SEASONABLE SPORTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1936, Page 9

SEASONABLE SPORTS

CRICKET. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Greymouth section of the Wingham Cup competition was concluded on Saturday last, the Marist elevon, ladt year’s winners, running out winners by a-margin of four points over Cobden, with United A. in third place, two points behind Cobden. United B were out of t.lio picture. Marist’s victory was unique in that United A conclusively defeated them three times, only to go down to Cobden and United B, whom Marist defeated. Congratulations will be extended to the Marist Club in winning the Greymouth section again, after a most interesting competition. The United Club are also to be congratulated on the performance of their teams, especially the A. team, which, despite the loss of several leading players during the season, finished so close to the winners. The United Club sportingly entered two teams, which at the commencement of the .season were comparatively even, in order to build up the number of loams, and they maintained these teams, despite serious losses, throughcut the season, which was in the interests of the game, and much to their credit. Cobden, after a slow beginning, came to light towards the close, with victories over all the other elevens, and ran Marist to a four point victory. Marist will play off with the winners of the Southern (Hokitika) division on a date which has yet to be arranged. The Wingham Shield competition was advanced a further stage, in the second round on Sunday. Cobden B the leaders, drew a bye, but Marist A, only one point behind, were easily defeated by Cobden A. on the first innings, bringing the second Cobden team within striking distance, while United came to within, two points of Marist A., with a three-point win over Kuniara. Marist 8., secured a threepointer, at the expense of Runanga. This competition promises a most exciting finish, with four and probably five teams within reach of victory at the moment.

Mathews More Steady: J. Mathe-ws followed up his reassuring form of the previous week with a sound 25 against United B. on Saturday. Simmonds and Jarvis are a dangerous combination, as bowlers, and though Simmonds was not bowling well on Saturday, he was nevertheless not to be disregarded, so that Mathews’ performance was all the more creditable. This batsman made his runs slowly, and he went out to a stroke, which should not have been played by a senior cricketer. It was a mistake to play back and endeavour to cut as Mathews did on such a wicket, and his half-hearted effort spelt his downfall. Mathews will make many more runs, if he 5 concentrates on playing his defensive strokes hard, the harder the better, and leaves the cut-shot alone, for he is too inclined to make it off the wrong ball. He also gives the impression, when playing forward, that he plays too much to the pitch of the ball instead of watching it right on to the bat.

Big Partnership: A. Vaughan and J. Guy put on the best opening partnership of the season on Saturday, when against United A, at Cobden, on a wicket that was a batsman’s paradise, they carried the score to 189 before they were separated. Guy, in making 82, was not attractive, but this left-hander is hard to dislodge, and he will be in the running for a place in the representative team. He is by no means as free as he should be, but he can drive to the off, and square cut fairly well. His weakness, like a majority of left-hand-ers, is against a length ball on or outside the off stump. His 82 on Saturday was not without blemish, but it broke a run of outs, and he may now bat with more confidence.

Vaughan in Form: A. Vaughan had a good week-end at the crease. He 'scored 72 on Saturday, and was again among the runs on Sunday. Vaughan scores well on the leg side, making the most of everything at all loose, while he is not averse to essaying a scoring shot off a length ball on the leg stump. However, due to his stance, which takes him well outside the leg-stump, lie is in no position to play forcing shots to the off. He can thus be pinned down to slow scoring by an accurate bowler. He times well and has plenty of power in his shots, but would improve his value as a rungetter considerably were he to adopt a more orthodox stance. He was not seen, out as a stumper during the week-end, and his bowling on two perfect wickets, was not in any way dangerous.

Coffey Not in Form: L. Coffey, who has played second grade cricket in Sydney, made his second appearance for the United Club on Saturday, when he played for the B. team against Marist. Due to lack of practice he was hopelessly out of touch, but his style and footwork marked him out as a batsman. On Sunday, against Kumara, he got going, and scored 40 before falling l.b.w. He played some fine shots all round the wicket, and demonstrated that in form he will be a batsman to be considered seriously. In the field, on Saturday, he was conspicuous for his brilliancy. He landed one brilliant one-handed catch in the slips, and made many fine saves. If he can strike form, as he should with regular practice, he will be an asset to the West Coast eleven.

Restieaux in New Role:

Restieaux, essentially a bowler, has on many occasions shown ability with the bat, and be was at his best last week-end, in this latter department, lie was paricuiarly sound if painfully slow and unenterprising on Saturday, when he made 27 against Cobden, but lie macle his half-century against Kumara on Sunday, in good time. Restieaux is no stylist, but he is sound, and in view of the comparative weakness of the Coast batting this season, since the departure of Heasley, Hooper, and now N. Bayley. Restieaux’s showings with the bat are reassuring. He has several times proved a handy man towards the close of the innings in representative matches. On the other hand, Restieaux is not bowling as well as in former seasons.

D, Knapp Streaky: D. Knapp scored 70 against Marist A. at Cobden on Sunday, but his innings was streaky, lie should have been out twice in the first over he received, but carried on, aided by uncertain fielding. He made many good shots, but there were many others not so good. Again, he and Vaughan were far too unenterprising when Marist’s score was passed for the loss of Guy's ' wicket. The wicket was alpiost ideal ?. for fast scoring, yet they pushed along i steadily against an attack that waso anything but strong. b

TENNIS. NEWS AND NOTES. Greymouth’s decisive defeat of the Hokitika teams is chiefly accountable by the belter match technique of the winning side. In the earlier match, Hokitika A. team was successful. Ashby had an offday and so had Miss Fuller, but Pattinson, Cheyne and Campbell were in form. Miss Costello had a bard struggle against Miss O. Stapleton, being down 3—5, then winning the remaining games. She is definitely the best woman player on the Coast.

Very Mixed Doubles! In the mixed doubles of both grades, the Greymouth and Hokitika teams were evenly matched. Greymouth won seven matches out of eight, yet the games aggregate in the section was: Greymouth .70, Hokitika 56.. This is a remarkable result, and no fewer than three sets in the B. grade went to 17 games, and two in the A grade, to 16 games. The Greymouth players did not adhere, to their ranking in being paired, and this cvening-up of strength and combination worked greatly to. the club’s advantage. The ranking ot the men and women respectively, as they were paired, was first and third, second and first, fourth and second, third and fourth.

A Sharp Lesson: When umpiring doubles at the Greymouth courts in the match with Hokitika, Mr. Williams, a former West Coast champion, foot-faulted Pattinson, , who partnered Campbell against O’Gorman and Oakey, on a game point and foot-faulted Oakey on match point. This is the first time, for a long period at leasts that the phi,yers have been so sharply reminded not to over-step this rule, so often observed in the breach in inter-club contests. It is to be hoped the lesson will be learned by all players.

Hokitika Team: Oakey, a left-hander, and Hokitika’s third man, is a forceful left-hander and very good at the net. O’Gorman swamped Ashby, and is playing as brilliantly as ever he did. Gooch is still a force to be reckoned with. As his activity has diminished with years, his court-craft has improved.

Grey Ladder: This week-end, Cheyne challenged Campbell for third place, but tjie latter won, 9—3. The score is no indication of the closeness of the set. One game went to 40 —love, then Campbell pulled it lout of the fire, after a 15 minutes’ struggle. Mrs. Cheyne deposed Miss Fuller from second position after an even fight. She will next challenge Miss Costello tor the leadership, but it is unlikely the places will be disturbed. Brickell beat Robinson (6—4 in the third set). Both were in good form. Brickkell shining at the back of the court and Robinson, at the net. }

Yankee Tourney: Next week-end, the Greymoutn Club is to hold a Yankee tournament, open to all players, in aid of the Aero Club. . X

United Championships: , Good progress was made in the A. and B. Grade club championships at the United courts. C. Burley, by beating A. Warnes and A. McKay, has reached ‘the final, and will play the winner of the- Kear —P. Warnes semi-final. Kear has been champion for three years in succession, and it is anticipated he will be the other finalist, This is the first time Burley has reached the final, but he will give Kear a great game. Burley had matters macle rather easy for him in his semi-final with McKay, for the latter, when jumping for a high' lob in the second set injured his knee. He continued under a severe handicap, but could not win another game, after taking the first set 6 —4, and being four all in the second, when the accident happened. Otherwise, it is quite likely that McKay would have won in straight sets. The score was 4 — 6 —o. Kear and Warnes will meet on Saturday and the championships will be decided on Sunday. In the men’s B grade, A. Miller has to play F. Sadler, and the winner plays J. Cassels in the final. Both Miller and Cassels are improved and well-matched.

Women’s Sections:

Miss M. McKay meets Mrs. Cassels and Miss D. Blair plays Miss E. Boddy in the semi-finals of the United women's A. championship. The winner from this leading quartette is very hard to pick. The B. class semi-finalists are Miss Quayle and Miss E. Hannan, Mrs. McKay and the winner of the match between Misses Eaton and Lindsay. The C. section is making slow progress, but the competition should be well in hand by the end of this week. United Ladder Games: Although A. Warnes disposed of D. Heaphy’s challenge for sixth place on the United .Club’s ladder, to the tune of 9 —l, Heapby played a sound game. Warnes’s experience and court-craft won the game points. | By beating Miss Cameron 12—10, Mrs. McKay inflicted on the player her first defeat in ladder matches this season. There is very little between them and the game finished in a steady duel of slow balls. Mrs. McKay followed up tills victory by another against. Miss C. Hannan, 6 —4. Mrs. C. Stewart, a coming player, beat Mrs. Joyce fairly easily and she should be well up in the B. grade before long.

Handicap Trophy: Miss D. Blair, one of the leading players on the United courts, has given a trophy for a women’s handicap competition, nine up. The gift has been thankfully received, and it. is pleasing to see one of the top players making the game more interesting tor the improvers. Association Meeting:

A meeting of the management committee of the West Coast L.T.A. was held last evening. Dr. H. S. Ray presiding. The business was to compile or draft constitution to enable thy forming of sub-associations at. Westport. Hokitika and Reelton. The draft will be presented for consideration by these associated clubs. Certain conforming amendments to the rules, which will have Io bo approved at a general meeting of the Association. were also drafted. A suggestion was made that a Greymoutli Easter loiirm.’y be held. Local clubs will meet to discuss this next week.

Cor.hct at Wliangarei: Henri Cochet and his companions were seen in action on the Whanjarci tennis courts yesterday afterloou. There was a good attendance >f the public, who were impressed ly the play of the famous Frenchman.