Secretary Congratulated On Arrangements for King's College Visit

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14861, 24 December 1948, Page 5

Secretary Congratulated On Arrangements for King's College Visit

Tauranga Cricket

CANDID COMMENT ON RECENT MATCHES IN DISTRICT

(By “iSquare-Beg")

Top marks must go to Morland Fox, the Tauranga. Cricket Sub-Association’s secretary, for the smooth way in which the King’s College visit went off. Only a few people realise the amount of work necessary in arranging a visit of this nature, and it reflects great credit on the efficiency of the person responsible that the* billeting and social arrangements worked like a clock.

The team was met and immediately taken to Mount Mannganui, which was seen at its best before too many other attractions arrive. That night the party attended the evening service at, the Anglican Church. During the afternoon of Monday, by courtesy of the Principal (Mr A. M. Nicholson), afternoon tea was served by two senior girls at Tauranga College. In the evening the party was entertained at the pictures. I think it would be safe,to say that the team left Tauranga more than satisfied with the visit, and 1 think we can expect them back again next season.

An important item of news is the sudden departure of Doug Sinclair, who is on transfer to Auckland. Over the years Sinclair has rendered yeoman service to the game locally. He has represented Tauranga on numerous occasions, being skipner over the last two seasons. He has been a prolific run getter, and although his style i's unorthodox it gets results. Wicket-keeping, of course, is his strong point, and there is no doubt he has no neer in that department in the Bay of Plenty. Many competent Judges are of the opinion that had Sinclair had the opnortunities a few years ago much higher honours would have come his way.

I am sure all cricketers will join with me in wishing Doug Sinclair well and hope that there are many more seasons for him behind the stumps. There is a strong rumour in circulation that Pat Moloney, the College opening man. is laying his bat and flannels aside and joining the band of former cricketers. How true this rumour is I do not know, but according to reoorts the College man has been finding the going a bit strenuous this season. A Comfortable Win

College had a comfortable win over Midland on Nicholson Fi-eld. There was not much in it at the finish. The game was rather a colourless one, the rate of scoring being very slow on both sides. Having first use of the wicket Pat Keenan and John Scott were very cautious. Jim George was making the odd one fly on the fiery wicket and showed some consideration by cutting down his pace. Bob Sharnlin top-scored with an attractive 30, the leg shot, as usual, being IDs mainstay. He would have collected a bigger score if he had used his feet more to go out and play Jack Smyth. Lower down the order Ron Stacey must have got the idea that runs were needed, as he sailed into things after a while. It was a breezy display. Midland got away to a good start and the result looked to be a foregone conclusion. However, after Alec Gallagher and Bill Ellis had departed the rot set in. Both the opening men performed well and handled the attack confidently. Gallagher fell to a brilliant catch by Pat Keenan —one of the best seen for some lime.

The College jHeldimr was exceptionally good. Highlight of the bowling was life performance of young Norman Brown who collected seven wickets; by the direct route, too. This lad If handled right has the makings of good cricketer. More will be heard of him in the future.

Local talent scouts should put a mark beside his name for future reference. Another youngster who will be attending College next year should also respond to the right treatment. I refer to John Nicol who takes to the game like an American to his vitamins. Gordon Woodcock appears to have gone out of circulation for # the moment. Usually where one * hears leather meeting willow Woodcock is to be

fact about the games, was the example set by £ number of players living in the country. They met all their obligations well ahead of many of the town dwellers. The draw for the junior singles championship has appeared and already some games have been played. A new system of section plav is being tried in connection with this competition, and if it should work out as satisfactorily as anticipated it may be adopted generally for all competitions. Briefly the plavers in each section are “lettered” and are listed to play their opponents in the various rounds, by set dates.

found. There is much sound material among the younger generation in Tauranga and when the time comes for the old stagers to lay aside the bat they will find the game left in competent hands. Tauranga had no trouble in collecting the maximum against Mount Maunganui on the Domain but, candidly, they did not deserve it. The fielding exhibition turned on by the members of the leading team was deplorable, and they may derive some consolation from the fact that it was one of the worst performances seen rn the Domain for many a day. I doubt i'f some of the team could have caught the ball with a bucket, or stopped it with a fire screen. If this side wants to maintain its position there will have to be a stocktaking. This business of relying on one or two to wallop up the runs while the remainder go into a trance on the field, if not altered, may find the team at the other end of the ladder when the numbers finally go up. The making of a century in any company is a feat that deserves snecial mention at any time. Barry Budd achieved the honour on Saturday, but it was certainly not one of his best efforts. He gave three easy chances, and there did not seem to be that precision about his work that marked earlier performances. Noel Aitken turned on a sound display and was undefeated. Stewart Knowles has handled a bat before. He turned in quite a good score. Sound on defence, he was unite content to wait for the right ball to punish.

The Mount bowlers had a torrid time, but stuck to their task nobly. On the day Weeks was the pick of the bunch. Lennox sent up some good stuff at times. , Unhappy Assignment

In direct contrast to their opponents. the Mount fielding was very good. Theirs was an unhappy assignment, but there was no let up. One impression I gained while the Mount was at the crease was that the lack of knowledge in calling was the cause of all those run-outs. One cardinal rule when batting is: “When the ball is hit in front of the batsman the striker calls.” Anything behind the striker is left to the batsman at the other end. If that rule is observed and the batsmen can move like Eddie Tolan there should not be any run-outs. Weeks was the most enterprising of the Mount batsmen and received solid sunoort from D. and H. Lenm'x. Ernie Beer was responsible for most ef the damage and returned good figures. The Albion-Country encounter resulted in a verv c l ose finish, and had the lads from outback not been forced to bat one short the result may well have been different. Honours To D. Mackay

The runs fo>- Albion were fairly 'veil spread. Drn Mackay took the honours with the top score. Rupe Simmonds was in the money, for a change, with a useful IG. Keith Taylor, making his first appearance this season, rattled up double figures. Bill Grayling was the best Country bowler. Someone apparently has been taking some notice of my remarks about A. Marlow. He opened the innings and gave a sound performance. He received, some assistance from Terry Sharplin. The rot set in for a while until Bob Cairns put in an appearance. Murray carpeted a sitter early in the piece. Cairns repaid such generosity bv collecting top score. It was quite a good efforts. Ted Canham also .reached double figures. Ray Simister and Keith Taylor returned presentable figures.