CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 18

CRICKET.

SENIOR B COMPETITION.

KING'S RETAIN CHAMPIONSHIP

SOME INTERESTING GAMES,

The last set of matches in connection with the senior B competition was—remarkable for the defeat of King's Old Boys by Eden, one of the weaker teams m the grade, who as a result of that unexpected achievement rose a couple of places in the competition, leading Mount Albert, Papatoetoe and Parnell. It may be mentioned that King's made a great bid toward recovery and only required another twenty runs when time intervened. It may also be mentioned that earlier in the season King's -experienced no little anxiety in the game against Mount Albert, and with a little better management could easily have been down three more points. Notwithstanding, King's Old Boys won the championship -with seven points to spare- v -..and' clearly proved that they were the best team in the competition.

Balmoral, after being in arrears, succeeded in gaining -a second innings victory over Mount "Albert with ten minutes to spare; ~ Ponsonby batting went to pieces, leaving Y.M.C.A. victors on the first innings.

In a struggle for the wooden spoon, Papatoetoe beat Parnell by 52 runs, and therefore left Parnell at the bottom of the list. After the game between University and North Shore: had gone through a couple of phases, the students were within-sight of a four-point victory, wanting 26 runs when time was up. However, they gained three points as the result of their lead on the first innings. # - " The following table shows'' the position of the teams at the conclusion of the competition:— P. W. L. D. Pts. King's 10 9 X 0 31 Y.M.C.A. 10* 7-3 0 24 Balmoral .... 10 6.4 0 • 23 Ponsonby ' 10 " 6 4 0 22 University ... 10 4 5 1 19 Shore ....... 10 4 5 1 19 Eden 10 .. • 3 .6, 1 17 Mount- Albert . 10 4-6:0 16 Papatoetoe ... 10 3 6 1 lo Parnell 10 2 8 0 14 FALL OF THE MIGHTY. Holding a lead of 138 on the first innings, Eden decided to bat again in their encounter with the grade leaders, Kin'gs Old Boys. With 11 runs on the board Simpson bowled Aickin with a good ball. Keen out-cricket made runs hard for Eden to obtain. J. Cantley (19) batted very solidly for his runs until he skied Simpson to square leg. Wickets fell rapidly, Kissliiig doing the damage, obtaining six victims in four overs. Nine wickets were down for 58, but K. Cantley (21 not out) and Haresnape (11) became associated, and added 25 runs for the last wicket. The former gave a very even display, an excellent defence predominating, He gave one chance. The Old Boys' fielding was very good, only one chance being dropped, while Coath displayed excellent form behind, the wickets. Varying pace and flight, Kissling (6, for 37) swung the ball appreciably, and was always difficult. Simpson (3 for 36) rocked them down for eleven overs. Palmer (one for 5) obtained the odd wicket. With 105 minutes in which to score 222 runs, King's- .went for the runs. Morris and Thompson opened, and although 42 were put on the board the scoring'rate too slow for the occasion. Morris (37) gave a, good display, marred by faulty running between the wickets.; j»e hit .five ,fpurs. SimpJon (19) and Wilson (16) added their runs rapidly, the former hitting two good sixes". Wickets fell in endeavouring to score quickly, and King's had lost five wickets for 96, arid Eden were in the ascendancy. Jackson and Palmer, in a hard-hitting partnership, added 83 runs in 40 minutes. Palmer (40) gave a really creditable display, hitting a six and lour boundaries, scored maiply by powerful hooks: Jackson (46) also" collected a six; and .four fours, principally from strokes in ' fjont of the wicket. He grasped every opportunity to score quickly. The "pair showed excellent form between the wickets, and stole a. number of runs. At stumps King's had lost eight wickets for 194 runs, thus suffering their second defeat in two years on the first innings. , v Though three chances were carpeted the Eden fielding was very consistent. Aieldri and Solomon being outstanding, the latter taking two good catches in the outfield. Mcßae (six for 93) bowled well, and deserved his success. He maintained a very steady length during fifteen overs, and turned the ball sharply from the leg. McNab (one for 35) kept the runs down, and towards the end of the day was bumping disconcertingly.; Cuminings" (one for 53J proved rather expensive. Given an extra half hour an exciting finish would probably have eventuated. v* v ■

UNIVERSITY OVERCOME SHORE

Facing a deficit of 46 runs on the completion of an innings apiece, North Shore showed much improved form in their second venture, enabling theni to apply the closure at 206 for. seven wickets. Hi' Smith (24) again gave a sound display, scoring moat of his runs behind the wicket. Wyrin (31) made merry, and. collected runs, in quick time. However, impetuosity brought about his downfall. Madden (15) offered a sound defence, and pMved very' hard "to shift. Jay (35), favoured with a couple of lives, showed* that he was essentially . after runs. . Rensliaw (35), although not a spectacular batsman, demonstrated his driving capabilities. . Long (1-8) was. reposeful. T. Smith (17 not out), apparently acting to instructions, went for runs, but many of his shots were perhaps a little unorthodox-.- Macindoe (21 -npt out) featured sound drives, in notching fours. .. >- <■ -«>

In a belated attempt to save the game Shore secured a couple of the students' wickets for 21; runs. However; Shanleyy playing straight to everything, de'ayed progress, bur.'it was Bannister and M'cKearney wU put a different complexion on the proceedings, the pair putting on 74 for-the fourth wicket: McKearney (59), the most,.consistent batsman on the side, used his feet to advantage. He notched eight fours and two sixes. Bannister (48 not out) was an attractive arid steady- scorer. He hit three sixes. Pickmere (14) departed to a sensational catch by T. Smith off his own bowling.

,COLLAPSE OF PARNELL. With three wickets down for 102 >uns in response to Papatoetoe's score of 203, Parnell resumed their task with Vogtlierr I and Gow. The wholesome state of the register was not maintained, and they were all out for 151 runs. Vogtherr (30) drove crisply on both sides'of the wicket, Clapham (22) was the most convincing of the remainder. Dow '10) just managed to reach double figures. The wickets were evenly divided between A. Swafficld. (three for 24), Dr. Valeria® (three for 25), and'Burhside

1 (three far 57). In their second venture Papatoetoe knocked up 125 for two wijckets, and tlien declared. Dr. Valen- , tine (52 not out) was the chief contriI butor, and scored freely on both sides I of.- the. wicket. Swaffield (41) gave a forceful display, while Kerr (18) played with freedom. Parnell ' just managed to score the extra point, having nine wickets down for 98 runs when stumps were drawn. Vogtherr (28) again batted soundly. Bell (17), Stehr (16), Clapham (13) were the, other contributors to an unimpres- ' give ' display of "batting. Amongst the Papatoetoe bowlers, P. Swaffield (three for 14) and Dr. Valentine (two for 31) were the most successful.

BALMORAL'S GOOD RECOVERY. In response to Mount Albert's score of 155 runs Balmoral had 52 runs on the slate for the loss of six wickets at the end' of the first day's play. When the innings was continued the two Barbel's, by good batting, took the total to S7 before a leg before appeal brought about a separation. F. Barber (31) scored the majority of hie runs through the agency of; off drives in a- rather valuable effort. With only two wickets available Balmoral went for the runs, but very little assistance was rendered to J. Barber, and the innings closed for 106 runs. J. Barber (22) also depai-ted leg before to Stuart, but while at the wickets executed nice off drives, square and late cuts. The bowling honours for Mount Albert went to Stuart "(six for 25). Keeping a good length he swung the ball from the off at times, while his pace off the wicket was responsible for his two leg before victims. Hirst (two for 35) was not so successful as usual. Holding a lead of 49 runs Mount Albert appeared to be in a good position/but collapsed against the bowling of Broberg and Hamilton, and were all out foT 49, batting two short. Ott (17) and Fulton (10) were the only batsmen to make any headway against the bowling. The former was unlucky to be run out when he seemed well set. Both Broberg (four for 22) and Hamilton (three for 14) bowled well. With 90 minutes to obtain 9*9 runs to save the game Balmoral did not have an impossible task to perform, and they gained their objective with ten minutes to spare, and five wickets in hand. The opening stages of their redemption were; entrusted to Ellis and Mason. Between them, although the former was responsible for.-the major portion of the runs, the total, amounted to 62 before the partnership was broken through Mason (15) being run out. Ellis (41) featured hard drives on both sides of the wicket in a free display. Broberg (18) and F-. Barber (13 not out) both batted aggressively. For Mount Albert Jamison (two for' 8) secured the best bowling analysis, but Hirtst (one ior 25) really bore the burnt of the attack. „

BURKE'S BOWLING PERFORMANCES The wicket was distinctly in favour of the-batsmen when Ponsonby, with 20 runs on arid all their wickets intact, resumed..their innings against Y.M.C.A. Only seven runs were added when A.Warneford (11) gave mid-off an easy, catch. A couple of overs later, Sellam (17) departed.' Immediately, a rot set in, the only bright spot in a dismal procession being Lendrum'e knock for 20. He was going along in good stylg. when he lost his wicket to a ball which kept low. Of the remaining batsmen sixfailed to score,- and the innings closed for the very small total of 62. For Y.M.C.A. Burke was the destructive agent. On a pitch which gave him no assistance whatever, he secured eight wickets for 20 runs—seven clean-bowled and one caught. His control of length and spin during- this innings was beyond reproach. It will be surprising if this young cricketer, both as batsman and bowler, does, not make his mark in senior cricket before very long. The last two wickets were obtained by Kemp at a cost of seven runs, both batsmen walking in front of "straight breaks." In their second venture Ponsonby fared much better, realising 212 for seven wickets, and so saving the odd point. Lendrum (86 not out) again topped the score, batting right through the innings. He showed great partiality for anything on the leg side, while he also brought off some attractive late cuts. H. Warneford (32), who has been out of luck this season, adopted aggressive tactics for a change and scored freely before Kemp got a good ball past him. Matheson (20) showed a glimpse of his old' form, but just when he appeared set for a good score he lifted a ball to square leg- and was caught. Other batsmen to reach double figures were Sellars (17), Binmore (15), Clarke (13) and Gillespie (11 not out). They all attacked' the bowling and got their runs in good time. Bowling for Y;M.C.A., Kemp took three wickets and A. Stewart two, while Burke and Paton accounted for one each. The fielding, on the whole, was fairly good, but there were one or two notable exceptions.

UNIVERSITY AVERAGES. 1

COLLEGE MATCH POSTPONED.

The annual cricket matcli between Aucki ml University College and Victoria College, Wellington, which was to have been hi"! k i , n Park durin K Easter, has been abandoned owins to the fact that the make the mp S<?t sufficient Payers to

fixture; transferred.

orTctfet 8 a°k«o ?[ p , 111 a 1 cll in the Auckland v ; ricKet Association's competition between and United Suburbs, set down at Victoria Park for Saturday has been transferred to the Northcote ground

The averages of the University Club's senior team are as follow:— BATTING. . Ins. N.O. H.S. Tot. Aver. D. R. Gartard .. 10 1 70 298 35.33 \V. G. Blamires .5 3 22* 68 34 R. G. Bush ..... 8 1 72 220 31 42 Leys 7 2 43 158 31.6 i Jessup ........ 3 — 26 61 20.33 In B. Schnauer . 13 2 64* 196 17.81 D. Macklow ,10 4 24 106 17.60 H. I. Pearson .,. 11 — 89 192 17.45 V. C. Butler ... 11 — 44 178 16.18 E. E. Bannister . 5 3 15 32 16 -A. M. Matheson,. 10 — 39 140 14 Howell 6 — 39 70 11.66 :W. Dixon ..... 5 — 24 48 9.6 D. I). Lunn ..... 3 — 28 76 8.44 F;' : fj.*- Sutherland 2 — 5 9 4.5 A. G. Blamires .. 5 1 7* 13 3.25 Cooper ........ 2 — 6 6 3 W, Sme'eton ... 2 — 2 3 1.5 v "• v * Signifies not out. ■ BOWLING ' O. M. R. W. Aver. Pearson" ...... 4 — 19 3 6.33 Bush 154 28 386 29 13.3 Jessup ....... - 11 1 32 2 16 Matheson .... 114 18 347 18 18.16 ■Butler ....... 159 37 442 24 18.87 Smeeton ..... 5 — '22 1 22 Garrard . <■+.... 80 4 '316 13 24.3 Bannister .... 6 — 62 2 31 Schnauer 23 5 • 89 i 2 44.5 Leys 39 9 128 2 64 Lunh ........ 4 2 2