CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 16

CRICKET.

SENIOR B GRADE. BAY OF MODERATE BATTING. The matches commenced last Saturday afternoon in continuation: of the senior B grade competition furnished no little sensation through Eden dismissing King's for 77 runs, after compiling 215 runs themselves. So further happenings are necessary to enable King's to make amends. University, by replying to North Shore's score of 117 with 163, obtained a lead on the first innings. Balmoral had an uphill task in order to overtake Mount Albert's total of 155, for they still require 91 runs, with five wickets in hand. At Papatoetoe the game between Parnell was left at an interesting stage. The former collected 203 and Parnell scored 102 for the loss of three wickets. AT AN INTERESTING STAGE. Parnell journeyed to Papatoetoe for the second time this season, but on this occasion were, unfortunate enough to lose the toss and. Papatoetoe had no hesitation in taking strike on their home wicket, nor were they disappointed. Through the efforts of a- trio of batsmen, they succeeded in obtaining a couple of hundred, or to be exact, the register showed 203 runs before the end of the first innings. Valentine (67) was the chief contributor, and his score was the outcome of an excellent exhibition of batting, which included some splendid (1 rives. The doctor has scored consistently this season, proving a tough proposition for the majority of bowlers in the grade. P. Swaflield (49) and H. Swaffield (39) laid on the wood at intervals, collecting manv of their runs by forceful cricket, in which some big hits were featured. The brunt of the Parnell attack was home by Bell (three for 52) and Clapham (two for 48), while Dow, going to the bowling crease late in the innings, captured a couple of wickets at the cost of seven runs apiece. In replv to the outer suburban effort, Parnell made good progress, and when stumps were drawn had wiped off half the runs, scoring 102 for the loss of three wickets, therefore, the game was left in a very interesting state. Stehr (44) executed drives and leg shots in his best style and was going strongly when he departed leg before. Johnston (13) was reposeful. Vogtherr (23 not out) and Dow (S not out) were picking up runs quickly when play ceased for the day. EDEN'S DAY OUT. Winning the toss, Kissling sent Eden ini to bat, but Before the day was finished had reason to regret departing from the usual procedure. Eden absolutely astonished the leaders in the competition, and evinced no little surprise and pleasure themselves in compiling so many as 215 runs against such redoubtable opponents, and in their achievement batted one short. *. .

In a iairly consistent effort, Aubin had-the honour of heading the list for Edeii, and it was an attractive display, in 'which leg glances predominated, and the majority of his eight -fours were scored in this direction. - jt s Pestles (44)r, after starting seratchily,' Settled down to play good- cricket and. in his Ifighest score of the season hit six 'fours. G. Cumming (26) has not lost the art of batting and his driving in both directions wag excellent. Solomon (15), K. Cantley (12 not out), McKay (11), all helped to brighten jnatters and swell the total beyond • the expectations of King's. It cannot be stated that King's showed its true form in the field, or even with the bat; but that is another part of the story. Amongst the bowlers tried Caughey (three for 26) obtained the best figures, yet Palmer (three for 49) did good work. Kissling (two for 50) also bore hie share of. the burden. During Eden's innings several catches were dropped, quite an unusual'happening on the part of the King's .'fieldsmen. After getting rid of Eden, matters did not go the right way for King's. Against the Eden attack they fared disastrously. Morris, Thompson, Kissling and G. Jackson were all sent back, to the pavilion, aiftl five of King's best batsmen were out for II runs. ' Simpson (13) and Coath (10) batted stubbornly in an endeavour to stop the rot, but it was Eden's day out. Although J. H. Jackson knocked up 20, the total only amounted to 77 runs. It was McNab (seven for 40) who was really responsible for the meagre reply by King's. He kept a splendid length on the crumbling wicket and turned the ball slightly from leg. Against batsmen of the calibre of King's it was a really good feat. Mcßae (two for 26) rendered good assistance. Eden's fielding was tip-top, hardly anything being given away in that department of the game.

Y.M.C.A. SCORE WELL. Winning the toss, the Y.M.C.A. skipper elected to bat, Paton and Banbury opening to the bowling of Binmore and Kelly. Paton (16) was missed in the slips off the first ball of the match but then settled down in good style before his wicket fell to a splendid ball from Kelly. Banbury (22) was the next to go. He also had a life in the slips through failing to get right over a fa6t one, but apart from that mistake he shaped very well, and 50 runs were on the board when he stepped in front of a straight one from H. Warneford. G. Stewart (26) stayed a long time at the wicket for his runs, helping materially to wear down the attack. Worth (2fc>) batted in his usual cautious style, exploiting his favourite leg shots as opportunity arose. The soundest innings of the day was played by Burke (59), who offered an impenetrable defence to the opposition and also kept the ball on the carpet all the time. This is Burke's first season under the auspices of the A.C.A., and next year he should be a strong contender for senior honours. His batting on Saturday was strictly orthodox and he appeared to be set for his century when he was run out. Kemp (39) was unusually aggressive, poundinfr the leather with great vim. Hi s ri ins were made in quick time and a dashiii"display ended with a hearty smite to cover-point, Sellars accepting the catch At this stage Y.M.C.a! had scored a "couple of hundred for the loss of six wickets.R Nine bowlers had been tried by the Ponsonby skipper, but the attack now seemed to bp fairly mastered and indications in favour of a formidable total being raised by the Youn<* Men. 'Keepei Lendrum was then handed the ball, and immediately things be°an to happen. Mixing his deliveries' 3 judiciously, breaking both ways and occasionally putting up a "wrong 'un," he went through the tail in quick time, accounting for three wickets at a cost of two dozen runs. Of the last four batsmen, Organ (11) was the only one to reach double figures, the innings closing for the recpectablc total of 234. °

On the whole, the ground fielding of the Ponsonby team was good, but in the air it left much to be desired. The first four catches were allowed to go begging, Binmore being most unfortunate, as three of them were oil' his bowling. The bowling honours went to Lendrum (three for 24), while Hook (two for 27) also trundled to some purpose. H. Warneford, A. Warneford, and Kelly secured one apiece, while two run outs resulted from the over-eagerness of the batsmen. During their ten minutes at the crease Ponsonbv put on 20 rims without loss, Sellars. accounting for .13 and A. Warneford the remaining 7. STUDENTS LEAD SHORE. j

North Shore won the toss, and elected to bat on a wicket that crumbled and at times became dangerous. Disaster came early to the seasiders. With the total at 12 Drake was beaten by Dixon, and two balls later Dixon repeated the dise at li e expense of Long. Wynne (13), in association with H. Smith, raised the score tc 31 in quick time before the former was caught by Price. Two balls later Price beat Ren si: aw without addition to the total. With four wickets down for 31 runs Shore's prospects of compiling a big score were not promising, and the innings closed for 117 runs. Smith (43 not out) batted throughout the innings. At first he was, not over confident to the bowling of Price or Dixon, but later showed good form and scored in an attractive manner all round the wicket. Madden (18) obtained his runs behind the wicket. University maintained a strong attack. Dixon (five for 61) got a lot of " nip " off the pitch in the early stages, and broke both ways. Price (two for 37) bowled well, but did not swing as much as usual.

Although the wicket showed signs of heavy wear when University batted it played much better than expected, although several balls got u.p. sharply. McKearney (37) lived up to his reputation, notching six fours and a six in his quota. Bannister (13) was batting nicely when he was tempted by Townshend, and H. Smith whipped off the bails before he could get back. Waddingham (43) gave an aggressive display, featuring a strong pull. He got slow bowler Townshend to the leg boundary frequently wth this stroke. Pickmere (38) had a merry career, counting seven fours and a splendid six at the expense of Wynne. In one over from Wynne he collected three fours, a six, a two, and a single. Batting one short, the innings realised 163 runs. The bowling honours for North Shore went to T. Smith (five for 49). His pace off -the wicket was a source of anxiety to some of the student batsmen. Townshend (two for 37) would have done better with more assistance from the field. A TASK FOR BALMORAL. Winning the toss, Mount Albert took first use of a wicket at Eden Park that did not appear conductive to good scoring. Nevertheless they succeeded in amassing 155 runs, a good score under the prevailing conditions. By good batting, Stuart and, Condy gave Mount Albert a satisfactory start, notching 48

runs for the first wicket before the latter was beaten by a good ball from F. Barber. Candy (37) batted aggressively, a good pull " shot producing most of his runs. Jamieson assisted Smart to further improve matters, and before a separation was effected the total had readied 89. Jamieson (10) was caught oil' Hamilton, after a patient innings. With only two wickets down for S9 runs, Mt. Albert were in a good position, but, with the exception of Fulton (13) none of the following batsmen gave any appreciable assistance. Stuart (59 not out) carried his bat throughout the innings. His ucfence was soiind, while the majority of Lis runs came from drives and good strokes in front of the wicket. Although a line defensive batsman, Stuart, with a little more enterprise, would score a lot more

runs. * The chief performer with the ball for Balmoral was Hamilton (seven for 33). deceiving assistance from the wicket and swinging at times, Hamilton required a lot of watching. Brobcrg accounted for the remainder. The Balmoral batsmen never appeared comfortable against the bowling of Mount Albert, and wound up the day with 64 runs for the loss of live wickets. Ellis (18> and Mason (10), although reaching double figures, were not allowed the opportunity of revealing their best form. F. Barber (21 not out) showed more confidence, and managed to hold his end up although the wicket was difficult to operate upon.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION.

SATURDAY'S LOWER GRADE DRAW. The following lower grade matches will be played under the control of the Auckland Cricket Association on Saturday:— Second Grade A. —Ponsonby v. Grafton, match transferred from Domain No. 5 to Victoria Park. Second Grade B. —Mount Albert lose by default to "Star"; United Suburbs v. Point Chevalier, Walker Park; University v. Y.M.C.A., Walker Park (transferred from Domain, Nos. 4 and 10 respectively). Third Grade.—-Semi-finals: Power Board v. W.Y.M.1., Victoria Park; Royal OakBaptist V. University, Victoria Park. These are one-day matches. Fourth Grade.—"Herald" v. Y.M.C.A., Grey Lynn Park; Mount Albert v. Technical Old Boys, Grey Lynn Park; North Shore v. Stanley Bay, Stanley Bay ; Papatoetoe v. St. Stephen's, Papatoetoe; C.C.C.C. a bye; Royal Oak Baptist v. Aotearoa, Outer Domain No. 2. Fifth Grade. — Northcote v. Vauxhall Methodist, Northcote; Merrilands v. Balmoral, Outer Domain No. 1; Ponsonby v. Mount Albert, Mount Albert; North Shore, a bye. Owing to the Domain being unavailable and consequent shortage of grounds, it has been found necessary to postpone other games in the third grade section for one week. Until the end of the season the tea adjournment will not be recognised from the second grade downwards. House Matches.—Vacuum Oil Company v. L. D. Nathan and Company, Ltd., Walker Park; New Zealand Express Company, Ltd v Walker Park; .Tolin Court, Ltd., v. Milne and Choyce, Walker Park.

SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION.

SATURDAY'S LOWER GRADE DRAW. Following is the draw for lower grade matches to be played under the control of the Auckland City and .Suburban Cricket Association on Saturday :— Second Grade.—Edendale v. Tramways, Victoria Park No. 12; Green Lane v. Edu-

cation Board, Victoria Park No. 0; papakura v. Gas Company. Victoria Park Kn. 1; Mount Koskiil. a bye. Third Grade.—Section A : Ambury's v. Glen Eden. Walker Park ; Richmond v. Otahuhu Bus Company, Walker Park ; A.E.C.C. v. Maunsakiekie. Grey Lynn Park No. 4. Section B : Star of Eden v. Fletcher's, Grey Lynn Park No. 2; Pupuke v. Green Lane. Outer Domain No. 3: ParkerLamb v. Erin. Outer Domain No. 'J; Woolworth's, a bye. Third Grade Intermediate.—Manngakiekie v. Mount I'oskill. Mount Roskill; Richmond v. Comrades, Outer Domain No. 4; Avondale v. Edeiidale, Walker Park ; Tost and Telegraph, a bye. Fifth Grade. —Comrades v. Belmont. Victoria Park. H. 30 a.m. : Richmond v. North Side, Victoria Park, 9.30 a.m. Senior Grade B games will be continued at Victoria Park.