MINOR PROVINCES DEFEATED.

Auckland Star, Volume 304, Issue 304, 23 December 1926, Page 12

MINOR PROVINCES DEFEATED.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. In the representative cricket match, Wellington v. Minor Associations, the visitors made a better stand in their second effort. Though the team was considerably below the standard of the city players they reached 163 before the last wicket fell. Gallichan, 56, was top scorer. He showed good form and displayed some nice strokes. Cameron and Worker also shaped well. Lowry went ont easily to Badcock. None of tbe others with, perhaps, the exception of Eden, made any stand. Badcock was very effective, taking five wickets for "51 runs. Wellington won by an Innings and 34 runs.

SECOND GRADE GAMES. NOTES ON THE PLAT. ■Windmill v. Papakura. It cannot toe stated that Windmill were very keen about leaving the grass wickets in the city. However, they were fully satisfied with their first trip to Papakura, and appreciated the treatment received during the afternoon, although a little note of discord cropped up concerning a legitimate appeal for a catch at the wickets by them, and the umpire's decision thereon, which, by the way, according to the majority, was perfectly correct, and was also the first taken by the Windmill 'keeper this season. Papakura took first strike, but opened disastrously, the first wicket falling after Beechey had scored a two off each of the opening bowlers. Then in Clarke's next over Beechey was caught off England without addition to the total. The fourth wicket raised the score from 16 to 33, but thereafter the bowlers held the upper hand, until the fall of the eighth wicket at 42. The last stand produced 22 runs, and the innings closed for 64. Anderson and Wilson (a late inclusion) compiled 17 runs apiece. The former collected most of his runs on the off, while Wilson hit out merrily. Owing to the long grass, runs were not easy to get, and many strokes did not realise their value. Clarke and England bowled unchanged, sending down ten overs apiece. The fast bowler captured three wickets at a cost of 15 runs, and included three maidens. England secured five wickets for 46, being hit for two sixes towards the end. Windmill did not open much better than their opponents, but Clark and Frayling added 31 for the second wicket, while Spragg assisted Clark to raise the total to 74 before the fall of the third wicket. The departure of three batsmen in quick succession saw the score at 96 for six, and at closing time it was 120 without further depletion. Clark (54 not out) batted splendidly on the hard wicket, scoring all round the wicket, although a square-cut figured frequently in notching runs. England (17 not out), instead of being another victim for Anderson, hit him for two sixes in his last over. Spragg (13) made his runs on both sides of the wicket. Frayling (11) was strongest on the off. For Papakura, Anderson met with most success, taking three wickets in his first over, but in the next 18 runs were scored. All Saints v. Eden. Eden had first hand and compiled the moderate total of 135. A. Gordine >was the chief contributor with 53. Hitting hard he quickly knocked up his score before he was stumped by Brown. Wood (45 not out) played a fine innings. He was never troubled by the bow-ling and gave a chanceless display. The bowling honours for All Saints' went to Williams (three for 16). He had the majority of the Edenites who faced him on the defence all the time. Blackmore (three for 52) bowled better than his figures indicatet. Brown, the All Saints' wicket-keeper, did good work, stumping four of the opposition. All Saints', on taking occupation of the wicket, notched the respectable total of 215 for four wickets. The foundation

of the score was laid by Johnson (105) and Blackmore, on a first-wicket partnership which yielded 150 runs. The former, in obtaining the coveted century, gave a brilliant display, hitting the Eden bowlers almost when and where he liked. His score included two sixes and ten fours. Blackmore (58 not out) again gave evidence of being a fine all-rounder, obtaining runs with well-timed shots. A. Gordine, medium to fast, was the best cf the Eden bowlers, getting two out of tie four wickets. Balmoral v. ParnelL Winning the toss Balmoral batted on a fast wicket at Eden Park, which, according to results, favoured the bowlers, and they were dismissed for a meagre 63. They opened disastrously, losing three wickets for nothing. However, a fifth-wicket stand between Brunning and Fulton saved the side from a complete rout. T_e left-hander played solidly, hitting hard at anything loose in compiling 21. Fulton (26) a tall right-hander, played a much similar innings, although lifting the ball at j times. However, the runs came when they were badly wanted. Lowe (six for 31), a medium righthander, kept a length and varied his pace judiciously. Johnston (two for 17) was not quite so reliable. Parneil replied with 9_, which gave them a lead of 33 runs. The batting throughout was mostly of the solid order. Johnston (16) obtained his runs by driving. Stewart batted carefully utilising a leg glance. Lee (14) hit hard during his brief stay at the wickets. Tne bowling honours for Balmoral were divided between Berridge (five for 32) and Fulton (three for 27). Both were most successful with the faster stuff, the slow bowling being unprofitable. Grafton v. Worth Shore. Grafton made merry at the expense of North Shore and they amassed the big score of 308, thanks to a prolific partnership between Hopkins (124) and Leech (79), the pair notching 180 odd runs before a separation was effected. The next best scores were: Thomas 29 and Craig 27. Although the bowling of the trans-har-bour team came in for severe punishment, Foster secured five wickets at a cost of a dozen runs each. University defaulted to Akarana, only four of the students putting in an appearance.