FIRST CENTURY OF THE SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 22, 27 January 1939, Page 13

FIRST CENTURY OF THE SEASON.

CITY AND SUBURBAN. J. MATTHEW* OF PONSONBY. GAVE SPARKLING DISPLAY. For Poneonfby against Brixton, Jack Matthews, who on Saturday registered the first century of the season in the senior games of the City and Suburban Association, lately has been the mainstay of a somewhat erratic batting side. He hae an assertive style with the bat, and hia 108 was compiled with determination in a chancelees display. Patrons will be looking for more of this eparkle. Vieeoe, who made a workmanlike stand the previous week, contributed 26, but did not settle down. Innes (the old New Zealand Soccer representative) picked his shots judiciously for a serviceable 31 and gave Matthews ecope for rapid scoring. Beyond Robertshaw, who was unbeaten for 14, Poneonby faded out for 204. Seorint Vein of R.V. Due to a splendid opening by Goldsworthy (52) and Guiniven (54), followed eventually by a lively fifth wicket partnership between Bambury (62) and Maher (49), R.V. raised the first team 300 of the year and revealed variety in their batting. It kept the vigilant Dilworth fieldsmen on the move. Bambury wae attractive all round the wicket, besides which he frequently notched singles as the result of good positional strokes. Bowlers on Top. The principal wicket at the Domain in the City and Suburban sixth series on Saturday provided keen rather than productive play from the spectator's point of view. Green Lane dismissed Manukau for a moderate 83; then had to fight hard to obtain a winning position on the first innings. The bowlers of each eleven were right on the job. with pitches to suit. For Green Lane, McCormick (six for 44) trundled in express fashion, with Kerr (fonr for 33) an effective foil. Motion and Dunning, for Manukau, reciprocated, accounting between them for nine wickets for 108.