CRICKET. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24, 30 January 1911, Page 11

CRICKET. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

CROMBIE'S CENTURY. ,Victoria College, 39 and 40 for 4 v. East A, 157. East B, 283 v. North, 6 for 2. Central B, 112 v. South, 110 for 8. Central A, 101 v. Hutt, 157 for 7.

Exceeding genial weather conditions saw the first day's play of the senior championship through on Saturday. The wickets were most favourable to the batsmen, but singularly few took real advantage of them. There were numerous double-figure scores, hut the bowling was, with few exceptions, of little ac count. A warm sun shon9 not too ardently, the gentlest of breezes blew, and there was present at the Basin quite as large a crowd as this season's performances have deserved. It hurt the precisians to see the late start made : the first ball was not bowled until twenty-five minutes to three — a shockingly dilatory proceeding. And it might be added that not at any time during the season has this necessary punctuality been marked. The Cricket Association is herewith exhorted to enforce its authority and fine the teams that roll up late. It indicates a slackness both in the men themselves and the association which has permitted it without murmuring. As things stand at present, the association's rules and regulations on this matter are beautifully and consistently disregarded. What is the Cricket Association going j to do about it? On the day the two most notable circumstances were the insult offered to North by a rehabilitated East B, in which Skipper Crombie participated hugely, and the deadly exhibition .offered by Victoria College 011 No. 1 against two bowlers, neither a champion." On such a wicket and against such an attack the Collegians performed in a way surprisingly futilp. It was enough to send their supporters into sackcloth and ashes for a month. The form was not above Sunday cricket at Day's Bay. Crombie deserves an elaborated introduction. He welcomed, the North attack with open arms and a broad bat, and banged the bowling all over the landscape. This vigorous bat began the season most promisingly, and then fell away, but his big innings on Saturday reinstated him in favour once again. He may well be congratulated on his demonstration 'of generally sound and solid batting. Minor features were Souths very slovenly fielding both on the ground and in the air, and Sheridan's poor wicket-keeping for North. He surely could not have been offended when exhorted, to "get a bag," for a net would have helped him more. Hutt have surprised Central A at Hutt, Staples's (Hutt) batting and Hawthorn's bowling standing out prominently^ EAST B v. NORTH. Despite North's best efforts on No. 2, the East B kept them on their toes till 283 was on the board. And North got very tired, very disappointed, some . the fielding suggesting that Ea§t B had no right to do such a thing. East had two for 21 early, and then Crombieand Wilson — defiance and defence — began, operating.' They added 66 to the score. Findlay bowled the latter with a nice ball, and Johnson came on to help worry the North attack, and though Blacklock, in sore straits, put Waters on as a forlorn hope, the batsmen sailed along until. 190. At this Crombie had reached his century, his runs made by hard driving on both sides of the wicket, and some safe, if not brilliant cutting, varied with a toss over the rails. At 190 Johnson left, having assisted to add 103 for the partnership, his total being 32. One by orie Crombie saw his comrades leave until the last wicket fell at 283, of which he had made 143, carrying his bat. He gave two chances, both warm — one at 77 and the other at 96. The score included two s's, ten 4's, and eleven 3's. Never at any time did he find the attack difficult.* Crombie has not all th© strokes, but he puts the wood on. Findlay, who at one time had bowled ton overs for 12 runs and one wicket, finished up with six for 65. He was, as usual, too erratic too often. At times he whipped in a fast-lengtE ball which took stopping. Findlayson Lowled somewhat unluckily. One over of his yielded 12 runs. North lost two wickets for 6 runs, and will have to go to get the remainder. Details are: — WELLINGTON EAST B— First Innings. Howe, b Finlayson ... 6 O'Shea, b Findlay _... . ... 4 Crombie, not out ... ... ... 143 Wilson, b Findlay IS Goldfinch, b Findlay 15 Hales, c Luckie, b Findlay ... 19 Chapman, b Findlay ... 0 Hornoy, c'Manson, b Luckie ... 3 F. Hickey, run out „.. 2 Johnston, run out 32 Pavitt, c and b Fmdlay ... ... 3 Extras ..'. 38 Total ... 283 Bowling Analysis. — Findlay, 70 runs, 6 wickets, 23 overs, 2 maidens; Finlayson, 83 runs, 1 wicket, 24 overs, 2 maidens; Lpckie, 33 runs, 1 wicket, 9.5 overs, 2 maidens ; Lambert, 10 runs, no wicket, 3 overs j Waters, 25 runs, no "wicket, 5 overs; Phillips, 24 runs, no wicket, 3 overs. WELLINGTON NORTH.— First Innings. Laaflpert, b Hales ... ... ... 0 Phillips, not out 1 Sheridan, c Wilson, b Johnston... 2 Luckie, not out ... 1 Extras 2 Total for two wickets ... .. 6 Bowling Analysis. — Hales, no runs, 1 wicket, 3 overs, 3 maidens; Johnston 4 runs, 1 wicket, 2 overs. VICTORIA COLLEGE v EAST A. Early in the season the Collegians, stimulated by the presence and assistance of Saunders, went off at a great rate, doing evens for the first f&w furlongs. But something stopped their rush on Saturday in the match against East' A. Batting first, they were all out in 55 minutes, and .faded dismally before Hickey and Gibbes, who kept the procession moving between the Avickets and the pavilion. The Collegians over-rated the bowling, staying at home to Hickey' s slows, and hitting at the wrong ball from Gibbes. Ninety balls saw it all over, and the debacle may be presented thus: — One for o,two, two ! for 2, three for 12, four for 16, five for IS, six for 18, seven for 21, eight for 24, nine for 37, ten for 39 ! These figures represent a wonderful consistency in small success. Berendsen top-scored with 9 not out. Gibbes deserved the best, figures— five for 17. Hickey took, four for 20. At a second knock College had 40 up for four, Monaghan getting 26,

East were all out for 157— a somewhat disappointing total for a strong batting side. Midla-ne and Tucker put on 56 for the second wicket. Hickey hit recklessly for 20 — mad© in seven scoring shots, but Mahonev failed again. Saunders, reappearing "for College, captured five for 44. Young Salmond three for 35. The latter shows promise. The left-hander sent down, a lot of loose stuff — long hops, over-pitched balls, and balls swinging outside the batsmens' legs. 'The other bowlers scarcely counted. Details are as follow :: — • VICTORIA COLLEGE.— First Innings. Fanning, c Brabin, b Gibbes ... 1 Dempsey, run out 0 Ward, b Hickey 7 Monaghan, st Brabin, b Gibbles ... 6 l)e la Mare, c Midlane, b Hickey ... 3 Burns, c Mahony, b Giblas ... 7 Burbidge, b Gibbes ... 0 Saunders, b Hickey 1 Caddick, b Gibbes 2 Berendsen, not out .... 9 Salmondj b Hickey _. ... 1 Extras „ 2 Total 39 Bowling Analysis. — Hickey, 20 runs, 4 wickets, 7.3 overs, 2 maidens ; Gibbes, 17 runs, 5 wickets, 7 overs. EAST A.— First Innings. Midlane, b Salmond ... ... ... 46 Wills, b Saunders 15 Tucker, lbw, b Saunders ..* „.. 29 Mahony, run out 0 Gibbes, b Saunders ... 9 Hickey, b Salmond 20 M'Gill, b Saunders ...• 1 Collett, not out 9 Hutchings, b Salmond 11 Brabin, c Fanning, b Saunders ... 3 Grimmett, absent 0 Extras „. 14 Total ' 157 Bowling Analysis. — Saunders, 44 runs, 5 wickets, 18.4 overs, o maidens ; Salmond, 35 runs, 3 wickets, IX overs; Monaghan, 44 runs, 10 overs, 1 tiaiden ; Dempsey, 20 runs, 3 overs. ? VICTORLA. COLLEGE.— Second Innings. Monaghan, st Brabin, b Gibbes ... 26 De, la Mare,' b Hickey ... ... 0 Burns, c Midlane, b Hickey ... ... 7 Ward, run out 0 Dempsey, not out ... 1 Extras 6 Total for four wickets ... 40 Bowling Analysis. — Gibbes, 16 runs, 1 wicket, 4.5 overs] 1 maiden ; Hickey, 18 runs, 2 wickets, 4 overs. CENTRAL B v. SOUTH. This match was played on. No. 3, Central having first knock. They lost 2 for 19, Patrick clean bowling the first two wickets, but Sisson (33), wEo has been getting among the tuhs lately, and the hard-hitting Patterson (41), put oh 63 for the partnership. Both, batsmen were indebted to the field, Sisson particularly so. Souths fielding in the air was not pretty. Grace and Patrick divided the wickets, the former bagging 5 for 29 and Patrick 5 for 40. They found little resistance in Central's "tail." Robertson, a promoted junior from the third's, created a- surprise by getting rid of the South cracks, Grace, Burton, Dickson, and Patrick — all cleaned bowled. Robertson, seen from a distance, .bowls a fast medium, and there was no doubt as to the" sting mi his attack. Murphy (31 not out), and Walters (30), played sound cricket for their runs, the latter hitting eight threes. This match should provide a very close finish. Details are : — WELLINGTON CENTRAL B.— First Innings. Wilkinson, b Patrick , 8 Porteous/- b Patrickx.:. -.-- *~.t."**~z-.'.; *0 Sisson, c Murphy, b Grace 33 Patterson 1 , c Patrick, b Grace ... 41 Schlaadt, b Patrick 1 Stephenson, b Patrick 9 Haines, b Grace 7 Wilson, b Grace ... 0 Robertson, b Patrick 0 Wighton, c Sehmoll, b Grace ... 6 Smith, net out 3 "-h-as 4 , Total 112 Bowling Analysis. — Patrick, 40 runs, 5 wickets, 17 overs, 3 maidens ; Grace, j 29 runs, 5 wickets, 15 overs, 2 maidens; -Guthrie, 17 runs, 0 wickets, 6 overs; Dickson, 22 runs, 0 wickets, 4 oveis. WELLINGTON SOUTH.— First Innings. Walters, b Stephenson 30 Wilson, b Stephenson 2 Grace, b Robertson 2 Burton, b Robertson ... ... 4 Dickson, b Robertson 8 Murphy, not out 31 Patrick, b Robertson 0 Wagstaff, b Stephenson \ 7 Johnson, run out ..* 16 Extras ... ... 10 Total -for 8 wickets ... 110 Bowling Analysis. — Wilson, 12 runs, 0 wickets, 4 overs, 2 maidens; Robertfaon, 45 runs, 4 wickets, 13 overs 2 maidens ; Stephenson, 23 runs, 3 wickets, 15 overs, 5 maidens; Wighton, 12 runs, 0 wickets, 3 overs; Porteous, 8 rims, 0 wickets, 2 overs. CENTRAL A v HUTT. This game was begun at the Hutt, and to the surprise of most followers of form, Hutt have established a nice le?' 1 . and have still three wickets to go. They have to thank Staples for his fine innings of 61 not out, Isherwood on a lesser degree, and Brice, who, bowling, bagged six for, 34. Central's strong batting aide failed to take advantage of the good wicket. Details are appended :— CENTRAL A.— First Innings. Birch, b Brice ..' 25 Beechy, c Staples, b Pringle ... 1 Blamires, st Cate, b Pringle ' ... 8 Naughton, b Brice 8 Bruce, c Cate, b Brice 14 Hawthorn, b Brie© ' l Laws, b Brice *.- 10 Roberts, b G. F. Judd 4 Little, c and b Brice 10 Mason, b G. F. Judd 1 Mitchell, . not out ... ... ... 0 Extras 19 Total 101 Bowling Analysis. — Brice, sis wickets for 34 runs ; Pringle, two wickets for 34 runs ; G. F. Judd, two wickets for 14 runs. HUTT.— First Innings. Ifiherwood. c Laws, b Hawthorn ... 36 Staples, not out ... ? 61 Brice, c Roberts, b Hawthorn ... 7 Aldersley, 1.b.w., b Hawthorn ... 5 Climie, b Hawthorn 0 Cate, 1.b.w., b Hawthorn 2 ; Simpson, c and b Hawthorn ... 4 ! E. Judd, 1.b.w., b Hawthorn ... 0 G. F. Judd, not out 26 Extras ... ».. » 16 Total for 7 wickets 157 Bowling Analysis. — Mason, 0 wickets for 25 runs ; Brice, none for 26 ; Mitchell, none for 21; Hawthorn, seven for 59 ; Laws, none for 10. JUNIOR. Victoria College 188 (Miller 57, Broad 37, Maekay not out 34, J. Griffiths 20) beat South 137 (Tyler 30, R.. Murphy 29, Haigh 17, Webb not out 12, and 26 by an innings and 25 runs. Broad, 5 for 14, and Griffiths, 4 for 9, bowled most successfully for College. Petone 169 and 104 for 3 defeated Johnsonville 193 and Tl%

Hntt 116 and 161 (Johnston 57, Pilcher 18, Harris 17, Brownl7)'beat East 76 and 117 (Currie 49, Watson 21). THIRD-CLASS. Catholic Club 125 and 47 for 5 (Torres 42, M'Gnath 20, Leydon 19 and 26 not out, Carroll 15) beat North 77 and 61 for 4 (Thompson 20, Hamilton 16, Bedley 11 and 27 not out). Torres, 4 for 20, and O'Dowd, 4 for 35, bowled best for the winners, and Road, 5 for 43, and Thompson, 3 for 36 for North. East 84 and 45 for 5 beat Templars. 51. Karori 101 (Atkin' 50 not out, Coonish 17. Spiers 11) beat Petone 81. Brooker (KaTori) took 6 for 39. V.M.C.A. 167 (Holmes 75, Mabin 33, Hollis 25, Selafcer 16) beat South 56 and 70 for 5 wickets (Nelson 17, Webb 20, Wright 21). MISCELLANEOUS. The Dominion 103 (Plimmer 51, Kinnear 20, Maysnor 16) were defeated by the Kangaroos, who made 244 (Spotswood 51, Lambert 45, Barry 50, Paul 36 not out, Thompson 25). For the losers Maysnor took 4 wickets for 47, and Barry 3 for 9, Vare, 5 for 17, were the winners' most successful trundlers.

J3.UJNUUK iSUAKD. Jrombie (East B) not out ... 143 Staples (Hutt) not out 61 tfidlane (East A) 46 ?aterson (Central B) 41 Sibbes (East A) 5 for 17 aickey (East A; 4 for 20 jaunders (Victoria College) 5 for 44 ?indlay (North) 6 for 70 Srace (South) 5 for 29 Patrick (South) 5 for 40 Brice (Hutt) C for 34 Sawthorne (Central A)... ... 7 for 69 Robertson (Central B) 4 for 45