Game Not Taken Seriously

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14958, 22 April 1949, Page 5

Game Not Taken Seriously

The Midland men have felt the loss of Jimmy Clarke, and Doug Jon'c-. On paper they look sound team, but many of ihoir players refuse to take the game very seriously. They have altered one glaring weakness and a permanent skipper has been appointed. Alec Gallagher has had a broken season, and his club performances have suffered on that account. He is a very reliable opening bat. His elevation to the captaincy of the representative team was a wise move, and he handled the side in an efficient manner. Bill Ellis has been about the most consistent run- - getter. Included in his'many good scores was a century. When Doug Sinclair left us he took on the Aunt Sally position and did not make a bad fist of it either. Jack Smyth did not start off too well. but as the season progressed showed considerable improvement. He has developed into a sound all-rounder. Many players are apt to under-estimate Smyth’s ability with the ball. Thev have found this out to their cost, usually too late. Frank Willoughby who clouts everything as hard and as often as he can. has made many runs. It is a pity this player will not take the game more seriously. He has the ability. Jim George and Eric Patten It 1 ye made the odd useful score. The most r.utstonding bowler lias been Jim George. He has concentrated more on accuracy and has always been very difficult to handle. Dike tne Tauranga club, fielding lias not been an outstanding feature with the Midland men. Albion have one or tyro good victories to their credit, but they have been considerably weakened through losing key men.. Doug Sinclair —always a prolific rungetter and an outstanding wicket keeper, was transferred early in the season, and to make matters worse Ray Simister later on strained a tendon, and that weakened the attack considerably. Their best batsman, Don Mackay, has had an off season. In the early stages he was out of town and ccuky not get the necessary practice. There was a very noticeable lack cf confidence about his performances. Neil Murray performed well on occasions but in the latter stages he fell off. He had to bear a considerable share of the bowling. At times he was expensive, but there were one or two good scalps in his bag. Several new players came in to this side, but did not make any noticeable impression. Vic Palmer was elevated to the captaincy and on the whole made a good fist of it. For some reason nr another he will not put himself on to bowl. A pity as he tosses up the odd useful one. and it would provide much needed rc'iuf to the over-worked stock bowlers. Mount Maunganui fielded a team for the first time, and although n bit on the weak side, gave the odd good performance. They were keen enough until the later stages when they w’thd r ew from the competition. The Lennox brothers rendered useful assis’ance to the side. The most prolific severs were Maxfield and Weeks. The side was very weak in bowling, and if it is going to be entered next year would be well advised to have a look around the seaside resort for enmothiru* useful in this line.