DOMAIN CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 85, 11 April 1933, Page 17

DOMAIN CRICKET.

THE RACE FOR HONOURS.

TWO MATCHES INVOLVED

SATURDAY WEEK FIN"ALE.

The final matches in the Auckland City and Suburban Association's championship will be completed on the 22nd instant. The intermission due to the visit of the Englishmen at Eden Park found the clubs ready for the opening of the deciding series at tlie week-end. Harbour Board, drawn against . their traditional rivals, Green Lane, batted, .and, but for resourceful displays by three members, the innings might have, ended disastrously. As it was 154 runs represents no safe margin as scores go between such teams. L. Breeze (59) stonewalled like a master and stood his ground for the afternoon unbeaten. From the spectators' point it was dull business, but it helped his colleagues over the stile. He dug in ■with Ralph Stalhvorthy (49), who rattled on the runs attractively until A. Kerr sent along a "wrong-un" which proved only too right. After that the complexion of the game took a change and it was a steady showing by N. Martin (33) that saved the situation to a de(p-ee. Tomlinson was in good form with the ball for Green Lane. He has given yeoman service lately. Notwithstanding Harbour Board's strong attack, the Lane will reply with a good deal of confidence, and, if they adopt the right tactics, may even win. If the board win by four points and R.V. manage a sixpointer over Invicta, R.V. will have the championship. That most consistent batsman R. Watkins (33) was the only player to_ reach double figures in Invieta's first innings of 77. C. G. Finlayson's fine bowling had the batsmen obviously puzzled. However, R.V. (lid not shape too : encouragingly in their reply and eight wickets had fallen for 125 runs at time —5.15 p.m. Wicket-keeper H. Hunt (now getting ready to take his place in Devonport United's scrum in the near future) repeated his recent display at Seymour Park and hoisted 28 runs at a timely stage. Otherwise, the batting was very mediocre. Two Invicta juniors trundled effectively, particularly a slow medium - paced trundler, Gough, who showed length and accuracy with a ball from the off. It looked simple enough, but it proved deadly stuff to deal with. More may be heard of this youth, who accounted for four of R.V.'s most iteliable batsmen. , Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys had a free and easy outing against Ponsonby, amassing 192 runs. When Hebden (50), and Nic Butler (65) decided to make it a gala day, they succeeded quite well. At any rate, the rapid scoring at one period —much to the delight of the crbwd— almost gave Ponsonby apoplexy, with the result that a full issue of nine guns was brought to bear on the defence. Once the partnership 'was broken only Woolloxnll and Howell did anything to speak of. If Ponsonby are at their best and can retaliate with vim against Mount Albert s attack, tliey may yet gain ascendancy: otherwise, the Grammar . Old Boys will move a step or so up the ladder as a reward for recent consistency.