CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 20

CRICKET.

SENIOR B GRADE. PAHNELL IN THE LEAD. FOUR SIX POINTERS. Through both Parnell and North Shore winning their respective games there was not any change in the position of these two leading teams, although Parnell increased their lead 'by a couple of points as the result of obtaining an eight wickets victory over Point Chevalier, whereas North Shore had to .be content with four points at the expense of Balmoral. To secure the last five wickets for eight runs in the first innings and the three first wickets in the second for eight runs also put North Shore on the right track for a six pointer, .but their hopes were shattered after the fall of the next wicket. It was lower down the list that a good deal or reshuffling in positions eventuated. Stanley Bay had a good win. over University, •while King's and Grafton added to their laurels by obtaining full points from Eden and Papatoetoe, respectively. Ponsonby overcame Y.M.C.A. after a great struggle for runs.

STANLEY BAY DEFEATS STUDENTS.

Three hundred and thirty rune proved to be too big i task for the Students and they only managed to score 163 runs ■before being dismissed by Stanley Bay. Except for McKearney (53), who hit a six and nine fours, and Dixon (28), with a six and three fours, the 'Varsity 'batsmen were content to play the "rock,' with the idea of saving the maximum points. D. Shanly (31) was very subdued, counting twenty-one singles in his tally. Kemp (18) opened out to the extent of three fours. Bowling for the Bay, Morrison (four for 72) sent down twenty-seven overs. The other wicket-takers were Scott (two for 8), Whilley (two for 17) and Blackie (one for 26). Following on 'Varsity knocked up 84 for one wicket. Dixon (47 not out) batted well and notched seven fours. PAPATOETOE FAIL. Grafton did not have a great deal of trouble in gaining six points at the ex- , pense of Papatoetoe. The foundation to | victory was well and truly laid on the J first day when Grafton (123) secured a | lead of 44 runs from Papatoetoe (79), and then secured five wickets for a paltry 15 runs in their second venture. The remaining Papatoetoe wickets failed to .make much headway and the total only reached 57 runs. Grafton knocked off the necessary 14 runs and the game was over shortly after 3 o'clock. COLLAPSE OF BALMORAL. With 74 runs on the register for the loss of four wickets Balmoral still had a sporting chance of overtaking North Shore (225). However, they came to grief, the last five available wickets only adding eight runs—truly a sensational collapse.

The main cause of the disaster was the howling of Shepherd (four for 20) and Emery (three for 37).

The follow-on started almost as disastrously, the first wicket falling for two runs, while three were down for eight, and four for 24 —so North Shore were not to be blamed for having visions of a six pointer. The rot was stopped by Hastings (35) and Cleal (85), who took the total to 95 before being separated. Cleal started scratchily, but settled down later to play nice cricket, scoring all round the wicket. A successful appeal was made against the light, but it was agreed to continue play to give Cleal a chance to gain the century. After a couple of overs he was bowled and stumps were drawn with the total at 160 for 6ix wickets. In this innings Emery (three for 36) bowled 22 overs, and Shepherd (two for 56) sent down 25 overs.

SIX POINTER TO KING'S. By obtaining 134 runs King's had secured a lead of 99 runs over Eden. (35), and the first day ended with Eden's second innings standing at 52 runs for the loss of one wicket. It was eventually raised to 145 runs before the fall of the last wicket. Langton (30 not out.) hit anything loose, but was a trifle lucky to go eo far. Johnson and Flv«er obtained -27 runs apiece. McGregor knocked up 20. The bowling honours for King's was divided between Gill (four for 30) and McArthur (four for 58). In obtaining 52 runs necessary to collect six points, King's lost a couple of wickets. Tovey (24 not out) headed the list. Blair (two for 21) took the wickets, and it may be mentioned that the fielding on both sides was keen. EIGHT WICKETS TO SPARE. With a deficit of 54 runs on the first innings. Point Chevalier" had very little i hope of saving the six-pointer when they were all out for 121 runs in their second venture. Pearman (42), in a sound display, obtained the bulk of his runs on ttie off, and included six fours in liis quota. He had a tendency to play too late at Clapham's fast stuff. Skinner (21) used the "long handle" in notching a six and three fours. He was fortunate in being dropped twice in one of McGelian's overs. Her.rd (12) scored two fours and four singles. Requiring 68 runs for an outright win, Parnell accomplished the task for the loss of two wickets. Stewart (51 not out) featured straight drives and leg shots in a bright display that contained two sixes and six fours. Buckley (14) was respfinsible for the remainder of the runs. Williamson (two for 22) did not bowl so well as on the first day, although his nine overs contained three maidens. AN UNEXPECTED RECOVERY. In answer to Y.M.C.A.'s respectable total of 272 runs, Ponsonby commenced the day with olio wicket down for 18, and there was no improvement. In fact, under the circumstances it was disaster when the register showed only 61 runs for the loss jof six wickets. However, the glorious uncertainty of cricket was once more in evidence, and Ponsonby came out victorious, scoring 275 runs for eight j wickets, thanks to a stubborn partnership by Loader and Dale, enabling Ponsonby to achieve what seemed the impossible, by piitting on 124 runs for the seventh wicket. Dale (107 not out), after taking a long time to settle down, played good cricket; featuring a strong forward drive which was in evidence in producing three sixes and the majority of nine fours. His innings was marred by one chance. Loader (74) was at the wickets for nearly three and a half hours. At no time did he attempt to attack the bowling, being contented to defend his wicket while Dale scored. His innings was without a blemish, and included ten fours, chiefly from leg strokes behind the wicket.. Marshall (25) played a straight bat to anything on the wicket, but punished anything loose. After making such good progress, Harrison and McKeuzie, who bore the brunt of the attack, had an arduous task owing to the scarcity of changes. Harrison (five for 88) bowled really well for thirty-seven overe, which included nine maidens. McKenzie (two for 118) sent down thirtyfive overs, including six maidens. At times he kept the batsmen subdued, but also came in for some punishment. The following list shows the positions of teams: —Parnell 42 points, North Shore 41, Stanley Bay 30, Grafton 29, University 27, Balmoral 26. Papatoetoe 26, Ponsonby 25, King's Old Boys 18, Point Chevalier Eden 14, Y.M.C.A. 12. ONEHUNGA ASSOCIATION.

Matches in the Onehunga Cricket Association's knock-out competition to be played on the Waikaraka grounds on Saturday :— Onehunga A v. Onehunga B, No. 1, Messrs. A. E. Insley and H. Bradley; Onehunga Woollen Mills v. Te Papapa Fertiliser, No. 2, Messrs. A. Mason and C. Wells.