LEAGUE CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 4

LEAGUE CRICKET

NOTES AND COMMENTS [By J.V.C.W.] —Honours List.— Batting.—L. Werner (Inglis) 105, K. Stevens (Town Hall) 86 not out, M. I. Hannan (Lands) 68, W. Buttars (Ravensbourne) 66 not out, J. Skinner (T. and P.) 00, A. Stent (Self Help) 65 not out, V. Gensik (Inglis) 63 not out, R. Weir (T. and P.) 58, E. Dawkins (R. and G.)56, W. Lincoln (Roslyn

Mills) 49, M. Faithful (Ravensbourne) 48, R. (Town Hall) 48, E. Bolton (Tramways) 47, E. Kerr (Pride of the Leith) 44, T. Ledgerwood (Glehross) 42, L. Pay (Hillside) 41, R. Rodgers ' (Gregg’s Red G) 39, T. J. O’Hagan (Post Office) 39. R. Walker (E.P. and L.) 38, J. Gould (Town Hall) 37, G. Duncan (Dunedin Hospital) 37. Bowling.—6. Crawford (Hillside) three for 4, Boucher (Inglis) two for 6, Buttur (Ravensbourne) three for 9, Skinner (T. and P.). three for 1(L Hilliker (Tramways) four for 13, Smyth (M.C.P.) three for 11, Kean (Loco.) four for 16, Higgins (Standard) two for 8, Curtis (Ravensbourne) two for 9, W. Walker (T. and P.) four for 18, G. Watt (Inglis) seven for 33, Short (Otago Brush) three for 15, Stevens (Town Hall) three for 16, Mason

(Otago Brush Company) two for 11, M'Kechnie (Roslyn Mills) six for 32, Day (Gregg’s Red G) four for 23, Dixon (Tramways) three for 21, Murray (Town Half) five for 37, Russell (Post Office) five for 38, Gregg (United) five for 39.

After a couple of weeks without a game the keenness of League players was most pronounced last Saturday, when the twelfth round of matches in the three sections _ was played under ideal weather conditions. Two teams in A section made totals exceeding 200, while the totals of two other combinations passed the 150 mark. Inglis have now a two-point lead from E-P. and L., with Glenross and Roslyn Mills equal, one point behind. In B section interest is sustained, Otago Brush Company are still at the top of the table with 19 points, Tramways (18 points) second, and Standard (16 points) are next. By a lead of five points Post Office has robbed C section of a good deal of interest. However, there is still keen competition for second place,

a position that at present is held by Gregg’s Bed G. Another century ;tb L. Werner. For the second time this season we congratulate this member of the Inglis Cricket Club on compiling over 100 nuns in match play. Playing on No. 6 wicket against Telgineers (who, by the way, have a fairly strong attack), the opening Inglis pair commenced confidently, and by making good use of the short boundary on the Princes street south side, advanced the score by leaps and bounds before the partnership was broken. In Werner’s score of 105 were four 6’s and 17 4’s. The ball that eventually sent Werner to the pavilion was a perfect length delivery by C. Davis, the express bowler. Inglis compiled the hefty total of 237 for the loss of six wickets. Davis had the best bowling average, three for 28. In reply Telgineers were all out for 55, G. Watt taking seven wickets for 33 runs.

A record last-wicket partnership was recorded in the match, Town Hall v. Glenross, played on No. 5 wicket, on which over 320 runs were scored in three hours. Town Hall, who had first use of the pitch, commenced badly, three players being out when only 1 run had been scored. Jim Gould and Hugh Murray then became associated, and by careful cricket altered the outlook so far as Town Hall were concerned hy putting on nearly 60 runs between them. Ledgerwood and Bedford were trundling well, and eight wickets were down for 85. When Bob Lindsay joined Keith Lindsay, nine batsmen had been disposed of for 100 runs. Then the “ fireworks ” commenced, and incidentally, dropped catches became numerous. Both, batsmen attacked the tiring bowling with reckless abandon, and didn’t that tan wag! It was not until 202 runs were on the score sheet that the innings closed, the last pair contributing 102. Keith Stevens made top score, 86 not out, and Bob Lindsay was next on the hatting list with 48. Glenross fought hard to evade defeat. Ledgerwood and Curran scoring well, but it was not Glenross’s day, the side being all out for 120. Stevens took three for 16, and. Murray five for 37.

The following howlers in the three sections “ are in the hunt ” for trophies, each having taken 40 wickets or more this season:—A section: B. Berry (Roslyn Mills) 43, J. Beck (E.P. and L.) 64, T. Ledgerwood (Glenrpss) 53, B. Bedford (Glenross)

40, S. Knight (Speights) 42, V- Gensik (Inglis) 41, J. Adcock (R. and G.) 54. B section: J. Dixon (Tramways) 47, A. Short (Otago Brush Company) 41, W. Walker (T. and P.) 50, L. Quest (Standard) 57, L. Homer (Standard) 41, L. Lees (M.C.P.) 40. 0 section: A. Stent (Self-Help) 68, N. Morrison (Burts) 65, W. Templeton (P.ost Office), 47, A. Russell (Post Office) 44, A. M'Lintoek (T. and J. 50, A. Winton (T. and J.) 45. • « » * After 12 matches had been completed three teams were level for the Melville fielding trophy. A total of 53 catches is credited to Hillside, E.P. and L., and Railway. There are also three teams level for second place, Post Office, Lands, and Greggs'_ Red G having 50 catches each, inglis have 49, while Town Hall and R. and G. come within striking distance with 47, •«• ’ • It took the E.P. and L. bowlers some time to dispose of the Speights’ team, the members 'of which compiled 128 runs. ’Downes, Smith, and Knight were the moat prominent Speights’ batsmen. Most of the wickets fell to the trundling of Jack Beck. When eight wickets were down E.P. and L. ceased to worry, as 'they had 169 on the sheet. Walker and Jefferson showed to advantage when batting.

The return match between Roslyn Mills and K. and U. provided an even game. The former team had first use of the wicket and five of their number made double figures, Lincoln being top scorer. Adcock and W. Preston divided the wickets It was through no fault of Dawkins that R. and 6. did not reach their opponent’s total of 143. His innings of 66 was a great effort. However, the remaining oatsmen found M'Kechnie difficult to play and could make only 72 runs between them, J thus giving Roslyn Mills, another two cup points. • • • • Standard did not produce their true form ladt Saturday, the result being that they dropped back into third place in the B section competition when they suffered defeat at the hands of Otago Brush Company. The losers won the toss and decided to have first use of No. 3 pitch. The Standard wickets fell with monotonous regularity, and the whole side was dismissed for 67. The Otago Brush bowlers were Reid (three for 12), Short (three for 15), and Mason (two for 11). It looked as if Standard were going to make an even game of it when the Otago Brush wickets began to fall cheaply. However, when five batsmen had been dismissed for 51, Reid took strike and immediately hit a couple of 4’s to place his side ahead. With the game won, the remaining batsmen went in for batting (practice and were all out when they had. almost doubled their opponents’ total,. , ; ; • * ’■ * : ■" The writer desires to express his appreciation of the" courtesy and assistance which he receives from, the official scorers each Saturday, and in. particular to the official scorer for the Inglis Cricket Club, Mr J. D. Inglis. While on the subject of scorers, let me mention Mr Bay Kelmau (the secretary of the Town Hall Cricket Club) and Mr E. Patton, of Telgineers, Regular attenders at the Oval, they are doing good work for their clubs and l the league.

At the end of the game between Pride of the Leith and Loco., only 14 runs separated the two teams, the margin being in favour of the lodge team. Loco, batted first and compiled 120, Dillon, Thomson, and E. Hellyer being the destructive agents. E. Kerr (Pride of the Leith) set his team mates a good l example by-knocking up 44 in good time, and Lowry and Gaston followed this up with 20 a-piece. H, Keene was the most successful Loco.> bowler. • * * * A close ganle was expected on No. 1 wicket, where\ the leading team in O' section (Post Office) met Burts. Apart from O’Hagen, Allen, and Henry, the batting of the Post Office side was disappointing. N. Morrison, Johnston, Hill, and Howard kept down the runs to 114 with good-length bowling. However, when the leading Burts’ batsmen were, dismissed before they were properly set, the result of tho match was a foregone conclusion. The tail refused, or, 1 should say, was not permitted to wag. Burts made 90. Bussell had tho best bowling figures. • « * • At the last executive meeting it was decided to accept an invitation from the Dunedin Club to play a match in the evenings at Tonga Park. Three members of the executive were appointed to select a representative League team for this, fixture, the date of which will be posted up in the pavilion. ■•• • ■ As a mark of sympathy the members of the League executive stood in silence when reference was made by Mr S. Bingrose to the Joss a former member of the executive (Mr George Berryman) had sustained in the death of his son by drowning last week-end. * w • * The following arc the total runs scored for and against by A section teams in 12 matcheslnglis 1,974, against 1,048, average per match 164.5, against 87.33. E.P. and L. 1,364, against 1,398, average per match 1X3.66, against 116.5. Glenross 1,412, against 1,197, average per match 117.66, against 99.75. Roslyn Mills I, against 1,224, average per match 101, against 102. Town Hall 1,579, against 1,279, average per match 131.58, against 106.58. Railway 1,003, against 1,260, average per match 83.683, against 105. Hillside 1,395, against 1,638, average per match 116.25, against 136.5. R. and G. 1,139, against 1,288, average per match 94.916, against 107.33. Speights 922, against 1,156, average per match 76.83, against 96.33. Telgineers 1,154, against 1,666, average per match 96.16, against 138.83.