STIRRING FINISH

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 156, 30 December 1925, Page 12

STIRRING FINISH

TOWN-CQUNTRY CRICKET MATCH

RUNS AT A GREAT RATE

FAST CENTURY BY M'GIRE.

The annual erieket match between representatives of Town and Country took a sensational turn after "The Post" went to press yesterday.. The ! visitors, after obtaining a lead of 101 runs on the first innings, weie disposed of very cheaply in their second innings, though a score of 117 together with the credit balance on the first innings gave them quite a good advantage over the Town team, especially as the latter had only an hour and three-quarters in which to make the necessary 219 runs. The order for the Town team was a tall one; it meant seoring at the rate of a fraction over two runs per minute. The sporting chance to '' give it a go " was offering, and the Town players took it. Not only did they succeed in knocking up the runs required, but they accomplished the feat with twenty-five minutes to spare, and with six wickets to the good. It was a remarkable performance, and surely a record for local senior cricket. Such was the treatment of the bowling that runs were put on at the rate of nearly .three per minute —229 were scored in 80 minutes. At intervals the scoring rate was extraordinary. The bowling was severely punished, as many as 49 -.runs being obtained from two overs by one bowler, and J>l runs from three overs by another. Those responsible were M'Girr, Badcock, and Barclay, each of whom banged the leather with great force in all directions. M'Girr is recognised as a fast-scoring batsman, but, for speed his performance on this occasion exceeded all others. In 55 minutes he scored a century. Yet another record-breaking effort was the registration of 109 runs by M( Girr and Badcock, while associated for the second wicket. This total was compiled in thirty-five minutes. Barclay also made the pace, scoring 49 runs in quick time without being beaten. Just before getting his century M'Girr gave a couple of chances, both out to-' wards the boundary. Otherwise his batting was sound, and the manner in which he opened his shoulders delighted the spectators,^ particularly when the leather was lifted out of the area, Badcock and Barclay also aroused enthusiasm. Brice also played a lively part, but Hiddleston and Banks settled their chances of making runs by being run out. It was rather curious that three of the four batsmen disposed of were run out. Although the scoring was exceptional, the Country team's work in the field was not discredited. A few chances were missed, and some very hard drives .were allowed to go through to the boundary, but otherwise the fielding was good. COUNTRY TEAM'S COLLAPSE. When "Ths Post" went to press yesterday, thi Country team's score was 70 for four wickets. After Cameron's dismissal Bernau carried on fbr a little, while with Hutchison, Bernan opening his account with a boundary hit and then scoring a three and a single before being clean bowled by Brice. Hutchison at his stago was 20. ,81—5—8.

Collins gave M'Girr (two for 30 in 11 overs) relief, and with this | change Hutchison' helped himself to 1 more runs/ Wood, who had filled the vacancy, did not succeed in scoring, an appeal for lbw going against the batsman. 93—6—0. Holland was next, and with his appearance Henderson was brought on to bowl. The change in the attack had the effect of terminating Hutchison's innings, an appeal for a catch behind the wickets off Henderson's third delivery, being successful. Hutehison had batted attractively in compiling 38. Six four's were included in thia tally. 93 —7 —38. Naismith followed, only to see Holland beaten by Brioe before scoring. 93—8—0. For a while Nai-. smith and Gallichan made a stand, and the century was hoisted after the innings had been in progress for 110 minutes. Gallichan elected to open out, and after getting a couple of boundaries ho was caught in the outfield by Badcock. 115—9—12. Ritchie defended for a time until bowled by Henderson. 'Tho innings closed for 117. The bowling all round was good, Brice finishing up with splendid figures—five for 33. Henderson (two for 7) and M'Girr (two for 32) /also did well. Details: — OOUNTET. First innings 310 Sejond Innings. Cameron, b Brice 2S C. Beuth,.b M'Girr 3 M. Beuth#b M'Girr 1 Lambert, b Badcock 5 Hutchison, e Tattersall, b Henderson 41 Bernau, b Brice 8 Wood, lbw, b Briee 0 Holland, b Briee 0 Naismith, not out 9 Gallichan, c Badcock, lj Brice .. 12 Bitchie, b Henderson 0 Extras: Byes 7, leg-byes 3 „ 10 Total . 117 Fall of Wickets.—One for 7, two for 19, three for 28, four for 67, five for 81, six for 93, seven for 93, eight for 93, nine for 115, ten for 117. BOWLING ANALYSIS. ■ O. M. K. W. M'Girr ..... 11 — 32 2 Badcock .... 6 2 24 1 Brice ...... 11 2 33 5 Collins 1 — .11 — Henderson. .. 5.2 . 3 7 2 MAKING THE PACE.

Although time was limited, the Town players decided to go for the 219 runs ■ required for a win. Hffldleston and M'Girr started off at 4.15 p.m., but in Bernau'a first over Hiddleston was run out. 7-1-1. Badcoek filled the gap, and was quickly under way. He scored well froin both bowlers, Bernau and Holland, and M'Girr assisted in carrying the score to 36, when Lambert relieved Bernau. The change did not disturb the batsmen —in fact, the batting became more spirited. The total reached 50 in 23 minutes, and this fast rato of scoring was continued. M'Girr showed no respect for Lambert's bowl ing, and oft one over ho scored 15 runs (including a six). C. Bcuth wagtried with the ball, but fared no better, Badcock dispatching a couple of balls to fchfl bouadiry. . Singles wexc oko pbUked, ai'tcf wjjidi five

balls in Lambert's third over were banged by M'Girr to the boundary. These efforts increased the scoring rate, the century being reached after 31 minutes' batting. Altogether 25 runs were scored off Lambert's third over, M'Girr getting five fours and a single and Badcock getting a four. Shortly afterwards the eagerness to make runs accounted for Badeock's dismissal—run out. The partnership put on 109 runs in 35 miuutes. Badcock's contribution was 43, including eight fours. 116-2-43. Banks joined M<Girr, and opened with a single. Gallichan was then brpught on, only to be dealt with very severely by M'Girr, who hit 20 runs off the first six balls, one of which 1" was sent out of the ground. Banks then ran himself but. For a stroke by M'Girr the batsmen ran one, and Banks set out for another, while M'Girr remained at the crease. 140-3-1.

Barclay started with a four, and then carried on merrily with M'Girr. Gallichan was again dealt with severely, but' Bernau, bowling at the southern end, had bad luck in not getting M'Girr, who, when. 91, offered a chance to C. Beuth well out on the leg side, and' presented another to Pickard in, the outfield shortly afterwards. M'Girr then went on to make a century (the result of 55 minutes' batting), but when his total was 114 he gave Bernau (at point) a catch, which was accepted. M'Girr's display was one of the most delightful seen on the Basin' Reserve. His score of 114 included two sixes and eighteen fours. 184-4-114.

Brice came next, but before he was under way Barclay put on more runs. Brice opened with a four. Then a single to each batsman brought 200 up after li minutes' • batting. The rest was easy. Barclay and Brice hit out vigorously until the t&tal was carried a little beyond the requirement. Barclay's score of 49 not out included eight fours. Stumps were drawn at 5.35 p.m., Town winning the mat;ch by 11 runs with six wickets in hand. j Details:— . TOWN. *■ First innings 209 Second Innings. Hiddleston, run out 1 M' Girr, c Bernau, b Holland .. 114 Badcock, run out •. 43 Banks, run out 1 Barclay, not out 49 Brice, not out 14 Extras: Bye 1, leg-bye'i.'no'-balls 5 7 Four wickets for 229 Fall of Wickets.—One for 7, two for 116, three for 140, four for 184. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. E. W. Bernau 6 — ,45 Holland .... 5.4—55 1 Gallichan ... 2 49 C. Beuth .... 2 22 Lambert .... 3 51 Messrs. C. Webb and W. Toomath were the umpires.