b Rscott... . "it Fraser, c Jlortlock, b Thome .-<; Cashmore, run out '.'.'.'.' .".(» Kenney, not out ;..... ,X Wilson, o Harper, b Eseott 1...... i Onvpiis, b Kseott ~ 24 Extras i:t Total liiTi cnmsTCiiritcH roth , man school. First Innings. A. V. Thorno, c Owens, b McKearney 2') U. l>. In ties, c McKearuey, b Schnauer 20 I!, l>. Soanes. not out ;\,i K. Mortlock, c Sutherland, b Cashmore 14 <:. I!. (Jrose, c Sutherland, l> Cashmore 4 A. s. Bilicliff, c Wilson, b Oasbmore v I. J'utrk-k, l> Chapman <; <:. L. Stringer, b Chapman o E. M. Harper, c McKeamey, b Chapman •' •S. <;. Henry, c Kennej. b Cashmore .. i) 11. Eseott, c Chapman, b Cashinore 11 I:stras - '.'.'. io Tao Rowling analysis.—Cashmore took five wickets for M runs, ChaDman three for 10 schnauer one for IT. MeKeamey one for ->l' Kenny none for 4, Sutherland none for 10, W llson none for 30, •