END OF THE SEASON

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 71, 24 March 1923, Page 15

END OF THE SEASON

NUMEROUS DISAPPOINTMENTS

HUTT'S' GOOD RECOPvD.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

(By " Not Oct.")

The completion of the senior matches test Saturday marks the close of a season in which there has been much of in*orest and an unusual amount of disappointment. The local competitions have jteen subjected to quite a number of postponements, and as a result players have not been able to indulge in the amount of sport; that it was intended they should have. Unfavourable .weather has been largely responsible for the diaappointments of the season, but the visit of the M.C.C. team and other representative matches have also accounted for a good deal of interference with the local cricket competitions. The opportunities of seeing the English cricketers were willingly accepted in place of carrying on with the local matches—a procedure which, of course, was not likely to be adopted—but from all that was seen of the visitors it is highly probable that many of the local players would have preferred to play in their own-matches. The Auckland-Wellington match was good reward for the postponement of local games. Other repre-., sentative matches in which Wellington itook' part were played in the South, and the absence of the players had some effect on the teams in the senior championship, though it is most' unlikely that the ultimate result of the com- J petition would have been altered had they not been away. The southern ! tour was one of the season's biggest disappointments, mainly on account of the fact that the weather was most unfavourable during 'most of the time that the representatives were away, and also by reason of the defeat by Canterbury. Then, too, there have been certain happenings that have not tended to improve the feelings between local cricketers and controllers • and those whose actions have been adversely criticitied. . ' The local senior competition has been followed with fair interest, but generally the ■ performances have not been ap to expectations. In the way of batting there has been a fairly good display, with a number, of very creditable individual efforts, but the bowling has not been up to standard, except in the cases of one or two players who have shown consistently good form. The bad feature of local senior cricket hag been poor fielding. The fault' has beeß pointed out from time to time, but with little result, although some of the teams have indicated on occasions that keenness and accuracy in the field is not altogether 105t,., There. is -no .doubt -thaithe championship has been' won by the best team in the competition. Hutt, the winners, have been fairly consistent from the outset of the competition, when their chances of winnirig the championship appeared to be very bright. Batting has not been their main medium of success, though they made one exceedingly big total and several good individual tallies, notable among which were centuries by M'Girr and Nunn. Strength in attack, and splendid support from the field, together with the capable captaincy of H. M. M'Girr, have been the means of Hutt's success in winning the 'senior championship for, the first time, an'honour that is well deserved. Aldersley, Watson, arid M'Girr have made up an attack probably better than that of any other team in the competition. Hutt were a good all-round side, arid they are to be heartily congratulated upon .their success. Petone, last year's champions, fill the position of runners-up, after making a rather poor start. The other teams, although showing good form on occasions. did not do all that was expected of. them throughout the season, but. at times they came to light with performances that served to keep interest in the competition. •■■■ - Hutt's record in the senior competition was as follows:—Defeated Petone by 20 runs on the first innings, defeated V.M.C.A. by 54 runs 'on the first innings, lost to- Thorndon by 13 runs on the two innings, defeated Old Boys by 10 wickets and' 2 runs, defeated. Wellington by an innings and 59 runs, defeated Midland by an innings and 56 runs, lost to Institute Old Boys by 93 runs on the first innings, defeated Thorndon by 41 runs on the first innings. Summary: Played 8, won 6, lost 2. The averages o£ members of the champion team are as follow: —

• Catches in the Field. : W. A. Aldersley 8, H. Nunn 5, J. S'nannahau 5, R. Pringle 4, S. Bgglecton 3, H. Watson 3, H. M. M'Girr ?., W. G. Hughes 2, D. Neazor 1, C. F&rraat 1. THE JUNIOR CHAMPIONS. Kilbirnie's claim for promotion to senior status has been supported by another fine performance in retaining the title of club and junior A champions. The junior A team is made up of players better fitted than many present seniors to take their place in the first grade. Ii is a fine all-round combination, perhaps morp solid than brilliant. Batting has been a strong point in their play this reason., all the members of the team being capable of making plenty of runs. Those ■who die? most of the scoring were Eaton, Morris, V.r. Christopherson, and Armstrong, but opposing teams could never estiniate Kilbirnie's total until tha last

man in the side had been disposed of. Tulle.tt, Fauvel, Russell, Day, and 0. Algar may all be classed as good bat's, but they j have not shown their true form this ' season. Tullett, who formerly _ played for Hutt, demonstrated his .qualities at the commencement of, the season, batting very well in a few matches, but his health has been against him, and towards the close of the season he was off colour. Fauvel made a poor start, but struck form „ against Johneonville and Porirua. Little of the good strokes possessed by Russell,. Day and Algar 'has been seen, but it is hoped that the very best will come from them next season. Although there is no brilliant performer in the bowling department, the team possesses eight or nine very useful bowlers. Bramley and Russell were the principals .in attack during the season, but the opinion has been expressed to the writer that the captain (Bramley), admittedly a good bowler, took .too big a hand in the attack, and should have made more use of Fauvel and Garrod, not only as relief, but also in keeping up the pace. ' Russell has bowled well, using his head all the time, and Armstrong, the right-hand slow bowler, did well, on some of the wickets that were to his liking, and also came off on occaj sions on the hard, fast wickets. More use should have been made of A.. Morris, in whose deliveries there is deceptive flight and a good off-break. The good length medium-paced off-break and straight balls sent down by "Vie. Christopherson have given more than a little trouble to opposing batsmen, but his slow leg-breaks have been of little use. Although W. Christopherson lias obtained wickets, he was inclined to be erratic, and, at times, he was expensive. Eaton can bowl, and might have been given more opportunities. As a fielding side Kilbirnie have been above the general standard shown in Wellington. Morris, at cover-point, has proved himself to be safe and an accurate shot, and Vie. Christopherson has served his side, exceedingly well in the slips. W. Christopherson has done some excellent work at point, but may have been even better had he taken up a position a little farther away from the batsmen. The midoff position was capably filled by Eaton, and in the slips and outfield Garrod and Tullett worked keenly and were safe. Armstrong, always keen, was able to taks up 'any position. Bramley was expensive in the slips, where Russell, who has taken some good catches, at short leg, would no doubt have been of. better service. The wicketkeeping, shared by Day and Algar, has been of good order. It was evident that in some matches the captain did not seem to be fully alive to the requirements in handling his team. The plentiful supply of bowlers should have been taken advantage of on the occasions when it was apparent that.those who were entrusted with the attack were tiring. Six or eight overs at a time would have been "quite sufficient for some o£ the bowlers who were kept on longer. On the whole, however, the generalship of the team has been good. All connected with the team are to be congratulated on the achievement. . ■..■':■ The averages of the members of the team are as follow (subject to alteration) :, —

Wicket-keeping: • J.. Day, stumped and caught, 7. .■■■■-. .. .'.■.. PROFESSIONALISM. The London correspondent of "The Post" -writes:—A. C. MaoLaren's statement to a Christclrurch correspondent of the "Evening Newc" has caused come surprise here among cricketers. The captain of the visiting team in New Seais reported to have said that commercialism interfered with county cricket in England, but in Australia and New Zealand it was sporting cricket all the way through. When he saw the strength of New Zealand.cricket.he might.ajefer to. exclude professionals from his side, mak- ' :ng. it purely amater.?. He regretted there were no opportunities t°- Eractice in Australia. [Ti» . .rtfafoment wa» made by MacLaren to a representative of "The Post," 'aid -was y<n foilnws : —"Touring ab'co&d," be said, "improves the young player'r. cricket. It gives ■ the young player a greater amount of experience of crowds, foreign crowds, and. it nives him the confidence which leads to ouocess. It giyeo him an opportunity of playing eric ket_ which is rather different to, that. in played at Home. County criokef. ias got -ihat commercial ring zhc.\;tit, but but here it is sporting cricket all t)n way through with a teari like thia."] TUCKER'S GREAT RECORD. Upon K. H. Tucker, the popular veteran of the Old Boys' team, fails the distinction of being the only player in New Zealand to score a five-figure total of _ runs in senior club and representative cricket._ The notable achievement, completed in the_ closing matches of the present season, is worthy of the high praise, and all cricketers and supporters of the game will join in congratulating Tucker. It is also a, feat that is by no means misplaced, fox Tuckei has been one of the most outstanding figures in cricket in the Dominion, a man whose great love for the game has made him not only 'a fine cricketer, but also a valued worker in various capacities. Although Tucker has been playing senior oricket in Wellington for twenty-nine years, he is still capable, of -doing good things with the rbat'-; in fact, during- the season of club cricket which ended last Saturday he registered the highest aggregate'total of runs in the senior grade, 1 in itself a splendid performanne. From 1894 to 1909 he was a member of the Midland senior team, from 1909 to 1913 he played for East, and since then he has been a stalwart among the Old Boys. He has re■presented Wellington on many occasions, and has been in several New Zealand teams, as well as playing for North Island in- the 1903-4 season.' Although details of some of his. performances in minor matches with outside teams have not been kept,, those which make up his pecovd credit him with compiling 10,148 runs in 378 innings. That he has been a consistently good bat 'throughout the long period in senior cricket is evidenced by the fact that' his average for all seasons is 30.11. His highest average in club cricket for a season was 83.00 in 1918-19, and his lowest 11.83 in 1916-17, while for all seasons his average in chib cricket is 32.39. From his. bat there have been nineteen scores of 100 or over, and he has taken part in twenty-seven partnerships which have produced over 100 runs. As a bowler, he has also achieved considerable success, and " only in five seasons has his average been over 20. He has taken 852 wickets for 11,311 runs, an excellent average of 13.27. Tucker has .no immediate intention of terminating his active part in the game, and ho will, no doubt, make further

good additions to his formidable account. Details of Tucker's performances are as f6llow:—

Centuries.—22l* (1898-99), "180* (1918-19) 180 (1897-98),, 141* (1897-98), 138 (1917-18)! 126* (1922-23), 125 (1900-1), 116* (1899----1900), 110 (1906-7), lid (1920-21), 108 (1911----12), 107* (1907-8), 107* (1917-18), 102* (1914-15), 102* (1921-22), 101* (1914-15), 101 (1918-19), 101 (1918-19), 100 (1900-1). *Not out. ■ Century Partnerships.—Club matches: First wiokot, 176 'with B. M. Beechey (1914-15), and 128 with A. Duncan (1922----23); second wicket, 206 with A. B. Williams, 131 with F. A-. Midlane, and 147 with H. Lambert (1917-18); third wicket, 141 with A. B. Williams, 130 with A. B. Williams, 169 with E. M. Beeehey, 115 with B. A. Marris (1917-18), and 100 with J. J. Mahoney; fourth wicket, 185 with B. Binnie (1918-19), 128 with J. J. Mahoney, 128 with C. P. Blacklock, 118 with R. Blaoklock, 115 with A. B. i Williams, and 103 with J. Jones; fifth wicket, 168 with B. A. Marris (1918-19), 118 with H. C. Hickson. 103 with F. C. Stephenson, and 106 with A Birch (1917----18); sixth wicket, 118 with H. C. Hicksoni (1900-01), and 116 with H. KnowlesSmith (1918-19); eighth wicket, 103 with F. Lash. Representative matches: Third wicket. 153 with F. A. Midlane v. Otajjo (1899-1900); sixth wicket. 134-. with H. C. Hickson v. M.C.C. (1902-3): fourth wioket. 144 with F. A. Midlane v. Auckland (1900-01); eighth wicket. 127 with V. Waters v. Hawkes Bay (1896-7). .

Ont- Firit right Inn. Win. Win. I. Hutt 3 3 2 Petone 113 Wellington ... — 5 3 Institute — 44 Old Boya 12 i Midland 12* Thorndon 1 2 5 V.M.C.A — 20 Cham?. D. Joiats. — 21 — 10 . — 15 — 12 1 11 1 11 — 10 — 6

Batting. in. n:o. h.s.ti; ay. H. M. M'Girr ... 11 — 159 448 44.36 H. Nunn 11 — 106 262 23.81 W. G. Hughes ... 9—53 ,169 18.77 W. A: Aldersley 11 — . 45 202 18.36 H. Watson 9—62 143 15.88 J. Shannahan ... 13 2 35 170 15.45 R. Pring1e...:......13 3 40 157 15.70S. Eggleston 11 1 47 147 14.70 J. W. Condliffe 8 1 35* 99 14.14 E. Lockett 6—35 77 12.83 D. Neazor 31 ,11 33 6.50 T. Balks 11 3 10* 40 5,00 D. M'Laren ...... 4 1 4 15 5.00 G Lusty 1 — 5 5 5.00 C. Parrant 11 4 20 32 4.57 N. Berry 1 — 1 1 1.00 *Not out. Bowling. 0. M. R. W. Ay. W. A. .Aldersley 98.6 27 279 27 10.33 H. Watson ...... 115.3 20 367 35 10.48 H. M. M'Girr ... 120.3 20. 368 29 12.65 H. Nunn ...-. 52.1 3 256 18 14.22 T. Balks 36. 9 146 8 18.25 J. Sannahan 9 2 43 2 21.50 Wicket-keeping. '•' ' • Stumped. Caught. J. W.: Condliffe 5 5 . S. Eggleston 1 3 T. Balks - l r :,,

Total Highest Avorruns. score, age. W. CSirisbphCTßon ... 418 99 ■" 32.15 Eaton 345 51 31.36 Armstrong ..'...'. 353 92 27.15 A. Morns 330 87 25.4 V. Ohristopherson; ... 200 43 • 18.18 Fauvtel 135 45 16.87 D. Algar 105 32 " 15.00 Tullett : 170 47 13.18 Bramley 102 30 13.5 Russell ..: 100 19 . 9.7 Garrod 82 25 9i J. ( D*y. .................. 54 18 7.2. > ■ ,;..- •, Bowling.• O. B. W. Ay. Axmtirong 40.3 169 19 8.9 Fauvel ■ ' 49.3 149 16 9.31 Eaton 4 20 "2 10 Russetl 86 354 31 11.4 Bramley ...109.6 386 32 12.06 Garrod : 52.6 214 12 17.8 V. OhTistopherson ... 45 217 11 19.7 Morris 20 89 4 22.25 W. Cliristopherson. ... 30 160 6 26.66

Battinjr (Club Matches).' Ins. N.O.H.S. Runs. Ay. 1894-95 8 3 45-125 24.60 1895-96 8 — 51 146 18.25 1886-97 10 — 49 192 19.20 1897-98 8 1 180' 471 67.28 1898-99 10 1 221* 312 38.00 1899-1900 10 1 116* 353 39.22 1900-01 9 1 125' 283 35.37 1901-02 10 — 49 250 25.00 1902-03 11 1 . 39 195 19.50 1903-0+ 11 2 91* 300 33.33 1904-05 11 1 69 18+ 18.40 1905-06 9 2 86* 221 31.57 1906-07 8— 110 442 55.25 1907-08 12 2 107* 458 45.80 1908-09 7 — 101 383 54.71 1909-10 8 1 91 277 39.57 1910-11 ..... 11 1 61 303 30.30 1911-12 8 — 108 268 33.50 1912-13 9 — 48* 132 14.66 1913-14 10 1 70* 180 20.00 19H-15 14 1 102* 465 35.76 1915-16 15 — 61 272 18.13 1916-17 .7 1 55* 71 11.83 1917-18 10 4 ■ 138 419 69.83 1918-19 7 2 180* 415 83.00 1919-20 11 2 52 173 19.22 1920-21 11 — 110 222 20.17 1921-22 14 1 102* 323 24.85' 1922-23 10 1 126* 463 51.44 287 30 221* 8326 32.39 Batting (Eep. Matoh«e). 1895-96 4 1 41* 52 17.33 1896-97 '.. 7 — 64 199 28.43 1897-98 2 — 10 14 7.00 1898-99 4 2 14 30 15.00 1899-1900 „.. 7 — 74 181 25.86 1900-01 5 — 70 136 27.20 1901-02 4 1 32* 74 24.66 1902-03 3 — 86 127 42.33 1903-04 4, — 65 141 35.25 1904-05 2 1 1 12 12 00 1905-06 7 1 33 124 20.67 1906-07 4 1 50* 68 22.66 1907-08 4 — 34 57 14.25 1909-10 4 — 9 33 8.25 1911-12 2 1 56 67 67.00 1913-H 6 — 16 63 10.50 1914-15 3 1 43 96 48.00 1917-18 2 1 8* 9 9.00 1918-19 2 — 19 26 13.00 76 10 86 1509 22.86 Grand Totals. Club matches... 287 30 221* 8326 32.39 Rep. matches ... 76 10 86 1509 22 86 N.I. Reps (1903-04) 2 — 13 ; 21 10.50 N.Z. Kep (1899---1900 to 1906-7) 12 1 67 285 25.91 Manawatu (1921-22) ....... I—7 7 7.00 378 41 221*10,148. 30.11

'.- .-■ . "Not out. Bowling (Club Matdiee).. ' Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Avge. 1894-1895' — - 23 ■ 1 23.00 1895-1896 182 5 97 12 8.08 1896-1897 48 2 . 57 2 28.50 1897-1898 225 9' 80 8 10.00 1898-1899 406 16' 161 •11 14.63 1899-1900 .861 '35 310 •38 8.15 1900-1901 685 21 291 33 8.81 1901-1902 1107 45 384 40. 9.60 1902-1903 1213 54 534 . 38 14.52 1903-1904 1023 31. 507 34 . : 14.91 1904-1905 1311 57 547 57 9.59 1905-1906 870 "27 ' 363 46 7.89 1906-1907 1097 33 485 29 16.72 1907-1908 1050 22 448 36 ■; -12.44 1908-1909 586 12 239 23 10.39 1909-1910 234 8 107 2 53.50 1910-1911—Did not bowl. 1911-1912— „ 1912-1913— „ , 1913-1914 1302 V 30 644 46 14.00 1914-1915 1405 37 : 900 '46 19.56 1915-1916 1175 20 700 71 9.85 1916-1917 — — 238 21 7.67 1917-1918 — — 475 37 12.83 1918-1919 — — ' 211 13 16.23 1919-1920 — — ■ 541 ' 45 12.02 1920-1921 — — . 531 25 .21.24 1921-1922 — — 223 .9 ' 24.77 1922-1923 48 — 31 — — — . — 9127 1 723 12.62 Bowling (Rep. Matches). Overs. Mdns. Buns. Wkts. Avg©. 1895-1896 12 — 51 1 51.00 1896-1897 20 2 \65 1 65.00 1897-1898 18 ' 5 '.48 5 9.60 1898-1899 4 — 7 — — 1899-1900 81.2 9 208 17 12.23 1900-1901 99 18 293 24 12.21 1901-1902 43 15 100 5 20.00 1902-1903 41 4 94 4 23.50 1903-1904 — — 223 13' 17.15 1904-1905 .14 1- 69 1 69.00 1905-1906 53.5 10 175 17 10.29 •1906-1907 40.5 8 128 5 25.60 1907-1908 51 11 149 6 24.83 1909-1910 6 3 7 — — :1911-1912 — — 82 6 13.66 1913-1914 12 ■ ■ 1 64 - — 1914-1915 — — ■ 63 7 9.00 1917-1918 4 ■ 2 16 — — 1918-1919 40 ■ 4- 131 1 .131.00 1973 113 17.46 N.Z. Kap. Matches 282 N.I. Rep. Matchss 2.5 Other Matches, ' 1921-1922 —; I- 1 78 4 9 8 124 10' 19.50 . 4.50 12.40 — 11,311 852 . 13.27