SCHOOL CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22212, 14 December 1935, Page 28

SCHOOL CRICKET

HIGH SCHORL V. CHRIST'S COLLEGE VISITORS IN COMMANDING POSITION Sparkling batting was provided in the uncompleted first innings of Christ’s College, which had established a lead of 214 runs when stumps were drawn after yesterday afternoon’s play in the annual match with Otago Boys’ High School on the school green. The game was resumed this morning. Prom the start of their innings the Christ’s College batsmen showed an almost complete mastery of the bowling. Somerville and Webb, who paved the way for the visitors’ exceptional performance, both played with the assurance of veterans, scoring by beautifully-timed shots all round the wicket. The feature of the innings, however, was a century by Fleetwood, who gave a fine display of correct batting, marked by the perfection of his off and cover drives. There were three notable partnerships, Somerville and Armitage scoring 84 for the first wicket, Webb and Fleetwood 92 for the third, and Fleetwood and Byrne 91 (unfinished) for the fifth. The visitors’ 320 runs were made in three and a-half hours, but they gained some assistance from the limited size of the ground, on which 2 runs are awarded for a boundary and 4 for a hit over the boundary. Otago Boys’ High School had made 106 in the first innings. Slow but very steady batting was provided by Somerville and Armitage, College’s opening pair. The latter survived a confident appeal for Ibw shortly after the start, when a light shower of rain was falling, the umpire first giving him out and then recalling him. ' Somerville was the faster scorer, relishing Colvin especially. The pau were more finished in the execution of their strokes than any of the School batsmen. The 30 came without mishap, Somerville being 17 and Armitage 10. M'Gregor, the fourth School bowler to be tried, kept the batsmen moderately quiet with his left-hand slow deliveries, but they scored apace off the other bowlers. Somerville, the possessor of an on-drive beautifully exploited, was giving a very attractive exhibition, but he had a life when first slip missed a difficult catch off Morrison’s bowling. The half-century was passed after three-quarters of an hour’s play, Somerville doing the bulk of the scoring, his total being 34. Hamilton’s initial over produced 12 runs, Somerville hitting a brace off every hall and running into the fifties. Armitage was 16, and the the ball very cleanly and scoringall total 75. Runs were coming at a steady pace, with Somerville hitting the ball very cleanly _ and scoring all round the wicket. When he appeared set for a big score, however, Gregor took a fine catch at point. Somerville’s innings was a chauceless one and he mad© his runs in an hour. Webb joined Armitage, and again the separation came Suddenly, Edwards bowling the latter with a delivery that turned in sharply from the off. The total—exactly the 100 —had taken one and a-lialf hours. Fleetwood was ' the incomer, and he and Webb continued to consolidate College’s promising position in the same fast tenor that had marked the batting of the preceding batsmen. School’s total was passed, with Webb, who had another batsman running for him owing to an injury, giving a delightfully forceful display of hard hitting. Ho was 60 when the tea adjournment was taken, the total being 190 and Fleetwood’s contribution 36. Only 2 runs had been added on the resumption when Webb was beaten by Colvin. His 60 runs had been made by polished cricket, and he had not given the semblance of a chance. From this stage the scoring was quieter, though Fleetwood was still employing a punishing off-drive to good effect. The fourth wicket did not fall until the score was 229, Jennings then getting his leg in front of a ball from Morrison. Byrne, th© visitors’ captain, was the incomer. He was cautious at the start, but when he settled down he also proved himself an accomplished batsman. Still showing a fine array of offside shots, Fleetwood reached 90 with a quarter of an hour still to go. Edwards, a slow bowler, was then tried, and Byrne collected 10 off the'over. The same player brought 300 up two overs later. Byrne continued to get the greater share of the bonding, but Fleetwood made the most of his opportunities, and. by sending the ball to the leg boundary, reached the century amidst loud applause. Stumps were drawn with the total at 320 for four wickets. Details: — OTAGO BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL. First innings 106 CHRIST’S COLLEGE. First Innings. Somerville c Gregory b Grant ... 59 Armitage b Edwards 29 Webb b Colvin 60 Fleetwood not out ... ... HI Jennings Ibw b Morrison 14 Bvrne not out 3° Extras 12 Total for four wickets ... 320