Cricket.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 152, 24 December 1903, Page 14

Cricket.

[By The Mid.] JUNIOR. The Wadostovn-Johnsonville heat did not produce any tall scoring, tho bowlers of both teams being on top throughout the afternoon. "Peggy" Clavidgo (Wadestown), who had batted consistently up to this match, failed to scoro on either .of tho two occasions he went to the batting creaso. Wadestown was dismissed for 61 (K. Wiffin 18, M'Nair 16), and 87. R. Moffatt (26), and his captain, J, S. Orchard (22), were tho only batsmen who "pasted" the Johnsonvillo trundling. Both players aro credited with a hit for fivo. Tiio first innings of Johnsonvillo produced 82, double figuro scores being registered by Frank Mooro (17), Afl Moore (16), H. Pickon (15), and J. Mills (14). Tho team in its second venture lost throo good wickots — Alick Mooio, F. Carroll, and W. Brown— for 19 runs, and require 48 to win, with seven wickets in hand. Arthur Claridgo (5 for 13) captured the mujority of the Johnsonville wiekots. Tho Johimonvillo bowleru, Jack Moore nnd 11. Picken, again demonhtrui«(f their powers, their respective figures being 5 for 13, and 6 for 43, and 6 for 23, and 3 for 6 respectively . Andy Houston (Phoenix) camo to griof in the Wellington match', being dismissed for a "blob." The Wellington team, batting a man short, was all out for 112, D. Niven (27), Cooke (22), and Rutter (22), being tho bright spots on tho Wellington side The veteran, W. Ogior (26) und Shand, tho useful all-round player, stuck up the champion bowlers. Shana's contribution of 2o not out, included a sweet drive for 6 at the expense of '"Tommy" Taylor. The side was all out for i) 9, the destroying agents being Luckie (4 for. 41), Taylor (3 for 21), and D. Niven (2 for 5). T. Miller (3 for 21) and Sliaiid (3 for 39) came out with tho best average for Phoonix. On Saturday's performance a close finish can be confidently expected. The Gas Company's team is evincing considerable interoit in tho result of this match. * ' Good and even scoring was the outcome of the Waiwetu and Old Boys' heat. The latter team was minus the services of Girdlestone, who, tlio Old Boys confidently assert, 'will bo able to assist in disposina of Waiwetu for smaller total than 160. Six of the suburban batsmen ran into double figures, but all performances were put in tho shade by W. M'Gurk, who scored 67, in fine style, and kept tho town players busy. Old Boys obtained 5 runs more than their opponents, a fact due to the sterling innings of Dick Hay (75), who has a happy knack of coming off in junior cricket as .compared Vita the higher grado on Noa. and 2 wickots. Sprott', a promoted thirdclass playor, nicked 25. A. and* W. Pringle bore the brunt of tho Waiwetu attack, the Old Boys' bowling honours being carried off by Pye-Smith, Hay, and Simm. The Old Boys followed the excellent example set by tho Newtown Club, leaving town by tho 1.15 train. Midland has slightly the best of its bout with the Gas Co.,. which team was all out, after uneven scoring, for 131. Four of tho incandescents aro credited with 97 rnns— Topp (33), Laws (30), W. J. Stevens (23 not out), the latter a tricky bowler of former soasons, and Howell 11. Tho Midland bowlers maintained a, good length, and wero well supported by the field. J. Robertson (4 for 12), and T. Johnston ' (3 for 27) were the most successful of the Midland bowlers. Boforo stumps were drawn Midland had scored 66 for threo 1 ' wickets. G. Williams, after completing his innings at Karori, was in 'time' to .knock up' 23.for'itho juinor eleven. THIRD-CLASS. Tho Midland A-Karori heat was concluded at Karori, after a lively display of cricket. Tho second innings of tho former club produced 145, G. Williams being top scorer with a faultless 68, Godber played steadily for 22, and Robertson hit out for 32. The latter player was badly missed in the outfield bemre ho got going. Karori, batting two shuit, forced the game, and some clever running between the wickets was performed by Dasent and Davis. W. Williams (29), F. Spiers (20), Lowe (19) and W. Dasent (18) obtained doubles for Karori. Tho Midland bowling wos not up to third-class form, tho absence of Gosling being sorely folt by the town players. A. Smith, tho Midland captain, before being allowed to bowl, was asked to appear in proper cricketing costume, a request which was complied with. This lack of observance of the costume rule is, I regret to state, a common occurrence amongst third-class players, but the Karori Club intends to insist on the Association's rulo boing adhered to. This is the first occasion in thirty-four years that an enforcement of this nature has been resorted to by tho Karori Club., Old Boys' A team ha.d an -excdlent nfternoon's practice at the exponso of tho club's B team. Soveral of the A team reached double figures, but the best .score was put up by Jumeson, who gave fevornl chances in compiling his total of 109 not out. The bowling was %veak, and tho fielding ditto The members of tho Rover team prftis* the fast nnd true anphalt wicket at Johtisonvilie, but nio not so complimentary regarding the out-field. The town team, with the exception of Madtin (28 not out), failed to extend the Johnsonville bowlers, A. Eason (4 for 17) und U. Morgan (5 for 21), and were all out for 50.

Johnsonville replied with a score of 127, Ready (22), Tromewau (19), E. Eason (14), and A. Bimtley (14 not out), doing the major poitiou of tho scoring. A. J. C. Hop Kins, (J. Newcon, and T. Condliffo captured the Johnsonville wickots. On present form the Hill toain is able to provide tho stronger elevens in tho championship with an interesting afternoon's sport. Tho Wellington B pluyors were outclassed in all departments by Phoenix A, which team has scored 211 for 5 wickets. Bruce Midlano was in a happy mood when slashing tho Wellington bowling for 67, but Little was inoro sedate, aitd played correctly for 49. * Nowbold (27), Cunningham (22), Evenson (17 not out), nnd Millward (12) also troubled the Wellington bowlers, of whom Deller was credited with 3 wickots, am? M'Lean and Pavitt M-ith ono each. Evonson (4 for 18), and G. Millward (5 for 24), wore the main factors for dismissing Wellington for 63. Paritt (19) and Monzies (14) were tho only players to successfully copo with tho Phoenix attack. I hear that G. Millward is cultivating an off break for future engagements. Tho Newtown team, on tho firat day's play, aro 37 runs on, with eight wickots m hand. Midland B turned the Southern invaders out for 79 in the first innings. Morrick (19), Little (11), Robertson (11), and Tylor (10) made the most of their stay at the wicket, which was in excellent order. Tho Midlanders compiled 108. Arthur (25) was the highest contributor, and he showed good defence against tho Nowtown bowlers, Mcrrick, Condliffe, and Ward. The Newtown batting was brisker and brighter in tho second innings, 66 being on tho board when stumps were drawn. At Day's Boy, which is familiar to the ■X.M.C.A. and Phoenix B teams, tho former club, batting two short, scored 75. j "Rangi" Wilson got in his fnvourito hook stroke, and was unbeaten with a scoro of 30. Strange (18), and Jantko (11) also played up to recent form. Pickering, ■who sonds down a fairly fast ball, collared 7 wickets for 29 runs. Tho Phoonix innings realised 107, M'Ardell, a younger brother to tho junior player, hitting out for 36 not out. He has plenty of cricket iv him, but should curb his present tendency to jump out and have ft go at everything that comes hia way. M'Carthy nnd Strange divided tho bowling honours for V.M.C.A. Tho two teams fielded well, and I am pleased to record that not a single extra was recorded by the Phoonix scorer. R. Wighton (66) and C. Godber (63 not out) were mainly responsible for tho addition of 132 runs to tho previous Vivian scoro of 127 for 7 wickets. Wighton pave an attractivo display, and was more than severo on the deliveries of E. S. Pearce. Godbe'r's total is his highest contribution in third-class cricket. Tho Wellington team was unable to play Clementson, •who was not deemed good enough for tho eleven whon this fixture was drawn. His presence last Saturday would have saved tho Wellington team a number of runs, as tho other bowlors wore distinctly "off." Wellington had to face a deficit of 320, and was not long in getting into their stride, Pearson loading tho way with a handsomo contribution of 87. Ho gavo several chiuicea, but between his mishits played free cricket. Barclay's 39 was another solid scoro, and when timo was called Hill (18) and Hanify (17) were not out, tho score standing at 210 for tho loss of coven wickot9. Tho Vivian bowling is not so strong as it was last season, but Cnrrard takes a lot of watching, as his delivery is very doceptivo. I am indebted to W. Lockett, the scorer of tho Karori club, for tho following batting averages of the suburban team. The figures include last Saturday's

play :— Nnmo. In. N.O. Runs. D. Pcarco ... 2 1 63 Q. Wnrron ... 7 3 86 L Hill 7 0 115 W. WiMnms ... 6 0 £2 fj. Davica ... 5 1 67 P. Spiers ... 6 0 84 A. Williams ... 6 1 66 \V. Lowe ... 5 0 51 B. Knglo ... 6 1 42 rt r . Dusent ... 3 0 9A 11.-LowerI 1 .- Lower ... 3 0 23 r. Spier* ... 5 0 37 D. Spiers ... 1 0 6 \. Qvthio ...' 4 0 13 E. Holmwood ... 2 0 3 At. 63 s>l fi 16.42 16 14.25 14 13.2 10.2 8.4 R 7.66 II 414 1 3.25 1.6,