GREAT SCORE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 10

GREAT SCORE

Wellington’s Plimket Shield Bid 407 FOR SEVEN WICKETS Moloney’s Magnificent Innings By Telegraph—Press Association. Aucklnafl, February 5. Gaining first use of a perfect wicket, Wellington set Auckland a hard task in the first day of the Plunket Shield match at Eden Park to-day. Aided by a magnificent innings of 190 from Moloney, the visitors completely collared the Auekland 'bowling to score 407 for seven wickets. As a result Auckland may find it difficult to secure an outright win, generally' considered necessary to regain the shield. In a hard day’s out-cricket the Auckland fielding was below standard. Moloney and Tindill batted in subdued fashion when they opened to the bowling of Cowie and Matheson. Scoring shots were concentrated on the leg side, and it occasioned no surprise When Tindill, in attempting to turn a ball from Cowie, missed the swing and was bowled. 9-1-3. In spite of a somewhat streaky opening, Du Chateau settled down with Moloney, who was batting excellently. The left-hander had an early life when Garrard missed a difficult catch in the slips off Matheson. The pair raised 50 in 55 minutes, but Du Chateau paid the penalty of feeling for a ball on the off from Vivian and was caught behind. 77-2-32. With strong on-shots and occasional crisp drives, Moloney continued to consolidate his claims for a trip to Eng- . land. He was missed by Garrard in driving back to the bowler at 48, but reached 50 in 107 minutes. Ell batted soundly and at the luncheon adjournment the score was 117 for two. After lunch Ell attacked the bowling with much greater vigour than Moloney, although the latter was the personification of soundness. The pail brought 150 up in 152 minutes, but then Ell, in attempting a forcing back shot off Garrard, hit his wicket. 165-3-51. O’Brien was anything but confident facing Garrard, but Moloney continued to bat like a champion. The second century was raised in 195 minutes, and Cowie and Matheson bowled with a new ball. In Matheson’s first over Moloney at 97 was missed in the slips by Whitelaw, but shortly after he reached 100 in 204 minutes of solid but attractive batting. All the bowling looked innocuous, particularly when O’Brien started to settle down, and 250 was raised in 235 minutes. The score at tea was 262 for three wickets. After the adjournment O’Brien reached 50 in 95 minutes, and the following over Moloney, giving a grand all-round exhibition, moved on to 150 in 260 minutest The Manawatu player was getting well over the ball, and his shots in front of the wicket were flawless. Cowie then returned to the bowling crease with fresh vigour, beat O’Brien several times in one over, and the batsman chopped the last ball on to his wicket. 292-4-51. The pair added 127 in 105 minutes. Moloney and Lamason soon hoisted the third century, and, although Emery, the eighth bowler tried for Auckland, succeeded in blocking one, a further 50 was scored in just over half an hour. Shortly after Lamason went for a big hit off Emery and skied the ball for Carson to run in and take the catch at mid-on. 357-5-31. Auckland pressed home the advantage, and Moloney, who had given a magnificent exhibition for 317 minutes, was bowled in playing back to Cowie. 362-6-190. Making his first appearance in Plunket Shield cricket, Donnelly created a highly favourable impression with crisp offside play, but finally played Spring on. 395-7-22. Gallichan and Parsloe raised the fourth century, but Vivian delayed taking a new ball until to-morrow morning, and stumps were drawn with the score at 407 for seven wickets. In the total Marshall, the Auckland keeper, allowed only one bye. Scores are as follows: — WELLINGTON.—First Innings. D. A. K. Moloney, b. Cowie 100 E. W. Tindill. b. Cowie 3 V. 11. Du Chateau, c. Marshall, b. Vivian 32 •I. Ell. hit wicket, b. Garrard 51 M. O’Brien, b. Cowie 51 •I. R. Lamason c. Carson, b. Emery .. 31 M. P. Donnelly, b. Spring 22 N. Galliehan, not out 17 C. Parsloe, not out 5 Extras 5 Total for seven wickets 407