AMONGST THE JUNIORS

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9283, 7 December 1895, Page 4

AMONGST THE JUNIORS

[Br Light Blue.]

The third series of Junior Cup, and the fourth series of President's Cup matches were commenced on Saturday in glorious weather, and the various grounds having recovered from the effects of the rain, some fairly high scoring was witnessed in most of the matches. In the Junior Cup competition the United and Sydenham met at Hagley Park, and the present position of the game points to the former winning. The United placed a very strong team into the field, and its batting was considerably strengthened by the inclusion of Wigley and Longden, but the bowling was a bit weaker by the absence of Kitto, who had been promoted to the senior ranks. Sydenham went in first, and several men playing freely, the total of 105 was knocked up in a shorter space of time than it usually takes to run up a score of three figures. Stephens was top scorer with 19, while C. Lawrence displayed good cricket for his con--tribution of one less. West quickly knocked up 16, and Grammer and Jones also made doubles. The fielding was moderate, and the bowling does not call for special comment. When the United went in runs continued to be made freely, and by the call of time they had scoretl 177 for the loss of nine wickets, 282 thus being scored during the afternoon. Wigley, who had not previously played this season, was top scorer with a well got 28, while W. Harman, Ross, and Day also exceeded 20, and Longden and T. D. Harman also gave some trouble. Stephens secured four wickets, but the trundling of the others did not appear particularly formidable, and the fielding was fair. The Midland made several alterations in their team to meet the Boys' High School. Stephenson and Barnes from the seniors, and Bennett and Spencer from the President's Cup team taking the places of Forsyth, Mumford, Bramley, and Gapes, who played against the Unite_, the first named of whom was promoted to the first eleven, and the latter three put into the President's. On Eaper this appeared to strengthen the team, ut the result of the day's play was not. encouraging from a Midland point of view, as at the call of time the School were 12 runs on, and they still have two wickets in hand. Garrard was once more the mainstay with the bat for the Midland, and his hard hit 45 proved a most valuable contribution. Haldane and Evans were the only others to make double figures. The fielding was fair, but there was nothing of note in the bowling. The feature of the School's batting was again the good form displayed by Sims, who contributed 50 in excellent style before being run out. Barnes, Williams and O'Brien also made double figures, and as the first-named is still not out he may further increase his score. It was anticipated that Stephenson would prove a tower of strength to the Midland bowling but he only took one wicket and the honours in this department were carried off by Barry. The contest between the Lancaster Park and St. Albans Clubs was, with the consent of the Junior Cup committee, commenced on Saturday week, and to the surprise of many, it was brought to a conclusion early on Saturday, when the Park won easily by seven wiokets. The first innings of the Lancastrians was brought to a close for 103, which gave them a lead of a single run over their opponents. Orchard made 26 by hard hitting, while Smith, Mahar and Washer also reached doubles. The second innings of St. Albans saw a procession of their batsmen to and from the pavilion, to the wicket and back, and none of the players being able to stop the "rot" the innings only realised 30, which is the smallest score made in Junior Cup matches in Christchurch for some time. Bates and Smith were the trundlers, the former in particular bowling well, and the fielding was good. The Park only had 30 to make to win, and the runs were knocked off with the loss of three wickets, Smith making 16. A. Smith and J. Colville were the most successful bowlers for the losers.

In the President's Cup competition the United No. 2 team caused some surprise by having the best of their game with Midland No. 1, but the display of cricket was tame on both sides. The United No. 1, for whom S. B. Wilson scored 99 and Hair and Lambie over 30 each, had all the best of the Midland No. 2, and it appears as if the former would win easily by an innings. Lancaster Park No. 2 secured a slight lead over the College No. 1, and the Lancastrians No. 1 team promises to beat the High School by an innings. Sydenham came out of their shell and made the large score of 249 against the College No. 2, who responded with but 18 for eignt wickets. Smith contributed 86 for the former and Tregear followed with 61. S. B. Wilson hit a 5 and five 4's in compiling his 99 for the United No. 1. He had hard luck in being bowled when only wanting one run to complete his century. 'The United Junior Cup team is a very strong one on paper, and if the members only stick together the team should go very near annexing the trophy. St. Albans, who went through last season with one defeat, and that by only 2 runs, have so far lost all the three matches they have played, and two of their beatings have been sustained on their own ground. In Hill and Blunden the United No. 2 President's Cup team a couple of steadier bowlers than found in most teams in the competition. Christ's College, who are fancied in some quarters for the President's Cup, will have to play up to beat the Lancaster Park No. 2 team.

The Junior Cup Committee have declared the recent match between the Lancaster Park and Midland teams null and void, and ordered it to be played over again.