PRESS DEFEAT STAGE.

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 24, 29 January 1926, Page 10

PRESS DEFEAT STAGE.

The first of this season's matches between representatives of the Stage and the Press for the Hodson Cup was played at Kelburn Park on Tuesday afternoon, an enjoyable game resulting in a win for the Press by 47 runs on the first 5 innings. ', Neville Towne, who has beeS prominent 'in cricket in other countries, captained the Stage team, which included members of the "Leave It to Jane" Company. Winning the toss, the Stage captain requested the Press to bat; and, although the conditions were good for batting, the pressmen experienced much trouble from Towne, whose bowling was of a high order. After a poor start, the Press made a recovery, the innings realising 122 runs. Towne's part in the attack accounted for seven wickets for 55 runs. Le Fre obtained the other three wickets, two ol) them per medium of splendid catches. In reply, the Stage fared badly against the bowling of Fitzmaurice and Jeffs, whose figures' were six for 26 and three for 28 respectively. The Stage were dismissed for a total of 75 runs, of which 21 were extras. Details:— Press.—First innings: Mummery, b Towne, 8; Hendry, b Towne, 8; Freeman, b Towne, 0; Fitzmaurice, b Towne, 19; Gibson, b Towne 6; Howat, b Towne, 15; Greig, c and b Le Fre, 19; Hornblow, c and b Le Fre, 8; Hamerton, b Towno, 11; Blundell, b Le Fre, 13; Jeffs, not out, 0; extras, 15. Total 122. Bowling analysis: Stringer took no wickets for 30 runs, Towne seven for 55, Le Fre three for 16, Yates none for 6.

Stage.—First innings: Denis, b Jeffs, 0;. Stuart, b Fitzmaurice, 1; Whittle, b Fitzmaurice, 1; Towne, c Mummery, b Fitzmaurice, 12; Cannot, c Fitzmaurice, b Jeffs, 0; Stringer, b Jeffs, 8; Le Fro, b Fitzmaurice, 10; Scott,' b Fitzmaurice, 7; Yates, not out, 7; Steync, run out, 8; Valentine, b Fitzmaurico, 0; extras, 21. Total 75. Bowling analysis: Jeffs took three wickets for 28 runs, Fitzmaurice six for 26.