CRICKET.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 107, 2 November 1908, Page 3

CRICKET.

SECOND ROUND CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES. HONOUR BOARD. S. Brice, 78 not out. C. Hickson, 75 not out. K. Tucker, 63 not out. I J. P. Blacklock, 44. Miller, four wickets for 46. Gibbes,' four wickets for 24. Herlihy, five wickets for 66. Grey, miserable weather marked the ' opening of the second round of the championship matches last Saturday. The afternoon came in hung with a very moist Scotch mist, which, however, did very little damage beyond damping the spirits of some of the players, and wetting the grass, and subsequently the ball, making the latter very difficult to hold. When a start was made at three o'clock, sawdust was requisitioned, as the ball became greasy. The wickets, however, were not materially affected, though at the pavilion end of No. 2 one or two balls got up dangerously. The batsman's chief disadvantage on Saturday was the dull light, which became much worse after five o'clock, and probably an appeal against it then would have been successful. On the Basin the games were of the steady and non-sensational order, though Tucker (Old Boys) and C. Hickson (Midland) — his first appearance— put up excellently large scores. Both, however, should never have , reached their respective totals. The fielding, taking it all round, was again mediocre, and it would look as though players attach too little importance to this very essential branch df cricket — just as essential, in fact, as- making runs. Had Brett (V.M.C.A.), at mid-on, not let his side down by dropping Hickson at 21, Midlands probably would not have got beyond the contury. To have made up for that mistake the delinquent should have made 54 off his own bat, but he batted the same as he fielded— badly. But he was not the only man. Miller, Fane, Nash, and Naughton wero conspicuously bad in the field, the former dropping two easy chances, and narrowly holding another. In the contest on No. 1 wicket V.M.C.A. were pitted against Midlands. Batting on a fairly easy wicket, the latter reached 161, and have two of their opponents down with but 6 runs up. If Hickson had not had the luck a1!a 1 ! his majority, the total would have been miserable. Up to past 40 Hickson scored but very sedately, though the bowling did not warrant such caution. Easily the best innings for the side was Patrick's 27, made up of a number of fine square cuts, slashing drives, and a swinging fiver to leg. Brett missed Patrick at mid-on by getting too far under a possible catch. Of the V.M.C.A. bowlers, Herlihy, Grimmett (two for 35), and Owens (three for 30) did well, especially the latter, who needs a glassy wicket to aid his pace. He bowled excellently. Herlihy, who was kept on too long, began well, but I afterwards lost his length. Hickson, when V.M.C.A. began their innings, captured two wickets for no runs. On No. 2 Old Boys engaged Wellington, and batted first on quite a decent wicket. Brach and Beechey put on 45, until the latter, in a reckless fashion, lifted Hickson to Miller in the outfield. Tucker joined Birch, and another stand was made, till Birch 1 (29) tried to cut a rising ball, and Vare in the slips did the rest Lomax, who only got 11 (he was run out), shaped very promisingly. Tucker, aided by J. P. Blaeklock, and>a chance to Millei in the outfield, and (if the writer's memory is not playing tricks) another in tht. slips, took the score to 166 before Blacklock, who had played unusually quietly at first, and recklessly (at Luckie) at the last, lost sight of a ball from Nash, and was bowled neck and crop. Monaghan and his partner displayed such uncertainty between the wickets that they hesitated once too often, and tHe former was badly run out. Both run outs were due materially to Richard- | son's clean returns, which made up for j one particularly queer return, when, without provocation, this fieldsman, after fumbling at leg, hurled a ball over the keeper's head to the boundary. Old Boys had 192 runs up for six wickets when time was called. Fpr Wellington, Hickson and Nash took two wickets each. Quinn, who did so well in the last match, opened his attack on Saturday with three fullpitches to leg, which all went to the fence. Miller, tried for his bowling, was not successful, and will never be while he persists in taking the ball from the hip-pocket of his trousers. His length, as would be expected from this style of delivery, was not certain, and altogether' he was not dangerous. Possibly he requires a fast wicket. At Petone rain interfered considerably with oper; tions, making the ball greasy. Cobcroft, won the toss, and batted. He and Isherwood opened, and the skipper was soon out, caught in attempting to drag a short one of Miller's. Isherwood played across a good-length ball. Taylor followed quickly, but' Brice and Joyce made a fine stand, and punished the bowlers considerably. The latter was out lbw to his first call, but was given not out. Brice scored freely and aggressively. Miller, with four for 46, bowled excellently. Rain stopped play at five o'clock. Hodge, in the absence of Ashbolt, captained the visitors. A pleasing innovation was the afternoon tea provided by the local club. Waiwetu made their senior debut at home against Phoenix. The weather was just as miserable there as elsewhere. The local men had 51 for seven wickets when time was called — rather a poor exhibition. Wilson (retired hurt), 14, and Rodgers, 18 not out, performed creditably. Hickey and Gibbes were the destroying agents. Wilson sustained an ugly gash over his left eye, which necessitated the wound being stitched. Owing to the inclemency of the weather stumps were drawn after eighty minutes' play. The details of the various matches are as follow :—: — MIDLAND v. V.M.C.A. MIDLAND. First Innings. Hickson (not out) 75 Wynyard, b Herlihy ... .-., ... 6 William?, b Herlihy 4 Bruce, b Owens * 12 Manson, b Owens ... ... ... 4 Sheridan, c Grimmett, b Owens ... 3 Sieson, b Grimmett ... 3 Patrick, b Grimmett 27 Stephenson, b Herlihy 6 Ryan, b Herlihy 0 Mitchell, c M'Kay, b Herlihy ... 8 Extius ... , 9 Total 157 Bowling Analysis. Herlihy, S wickets for 66 runs; Gvimmett, 2 for 35; Owens, 3 for 30; Midlane, 0 for 21. V.M.'C.A. First Innings. Herlihy, c Patrick, b Hickson ... 3 Greenwood (not out) 0 Brett, c Stephen6on, b Hickson ... 0 Grimmett (not out) 0 Extras 3 Total for. 2 vrickcu m m 6

Bowling Analysis. | Hickson, 2 wickets for 0 runs; MitI chell, 0 for 3 runs. j (The scores as given in Midland's innings total but 157; the t bowling analysis makes it 161. J ' ' OLD BOYS v. WELLINGTON. OLD BOYS. First Innings. Beechey, c Miller, b Hickson ... 16 Birch, c Vare, b Hickson ... ... 29 Tucker, not out „ 63 Lomax, run out ... .11 J. P. Blacklock, b Naeh .., .... 44 Monaghan, run out ... 6 M'Gill, c Murphy, b Nash 2 C. P. Blacklock, not out 3 Extras 19 \ Total for 6 wickets 192 I Bowling Analysis. Luckie, 0 wickets for 34 runs; Miller, I 0 for 30; Quinn, 0 for 20; Hickson, 2 for 38; Na*h, 2 for 39; Richardson, 0 for 12. (The above total ifi not correct; tho [ scores a 6 given make up 193; the bowling analysis tallies with the aggregate given above.) PETONE v. GAS COMPANY. ! | j '

Hickey, 2 wickets for 24; Gibbs, 4 wickets for 24. (The bowling analysis plus sundries does not correspond with the aggregate given, 51.) JUNIOR. St. John's v. V.M.C.A. B.—The latter batted first, and ran up 83 (Loader 27, Beavis 19). St. John's replied with 77 for three wickets (Galloway 21, Thomas 19). For St. John's, E. Caldow and Thomas captured most wickets. Victoria College A v. Old Boys. — Victoria College, 120 (Ward 48 not out, Coombes 44). Old Boys, 90 for seven wickets (Suckling 26 not out). Suckling, for Old Boys, captured four wickets for 18 runs, while Miller took five for 18 for Victoria College. Wellington v. Waiwetu.—Wellington's innings totalled 75 (W. O'Brien 31), when rain stopped further play. Judd took nine wickets foi Waiwetu. Victoria College B v. Newtown. — Newtown, 182 (Carruthers 53, Day 27, Sullivan 30, Riggs 32). For the Collegians, Gray, Low, Hunter, and Mackay trundled creditably. Wadestown v. Midland.—The former batted all the afternoon, and compilod 225 runs, to which D. Hay (58), Roberts (47), and Butler (42) contributed materially. V.M.C.A. A v. Gas Company B.— Gas Company (three men short) made 48 (C. Witherall 21). Their opponents have 159 runs up for five wickets, Roberts (41), M'Girr (29), Muldoon (20 not out) performing notably with the bat. •Taylor (five for 40), for Gas Company, and Cornfoot (three fjor 12), ' for V.M.C.A., bowled successfully. . Johnsonville v. Phoenix.—The former, batting one short, totalled 75 (L. Cording 20, J. Moore 22). Phoenix, minus four men, made 66 runs (Berendsen J9 not out). Picken (two for 9), Beattey (two for 19) bowled successfully for Johnsonville, while Connell, with six for 42, troubled his opponents most. Petone v. Gas Company, at Petone. — Petone, 62 (Bowman 27h THIRD-CLASS. Victoria College v. Wellington.—Viotoria College, first innings, 114 for six wickets (Willib 45, Inder 26). Wellington 55. Old Boys made 146 against St. John's B (Cole 57 and Linklater 36). Moore, for St. John's, secured seven for 52. St. John's lost two for 6 runs, PyeSmith taking both wickets. Wellington College batted first against St. John's A, and made 140 runs. St. John's replied with three for 66 (Huntingdon 30 not out, Orr 13). Templars v. Newtown, at Petone. — Batting first, with one short, Newtown ran up a total of 76 runs (Bethune 23, F. Russell 18 not out, Bowen 12). Templars, playing in the rain, at call of time had lost five wickets for 39 runs when time was "'called. With the leather, Parris (three for 10) and Girling (three for 13) did best work. FOURTH CLASS. Old Boys v. Wadestown : Wadestown, 50; Old Boys (minus 3 men), 46. Clater and Stace bowled well for Old Boys. Johnsonville v. Petone Baptist: Petons Baptists, 72 (Powell 39, not out); Johnsonville, 48 (R. Ball 15). WELLINGTON BOYS' CRICKET LEAGUE. Junior Grade. Marist Brothers beat V.M.C.A. (C) by 6 runs. V.M.C.A. (B) beat Kelburne by 21 runs. Boys' Institute (A) beat St. James by an innings and 12 runs. Boys' Institute (B) beat South Wellington (A) by 3 wickets and 6 runs. South Wellington (B) beat Trinity by 15 runs. Senior Grade. V.M.C.A. (A} beat Diamonds by an innings and 26 runs. V.M.C.A. (B) beat Khandallah by 9 wickets and 17 >'uns. MISCELLANEOUS. A team representing Odlin and Company played an enjoyable game with the Harbour Board eleven. Odlin's team scored 95, Harbour Board 89. For the winners L. Keys (36) performed best with the bat, and Wright (29) for Harbour Board. Evans Bay v. Electrical Syndicate: Evans Bay '75 (Grandrill 38) and 164 (Grandrill 55, not out, Kershaw 35, Carswell 27). Electrical Syndicate 43 (Aiken 31) and 83 (Winter 36). Evans Bay Avon by 113 runs. For the winners, Butts and Winter captured eight and five wickets respectively, and Bunny, ten wickets, was the most successful bowler for the Syndicate. IN OTHER CENTRES. [bt TiLiaßAPH.~rn«Ba assooiatiow.] DUNEDIN, 31st October. The cricket season opened yesterday in bad weathor, vain falling at frequent intervals. TDunedin made 79 against Opoho, the latter compiling 50 for 5 wickets. Grange met Carisbrook B, and made 116 for 7 wickets (Beal 43). Carisbrook A, playing against Albion, made 180 (Rutherford 66, Blam,up.s 40 not out, P. foster 37J.

CHRISTCHURCH, 31st October. Grade matches were continued to-day in wretched weather, a cold easterly wind being succeeded by rain, and many of the games being stopped thereby. Riccarton defeated Sydenham by 70 runs. Scores— Riccar ton, 54 and 127; Sydenham, 60 and 52. West Christchurch, 252 and 76 for 3 wickets (innings declared closed), beat Linwood 125 and 10 for no wickets. East Christchurch, 112 and 19 for no wickets, met St. Albans, 112 and 148 for 3 wickets, the match resulting in a draw. AUCKLAND, 31st October. The second round of the Auckland Cricket Association's championships was commenced to-day ir beautiful weather and on perfect wickets. Big totals were made in two senior matches. Ponsonby, playing against University, made 356, towards which total A. Francis, the .Now Zealand representative footballer, contributed 145. North Shore, playing against City, made 337. The following are the detailed results of the day's play : — Ponsonby v. University : Ponsonby (first innings), 356 (Francis 145, Kavanagh 76 not out, Gavin 62). North Shore v. City : North Shore (first inningt), 337 (Kallender 58, M'Mahon 44, Woodward 39, and Philson 38 not out). Eden A v. Graf ton : Eden A (first innings), 120 (Cummings 48); R. Mason taking 7 wickets for 52 runs. Grafton (first innings) : Seven wickets for 161 (S. P. Jones not out 34, and Hill 34). Parnell v. Eden 'Colts : Parnell (first innings), 149 (Wright 50, Hutchings 38). Francis took 7 wickets for 37 runs. Eden Colts (first innings) : Seven wickets for 96 (R. W. Gordon 28).

JT JQI \Jl* I^. First Innings. Cobcroft, c Hill, b Miller 15 Isherwood, b Miller ... 26 Brice, not out „.. 78 Taylor, b Miller 5 Smyrke, b Miller ... „, „. 2 Joyce, 1.b.w., b Topp 29 Extras 2 Total for 5 wickets ... „.. 157 Bowlinjr Analysis. Miller, 4 wickets for 46; Topp, 1 wicket for 38 ; M'Kay, 0 for 23 ; Hill, 0 for 23 ; Gourlay, 0 for 25. WAIWETU v. PHOENIX. WAIWETU. First Innings. Staples, b <Gibbs „ j... 8 Wilson, retired ... 14 Rodgers, not out ... «... ... 18 Burton, b Hickey 0 Pringie, b Gibbs , 0 Judd, b Gibbs 5 Aldersley, 1.b.w., b Gibbs 4 Pilcher, c Burton ... ... •... 0 Extras -... 2 Total for 7 wickets .., ... 51 Bowling Analysis.