CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Issue 38, 14 February 1929, Page 15

CRICKET.

UNIVERSITY V. PARNELL B.

SECOND GRADE. i THE SECOND ROUND. TWO CEXTLRIhS COMPILED. Tlie competition advanced a further stage last Saturday when the second round of the A section commenced. The weather was fine, but a strong wind had its disadvaantages, while some of the wickets had suffered by the long spell of dry weather. However, several substantial scores were compiled during the afternoon, and a couple of centuries were recorded. Holliday, of Takapuna. notched 129, and Murphy, of Epsom United, obtained 104.

In contrast were the displays of Tamaki, who were dismissed twice for 26 and 35, and Western Springs, whom Epsom United dismissed for thirteen runs.

PONSONBY V. TAKAPUNA. Almost old rivals, although Takapuna has onlj- been in existence for a couple of seasons, the two teams met at Taharota Park, at Takapuna. Ponsonby took first strike, but the pitch was not up to expectations, and on account of some rising balls and shooters, the conditions were exaggerated, and the visiting batsmen expected every ball to "play up.'' Notwithstanding, Ponsonby succeeded in scoring 127 runs, despite the fact that the bowlers could break fairly sharply at times. Hay (17) and Wheeler (18) opened for Ponsonby, and both succumbed to off-breaks from Craig. Faram. one of the seasider's leading bowlers, was compelled to retire owing to illness. Douglas (IS> and Dale (14). two promising young players, became associated, and raised the total to S4 before Hopkins secured their wickets. The Lendrum brothers added 19, and J. Lendrum was caught off Cooper, who bowled round the wicket, pitching the ball on the leg stump, and then going across. G. Lendrum ! (28) did the scoring, while the following batsmen were very quiet, notching only four runs between them. The aggressor came to grief in attempting to send Craig to the boundary, being well caught by Cooper, who took a catch over his head, while on the run. The bowling honours for Takapuna fell to Craig (five for 33), and Hopkins (four for 23). both sending down medium to fast "stuff," while the former broke from the off. Takapuna soon proved that runs could be made on the wicket. Craig and Hopkins, the opening pair, scored heavily off the Ponsonby slow blowers, until the latter was out leg before, to a ball that he evidently hit. Holiday joined Craig, and a most fruitful partnership ensued. The newcomer soon passed Craig's total, and despite the fact that the Ponsonby skipper rang the changes frequently, the score rose by leaps and bounds. Holiday's vigorous display enabled him to reach the coveted century, and with his score at 120, he was caught by Dale off the ninth ball of an over from Piesse. During his turbulent career he notched five sixes, and twelve fours. The same bowler accounted for Craig (96), who was unfortunate in not gaining three figures. In a steady display he counted nine fours and numerous singles. Yarnton, an ex-Belmont schoolboy, played quietly. Needless to state. the attack being in the main comprised of slow bowling, it suffered considerably, owing to a strong cross ▼ind interfering with spin and direction ; therefore they were unable to take full advantage of the eccentricities of the wicket. Piesse (three for 55) shows promise, and should develop into a fine bowler. So far this season he has taken over 100 wickets. Atkinson secured the other wicket at a cost of 29 runs.

On No. & at the Domain, this match was commenced, 'Varsity, winning the toss, chose to bat on a wicket showing auipie evidence of an empty reservoir, and crumbled badly at one end. 'Varsity put together 88 runs, Dacre (22) compiling his runs in vigorous style. Bramlev (15). McVeagh (14) and Binmore (10) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures. Bowling for Parnell, Fulton took six wickets for 40. Aided by the wind he was always dangerous, swerving considerably and coming off the pitch to the discomfort of the batsmen. Fisher (two for 7) and Russell (two for 34) both bowled with judgment. Parnell's first innings produced 105, Russell 41, batted well,- and drove with force. His score would have been bigger but for the keenness of 'Varsity's fielding, the catch at square leg which deprived him of the privilege of proceeding with the bat being a good clean effort. Siddall (28) sacrificed some of his style for runs, and batted nicely for his score. His recent efforts have been much better, and he should get plenty of runs from now on. Roy Wilson carried his bat for 11 runs, secured with muscular effort. Bowling for 'Varsity, Lintott (four for 14) and Binmore (four for 20) were the most successful of the six bowlers tried. 'Varsity, In their second innings, have made a much better start, having 52 on the board for the loss of one wicket. Dacre (25 not out), Howell (out to Russell for 15). With a first innings lead of 17 in favour of Parnell there should be an interesting finish to this match. ALL SAINTS V. BALMORAL. At the Domain, All Saints', winning the toss, decided to take first hand on a wicket that showed signs of wear as the game progressed. Their effort realised 104 runs.. Swinton (21 not out) top scored as the result of a very patient innings, though not chanceless. He scored most of his runs in front of the wicket, mainly on the leg side. Brown (15) displayed some nice off shots. Thompson (13) and Tizard (13) were more forceful. D'Audney (12) and Blackmore (10) assisted to maintain consistency in the batting', although it did not ' reach any great dimensions. For Balmoral, Way (five for 22), a rather fast bowler, mixed his pace to advantago E. Young (three for 52), a lad of 1". bowled unchanged, sending down a slow break. The ground fielding of Balmoral was good, but several chances were dropped. Young suffered most in this respect, Swinton being missed off his bowling. Balmoral could only collect 29 off the bowling of De Blois and Blackmore. who took full advantage of the worn wicket. The former wound up with four wickets at a cost of three runs apiece, while Black more secured five wickets for 17 runs. Way (13) was liie only batsman to make I any impression, hitting two fives and £ I three. In their second venture All Saint™ I obtained 53 for seven wickets. Averill (19) and D'Audney (13) batted attractively. Way was again the star performer, taking five more wickets for 21 rune out of the seven that fell. EPSOM UNITED V. WESTERN SPRINGS. In this contest Western Springs did not shine as second graders; in fact, their performances, both with bat and ball, could hardly be classed as third grade. Throughout the day Epsom United treated the opposition in a light-hearted manner. Certainly they had little cause to take the game seriously, for in their first imings they compiled 264 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Murphy (104) gained the coveted century by free cricket, and Andrews collected 63 without being seriously troubled by the bowling of the opposition. Western United's first innings only amounted to a paltry thirteen runs. Hart, a fast medium, and Andrews, with slow off-breaks, evenly divided the bowling honours, each taking five wickets, at a cost of half a dozen run« apiece. Western Springs ifld a little better in their second innings, scoring 35 for the loss of three wickets. UNITED SUBURBS V. TAMAKL United Suburbs made merry at the expense of Tamaki. running up the substantial total of 236 in quick time. Nolan (78), one of United Suburbs' most consistent performers, and Cooke (54) treated the bowling with scant respect, scoring freely on both sides of the wicket, then to complete their day out bowled unchanged throughout both innings, dismissing Tamaki for the paltry totals of 26 and 35, which gave United Suburbs a four-point victory by an innings and 175 runs.

WESTERN UNITED V. WINDMILL

Winning tho We.-'rrn Ipitod elected I" bain nr>t use of a g.n.d wi>k>i at the 1 ii.tuiiin. Smith and Giilam were the openilia pair, and, thanks to some line hatting hv Smith, f.- run# were mi the .ore ooan, before he was dismi>M'd for a well-placed r.o iff. giiv«» a brilliant dism ay, indulging in tine wristy shots ail round the wicket. <i:e ease with which lie baited, and hi> placements were remini.-cent of hi# noted father «S.Ci.«. Altogether lie hit eignt fours, and compiled his score in less than half an hour. Donaldson followed, and notched the tine total of 91 before he was bowled in going for a hit in an endeavour to reach the coveted three-figure marK. He played his usual sound game, excelling in crisp shots nil round the wicket. His batting has been a model of consistency this season, some of his best scores being 120 not out, 00 not out. IK!. 44. 40, _3S, 2b. and 01. He had hard luck in missing the century by nine runs. W. Giilam <IM, Giilam <17 >. and L. Goldfinch (14) all performed well. The former batted in his usual sound style, although a lot slower than usual. Smith scored while Giilam was collecting 12. R. Giilam showed good defence and ability to hit the ball hard. L. Goldfinch gave a glimpse of his true form, and obtained his runs in quick time with crisp leg shots and cover drives. With three short, the innings closed for 224. Of the Windmill bowlers. Smith i three for 351 was the most impressive. Although his length was erratic at times he kept the batsmen playing him. Grace (two for 2Si. Briggs (two for 32 i. Mcintosh lone for 30) divided the remainder of the wickets.

Windmill commenced cautiously, but met with disaster early. Mcintosh, however, made a stand, and carried the score to OS and his own total to 31 before being dismissed. He exploited some tine hook shots, and hit any loose balls uncommonly hard. M. Blakey (13) used the long handle, and scored quickly until he paid the penalty for his recklessness. J. Blakey (9 not out) and Wallace i 2 not out) were associated when time was called, with the score at 71 for the loss of seven wickets.

Western I/sited have the game well in hand, and Windmil! will have a heavy task to gain the major points.

PARNELL A V. NORTHCOTE. Parnell journeyed to Northcote. and were extremely disappointed with the playing area. An asphalt wicket surrounded by a bad outfield was not conducive to good cricket from a visitor's standpoint. Having immediate possession of the wickekt, Parnell were all out for 54 runs. Barrier (17 not out) and Corbett (14) obtained the bulk of the runs, and batted well under the circumstances. The chief wicket-taker for Northcote was Cross (five for 15 i, who bowled fast and straight, gathering' pace off the wicker. Isbister (three for 24) ably assisted with slow leg breaks. Northcote passed ParneH's totaT easily, eventually posting 11" before r lie last wicket fell. Cross (49i. an ex-lniversity representative, again showed his all-round ability by batting excellently. He scored all round the wicket, demonstrating that he has lost none of his old-time ability, so is quite an acquisition to the transharbour team. Cadness (16 not out) and Aspen (11) were the only others to make a stand. Clatham (five for 201; recently from Grammar, howled at medium pace with a swing which necessitated careful attention. Kelly's three wickets cost 11 runs apiece.