MERCANTILE LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1931, Page 20

MERCANTILE LEAGUE

For six individual centuries to_ bo scored on the opening Saturday indicates that tho batsmen in tho Mercantile League are progressing aloag right linos, for, although a certain number of runs can bo discounted at this stage of the season, owing to the bowleTs not having their arms in working order, it usually takes a good man to reach the coveted threo figures.

Thoae who achieved the distinction last week were: Whinham 149 (not out), Windsor 129, Pickering 102 (not out), Allen 101, Murphy 100 (not out), and Brooks 100 (not out). Many other batsmen performed with distinction, among whom Molville (87), Jennings (72), Hill (52), Gunson (65), Lockwood (63), and Churchill (61) wero prominent.

Although not at their best yet, the regular stock bowlers functioned far better than the battsmen's figures would indicate and, given another week or two, should be fully capable of having their revenge.

Despite the wretched conditions prevailing on Saturday, the whole series of games was pleasing, and notable on two accounts. Firstly, the B grade teams, Booker's, H.M.V., and Gas Co., who wero playing their first games in the higher grade, all registered good victories, and in tho second place the new teams in tho league, Working Men's Club and Overhead, also had the pleasuro of opening their account with a win. In Overhead's case it was only by tho narrow margin of 1 run, but this fuct rather adds to, than detracts from, tho pleasure of their victory.

As far as tho weather was concerned it was rather an unfortunate day for tho newly-formed Umpires' Association to make its debut, and it speaks volumes for tho enthusiasm of tho officials that they; turned out in full force.