AUCKLAND v. WELLINGTON. AN EXCITING FINISH. AUCKLAND WINS BY ONE WICKET.

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1894, Page 4

AUCKLAND v. WELLINGTON. AN EXCITING FINISH. AUCKLAND ONE WICKET.

Never in tho history of cricket in tho colony has thero boen a match containing bo many and so varied elomonts of excitement, and in, which fortuno has appeared ho to flutter from sido to side oro it decided under which bannor 1o finally alight, aa that which was conclude J amidst uproarious enthusiasm on tho Basin ftesorve yesterday afternoon Three years ago thoro was a momorablo contost on liancastor Park, in which Otajro a id Canterbury concluded thoir first inning* abreast, and then Canterbury apparently ran away with tho match-on tho second innings. So care was tho crowd on that occasion that Otago was beaten whon one-half of the last Otago innings was gone that they left the field and wendod their way to town, only to hear when they readied thoro that tho Otago " tail " had won the gamo. Yobtorday's game differed from that historic match in that there was never a moment when the result could have been forotold with anything like an air of certainty , and every move had its interest and every ball its bearing on the result of the game ; while its oonolnsion was marked by a series of extraordinary .incidonts which served to keep excitement on a simmer and make tho more impressionable supporters of eithor team grasp at the seats on which they rested or pull at tho grass in tho intensity of the nervous strain. And thoro wore many supporters of both sides. Tho looal Cnckoters present impartially gave their applause to friond and foe, and Auoklandorn are nothing if not enthusiastic, and so it happonad that with the Auckland team, as with all Auokland teams, there aro travelling a noble army of suppqrtors, bent on giving moral support to their athletic ohampions. They mado quito a formidable show on ono side of tho grand stand -Messrs. Alf. Whitaker, C. M'Kinney, Jas. Halliday, Mowbray, and many others wore prominent among them. The faoes of those were barometers, indicating as to whether tho fortunes of Auokland were up or down, and other barometers were to be soon in tho Wellingtonians aronnd, the result boing a continual *gamo of sec-saw. When the Auckland countonancos were beaming " set-fair," the Wellington visages were " stormy," and vice versa. And, verily, thero was justification for all this variation. When Wellington lost Cross so cheaply on the first day things looked gloomy, and the chances woro not promising, but the splondid stand of Gore and Holdship and the aohieved total of 180 raised their hopes. Then when Auoklanders, with Mills out for 15, began to see their wiokets falling monotonously, their chances too' appeared gloomy. But tho slogging of tho leviathan Kallendor, combiriod with the invaluable stand made by Neill, Stemaon, Lundon, and King, at tho very end Of the innings, having left them only 12 behind, their hopes roso again, and they steadily grew as wioket after wiokot wont down in Wellington's second innings, and four bats, two of whom were Gore and Holdship, woro out for 39 when the stumps were drawn. Both sides now felt that on Cross once more depended the fate of the game, and so there was the keenest expectation to know what fortune that sterling bat would achieve yesterday morning. When ho was disposed of for nothing tho Wellington barometer tonohed zero, and the Auokland mercury flew up to the end of the tube. But-Onco again it was only for a time, for tho stand of Niven and R. Blaoklook once more altered the aspeot of affaire, and when tho innings closed for 131 despite the fine bowling of Noill and Lawson, Wellingtonians were disposed to consider that the fates favoured them. Auokland had 14-1 to make to win, and "If Mills comes off," appeared to bo the generally accepted element in the team's ability to make them. Aucklanders prayed fervently that Mills would come off, but at the same time they repudiated the idea that they had a "tail," with the intensity of the most; bitter opponont of tho Darwinian philosophy, and they claimed that from every link in their chain they might expect assistance and strength. Suoh was the talk at the lunohoon table, and at 2 o'olook, when they returned to tho freshly-rolled wicket, and tho redoubtable Mills sallied forth with Jacobs to uphold the honour of the "Corinth of the South," tho pair were the oynosure of all eyes. But disaster followed fast, and followed faster. Mills out lbw — given out by tho Auokland umpire; Jacobs oloan bowled for 10; Fowke. who had prepared for a few hours' stay, out in a few minutes ; Kallonder dean bowled— certainly he made 19 ; Moresby, oloan bowled for 8 ! Surely Auckland cannot win now ? Five first - class wiokots for 46— nearly 100 more required to win — tho light bad and growing worse, and only that alleged " tail ." No wonder Auokland faaes look anxious and gloomy, and Wellingtonians smile blandly, even with a lurking devil of distrust about the cornors of their mouths. And there is no grievance to either side, for the umpiring of Messrs. Lusk and Knapp has been irreproachable, even though the small boys who swarm tho ground make a point of hooting Mr. Lusk even before they hear or can oomprehend his decisions, on the prinoiple of " 'E's a stranger, 'cave 'arf a brick at 'im." And just here we may remark that those youngsters, let into the ground free in their hundreds because the sohools are not open, made themselves an unspeakable and discreditable nuisance. They groaned the visitors and their umpire on any and every ocoasion, adults vainly trying to make their appreciative appplause heard over the din. Finally, they tried to mob Mr. Lusk, and they ranged up to about 12 years of ago. An able-bodied officials, skilled in the use of the stookwhip, and instructed to avail himself of every opportunity for displaying his powers, would be a valuable adjunot to the next big match here j otherwise a Wellington crowd will Set a very bad name for discourtesy, and 10 yonth of the Empire City will be brought up in the way that they decidedly should be whipped out of. But to return to the fortunes, or rather, the delusive misfortunes, of Anokland. It was 3.40 before 50 was put up, and only five had beon added when King was disposed of. That left but four wickets to put on some 90 runs, and stumps falling like branohes in a bush fire. " Thoy can't do it," said Wellington, jubilantly, yet with caution, but tho Auoklander who was ever at hand only muttered softly, "Taihoa." He didn't believe there was anything in it himself, but he sought comfort in a faith ho vainly tried to compass. Lundon momentarily raised Mb hopes from the freedom with which he treated the bowling, but Cross, Holdahip, and Gore especially were whipping baok the balls and interposing their active .persons just when it was sought to get that troublesome leather safely away. Lundon's hearty contribution of 23 infuses now hopes into the hearts of his supporters, but he has to suooumb to the continually ohanging bowling. Then all the prayers of sunny Waitemata are offered up ronnd Neill, and as that sterling athlete beams benignly and confidently through his spectacles on the Wellington bowlers, some of the Auokland fair on the stand twitoh nervously as though they would like to fairly hug him. And their regard is justified, for with his aid the score has actually mounted to 93, when Stemson's, the eighth, wioket falls. But only two more wickets, and over 50 wanted! "Can they do ftp" " Never I" mutter Upham, Fitzsimons, Ashbolt, and Co., as they set their teeth, and lash down ball after ball. "WhatP" "Hnrroo," "Lawson's out," and up go the small boys' caps all over the field, for Lawson, the ninth wioket, after hitting all round the boundaries, has just been caught on the ropes by Gore ! And what a catch ! It was a terrific sky-scraping swipe, right over the ropes to leg, and Gore, raoing after it with all the speed at his command, was just able to steady but not to hold it, but as he fell over the ropes he caught it before it reached the ground — this time outside the boundary, but this time he held it. "It's all up! Kua mate," muttered every Auoklander, as he turned his face to the wall and pondered over the wording of the inevitable telegram. Lawson came sadly in, and Holle went out— the last wioket. When Holle reaches the wioket he is seen to be consulting the umpire, Mr. Knapp — Gore is sent for and interrogated. Then there is a perplexed shout as the Auokland skipper is seen raoing back for his mate. " He ia not out," he ones, and Lawson is disinterred from the dressing-room, in which he had entombed himself, and, perplexed, is hauled out into the field and to the wioket again, while those wretched small boys groan and everyone wonders. Holle is besieged for explanation, and it proves to be simply this i — The final cat"h was mado outside the boundary, the umpire had not been appealed to, but on being asked, ho gave it that a ball once past the bonndary was dead and could not be caught, and therefore Lawson, instead of boing dead, is very much alive, with six runs as an additional solatium for his big- slop. "It's all over," groaned a pro- Wellington soribo in the scorers' box, as he laid down his penoil in disgust; "they've won. It's no use talking. I'm a fatalist, and I Bay that ends the game ! " And ho mourned and refused to be comforted, and so did hundreds of his way of thinking all over the field. ' But presently they recovered from their surprise and their tongnos woro loosed, and there was a terrible flow of cricket reminisoenoe and cricket law and lore, during whioh it was freely alleged that tho M.O.C. and other august authorities had allowed oatohes mado on and over tho boundary, and .that the Auokland umpire wu inouned to this view, but of course it was not at his end. But that practically was the end, even though it was then only 4 o'olook, and it was nearer 5 before the final run was made, and our visitors from the North had scored a hard won and memorable victory, whioh no one can begrude them. Lawson was not again caught till the score had reached 131, and there were all sorts of tantalising incidents whioh aeat the hearts of both sides into their months — narrow escapes from boing run ont, instances of balls taking the bails off illegitimately, and so forth. All these will bo found in our detailed report below, where, too, it will bo Been how in one wild burst of onthusiaim Neill and Holle were borno off shoulder high by their exoited comrades, while all transplanted Auokland wept on its brother's neck, wrung every hand within reaoh, and finally rushed off to the nearest hotel to drink to the memory of an ever memorable match. " AUCKLAND'S 81COND INNINGS. Our detailed narrative of Auckland's second innings yesterday was brought up to the dismissals King at 3.40 p.m. Lundon took the vacant crease, and finished Upham's over safely. Singles and a leg hit for two by Lundon off Upham brought 60 up, and the prooass was repeated with the next ball. Some single*, .during whioh the fielding of Cross at point, was frequently applauded, followed, and a four to Lundon off Upham, hit^ to long-off, was the only sensational incident for some time, but in the next ovor he hit Ashbolt over the ropes for six, and V 0 went up. Singles to Lnndon and Neill signalised the opening of Upham's next over, and the fifth ball was sent to leg by Lundon for four, 80 going up. Neill and Lnndon recorded singles off Ashbolt, Dryden.

at mid off failing to stop the balls. FitzHimons relieved Upham, and with his third ball clean bowled Lundon, who had given an oxcollont exhibition of vigorous batting at a very critical time. Stomson took tho place, and was missed by Goro off tho second ball Fitzsimons sent him. Two runs resulted, and then Stomson put up a pair of twos off Ashbolt, the field evidently growing nervous, and returning badly. Bnt tho next ball was fatal, for Stemdon was out log before. 93 -8 -G. Neill hit Kitzsimons' first ball for two, and sent the second to the boundary at long-on for four, a fiin^lo in tho si ps off the fourth ball, bringing up 100 jußt before 4 o'clock, amid applauwe. Lawson sent A sbbolt to leg for four, and then hit high and hard over the ropes. Goro ia"ed after it, nnd just as he fell on tbo ropes, caught it, but could not hold it. As be fell ovor tho ropes, howover. ho caught it again and hold it. It was a magnificent effort, and Lawson came out to tho pavilion. All seemed ovor with Auckland's chanco. But it was not ovor. Holle pointed out that the ball had been caugkt finally outside tho boundary. Gore was interviewed, and admitted this, and the result was that Lawson wan sent for again, and instead of being out, was credited with six runs. A four to leg by Lawson off Ashbolt sent 120 up at 4.10, and tho proßpects of Auckland improved momentarily. At this stage Holdship went on in VitzaimonB 1 place at tho northern ond, and Lawson out his first ball for 3. Every run was now of vital importance, and tho air was electrical. A shout signalised a log-byo, and then tho over closed. Another chango was tried at the northern ond, Dry den replacing Ashbolt. His over proved a maiden, and all but proved fatal to Lawson, who started a run, and before he could get baok tho ball was returned. Dryden, in his haste to get tho ball, knooked off the bails and then failed to pull a stump on getting the ball— a repetition of Neill's experience. Off Holdship's noxt over thoro was a leg bye, a hit for two by Neill, and another leg bye, Bonding 130 up at 4.20— 0n1y 14 wanted to win. Neill snicked Dryden into tho slips for one, but tho same over proved fatal to Lawson, who whb caught in the slips by Upham. 131—9—25. The last man in— Holle— and only 13 wanted to win. There was a murmur of excitement from end to ond of tho ground. Again a chango was triod, Upham replacing Holdahip. Rain threatened but did not fall, and clouds affooting the light complicated the chances and made anything possible. Neill put on a single off Upham's last ball, and so took Drydon's bowling, running a wonderfully risky single off tbo seoond ball— whioh narrowly escaped proving fatal to Holle and the game. 'I he light was very uncertain, and Hollo stepping back from tho wicket as Dryden was going to deliver, tho ball took his bails. Of courso, it was not oounted, and a single to Hollo proved the only result of tho over— lo to win. Upham started once more, and a leg-bye was recorded, then a single to Neill, followed by another to Holle— 7 to win. Still another change, Drydon giving place to Fitzsimons, as a last resort. A short run to Holle was scored off the newcomer's first ball*. It was evident that nerves were to be strnng to straining point throughout. Noill drove the last ball of Fitzsimons* ovor baok to him, and the bowler touching but not stopping it, it struck Hollo's wicket. Hollo had just lifted his foot to run, but fortunately for him— and for Auckland— had put it down again instantly, and once more tho match was saved. Singles accumulated, till at 4.25 p.m. 140 went up, amid general applause. Holle stole a single off Upham's last ball, and so was the first of Fitzsimons' at the chango. Ball after ball wont down withont result, and then Holle, opening out, hit the last of the over to leg for three, and tho match was won. The excitement was indescribable. Anck* landers and the public rushed the ground, and both batsmen wore hoisted shoulderhigh, and ro carried to tho pavilion. And so ended the most exciting interprovincial matoh ovor played in New Zoalaud—a victory for Auokland by ono wicket. Auckland.— Second Innings. Jacobs, b Upham . 10 Mills, lbw, b Upham .. .. 2 Kallendor, b Fitzsimons .. . ... 19 Fowko, o Fitzsimons, b Upham 0 Noill, not out 32 Moresby, b Upham 8 King, o Holdship, b Ashbolt . . .5 Lundon, b Fitzsimons .. 23 Stomson, lbw, b Ashbolt . 6 Lawson, o Upham, b Dryden ... 25 Holle, not out . .... 8 Leg-byes ... 6 Total ... ." . . 144 BOWLING. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Upham 120 3 56 4 Fitzsimons' ... 90 2 40 2 F. Ashbolt ... 48 1 34 2 Holdship 12 0 5 0 Dryden 18 1 3 1 THE SMOKE CONCERT. Tho visitors were entertained by tho local men at a smoke concert in the evening at the Oriental Hotel. Mrs. Ormsbee provided an excellent supper of light refreshmenta. Mr. H. D. Bell, M.H.R., was in the chair, and the loyal and patriotic toasts having been drunk, Mr. C. S. Cross proposed the health of the City's Parliamentary representatives. The Chairman responded, and then proposed the health of the victorious team. Ho did not profess to bo highly pleased with the result, but he was satisfied that the Wellington men were able to take the result as they would have taken their own win. Mr. Holle, the Auckland captain, in responding, thanked the Wellington team for the manner in which the visitors had been treated, espeoially thanking Messrs. Cross, Upham, Ashbnlt, and Holdehip. The match had been one of the most pleasant of the tour. The toast of " The Wellington team " was proposed by Mr. Holle, who highly praised the Holding of the local men. He suggested tho advisability of farming a Cricket Union for the colony on linos similar to that of the New Zealand Kugby Union. Mr. R. V. Blaoklock, in replying on behalf of the local team, congratulated the Aucklanders on their victory, which was in a great meaßuro duo to the admirable batting of Mr. Neill at a critical stago, and also to hia fine bowling performance. Tho failure of Mr. Cross in his batting was an extremely lucky item for tho visitors, who, however, had oarmd their victory. The remaining toasts were—" Kindred Sports," proposod by Mr. C. H. M'Kiuney, and responded to by Messrs. J. Halyday and L. Coupland ; " Umpires and Scorers," by Mr. M'Connack, and responded to by Messrs. Lusk and Hyams ; " Tho Entertainment Committee," proposed by Mr. A. E. Whittaker, and responded to by Messrs. C. S. Cross and E. V. Upham: "The Ladies," proposed by Mr. Kallender, responded to by Mr. Holdship ; " The Press " ; " Absent Friends." At the suggestion of Mr. Cross the health of Mr. and Mrs. Bell was enthusiastically drunk. During the evening songs were given by Messrs. Wynyard, J. Fowke, Kallender, M'Kinney, Holdship, Niven, and Holle. Messrs. Holdship and M'Kinney presided at the piano.