ALBION'S MODERATE SCORE

Evening Star, Issue 22209, 11 December 1935, Page 5

ALBION'S MODERATE SCORE

GRANGE PERFORM WELL Although Albion is at the, head of the senior competition, its position has been won by all-round., consistency rather than by any particularly outstanding brilliance in one department of the game though some of the bowlers have certainly obtained very impressive fig Yet!'it is interesting to observe that until the side met Grange at the Bogan Park main ground last Saturday, Albion’s highest total this season was 161 against University. The leaders excelled this score against Grange, but under such favourable conditions tor run getting and against an attack that could not he described as being of any particular note, more so when one man made 99 of them. Putting on 77 for the loss of one wicket Grange finished in a good position, and with any ordinary amount of luck should be quite capable of heading Albion on the first innings. Yet, Albion have proved the downfall of other sides when the odds seemed against them so doing, and next Saturday’s cricket at Logan Park should he full of interest. It was L. Smith’s bright and attractive display that was the feature of the afternoon, and the young representative left-hander was decidedly unfortunate in getting within, one of his hundred and then being dis-

missed Ibw. There was no doubt about the correctness of the decision, however, and the batsman himself agreed that he was well in front. This is the second time in his career that the Albion colt has been dismissed for 99, the other occasion being in junior cricket. Smith’s innings was not chanceless altogether, but he generally kept the ball along the ground. Smith revealed a wide array of strokes, and, while being aggressive from the start, did not indulge in undue recklessness. Approaching the hundred, however, he became much more restrained, and had he continued his natural free batting he would probably have reached the century. Although Shepherd got only 23. the former New Zealand representative made them in his usual bright manner, his strokes being executed with that freedom and power for which he has always been noted. When Shepherd hits the ball he hits it hard, and his on-drive might be taken as an example by some of the younger players. Barron is another who knows how to on-drive, but a weak stroke against Mercer brought about his dismissal when he had scored only 8. Martin did not get going, failing to get his foot across to one from Mercer, and being caught by Boyd in the slips. Dalziel had just reached double figures when ho put his pads in front of one from Lemin. This little batsman has very stout defence, and he

also revealed some good strokes, and a feature of his association with Smith was the smart running of the two youngsters between the wickets. Ron. Silver had a short but merry knock, and his 17 included some lofty on-side hits. Allen was batting quite well, and was 8 not out when the innings closed. Admittedly, the Grange attack is not up to its usual strength this season, but Gallaud makes the best possible use of his bowlers, a fact again illustrated on Saturday. Lemin gave one of his best displays this season, and commanded a good length and accurate direction, which accounted for his four for 45. Mercer kept pegging away, and was rewarded with three wickets for 49. Elmes collected three for 68, but was not particularly difficult. Boyd forced the scoring when he and Toomey opened for Grange, and the former contributed yet another good tally of 38. Boyd is at his best in the opening role, and has a good run of scores to his credit this season. Toomey was much more laborious in making 29 not out, but equally serviceable to his side. He made some good strokes on the leg side. Knight was just into his stride when stumps were drawn on account of the light, but for a while Silver’s short-pitched deliveries looked like proving his downfall. Albion’s bowling was not very deadly, and the fielding, though keen, was not so sure and olean as that of Grange.