THE WORLD of SPORT

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 33, 9 February 1928, Page 15

THE WORLD of SPORT

CRICKET.

SECOND GRADE.

CHAMPIONS IN PROSPECTIVE.

BALMORAL AND WINDMILL LEAD.

Thanks to play on the holiday the second round advanced a couple of stages within eight days, and already second o-raders and their enthusiasts are anticipating the struggle between Balmoral of the A section, and Windmill in the B division. The former possesses a lead of seven points over North Shore, with Parnell four further away, while Windmill are at the head of affairs with half a dozen points in hand from Epsom United. There is just a chance that the fflorious uncertainty may evi tuate, but the meeting of Balmoral and North Shore next" Saturday should have an almost definite bearing on the championship of the section. In v.,e second Irrade Windmill try conclusions with Pon°jni,v. who are almost at the op] jsite i"d of the list. Another m.: .. of importance in the B section is the struggle between Epsom United and Takapuna. The transharbour team make no secret about their determination to secure the points, and it is to be hoped that a sporting game will be the outcome. The rise of North Shore and Parnell and the maintaining of the lead by Balmoral has been the feature in recent contests for the premiership of the A section. Tht wickets not only bear the brunt of long hours, but also come in for a good deal of comment, and it is refreshing to hear something of a satisfactory nature occasionally, especially after the extended dry period. At Eden Park, on a wicket which bears a reputation for small scores. Parnell succeeded in compiling a couple of hundred runs, but were not quite so happy at their second venture. , , ... Takapuna had the honour of putting up the substantial total of 330, and then were two short, the game terminated in a victory over Grafton by an innings and 75 runs. Y.M.C.A. quite distinguished themselves by obtaining a lead '""i" Balmoral on the first innings, still it is not the first time that the A section champions in prospective have been equal to recoveries on four occasions during the season. All Saints achieved a rather good performance in wetting rid of Windmill for under the hundred, but they were unable to negotiate the bowling of the opposition, and fared worse. Very little good news comes to hand regarding the condition of the wicket at the Shore, and last Saturday was no exception, in fact, the Students did not put in an appearance on the second day, and lost to North Shore by four points. Epsom United also scored four points, Ponsonby being tbe victims, but that is not by any means a new experience fur the West Enders. The following table shows the positions of the tear.::: — A SECTION. Ch. Played Won Lost Pts. Balmoral ...... 7 7 0 27 Xorth Shore ...... 7 5 - Parnell 7 4 J® University 7 3 4 11 Wen 7 2 o 10 T.M.C.A 7 0 7 0 B SECTION. Ch. Plaved Won Lost Pts. Windmills 7 7 0 27 Epsom United .... 7 o 2 -1 All Saint 7 4 3 16 Tskapnna 7 3 4 11 Ponsonby ...... 7 1 6 o Grafton ........ 7 1 6 4 BALMORAL V. Y.M.C.A. Balmoral, winning the toss, elected to bat on a wicket of good appearance but which soon proved very tricky, and were all dismissed for 70, their second lowest total this year. Disaster set in early. Two wickets fell for nothing. However, the third wicket yielded 31 runs, B. Evans and Wilson saving complete collapse. B. Evans (26) top-scored, but was rather lucky, being dropped twice. Off shots were his best strokes, and his defence sound, but his timing of the leg balls was weak. Byerley (16 not out), a colt, played stylishly, and executed pretty off shots, while hi 3 defence has improved considerably.

In the Y.M.C.A. attack Whaley (three .or 15), a third-grader, howled well, keeping a splendid length. He also turned the ball from the leg, and should develop into quite a good bowler. Harrison (two for 23), a tall medium-fast trundler, bowled well at times. He tries to obtain too much pace, thereby sacrificing his length. He swerves the ball a good deal, and would be well advised to bowl slower.

Y.M.C.A. only just managed to pass Balmoral's total, being all out for 77. Grombie (*22), a Veteran, played attractively, his off shots, square cuts, late cuts and off drives being prettily executed. Bell (20) indulged in some wild hitting of a blended variety, and managed to connect on occasions.

Amongst the Balmoral bowlers Berridge (four for 25), a medium-pace, captured most wickets, but was not seriously inclined. Way, a colt, captured three for one run. A right-hand medium - paced bowler, he has the right physique, being very tall, and once he learns to command the break should be a valuable acquisition. In their second venture Balmoral at the end of the first day's play had 98 runs on for eight wickets, eventually raising it to 131.

E. Evang (29) batted soundly, but is not as aggressive as lie was earlier in the season. His off shots were most prolific, but showed a tendency to lift the ball. A season under Bowley would improve this player. Berridge (14), Spicw (12) and B. Evans (12) also reached double figures. Harrison .(four for 29) bowled better than in the first innings, but again "expressed" beyond control at times. Bell (three for 17) was the "puzzle" of the match. Bowling slow "mental" breaks, he finished up with three for 17, flattering figures.

Requiring 125 runs to secure their first victory of the season, Y.M.C.A. collapsed, and were all out for 49. Three batsmen only reached double figures, Schierly (14), Crombie (11) and S. Bell (10) being the men. All were very reposeful.

Spicer (five for 22) captured most of the wickets. This lad has been in good form this season, both with bat and hall. He bowls a good length ball, with h turn both ways. Way (three for 2) "Tain came to light, and secured the

"'.iat trick." He bowled four overs, and Kept a perfect length. This gave him r he sensational figures of six wickets f» r three runs in the match.

Balmoral won by 75 runs, a four-point v. :r.

TAKAPUNA V. GRAFTON. Takapuna winning the toss elected to take first strike on a bumpy wicket, and batting two men short compiled 330. Holiday's contribution of 44 included 10 boundaries, the result of perfectly timed forward drives and late cuts. Griffin and Minogue then made a great stand, the third wicket adding 161 runs. Griffin scored all round the wicket in making 70, though he gave several lives in the forties. Minogue played a perfect innings, his off driving being a feature. Unfortunately he was badly injured at 81, and had to retire. He returned later in the innings, but was so lame lie could not run, many runs having to be discarded, which considerably affected Griffin's total as well as his own. Hitting solely to score by boundaries he was bowled at So, and had it not been for his injury it is practically certain he would have reached his century. Oliphant played a restrained game owing to an injury, but his total (60) was the result of good strokes, mostly forward drives. Laing (21 not out) and Guiniven (14) made a final stand.

Grafton's attack was weak, but the fielding generally was worse, Luke Wilson being the exception in the field. Of seven trundlers Wilson, four for 73, was the most successful, he bowled the off theory for some overs, and would then change to a leg break, pitched on the leg stump breaking across. Stone, medium fast, was far too erratic.

Grafton's reply was 155. Thomas and Luke Wilson made a good opening stand of 59. Thomas made 25, scoring mostly on the off. Luke Wilson, with a tally of 26, was unfortunate in being run out when well set, the result of a good return 'by Guiniven. Dunning (57) and Teape (16) made a productive 7th wicket stand to the extent of 70 run* at a time when they were badly needed. Teape was content to let Dunning force the pace. Included in Dunning's tally were 12 boundary hits, the result of good off driving and leg glancing. Farram (three for 34) and Oliphant (two for 29) bore the brunt of Takapuna'n attack.

Grafton, with a deficit of 175 runs, followed on, but compiled 100. Wilson (24) and Thomas (13) again made a promising start, Dunning 23 and Teape 13 being the only others to reach double figures. For Takapuna Burton (seven for 23) mixed his bowling well. Cooper (three for 7) bowled a medium fast ball breaking back. Takapuna winning by 75 runs and an innings to spare. EDEN V. PARNELL. Parnell, batting first, compiled the fine score of 205 on No. 4 wicket, Eden Park, which has been blamed for many small totals this season. E. Foster (45), a veteran, played an attractive innings, scoring on both sides of the wicket with well-placed shots. His off shots were most productive, but he dealt with any leg-balls severely if they were loose. Kenny (38 not out) batted nicely, revealing a sound defence. He is just a new player for Parnell, and has proved himself a great acquisition. Besides these two batsmen, the scoring was very good, Whiteley (19), Barrier (12), Johnston (18), CEara (18), Kelly (17), and Sharp (14) all assisting in maintaining the wholesome state of the register. For Eden, Lloyd (three for 12), a fast right-hand bowler, was very erratic. He bumped the ball freely, and this contributed towards his success as a wickettaker. Cooper (three for 60) came in for a good deal of punishment, but nevertheless bowled well. His length was good, and included a leg-break. Eden replied with 118, of which Barron (27) and Hebden (40) were the only double-figure scorers. Both batted carefully against accurate bowling. The latter during his stay at the crease revealed some nice strokes on both sides of the wicket. Kenny (four for 43) trundled well, keeping a nice length throughout, turning the ball a little both ways and developing pace off the wicket. He showed prospects of making a first-class bowler. Sharpe (five for 30), a slow bowler, turned the ball from the off, but was flattered a little by his figures. His length was O.K. Parnell only scored 69, a very poor total. Barrier (20) batted soundly, featuring nice off-shots. Russell (18 not out), a promoted third-grade boy, showed a nice style and should do well with a little experience in the grade. Lloyd and Cooper again shared the bowling honours, the former securing two for 27 and the latter three for 22. The wicket was showing signs of wear, and this was a great help to the bowlers towards the end. Eden, requiring 156 for a four-point win, succeeded in reaching 104 before the last wicket fell, leaving Parnell winners by 52 runs. Hughes (29) indulged in some merry hitting and collected seven fours in his total. He used a "pull shot" to its best advantage, and hit very hard at anything loose. Lloyd (23) swung at everything, and his score included two sixes and two fours. He is just a hitter, and resembles S. Bell, of Y.M.C.A., in this respect. Cooper (15), Barron (14) and Cowan (19) scored best of the remainder. Kenny (three for 21), Sharp (three for 18),"and O'Hara (two for 17) divided the bowling honours. •VARSITY V. WORTH SHORE. 'Varsity journeyed across to North Shore, lost the toss, and were sent in to bat on a well-nigh impossible wicket. Run-getting was a difficult proposition under the circumstances, and Varsity were all out for 69. Cornwall (15), Babbidge (12) and Albrecht (13 not out) were the only men to reach double figures. All batted slowly and carefully. Cleal (six for 27) bowled really well. Keeping a good length, he turned the ball nicely from the leg, and this, coupled with the state of the wicket, ■ made him practically unplayable. Shore just managed to top "Varsity's > total, being all out for 78. Again the ' batting was uninteresting, Scott (27) land Winn (11) being the only men to make a stand.

Scott's knock was full of credit under the circumstances, and he really saved his side.

Albrecht (four for 21), a fast righthander, bowled well. On such a wicket he was always dangerous with his pace and a bumping ball. Occasionally he broke the baU from the off very sharply. Godley (two for 7) relied on a good length and pace off the wicket. 'Varsity, batting again, had lost five for 51 at the end of the day's play. Only 198 runs were scored during the afternoon's play. Albrecht (21) played a sound, stolid innings, and proved his ability as an all-rounder.

'Varsity did not put in an appearance the second day, and lost by default.

WINDMILL V. ALL SAINTS. On a wicket not beyond complaint All Saints did very well to get rid of the leaders in the grade for 90. runs. Throughout the innings Windmill had a struggle for runs, and, apart from 19 for the second and 18 for the ninth, the last available, the Saints' bowlers suffered little opposition. Wood (24) batted soundly, scoring chiefly with off strokes, which included two fours and two threes. During the season he has batted most consistently, notching 38-5 runs for eleven completed innings. Spragg (17) opened with a four, and then slowed down. Darby (13 not out) hit a five, a three, and a live, and was anxious for further activities of a similar nature. Reid (five for 37), with mixed deliveries, did most of the damage with the ball for All Saints. Cashmore (three for 9), the last change, aided by the 'keeper, finished off the tail with his slow breaks.

The Saints fared worse than their opponents, and were dismissed for 66 runs. Reid (17) punctuated a row of singles with two fours. Hately (16) hit a six off Engfand.

The chief wicket-taker for Windmill was Clarke (seven for 19), who was almost unplayable during his nine overs at the bowling crease.

With a lead of a couple of dozen on the completion of an innings apiece, and with 97 for four wickets when play was resumed, Windmill carried the total to 151. Starting badly the second and third wickets put on 22 and 23 respectively, but it was the fifth in which Clarke (33) and Frayling (23) were associated that produced the greatest number of runs, taking the total from 66 to 101 before a separation was effected. The former batted well, scoring steadily on both sides of the wicket. He was dismissed by playing on Reid. Spragg (24) indulged in some leg hitting, notching a couple of fives and fours. Frayling (23) got Cashmore to leg for a couple of fours, during a good all-round display. Wood (2) maintained his consistency until caught off a miss-hit. Rabbidge collected a dozen, and O'Brien 10 not out.

Reid (three for 50) came in for some punishment, but was the most effective

of the five bowlers tried. Thompson captured two wickets at a cost of 20 runs each.

Faced with a score of 175 runs, All Saints were all out for 86 runs. Caskmore (25) had a lively career, hitting a seven off Clarke and turee fours. Thompson (16) also counted a stroke for seven in his quota, also at Clarke's expense. Brown (14) opened out to England, but paid the penalty after obtaining a couple of fours. The bowling honours for Windmill were divided between Clarke (four for 35), Woods (three for 28) and England (two for 11). THAMES VALLEY REPS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) TE AROHA, Wednesday. Members of the Thames and Hauraki Plains Cricket Association's combined teain to play an Auckland eleven at Paeroa on February 2- has been selected as follow: — Stack (Paeroa), Flower (Paeroa >. Sale (Paeroa), Williams (Tc Aroha). Dalton (Waihi), Thompson (Waihi), Humphries (Morrinsville) and Peak < Manav.ir ji. Three others have yet to be selected. WAIPA ASSOCIATION. TE AWAMCTU, Wednesday. The following is the draw for the second round of the Waipa Cricket Association's competition :—February 11 : Kaipaki v. Te Awamutu, at Kaipaki: Paterangi v. Te Kawa, at Paterangi; High School v. Korakonui, at Te Awamutu; Puahue a bye. February 18: Kaipaki v. Te Kawa, at T« Awamutu : Korakonui v. Paterangi. at Paterangi : High School v. Puahue, at Puahue ; Te Awamutu a bye. February "J.I: Kaipaki v. Korakonui, at Te Awamutu: Te Kawa v. Te Awamutu. at Te Kawa; Paterangi v. Puahue. at Paterangi; High School a bye. March 3: Kaipaki v. High School, at Te Awamutu; Te Awamutu v. Korakonui. at Korakonui; Te Kawa v. Puahue, at Puahue; Paterangi a bye. March 10 : Kaipaki v. Puahue. at Kaipaki; Te Awamutu v. Paterangi, at Te Awamutu : Te Kawa v. High School, at Te Kawa; Korakonui, a bye. March 17: Kaipaki v. Paterangi, at Kaipaki; Te Awamutu v. High School, at Te Awamutu; Puahue v. Korakonui, at Puahue; Te Kawa a bye. March 24: Te Awamutu v. Puahue. at Puahue ; Tc Kawa v. Korakonui, at Korakonui ; High School v. Paterangi, at Te Awamutu; Kaipaki a bye. At the close of the first round Paterangi are one point in front of Te Awamutu. Paterangi suffered one defeat, while Te Awamutu had a loss and a draw.

In club and rep. matches this season Mark Barnett. the Te Awamutu skipper, has scored 829 runs and taken 98 wickets.