CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 24

CRICKET

HUTT VALLEY NOTES CAPSTICK IN FORM Last Saturday's matches played under the Hutt Valley Cricket Association, produced exceptionally low scoring. The day also provided several surprises, the leaders in both the A and B grades being defeated. The tricky wickets were also responsible for several outstanding bowling feats.

The improving Gear United team which headed Trafalgar Park on the first innings by two runs, won an exciting match at the Hutt Recreation Ground. The scores, Gear United 72 and 57, and Trafalgar Park. 70 and 30 for eight wickets, give some idea oC the closeness of the game. In TrafalI gar Park's first innings only five runs were required to win with five wickets in hand, but only two runs were added. BEAT THE OPPOSITION. O'Halloran was in a devastating mood with the ball, his Jeft-handed medium-paced swingers completely baffling the opposition. Much of the credit for Gear United's win is due to his bowling, his seven wickets for 18 and four for 12 paving the way for success. As a contrast Empire, playing against Bell Park, scored 205 for three wickets. J. R. Capstick and R. Mitchell, the opening pair, added materially in the compilation of Empire's handy score by hitting up 98 before a separation was effected. Mitchell was caught at 57, 29 of which he scored off one over from Merris. Capstick, facing the last ball of the over, scored two, making a total of 31 off the over. I

Mitchell played a sound innings, and more use should be made of the lefthander, who is also a good fieldsman with a safe pair of hands.

Capstick advanced his score to 69

before retiring to give a clubmate a knock. Capstick on form is without question the outstanding cricketer participating in the association's games, and his non-inclusion in the.representative side was questioned in many quarters. GOOD DISPLAY. | Ord (38) gave a good display with the bat for Bell. Park, whose most successful bowler was H. T. Lilburne, who captured two wickets for 66 with his slows. A. G. White bowled well for Empire to capture four wickets for 18 off ten overs.

At McEwan Park / Gracefield again accounted for General Motors, whose form is not up to A grade standard. General Motors scored only 56 in reply to Gracefield's 168. Webster (41) was top scorer for Gracefield, which side gave an improved batting display. General Motors' recent failures can be attributed to lack of practice, as the side's visits to the nets are few and far between.

Metters United reversed the position against Meadows, which team had in the previous match secured an easy win on the first innings. Metters fielded nine men and quickly disposed of the Meadows team of eight men for 29 runs in the first innings and 54 in the second innings. Metters United won outright. Hillock was Metters most successful bowler, his five wickets for 17 representing good work with the ball. . LOWER GRADES. Playing at North Park P. Dudley, Central's slow bowler, found the conditions suitable for his type of bowling, capturing five wiclcets for 10 runs oil seven overs. Woollen Mills were dismissed for 48. J. Wilson, too, bowled well to secure five wickets for 8 runs. Dudley also did well with the bat, scoring at a good rate with splendidly placed balls through the covers. He hit up 108 before retiring, completing a splendid double. Dudley plays a straight bat and is not afraid to use the wood on anything pitched outside his off stump.

Waiwhetu, playing against V.M.C.A. at the Petone Recreation Ground, suffered an unexpected reverse. V.M.C.A. made 168, Waiwhetu replying with only 67.

Bowling against -Meadows Cottle (Central) captured six wickets for 2 and six for 22. Cottle is an improved bowler, who is now regularly returning good bowling figures.

L. Searle (Taita) struck form with the bat for the first time this season against General Motors, his 46 being scored in solid fashion.

The following are the championship points in the various grades:—A: Trafalgar Park 12, Empire 11, Gear United 10, Bell Park 9, Metters United 9, Meadows 8, General Motors 5, Gracefield 5.

B: Waiwhetu 16, Todd Motors 16, Central 14, Taita 14, Wo.ollen Mills 13, Epuni 7, General Motors 7, V.M.C.A. 7, Metters United 4, Gear United 2.

C: Trafalgar Park (A) 20, Gracefield 14, Central 14, Meadows 11, V.M.C.A. 10, Oddfellows 9, Trafalgar Park (B) 8, General Motors 7, Taita 4, Todd Motors 2.

With the exception of Trafalgar Park B and Central (C grade), which teams have yet to meet all three tables arc (complete.