PETONE DEFEAT MIDLAND.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1924, Page 10

PETONE DEFEAT MIDLAND.

Midland; with a lead of 117 runs on the first innings, appeared to be in a secure position in the match with Potone at the Hutt Recreation Ground, but in the concluding day's play the suburban team pulled the game out of the fire when Midland required only 68 runs to gain a four-point win. Petone started their second innings rather badly, two wickets going very cheaply but Finlayaon and Borrows improved the position by making a, staud before the

fall of the third wicket. Borrows was dismissed after scoring 34. Finlayson, however, took a lot of shifting, and while others came and went without making many runs, he ran up a good score, and was within two of tne century when he was clean bowled by Patrick. The only other basman to . make a double-figure score was Jj. Nicholls—ls. Finlayson sc°red f.Wely, and, as' matters turned out his innings was of considerable value to Petone. The suburban side was disposed of for 184, leaving Midland to make only 68 runs for.' a four-point win. Whatever the strength, of the bowling, the task looked easy. In play, however, it was farjrom easy. Bruce and Gibson opened Midland's second innings. The former failed to score, and J. W. j Hutchings partnered Gibson.' Although run-getting was a slow process, there was no prospect of Petone in spite of excellent bowling by Finlayson and Corner, achievmg'sriccess. The fall of Gibson's wicket, after that batsman had made 20, changed the outlook. J. Hutchings was dismissed without scoring: and the remaining batsmen 'were unable to do much better. Midland were a man short, and with six wickets down for 40 runs' the position was such as to create much excitement. Finlayson was bowling right up to form, and Corner was not permitting the batsmen to take any liberties. Two more wicketsi fell, and Midland were still short of the required total. The last man was m; thirteen runs were necessary to save Midland from defeat. The, position aroused intense excitement. Midland were unable to hold out, and without any addition to the score the last wicket fell, and gave Petone a meritorious win, which _ made all the difference to the championship outlook. Finlayson carried off the honours 'with a fine batting effort and splendid bowling, getting sis wickets for 19 runs. Patrick bowled well for Midland, getting six, for 9l! Details:— , ■PETONE. , . - First Innings „...'409 ( Second Innings. H. E. Nicholls, run out ; 1 Patrick, b Judd 2 Finlayson, b Patrick i 98 Borrows, b Patrick' 34 Smyrk, bJ. Hutchings .\ 5 Corner, lbw, b Hutchings < 1 M. Nicholls,.b Patrick 15 Sutherland, b Patrick 6 Hamilton, b Patrick ....:.».. 2 Hamilton-/ b Patrick ;...;;. 2 Barber., b Patrick 4 Cate not out i. „.,,. 5 Extras , .■ 12 Total 184 Bowling Analysis.—Judd took one wicket for 23 runs, Patrick six for 91, Bruce none for 23, J. Hutchings two for 35. MIDLAND. : ■„.' First Innings 226 Second Innings. "* Bruce, cH. E. Nicholls, b Finlayson 0 Gibson, b Finlayson , 20 J. W. Hutchings, b Finlayson 10 J. Hutchings, b Finlayson 0 Cooper, b Corner ).. 1 Halley, b Finlayson ; 5 Patrick, b Corner 5 Juddj'b Corner 0 Watson, b Finlayson 7 Clarke, not out ':. * 0 Johnson, absent ', 0 Extras 7 TJjt'al 55 Bowling .Analysis.—Finlayson took six wickets for 19 runs, Corner three for 28.