SECOND GRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 79, 3 April 1928, Page 15

SECOND GRADE.

WINDMILL CHAMPIONS. NORTH SHORE BEATEN BY FOUR WICKETS.

After three years in the second grade Windmill finished at the head of the competition, going right through the season unbeaten. In securing the proud position of champions of the grade, Windmill are to be congratulated upon their success, which was obtained by true cricket qualities. Grit and determination were revealed in their first season in the second grade, when they were subject to much leather hunting and very brief periods with the bat, yet they never defaulted. Last year Windmill ran into third place in their section. The club was really formed by Mr. Williamson, an ex-Wellington representative, and an enthusiastic cricketer, who takes a great interest in school cri t, giving a lot of time and the benefit of his experience to the boys. Not only did Windmill succeed in winning the second grade championship, but also another tflam, Vicj toria, under his custodianship was successful in securing the lower grade hon- ' ours.

It is ■ eedless to state t it Windmill performed better than in any previous season, and in winding all of their matches, displayed splendid t am work, for it was not a case of playing for averages, but each player endeavoured to study his side first and foremost. To score 2458 runs for 132 wickets in 13 completed innings was by no means a light task and it was only i. two matches that Windmill completed both innings. It is over a fortnight ago since Windmill and North Shore, win.iers of their respective' sectkns, started the match to decide premiership honours, and it will be remembered by all who follow second grade cricket that at the er.J of -.he first days play North Shore held a lead of 29 runs on the coni t 'etion of an innings apiece. Sandwiched in between twodays was the first Test .it Eden Park, so Windmill had plenty of time to review the position. Still the *elav was of some advantage to them r., "hey were fortunate enough to have the benefit of the advice and instruction from J. S. Dempster, one of Mew Zealand's finest cricketers. P1&, was resum at Victoria Park and it is only fair to state that the North Shore atsm : had an atrocious wicket for their second innings. Rumou were oat at the trans-harbour team intended to stonewall and not give Windmill a chance to recover. Whether they tried to persevere with those tactics was not apparent, for Clark, carrying out Dempster's suggestions, bowled fast leg theory from as far out as possible and did not give the batsmen a chance. Scott went in the first over be e a run was scored. Two singles came off Wood's first over, then another off Clark's second over, then further disaster in store for North Shore as the Windmill fast bowler obtained three more w";kets before the over finished. Wood's second over caused the departure of R. Smith and Walters, the register showing x wickets for five runs. Wynne (10) and Adams (seven not out) added 18 for the seventh wicket, and with an additional 10 runs for the ninth the innings terminated for 34 runs, truly an inglorious display for such an occasion.

Windmill's "star" trundler (Clarke) bowled particul "y well, taking eight wickets for 14 runs in five overs, the leg theory proving too much for the Shore batsmen, the ball appearing to come back and invariably t ok the leg or middle stump. On one occasion one of the bails was picked up 27 yards from > wicket. Wood, in four overs, secure 1 the two remaining wickets for 14 runs.

Although North Shore were dismissed for 34 runs Win. till suffered no little anxiety before the game finished. They required almost twice that number and the runs had to . scored on r wicket that was by no means improved. Opening with Kabbidgc and Clarke excitement ran high when .uidge was dismissed by Wynne with only four runs on the slate. Clarke went next to a leg before decison, the to J 1 biing 34 for two wickets. With six wickets . n for 44 runs, North Shore etill posaessed a fighting chance, but by stea/.y play Windmill secured the runs without further loss. Wood's knock of 26 was the brightest patch in the diy's batting. He played carefully but drove powerli. on both sides of the wicket. Obren (14 not out) played a quiet innings, but wound up with a couple of fours, which put the game beyond doubt.

For North .Shore Smith and Wynne divided the bowling honours. In eight overs the former took two wickets for 15 runs and bowled three maidens. Wynne in five overs also secured two wickets for 15 runs. Walters (one for 17) suffered through Obren knocking ten off his last over. Summed up Windmill deserved their victory. They have a name for recovering and proved it on Saturday when the odds wefe against them. The North Shore team fielded splendidly and evcrv run recorded against them wa3 wcil earned. The following are the averages of the winning toam:— BATTING. „ _ , Inncs. Runs. Aver. f; Wood 14 i>o3 36.0 M. Clark 13 3!>2 30.1 I. X. Wntkin .... 13 2*15 •>•>7 W. Rabbldge .... ia 2'>o 20 0 K. Pa vie* 11 148 H. Frayllng .... 10 111 14 1 G. Ppraeg 12 152 12 6 N li. Obren .... ft 105 116 W. Obren 11 0.1 t.,5 W. J. England .. 10 85 8 5 J- Darby 8 47 0.0 L. Walker 8 36 4.5 BOWLING. Wickets. Runs. Aver. M. Ciark 83 581 7 0 G. Sprang 25 219 8.7 K. Wood 36 3>!)4 10.0 W. J. England .. 22 313 14.2 N. R. Obren .... ft 185 20.5