CHAMPIONS AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 149, 21 March 1927, Page 7

CHAMPIONS AGAIN

HUTT RETAIN CRICKET HONOURS f-M-C-A- RUNNERS-UP LOW SCORING IN FINAL GAMES The Wellington senior championship competition closed on Saturday, when the Hutt team, by defeating Midland, retained the premiership they gained last yeai. Y.M.C-A-, though several points behind the champions, maintained second place on the ladder by stitute at the Basin, Reserve. The last act in the championship drama was played under somewhat depressing conditions. Heavy showers during the morning made the prospect of play in the. afternoon doubtful but the postponement committee wisely decided that all games must proceed. The weather cleared in the but the rain had affected the wickets, and inn-getting was not easy, giving the sides which had batted on firm wickets on the opening day of the matches a decided advantage. University made a fighting effort to reach the 297 set them by Kilbirnie, but they were beaten by 67 runs. Uld Boys secured a narrow victory over Wellington by six runs.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE Old Boys, 161 and 211, beat Wellington. 156. Y.M.C.A., 8—341 (declared), beat Institute, 160 and 3—89. Kilbirnie, 297, beat University, 236. Hutt. 8—229, beat Midland, 213. Petone, 271, beat Thorndon, 7 and <l. BEST PERFORMANCES BATTING. H. J. Tattersall (Hutt) ‘SC C. Patrick (Old Boys) 94 H. M. Osborn (University) 63 R. H. C. Mackenzie (University) ... *6O *Not out. CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE

THE GAMES DESCRIBED HUTT THE CHAMPIONS. , A heavy wicket and a 1 eavy outfield made runs hard to obtain cn the Hint Park on Saturday afternoon, when the Hutt team set out to pass Midland s score of 213 in the first innings, lat tersall and Aldersley opened the batting, and playing carefully, yet hitting hard when opportunity offered, each soon reached the twenty mark, and together they set out on a partnership which was responsible for over a hundred runs. When Aldersley had just passed his half-century, however, Baber managed to get a fast one past him. Gwil, liam took his place, but did not survive an over before he was caught by Clarke off Baker, having just managed to break his duck. McGirr followed, and he and Tattersall looked as if they would make a stand against the Mid, land bowling, which at this stage of the game was particularly weak. It was not long, however, before Tatter sail was run out, having secured the very creditable total of 86. His place yas taken by McSweeney, who, though slow to begin, soon found lis feet and punished the loose stuff vigorously. Me Girr was run out when he had secured a total of 28 runs. Watson took bis place, but was dismissed for 2 by a fine catch near the boundary by Nicholln. off Judd. McSweeney was then caught by Baker off Patrick’s bowling after he had added 32. The side scored the necessary 229 runs for eight wickets, thus defeating Midland by 16 runs on the first innings. Of the Midland bowl era the best was Baker, Judd and Pat rick, each of whom accounted for two wickets. AN EXCITING FINISH. With 72'up for the loss of two wickets, Wellington appeared certain to head the small total of 161 set them by Old Boys. When the match was resumed at the Basin Reserve, Wellington suffered a severe blow right away through Wagstaff, one of the not-out batsmen, not being on hand to resume his innings. Further trouble overtook the batting side, as Hiddleston, tho Wellington captain, who had scored 37 on the opening day, was bowled by Barclay without increasing his total. Whyte and Craig did not last long, and, with six down for 97, Wellington’s chances did not look at all hopeful. 'Whitwell and W. Tucker then got together, and made a spirited stand- Tucker opened out to Barclay, and banged him to the long-on boundary several times, while Whitwell shoved the , score along with well-placed shots. The pair looked as if they would head tho Old Boys ’score, but after they had added 52 for the seventh wicket, Whitwell, who had reached 30, was snapped 'up in the slips by W. Dustin, off Lusk. Twen-ty-six runs were still required, with three wickets in hand, but matters swung Old Boys’ way again when Lambert dismissed Tucker, who had pluckily made 25, with a brilliant one-hand-ed catch in the slips low down off Lusk. As O’Connor was absent, there was keen interest as Plant, the last man, joined Cousins. Playing with tho greatest confidence, the express bowler made a valiant attempt to win the game for bis side. He banged two in succession from Barclay over the square-leg boundary, and smacker! the leather up against tho pickets with powerful drives on both sides of the wicket. After rattling up 18 in double-quick time, hesitation in going for a short run saw Cousins badly run out. The innings closed for 156, leaving Old Boys winners by five runs. Lusk and Barclay bowled well for the winners, and were well backed up by sure work in the air. With nothing hanging to it, Old Boys gave a breezy hitting display in running up 208 in their second knock. The colt, C. Patrick, followed up his 56 in tho first innings by playing sparkling cricket for 64. Lambert delighted the crowd by hitting up 37 in about twenty minutes, lifting several shots out of the playing nrea. Ronaldson, who played soundly for 42, assisted C. Patrick to put on 93 for the first wicket. O. Binnie also batted well for 20. Craig and Plant bowled well for Wellington, and Airey, who was given a trial towards the close, caused amusement by bowling both right and left-handed slows. A DISAPPOINTING BATTING DISPLAY. Y.M.C.A., who had scored 341 for the loss of eight wickets on the opening day of the match against Institute, wisely applied the closure right away on Saturday. Institute found that the rain had made the wicket at the Basin Reserve somewhat tricky, and the side scratched for runs until about 5 o’clock, when the innings closed for 160. Billiy, who shaped brightly for 40, including five fourers, was the only, batsman to stand up to accurate bowling by Turner, White. Henderson, Haughey and Browne. With a deficit of 181 on the first innings. Institute followed on, and at drawing of stumps had 89 up for J. he loss of three wickets. Banks and Prince playing good knocks. White again bowled well for Y.M.C.A.

A THREE-POINT WIN. . Kilbirnie registered a threc-poinet win over 'Varsity at Kilbirnie on Saturday. The previous week Kilbirnie went in first and made 297 (W. Redmond 83, B. Algar 52, Armstrong 47). In their first innings on Saturday 'Varsity failed to reach Kilbirnie’s total by 61 runs, on a slow wicket. H. Osborne knocked up a lively 63, while R. Mackenzie, not out, registered a bright 60. These two pat up the best score for their side. JVietineyer was responsible for a good 33 and A. Tripe and AV. Hall each made 18* apiece.' The best bowler for Kilbirnie was F. T. Badcock, who captured four of ’Varsity’s wickets for 63 runs. A FIASCO AT PETONE. At five minutes to three Thorndon opened their first innings against Petone at the Oval. Only two of their men were to hand, while Petone were tho possessors of six fieldsmen. Gibson and Bull faced Smyrk in the endeavour to reach lactone's 271. With six runs on the board, Gibson was bowled by Smyrk. Another batsman, Phillips, had arrived and he joined Bull, only to be bowled by M? Nicholls one run later. Thorndon followed on, and Gibson hit tho first ball of the innings for 3. Two balls later, Bull was caught by Reyling oft Cate. Phillips replaced him, and the pair scored steadilv until M. Nicholls snaped up ono from Phillips. Gibson was not out with 41 (including ei"ht 4’s), while Phillips’s score was 2fT The second innings had produced 70" runs. Both innings were over in three-quarters of an hour, leaving Petone the winners by an innings and 194 runs. THE SCORES IN DETAIL Y.M.C.A. v. INSTITUTE Y M C.A.-7-FiFst Innings, eight for 341. (Innings declared closed.) INSTITUTE—First innings. J. E. Banks, c. Virtue, b. Turner 5 11. Foley, e. Virtue, b. Henderson ... 18 M. Bilby, st. Virtue, b. Haughey 40 R Prince, c. and b. Turner 12 D. Burt, c. Westbrook, b. Turner ... 2 ,T. A. Malcolm, c. Turner, b. Haughey 6 P. Ward, b. Browne 20 H. Baumber, c. Virtue, b. Henderson 6 H. B. Massey, not out 17 N. Griffiths, o. Henderson, b. White 13 C. Rodgers, c. Henderson, b. White 2 Extras 19 , Total 160 ] Bowling Analysis White took two wickets for 25 runs; Haughey, two for 27; •Henderson, two for 24; Turner, three for •12; Browne, one for 23. Second Innings. J. E. Banks, c. Lamason. b. White 39 P. Ward, c. Virtue, b. White 1 H. Prince, c. Lamason, b. Westbrook 33 C. Rodgers, not out U Extras <'> Total for three wickets 89 Bowling Analysis Henderson took no wickets for 29 runs; 'White two for 16; Browne, none for 19; Lamason, none for 18; Westbrook, one for 2.’ WELLINGTON v. OLD BOYS WELLINGTON—First Innings. J. S. Hiddleston, b. Barclay 37 W. R. Airey, b. Lusk 0 H. E. Burton, b. Barcley ..1 19 W. H. Wagstaffe, absent 10 R. Whyte, c. Dustin, b. Lusk 4 F. Whitwell, c. Dustin, b. Lusk 36 F. R. Craig, c. Lambert, b. Barclay ... 1 W. Tucker, c. Lambert, b. Lusk ... 25 A. M, Cousins, run out 18 T. Plant, not out 0 C. O'Connor, absent 0 Extras U Total 1.56 Bowling Analysis: Lusk took four wickets for 45 run's; Barclay, three for 83; Lambert, none for 14. OLD BOYS. First Innings 161 Second Innings. C. Patrick, b. Craig 64 A. Ronaldson, c. Burton, b. Craig ... 42 Pope, c. Whyte, b. Plant 11 W. Barclay, c. Tucker, b. Craig 0 H. M. Lambert, c. Cousins, b. Plant 37 W. Dustin, run out 13 G. H. Lusk, c. Burton, b. Craig 0 O. Binnie, not out 20 H. C. Bailey, run out 7 G. Burt, c. Tucker, b Whitwell 1 McColl, c. Cousins, b. Airey 11 Extras 5 Total 208 Bowling Analysis: Cousins took no wickets for 17 runs: Plant, two for 37; Hiddleston, none for 22; Craig, four for 67; Tucker, none for 14; Airey, one for 25; Whitwell, one for 10. PETONE v. THORNDON PETONE. First innings 271 THORNDON—First Innings. A. Gibson, b. Smyrk 5 E. Bull, not out 0 E. Phillipes, b. M. Nicholls 1 Extra 1 Total 7 Bowling Analysis.—Smyrk took ono wicket for 2 runs; M. Nicholls, one for 4 Second Innings. A. Gibson, not out 41 E. Bull, c. Reyling, b. Cato 0 E. Phillips, c. M. Nicholls, b- Smyrk 24 Extras 5 Total /0 Bowling Analysis. Cate took one wicket for 10 runs; Reyling, none for 21; Hardy, none for 12; Capstock, none for 13; Smyrk, one for one; Wilson, none 8. HUTT v. MIDLAND MIDLAND. First innings 313

THE TEST MATCH

HUTT—First Innings. H J. Tattersall run out ™ W. A. Aldersley, b. W. Bokor ...... T. Gwilliam, c. Clarke, b. W. Baker 1 H. M. McGirr, run out A. McSweney, c. Baker, b. Patnok 3H. Watson, c. Nichols, b. Juiia ; G. Gibson, c. Clarke, b. latnck — L. Beard, 1.b.w., b. Judd Extras Total for eight wickets Bowling Analysis—Judd took 1 wickets for 94 runs; latnck „ 43; G. Nicholls, none for 4, s P Pnc ®> none for 21; Standidge, none 14 ' W. A. Baker, two wickets fol 46 iuns. KILBIRNIE v. ’VARSITY kilbirnie. 9!)7 First innings “ . ’VARSXTY-First Innings. A. Hollings, c. sub., b. Bramley .... 9 H. Osborn, c. Algar, b. Badcock .... (>• A. Tripe, c. Badcock, b. Bramley ... 1 R. Tripe, c. Greig, b. Badcock 6 C. Arnot, c. Algar, b. Badcock | E. Leys, run out : 1R W. Hall, played on. b. Morris is H. Cormack, b. W. Christopherson - R. Mackenzie, not out •••••■•• ■■■■■ J. Vietmeyer, c. W. Christopherson, b. Lang ■■■•••• n D. Mackay, b. Badcock ” Extras , 236 Bowling took four wickets for 63 runs; Armstrong, non for 35; Bramley, two for 42; E. pherson, none for 5; o uo W. Christopherson, one for 44, Ean„, ono for 16.

MELBOURNE TOTAL 409 MERRITT TAKES SEVEN WICKETS FOR 88 PROMISING OPENING BY NEW ZEALAND BY TELEGBIPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Christchurch, March 19. °utM; £tu| r against seasoned batsmen of good class. Two of his victims were out 1.b.w., two were stumped, two were caught, and one was clean bowled. He was tne only bowler on the side who ever looked really dangerous. He varied length, flight, speed and spin, showing remar - able versatility, and he showed often that he was not averse to being hit. Indeed, many of his deliveries were sent down with the apparent object of tempting batsmen to come out ot the crease to get over the bieak and h for the boundary. The purpose « this batsmen often discovered to, their cost a few balls later. exploit tho googly to an 7- e J ten J;’ O r2nflv he sent down a few which were really good. Ono to Ebeling completely surprised and beat the batsman. His useful ball was the orthodox •eg-break or the ball coming straight through with overspin, tho pall which a wellknown Australian cricketer named the "straight leg-break.’’ This ball fioni Merritt nips off the pitch quite smartly and may very easily trap a player who has successfully guarded the stumps with his pads once or twice from_ real The two l.b.w. decisions were from "straight leg-breaks.” 1 he only other bowlers who looked like getting wickets and who actually got wickets were the other two Canterbury men—Cunningham and Read. C™,: ningham’s fastish deliveries fizzed oft tho pitch, but his length was never very good and many balls which beat the batsmen also missed the stumps. Read bowled his regular, steady, straight, good length stuff, which was never very dangerous but sometimes uood enough to keep batsmen quiet. Alloo had no merit as a bowler. Blunt was expensive and never puzzling, and Gallichan, the left-hander, was always easy. Ho might succeed on o treacherous wicket, but on a hard, true wicket to-day he was quite ineffective. Tho New Zealand fielding was patehv for long spells. The picking up and returning to the wickets was really smart, and then two dr three faults, always costing runs, would occur. The mistake of the day was in keeping Merritt off for so long and treating him as change bowler. He was taken off quite early in the innings, and was not given another turn with tho ball until tho score was over 300. Merritt broke the Ransford-Sandford partnership in his first over. Runs came slowly at first, tho batsman digging in and refusing risks. Cunningham and Read were tho first bowlers. Cunningham was relieved after five overs, having scarcely found a length, and Gallichan, the medium left-hander, came on. Cunningham replaced Read three overs later. After one hour’s play Merritt came on. Onyons used his fine foot play to advantage against Merritt’s legbreaks. Ho gave an easy chance to Oliver at cover off Merritt, which the fieldsman held, and tho first partnership of the day, which had yielded 90, was dissolved. Hendry stopped Merritt’s first ball, a wrong *un, with his pads. Although Jewell was by no means at esse facing Merritt, he was occasionally hitting him, and the colt was relieved by Alloo at 120. Jewell felt forward for on outswinger from Road, which took liis off stump. 120 —2—50. Rnnsford. the now-eoraer, began quietly, but he faced all tha bowlers confidently. At luncheon the score was 138 for two wickets (Hend.'y not out 2L Ransford not out 7 >- Cunningham and Road had charge ot the attack on resuming, and brisk running between the wickets kept the fieldsmen on their toes. Hendry, after having played a delightful innings, chopped one from Cunningham on to the wicket. 184—3—51. Sandford joined Ransford, and began the biggest partnership of the innings. Blunt was tried after the batsmen had well begun, but the only result was marked acceleration of the scoring rate. Ilis seven overs cost 40 runs. Gallichan had a turn at the other end, and fared little better. Read, who was next tried, steadied the scoring rate, and Cunningham took the ball from Blunt. Alloo was tried in place of Read and then the crowd cheered as Merritt was seen coming on at tho other end. The cheers evidently upset the boy, because his first balls were erratice in length. Ransford, however, met his fate by jumping out to swipe the fifth ball of the over, James whipping the bales off when the batsman was well out of the crease. It was the second big partnership Merrit had broken. It had produced 134 runs. T. xArmstrong attacked Merritt resolutely and Sandford, trying to do the same, was clean bowled by a beauty. 331—5—67. Merritt had taken two wickets in two overs. Johnston, the next man in, went out to drive Merritt to the fence and was stumped two yards out of his crease. Merritt bad n °' T taken, in his second turn with the ball, three wickets for 11 runs, his ’?i®J being four for 47. Rodgcrson failed to discern a straight leg-break and was out. Merritt had now five for 54. Wood, tho newcomer, narrowly escaped being stumped off the first ball fcom the colt, but thereafter he attacked the bowling, scoring two 4’s and a 6, tho over costing 19. runs. Merritt was then relieved by Cunningham, who got his second wicket when Wood chopped a fast one on to the wicket. 373—8—14. Ebeling seemed steady and T. Armstrong was going well with fifty on when Merritt came on again at 41)8. Merritt sent Armstrong to lhe pavilion LKw. and Warwick Armstrong came in. The innings was over nt 5.20 p.im. when Ebeling put one from Merritt, into the hands of Galliehan at deep mid-off. Blunt and Mills opened for Now Zealand. The first over from Ebeling yielded twelve, an encouraging beginnin" Blunt taking eleven of lhem. r"'o of his shots, clever flicks Io the leg boundary, were very smnrllv and gracefully made. Two overs later the bats--

men appealed against tho l>K u t and the appeal was sustained. New Zealand had scored 17 without loss. Scores: MELBOURNE—First Innings. B. A. Onyons, c. Oliver, b. Merritt 47 R. Jewell, b. Read H. C. Hendry, b. Cunningham 51 V. S. Ransford. st. James, b. Merritt 89 H. C. A. Sandford, b. Merritt 67 T. Armstrong, 1.b.w., b. Merritt ... 61 B. G. Johnston, tt. James, b. Merr ;tt i ft T. S'. Rodgcrson.' 1.b.w.. b. Merritt 2 P. B. Wood, b. Cunningham 14 H. I. Ebeling, c. Galliehan, b. Mcrrilt 19 W. W. Armstrong, not out 1 E ctras 17 Total 499

WELLINGTON. First innings 1" Second Innings. R, C. Blunt, not out 1J J.' E. Mills, not out •> Extras 4 Total for no wickets 47 MERCANTILE LEAGUE Pastimes, 93, beat Hyams, 34. Cables, with nine men, made 166 .(Mabin 65 not out), while Electric Light, with seven men, made 17. For Cables, Gornall took four wickets for 6 runs. LOWER GRADES — SPECIAL MATCH. A special match played cn the Hutt Recreation Ground on Saturday between the United Senior Boys and the Hutt Valley High School fourth grade team resulted in a draw on tho first innings, each team scoring 115 runs. The P riu ' cipal scorers for Hutt Valley were 1 yne (35) and Featonby (36). Mclntyre was the principal scorer for United, his total being 5G not out. Hutt A alley had 5 extras and United had 12 extras. Butcher was the best bowler tor United ■with six wickets for 25 runs.

THE TEAM FOR ENGLAND

GIFTS TO WELLINGTON MEN During tho week-end occasion was taken to farewell two of the Wellington members of the New Zealand team, who will leave for England next week. The members ot the A.M.C.A. Club assembled on Friday night when the presided (Mr. A. Varney) handed M. Henderson a “Prince” travelling rug ami also a present for Mrs Henderson. Tho Hutt Club on Saturday afternoon presented fl. M. McGirr, captain of the first eleven, with a leather suitcase. The president of the club (Mr. E. P. Bunny), in making the presentation, wished Mr. McGirr success on the English tour. TORPEDO MEN AT PLAY. An eleven from the torpedo men on H M.S. Renown played a match against a local eleven at the Basin Reserve yesterday afternoon. The home side batted first, compiling 251, B. J. Kortlang (55). J. R. Lamason (41), L. McGirr (32), and C. G. Wilson (35) being the principal contributors. Reading, Toovcy, and Marshall bowled well for the naval force, who responded with 163, Reading (46), Young (41), and Welchman (31) showing quite good form. C. G.. Wilson, who secured four wickets, was the most successful bowler for the local team. DUNEDIN. By teliEgbaph. —Press association. Dunedin, March 20. In the senior cricket, Carisbrook v. Grange, the latter made the record low score of the season, being dismissed for 28. Knight with 7 was top scorer. Douglas took six wickets for 14 runs, and‘Dickinson three for 10. Carisbrook made 161, Lynch 36 and Douglas 34 being top scorers. Conradi took five wickets for 43. - , , n ,i,„ Albion were at the wickets all the afternoon in ths match with Dunedin, and when stumps were drawn had mane 216 for the loss of eight wickets. Duncan 68 and Binney 37 were chief scorers Torrance was very destructive with the ball, capturing six wickets for 56 runs,

CRICKET IN SYDNEY

PITCHES SUIT BOWLERS (Rec. March 20, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, March 20. For the grade cricket matches the pitches were dead, owing to recent lam. The bowlers again were in in the ascendent. Playing for Cumberland against University, Leadbeater made 89, lor M-irrickville against Mosman. Jfacartnoy made 61. and Kelleway 73.. Petersham, Graham took six 41 and Se’ugcr fo-/r for 21. No* 1 ] Svdney Henry took tour fot -7-1 01 ■ George, Scanes.took tour for 38. FAREWELL TO H. M. McGIRR BY HUTT CRICKET CLUB. The annual smoke concert of the Hutt District Cricket Club on Saturday night Cricket Club, occupied the chan. lue . well-wiMiers'of 1 Mr? ‘the club. In making a I’ r < esen4 ?t 10n . r ,.o ir r the him on behalf of his own club on His being selected as a preventative of the ..New Zealand team to visit England. In the last few years he has cowred himself with e f r C dit ''"’said e Mr. Bunny. The speaker f °tTe He te';m would do well. They would learn qualities which they, P. er ’ laps ’ K d l? "line Ind at present in cricket, self-dmclpline, and self-control. Mr. McGirr would not only mnkn a fiuccess as a plajer, out as a sportsman and a gentleman both on and 0 in replying, stated that he did not need a thing like .hat presented to make him keep those stayin'; behind in his mind The. Hutt Club is a great club, and I don t think I will ever be in a better one. Mild Mr. McGirr. In conclusion he pnld a tribute to the ladies who had supplied refreshtnents every Saturday. Toasts honoured during the evening, besides the loyal toast, were:- President and Vice-Presidents. The Wellington Cricket Association,” “Hutt District Cricket Club." ‘The Umpires, "kindred Sports." "The Ladies," and The Press. During the evening Messrs. L. Price, A. Griffiths. Kitchener, and B. J. Kortlang ( musical and elocutionary items.

M. HENDERSON FAREWELLED. Members of the Y.M.C.A. Cricket Club took part in a pleasant little ceremony last night when Mr. M. Henderson, a member of the club, who is to leave shortly as a member of .the New Zealand cricket team which is to tour England, was farewellcd. Mr. Henderson was presented with a travelling rug and with a cheque with which to purchase some token of the occasion for his wife. In replying, he stated that he was lookin" forward to teaching the boys playin” for the club, in whose teams he had learned his first lessons in cricket, somethin" of tlie knowledge he hoped to acquire during his trip abroad.

ffntt 4r>t. 3pt. . . Wins. 2 .Wins. L. L>. rts. 6 1 0 26 V M C A. . ... 1 5 3 0 . 19 Petone 2 2 4 1 15 QJd pnysj . 0 5 4 0 15 0 4 3 2 14 Midland ...... 0 4 4 1 13 Kilbirnie 0 4 5 0 12 Thoi-ntTon 0 3 6 0 Wcl linerton 0 3 6 0 University ... 1 1 7 0 7

BOWLING ANALYSIS. W. 0. M. R. R. J Read . f8 6 107 1 Cunningham . SO 1 78 N. H. Gallichan . . 9 1 40 0 W. E. Merritt .. 11.7 0 88 7 A. W. Alloo . (5 0 37 0 R. C. Blunt . 7 0 40 0