CRICKET Marist B Retains Lead

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1946, Page 9

CRICKET Marist B Retains Lead

Surprisingly Easy Win Over Cobden

Marist B was generally expected to give Cobden a close game on Sunday, and its players were confident of success, but the winning margin, 63 runs oh the first innings, was a surprise. Cobden has been the popular favourite for championship honours, and its defeat will add considerable interest and keenness to the competition.

Marist B (with four games played) has 23 championship points, United A (four) 19; Marist A (four) 18; Cobden (three) 16; United B (three) 14); Marist C (three) six; Brunner (three) nil.

United A’s Easy Win United A carried too many guns for Brunner on the No. 2 wicket at the Recreation Ground on Sunday, dismissing its opponents twice for a total of only 102 runs. The United bowlers had a field day, Taylor and McLean particularly, the former taking seven for 15 in the first innings and McLean six for 20 in the second. The United batsmen, with two exceptions, were not impressive. M. Marshall scored a fine 45 before being given out l.b.w. He drove well and was again strong on the leg-side. J. Kerr scored 26 not out. He is a good all-rounder —better than many give him credit for. His bowling has a deceptive flight, and his batting is always sound. Four of the seven United batsmen who were dismissed went by the l.b.w. route.

Improved Display The young Marist A batsman, S. Garforth, struck something like his best batting form last Sunday when he played a sterling innings of 59 not out against United B. He was slow — only natural after a few “outs” — but he was always sure, and in the later stages he played some excellent shots on the off. Several of his drives were in the best class. His defence, too, was solid, but he still exhibited his old fault of being too lackadaisical, merely “leaning” on half-volleys which should be hit, and hit hard. Garforth is a type of player who would have benefited by being included in the Canterbury Minor Associations’ team to play Canterbury this week, but he was dropped after failing in his first lew innings. Last Sunday’s knock brought him back into favour.

Too Many Appeals It is difficult to get a batsman at any time to admit to being satisfied that he was out 1.b.w., but there has been some room for complaint this season. Too many times the umpires are men who are practically coerced into officiating, and they cannot be always blamed for decisions which do not satisfy the players concerned. There is room for action by the Cricket Association in securing umpires with the requisite knowledge of the game and the l.b.w. rule, but there is also room for more discernment on the part of those who appeal. It is common knowledge that there are too many appeals even by experienced players—some in cases where there should be no possible doubt about the umpire’s decision. It seems that the “Toshack” wave which hit the country last season has not dispersed.

Fine Left-Hander The bowler principally responsible for Cobden’s downfall on Sunday was the slow-medium left-hander, R. O’Callaghan, who bagged five wickets for 21 runs off 14 overs—and that against what is probably the strongest batting side in the competition. O’Callaghan settled down after a couple of overs, and from then on was always the master. He bowled an accurate length, giving nothing away, turned the ball deceptively and sharply, and varied his pace and flight nicely' It was a particularly fine effort on such a good wicket, which was fast and true and should have been in favour of the batsmen. A. Barlow gave him excellent support, and at one stage had taken lour wickets for two runs, including the wicket of D. Dewar, the Cobden skipper. He finished with four loi 10, two fours by one of the tail-enders making up the rest of the runs. These two bowlers are a good team.

Brunner’s Best The outstanding player for Brunner last Sunday, when the suburban team made its first appearance on the Recreation Ground for some seasons, was R. Lee, the former West Coast representative fast bowler. Lee starred in all departments of the game, scoring 29 runs in fine style in the second innings, fielding well, and taking two wickets for 30 runs ok nine overs in a score of 106. Lee’s bowling was better than the figures suggest. He maintained good pace and was accurate. W. Williams made 10 runs in the second innings for Brunner, but his best performance was in scoring only two runs in the first innings, when he showed good defence and a quick eye to defy the United A bowlers for a long time. With a shot or two built round his defence he should make some useful scores.

Solid Display The best batsman tor United B on Sunday was B. Constable ,who scored 39 before being bowled by Pfahlert. He was solid—even stolid—but was timing well, and always appeared to be master of the bowling. Constable does not hit the ball hard, but he watches it closely and has sound defence. a combination which makes him difficult to shift. It will be recalled that he won his way into the West Coast team last season by his consistent displays. T. Pfahlert was the best of the Marist A. bowlers on Sunday, taking four wickets 28 off 14 overs. He bowled accurately and turned the ball well, and ms figures, with a little luck, might ha. been better. N. Gibson, the Marist wicket-keeper, gave ' admirable assistance, stumping four batsmen, wo of them off Pfahlert.