PETONE AND MIDLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 48, 27 February 1933, Page 13

PETONE AND MIDLAND

In Allcott and Dempster Midland encountered -two formidable, obstacles to success when their match with Petone commenced on the Basin Reserve (No; 2 ■Yjjket), was continued at'Kelburn Park..AHcott in particular proved to be a hard nut to crack, and it was mainly through his "excellent and very productive batting that Petone scrambled home for a fivepoint win not long before the drawing of stumps. Midland had done exceedingly well on the first day in compiling 303 runs for the loss of five wickets, but something just a shade better was wanted, especially in view of the fact that runs were likely to be made more easily on Kelburn Park. For a long period of the second day's play,, however, Petone's chances of reaching the 300 mark were not at all- favourable. It -was only a rush for runs during the last twenty minutes that made victory possible. Then, of course, there was the fact that Dempster and AUcott were in form with the bat. These two were associated in a second-wicket partnership which set Midland a problem". The first Petone wicket fell when only 4 runs had been made, but:it was not until the total had i-eaehed 158; that '.the next wicket-was' captured, Dempster falling after having made 79 by sound "tatting. The coach's score included a, 6 and ten 4's. AUcott was well set,, and although a couple more wickets fell 'cheaply, the ex-Auckland left-hander coptinued-to show mastery of the bowling, andheran up the big score of 154 before he was run out. His was a sound yet easy-going innings, and it took Petone a long way on the road to success. There were three 6's and twenty-three fours in Allcottfs score. Mallard, who had assisted 'AUcott capably,"subsequently did most of the hitting, not always sure, which took the total beyond that made by Midland, who, according to the rules, had to declare before the second day's play began. Petone-finished up withA3ls for seven wickets, Mallard being 49 not out with seven 4's in his account. The Midland bowlers had a trying time, especially Bryant in.bowling with the wind. All told, Bryant had 31 overs and O'Neill 26, whilst Baker was used extensively. Baker, who took three wickets, returned the best figures. The play was about twenty minutes late in starting, the delay being due in part "to a new ball, to be supplied by; Petone, not being on hand when required. Details:— MIDLAND. First Innings. Total for five wickets 303 (Innings declared. closed.) PETONE. First Innings. Dempster,- c Jack, b Baker 79 M. Nicholls, lbw, b O'Neill 1 AUcott, run out .*... 154 Boberts, c Clark, b Bryant .; 0 H.E. Nicholls, c Baker, b O'Neill .... 6 Mallard, not out .......' 49 Kiddolls, b Baker 6 O'Leary, c Bryant, b Baker 7 Grant, not out 2 ..Extras 11 .Total for seven wickets 315 ■ Fair of Wickets:—One for 4, two for 158, three'for 159, four for 197, five for 286, six.for 298/ seven for 312. Bowling:—Cleverley took no wickets for 35 funs; O'Neill, two for 90; Baker, three for-74"; Bryant,.one for 105. KILBIRNIE BEAT HUTT In an exciting finish on the Hutt Recreation Ground, Hutt failed by one run to reach Kilbirnie's first fnnings score. "Weather conditions were largely responsible for the loss, for rain fell at intervals- at a ■ critical stage of the game, and the., changing pace of' the ball on a slippery Wicket had its effect. The play, was chiefly marked by the good stands of Champness, who made 95, and Lees, the not out man, who scored 47. The batting was mostly patchy, and the wickets fell to the fast bowling of Crook, who took six for 75. Crook got plenty, of pace out of the ball, and the only man to face him with real confidence was Champness. Hutt continued their innings with two wickets down for 35 from the previous day, and were not long in losing another wicker, three being down for 47. Champness then joined Ross, and the pair settled down to bright cricket, putting on 100 runs in just under an hour. The partnership had yielded 103 when Ross was caught by Crook. His score included seven 4s. • Champness continued to bat steadily, but could find no one to stay with him until Lees came in, when seven tickets were down for 181, Lees began

smartly.^ but'then made' mistakes, and wasi nearly out several times. Champnesa and he, however, kept the score moving, and 58 was added for the eighth wicket when Champness was caught. His innings was a sterling effort, and included twelve 4's and one 0. McCann came ir and gave Lees^ the opportunity to make runs, being content to hold his end up. Rain showers gave the batsmen no help, and McCann soon fell. Eight runs were wanted for a win when Judd came in for the tenth wicket. He batted steadily, giving Lees the openings where possible, but when •Hutt- were one run off a draw" he was beaten by Ashenden, and Hutt were all cut for 259. Eees's score included seven 4's. > .Kilbirnie went in again and had a practice knock, and the match was abandoned at '6 o'clock, when heavy rain set in. Details:— . .- . KILBIRNIE. First innings ■. 260 Second Innings. Hepburn, not out .-... IS Wrigley, not 0ut ':.'. ..." /.. 10 Extras 5 Total for no wickets 39 Bowline.—MeCann took no wickets for 13 runs,'Judd none for B,'Champness none for 13, Muir none for 0, ; HUTT. . First Innings. Ross, c Crook, b Ashenden 41 Muir, c Bilby, b Crook ■ 0 Warhes.st M6nkhouse,b Grinitbs .. 12 McLeo'd, c Monkhouse, b Crook ...... 21 Champness, c Hepburn, b Wilson ... 95 Gwilliam, b Crook ...: 18 Aim, b Crook .;..' 0 Pegler, lbw, * Crook .......;.. 5 Lees, not out 47 MeCann, c'Ashenden, b Crook' 2 Judd, b'Ashenden :....'.;.. 3 . -.-. Extras ~..;.........,.;., 15 Total 259 Fall of wickets: One for 1, two. for 24, three for 47, four for 150, five for 175, six for 175, seven for 181, eight for 239, nine for 253, ten- for 259. Bowling.—Crook took six wickets "for 75 runs, Morris none for 83, Griffiths one" for 36, Ashenden two for 70, Wilson one for 30. . ..'....-. ~ ■ ' ;'