AMONGST THE JUNIORS

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9323, 25 January 1896, Page 9

AMONGST THE JUNIORS

[By Light Blue.] Saturday's Junior Cup fixtures were not particularly interesting, and call for but little comment, as neither Sydenham nor St. Albans was expected to have much of a show with Lancaster Park and Midland respectively, while the High School forfeited to the United. With the exception of a little rain on Friday night the weather was fine during the week until just before the time for commencing play on Saturday, wheu a heivy shower fell, which gave teams batting first a considerable advantage over their opponents. The Midland-St. Albans match was played at Hagley Park, and the former, going in first, knocked up 190, which is the largest total they have made this season. White, who was put down from the seniors into the junior ranks, made 50 in good style, and he proved that if unable to make runs for his First Eleven, junior bowlers have no terrors for him. Barry contributed 25 by good all round play, and Barnes, who has been unsuccessful with the bat of late, showed a return to form by making 23 not out. Evans failed to make a run inliis first three innings this season, but he is scoring most consistently now, his 29

on Saturday being the fifth double figure he has made in succession. Phillpot, who has recently re-joined the club, made a useful 16 and Bennett, who promises to be a useful batsman, just managed to reach double figures. The St. Albans bowling did not appear particularly formidable, only four maidens being sent down during the innings : the fielding was fair. In the "Lancaster Park—Sydenham and Addington United contest at Lancaster Park, the former gained a lead of 118 runs on the first innings, which should enable them to win by an innings. Although the Lancastrians had to bowl with a slippery ball their opponents did so little against the bowling of C. R. Smith that they only made 51. Smith's trundling was really good, and he took seven wickets for only 15 runs, while the fielding was also good. The Lancastrians scored freely from the start, and at one time it looked as if they would put up a big score, but the later batsmen did only moderately, and the total reached but 169. Cant was the principal contributor with a well hit 53, in compiling which he only gave one dirncult chance at the wickets. Mahar showed good form in making his 27. while Hobbs, Washer. Pavitt, and Smith also scored well. West and Rowe were the most sncc-ssful tmndlers, and the fielding was moderate.

Tiie St. Albans batsman hit in a lively manner and the brothers Colville and Lawrence knocked up 51 for the loss of three wickets before time was called. The suburban team were again without the services of R. Smith.

The President's Cup match between the Midland and Lancaster Park teams, which the Junior Cup committee ordered to be played over again, promises to provide v good finish, both sides being very keen on winning. The Midland, who won the first match, had a much stronger team than in tho previous game, being reinforced by Manson, Ryan and Barnes, late of the Bo\-s' High School, who have joined the club, while the Park had the services of H. Marshall, who has been playina for Ashley County, and Schofiekl, who played on the Midland side in the first game, his presence then being the cause of the Midland having to play the game over again. On Saturday the Midland were lucky enough to win the toss, but their batting was very uneven, Manson, Barge, and Robertson, each of whom played well, accounting for as many as 113 out of the 124 scored off the bat. " Marshall took four wickets for 37 runs, and Manning three for 26. The fielding was good with the exception of a couple of catches being missed. The Park made 73 for six wickets, so on paper they have a trifle the worst of the deal. Manning scored 26, but he was twice missediiitheslips, while W. Raphael quickly hit up 23, and Schofield made 14 by steady play. Manson took five wickets for*32, and Ryan also trundled fairly, but without any luck.

The United No. 1 team was strongly represented iv their match against the hitherto unbeaten Lancaster Park No. 2 team, and present appearances point to the latter sustaining a severe defeat. The United batted first, and Lambie, S. B. Wilson, Gardner, P. Wood, Day, and Williams all made 20 or over, the score book showing 201 at the close of the innings. The Lancastrians only scored 19 for three wickets by the call of time. '

St. Albans Second had a lot the best of the day's play in their game with Sydenham, being at present 53 runs on and they have seven wickets to fall. This is mainly due to the good all round cricket shown by Chapman, who took six wickets for 32 runs, besides scoring 42 out of a total of 125. Eldridge, who is 17 not out, also bowled well, while Williams, Taylor and Newton also made double figures. For Sydenham Ayrey and Lawrence did best with the bat but their bowling appeared very weak. H. Marshall did the "hat trick" for Lancaster Park No 1. v. Midland No 1. on Saturday, disposing of Ryan, McGuire and Barnes with consecutive balls.

Some comment was caused by the action of the Midland Club in playing some of the Boys' High School against Lancaster Park. The selection committee of the club were quite justified in picking them. Rule sof the Canterbury Cricket Association's rales for Junior and President's Cup matches, distinctly says that any member of school elevens, who leave school during the season, may join another club and play in its eleven.

In the President's Cup match Midland v Lancaster Park on Saturday, one of the former's batsmen gave chances off three consecutive balls, and the third one being held he had to retire.

Provided there are no stoppages owing to rain, a second round of tho Junior Cup, and the first round of the President's competition can be completed by the fir3t Saturday in April.