AUCKLAND ON TOP

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 5

AUCKLAND ON TOP

THE FINAL MATCH

WELLINGTON COLTS

ANOTHER GOOD STAND

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 4.

Auckland have played themselves into a winning position after two days' play in the Plunket Shield match against Wellington at Eden Park. Auckland, who had 332 for seven wickets on the first day, carried their total to 489, and Wellington have made 182 for four wickets. Conditions were ideal for cricket, the wicket and outfield being much faster than on the first day. One of the features of the day's play was a record partnership for the eighth wicket between W. N. Carson and A. M. Matheson and which yielded 189 runs. The previous Auckland record of 111 was held by P. Gerrard and A. S. Player and was established in the match against Canterbury at Eden Park in the 1925-26 season. Till this match the shield record of 154 was held by F. T. Badcock and K. C. James for Wellington against Canterbury in 1923-24. Wellington made a bad start, losing four wickets for 61 runs. A brilliant partnership between the two colts, J. A. ""Ongley (71 not out) and W. G. Rainbird (51 not out) yielded 121 runs for the fifth wicket. Both batted most confidently, Ongley being more impressive by using a greater variety of shots. PRITCHARD'S SUCCESS. Wellington's most successful bowler was T. L. Pritchard, who took five wickets for 99 runs. His success was well deserved, as he bowled very

steadily throughout Auckland's innings. He seldom lost much of his pace. Three of Wellington's wickets fell to H. G. Vivian, at one stage for a cost of only 6 runs. Ongley and Rainbird, however, played him confidently, and he finished with three for 33. ' At the luncheon adjournment the score was 462 for seven (Carson 176, Matheson 74). Carson edged one from Ashenden in the first over after lunch, the ball flying between second and third slip, and going to the fence. In Pritchard's first over Matheson chopped one hard and low to Lamason at third slip, and was starting to walk, but the Wellington captain failed to accept the chance. Carson finally fell to a brilliant one-handed catch in the slips by Galliehan off Pritchard. The partnership had realised 189 runs. In an attempt to reach his century, Matheson, partnered by Skeet, began to hit out, and he reached 90 before being bowled in making a wild shot off Pritchard. Cowie, the last batsman, failed to survive the first ball from Pritchard. WELLINGTON START BADLY. Wellington began their innings at 2.25 p.m., arid a bad start was made when Tindill, after square-cutting Cowie's first delivery to the fence, played the second high to Matheson in the gully, the fieldsman making a splendid catch. Harpur joined Sheffield, and the pair watched the attack of Cowie and Matheson with great care. Weir soon replaced Matheson, and the first 20 runs appeared after 35 minutes' play. Harpur, who was not at all confident when facing Cowie, with his score at 7, snicked a delivery from the fast bowler, and Skeet just failed to collect a difficult chance behind the wicket. A change from Weir to Vivian saw a separation effected, the slow lefthand bowler getting Harpur caught behind. Sheffield carried on with Ell, and the total was taken to 48 before Sheffield swept a full toss from Vivian to leg and Garson leapt to take a remarkable one-handed catch. Ongley was the next batsman, and he and Ell batted brightly to the tea adjournment, when the score was 56 for three wickets, Ell being 9 and Ongley 5. Ell lost his wicket shortly after the resumption, sending one of Vivian's deliveries into. Postles's hands at mid-off. ONGLEY AND RAINBIRD AGAIN. Though Vivian was flighting and turning the-ball cleverly and the field was closely packed, Ongley and Rainbird , shaped attractively and the score progressed slowly, the batsmen picking up occasional singles and 2's. Both batsmen used their feet nicely to Vivian. Rainbird raised 100 after 126 minutes, his own score being 18 and Ongley's 30. The Wellington pair provided some of the brightest batting of the match so far, crisp driviug, clean footwork, and fine placements on the leg side arousing the enthusiasm of the crowd. Both batsmen were severe on Cowie, Ongley forcing him through the covers twice and several times neatly turning him to leg. Rainbird sent one flashing past point to the fence and neatly glanced another two for 4's. Ongley's 50 appeared after 80 minutes, Rainbird at this stage being in his thirties. The total reached 150 after 164 minutes, but the last halfhour's play saw the batsmen drop their aggressive role and concentrate

on keeping their wickets intact. Rainbird ran to his 50 after 106 minutes. Details: — AUCKLAND. First Innings. Postles, b Ashenden 8 Whitelaw, c and b Harpur 56 Wallace, c Ashenden, b Galliehan 23 Vivian, c Rainbird, b Pritchard .. 5 Weir, c EH, b Browne 54 Scott, c Tindill, b Lamason 61 Sale, c Lamason, b Pritchard .. 38 Carson, c Galliehan, b Pritchard .. 136 Matheson, b Pritchard 90 Skeet, not out 0 Cowie, b Pritchard 0 Extras 18 Total 489 Bowling Analysis. O. M. R. W. Pritchard 38 11 99 5 Ashenden 36 4 118 1 Galliehan .... 34 6 98 1 Lamason ..... 16 3 53 1 Browne 12 0 68 1 Harpur 10 1 28 1 Ell 2 0 7 0 WELLINGTON. First Innings. Tindill, c Matheson, b Cowie 4 Sheffield, c Carson, b Vivian .... 26 Harpur, c Skeet, b Vivian ...... 10 Ell, c Postles, b Vivian 14 Ongley, not out , 71 Rainbird, not out 51 Extras 6 Total for four wickets 162