WELLINGTON CRICKET

Press, Volume C, Issue 29436, 11 February 1961, Page 5

WELLINGTON CRICKET

fpHE Midland cricket club in A Wellington has a very fine record in the senior competition, but it has become almost a tradition for it to start the season badly. This season has been no exception, and by Christmas there seemed little prospect of the club retaining the title. But Midland is also noted for its very strong finishes and its bowlers have been responsible for two of the lowest senior scores recorded for many years. Replying to St. Patrick’s Old Boys first innings of 243 Midland scored 322 and St. Patrick’s commenced their second innings with one hour and a quarter left for play. Sixty minutes later they were ail out for 37. Midland winning by an innings and 42 runs The representative spinners E. W. Dempster, a New Zealand tourist to South Africa in 1953, and E. J. Sigley, shared the wickets. Dempster took four

for 11 and Sigley five for 21. One week later Midland commenced a match with the Wellington club and after only one hour and 13 minutes the players were leaving the field for the break between innings Wellington made even less than St. Patrick’s with only 29. which included six byes, and this time it was the pace bowlers who were successful. N. A. Huxford finished with six for 17 and I. B. Pollard tour for 6 and the spinners were not asked to bowl. At the end of the afternoon 'there is no morning play in Wellington) Midland seemed certain to win outright, having declared with 232 for five and secured four St. Patrick’s second innings wickets for 46 This match, interrupted by the unofficial test, will be completed today, and if it can secure a place in the top four to play off. Midland may yet retain the championship.