HARD TO BEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 4, 6 January 1938, Page 19

HARD TO BEAT.

FAMOUS FINISHES.

CANTERBURY CLASSICS.

NEARLY 500 TO WIN 1930.

That Canterbury is often hard to beat is proved by the following performances in post-war engagements:

After Wellington had won the Plunket Shield, by challenge, at Christmas, 1918, Canterbury recovered it at the Basin Reserve three weeks later. Although Wellington led by 135 runs on the first innings, and Canterbury was set to make over 300 to win, the South Islanders got the runs for the loss of only three wickets.'

A year later, at Wellington, Canterbury ran up 336 in the second innings. When stumps were drawn Wellington, requiring 360 for victory, had lorft nine men for 288.

In February, 1923, at Lancaster Park, Canterbury was 145 runs down on the first innings, yet conquered Wellington by 114 runs, making 432 in the second innings to the visitors' 173. Victoria Follows-on! Canterbury made Edgar Mayne's strong Victoria team follow-on in 1925, making 426 (without a century) to the Australian aide's first innings total of 232. The match was drawn when Woodfull (212 not out) and Co., registered 448 for seven wickets in the second knock.. ; Twelve years ago, at Eden Park, Canterbury had to face' an opening score of 416, yet was beaten by only 32 runs. Remarkable Victories. It was at Christmas, 1930, however, that Canterbury's classic feat against Auckland registered. The northern side amassed -07 G L- Weir 134, A. M. Matheson 94 Lit) in the second innings, leaving Canterbury to make 473 to win. Yet the

Cantabs got them for six wickets. J. Jacobs, 12th man here to-morrow, had the tine double of 52 and 46 not out.

In t'he very next festive season Canterbury not only secured 279 to beat Otago with three, wickets to spare, but the stoutest hearts might have quailed after 'two strenous days in the field while Otago put up the record Dominion second innings total of 5G9. The former Canterburian, R. C. Blunt, compiled the record Plunket Shield individual score of 338 not out for his new province. Even the last wicket put up the remarkable stand of 184, of which Blunt took 146 to wicketkeeper .W. Hawkesworth's 21 (extras 17).

There was one pre-war effort of Canterbury's that will be well remembered here. For the visitors recovered the Plunket Shield from Auckland, although they had to tally 280. Not only did they win the margin was six wickets, Harold Lust registering 151 not out against his old province. -

FRIENDLY SOCIETY CONTROL.

DRUIDS TIB FOB LEAD. At the regular meeting of the control board of the Auckland United -Friendly .Society Cricket Association, the chairman. Mr. W. Caddy, tabled a report regarding the recent- visit made by members of the board to Te Kuiti. This was made for the purpose of handing over the Davidson. Challenge Cup, which had been presented by Bro. and Mrs. C. J. Davidson for competition among district friendly society associations, and at the express wish of the donors Hie cup was to be tirst held by the Te Kuiti Friendly Society Council representatives, who had defeated Auckland in a representative match in March last. At the request of the Mount Albert Borough Council it was resolved to transfer matches to Gribble-Hirst Park on February 12 to enable the Mount Albert Caledonian Society to use Fowlds Park on that date for a sports Fathering. The match committee reported that two matches had not been played on December 11, And after evidence and discussion it was decided to allot three points each to the teams affected. Messrs. Harding and Molloy were appointed to act as judges for the Sibun Cup A challenge is to be issued for the Davidson Cup at Te Kuiti, and competition matches are postpone until January 15. Championship points to date:—Devoniort Druids 31. Grey I,ynn Druids 31, Newmarket 26, Westmere 21, Manchester Unity 112, Star of Auckland 10, Bawhitl 6, Hiber- ! nian 1.