A BIG WIN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10783, 2 January 1929, Page 6

A BIG WIN

POVERTY BAY BEAT WELLINGTON XI. AN INNINGS AND 163 BUNS. , BRILLIANT CENTURY BY, THOMSON. HOMESTERS' TOTAL 437. VlSl'tllßS MAKE 18<2 AND 92. Even the most sanguine of Poverty Bay supporters expected nothing like the local team’s easy,, victory . over Wellington XI .by an innings and 163 runs. The match-commenced on Monday when, at the close of play, largely through a brilliant innings by L. Thomson,' the home skipper. Poverty Bay had compiled 413 with a wicket still to fall. Instead of declaring immediately yesterday Poverty Bay went on to complete their innings for 437, Thomson making 120. Wellington, in the first knock, made 182, A. E. Doneghue playing a fine “captain’s innings” for 84. Following on, the visitors could jnalce only 92. Ail the luck of the game, however, was with the home team, but even so, they were clearly superior to the Wellington XL. about whoso howling giave doubts were expressed before the game. The surprising feature was that the visitors phoukf be dismissed so easily, for they included a number of men who had been scoring in their home town. Jn order to give all the visitors a bat, the sides were scheduled for 12 apiece, only eleven of whom were to field. Poverty Bay batted 12, N. Tasker being added to the team, but one of the "Wellington players, F. Whitwell, after playing on Monday, had a touch of ptomaine poisoning and could not bat yesterday. Die rix-ball over was used, again in the match, after a long lapse locally. The attendances of the public were only moderate on both days —,n regrettable tact as the cricket was highlv entertaining throughout. v ~ ' The umpires were Messrs P. Marlin and T.. Sharp.

POVERTY BAY BAT FIRST. Poverty Bay won the toss and Hatted, G. J Robertson and G. l/’.ckett nooning the home innings O’Connor opened the- attack and Robertson took a- brace and a three and' Lockett a two in the first over. F. Brvant, a left-hander- of medium pace, bowled at the other cud and his) fourth ball'saw the end of Lockett, the batsman being out very unluekilv, when a ball, wide off‘the wicket., hit him. on the inside of his hack leg and shot into the stumps.—B1—2. ,J’, Scholium followed and immediately fcecamc aggressive, late-cut-ting "neatly through the three slips. In Bryant’s third over. Scholium hit two twos and_ then roused enthusiasm. by notching the first four of the innings. Again in that trimfiler’s next over, Scholium hit freely, registering; another boundary and also’a two for a sweet late-cut. The next ball, however, saw the batsman turn a. short one te_ leg, where' O’Connor, fielding practically “silly,” took an easy catch. Scholium bad, stored 18 of the 20 added fop the second wicket in the same number of minutes—2B2—IS. W. Blair was next and a quiet spell followed, neither batsman taking any risks. Gradually the pair gained" the upper hand, several changes of bowling having no effect. Blair opened out with some fine straight driving and also notched a number of singles for neat turns to' leg. Robertson was playing solidlv and the score mounted steadily. "Blair soon overhauled Robertson and: then the pair kept together, scoring almost run for ruin Wellington’s fielding was good anu little was given away in. this direction. AYhen 30, Robertson hit Bryant high over cover's head, the fieldsman just tailing to get hack in time for the catch. In the last over Ibforfc. lunch, the separation came, O’Connor clean howling Blair who had then reached 35 after a fine, chanceless display. The stand had added 63 runs in TO’ minutes, but bad running between the wickets lost probably 12 or 15 runs. Robertson was then 35 not out and the adjournment was taken with the score hoard showing—9l—3—3s. Continuing in the afternoon, L. Thomson joined Robertson, but the latter was almost immediately caught behind the stumps off O’Connor. He had plaved sound cricket for his runs.—97 —4—39, Winter was next man and, after an earlv let-off. played forcing cricket. Thomson had settled down wcTl and was scoring steadily, exploiting beautiful late cuts frequently. Runs came freely until 45 had been added, when AVinter was bowled by Doneghue. His 33 included Jive fours.— 142—5—33.

• BOWLING LOSES ITS STING. The howling had now lost most of its sting and the incomer, F. Bennett, after also being missed early, hit freely to add 30 out of 43. JHe was then skittled hy O’Connor.— 185—6—30. A slump followed, both C. Dow and E. .Tames having been dismissed . at 201. Jennings came in and for the first two overs tried to lift every ball for a sixer over the bowler’s head. He completely failed to connect, and was lucky to escape being bowled in that rocky period. Thereafter he sett'ed down to play cricket and hit up 41 in about 15 minutes, the partnership putting on 68. "When Jennings was howled by Bryant, Thomson had reached his 50.—2609 —41. The best stand of the inn'ngs followed when W. J. Scholium joined Thomson. Both men scored with the greatest freedom and 107 runs were added in about 20 minutes. Scholium was then bowled by Bryant at 53, which included lour fours. Thomson ■was then 01. x N. Tasker was the last man and there was great speculation as to whether Thomson would reach three figures. Tasker played very soundlv and Thomson, amidst great enthusiasm, ran to 101 with a brace. The pair played out time, Thomson then being .115 and Tasker 24. YESTERDAY'S PLAT. Groat surprise was felt yesterday, when the Poverty Bay inmugs was continued instead of being immediatelv declared. Nearly 40 minutes we re’ wasted in tins unnecessary play and only 25 runs accrued. Thomson was dismissed at 120, while, Tasker was left not- out with 39 on alter a fine innings which included . fit e Thomson’s was a really brilliant “hand”—one of the finest we have yet seen on the Oval. He was- never in trouble and made lull use ol Ftrokes all round the wicket, with tfie gems his beautiful late-cnts. Poverty Bay’s large total was made in the fast time of 'about 32.; minutes. : The weakness ol Wellington s howling was clearly revealed, but it Vos .really bad catching which allowed the home team such a large total.. . Had all the comparatively easy chances been taken, it is probable -that the Bay total would not have exceeded. 250. Of the visiting trundlers. . O’Connor was most effective aiid got through a lot ol worn. /All told, he sent down 39 overs for 105 runs and five, wickets. ■ Bryant was us<jd- even morn. 1 sending down 43 overs, eight of which were maidens.- f0r:153 runs and five wickets. M Aitken’s “keepfiig” was a feature pf'the visitors’ display. : .

WELLINGTON START WELL. Doneghue and . Airey opened the Wellington innings in bright fashion anti several bowling changes had no appreciable effect. The tens came up quickly and. 7? were ont the board before the'first 'wicket fell. W. J. Scholium then got a gopd one past Airey who had made 39 by very enterprising cricket, „ hitting four fours—77—l-—39. \V. Aitken, Lawton and Bryant departed quickly and four were down for 106. Gibson joined his captain and this pair were together when the luncheon adjournment was taken. Runs came slowly after lunch, Robertson and Lockett both keeping a good length. Doneghue livened up matters with a fine leg hit for four off Robertson, bringing 120 up. Seven runs later, (TTbson, who had never been comfortable, was bowled off Ins foot by Lockett.—l275 —6. Rix-Trott followed and Doneghue began to open out, slashing hard at everything. After a narrow escape lrom stumping, lie skied Robertson high behind tile wicket w here Lockett took the catch. sbe ’/biting skipper had scored 84 m a splendid though not chanceless, innings. All told," he hit six fours and scored his runs out of 147 while lie was in.— L 47—6 Ba. -

•K. Robertson was the incomer and immediate’;? became aggressive, going well "out to bis namesake and swinging him to leg. He was fortunate to escape early. Lashing out, he missed, and the’ball bounced forward off ins pad, the batsman stepping back. On touching the gtouiul, the ball spun back from in Lent of llie batting crease to the stumps. An appeal, however, was disallowed. Robertson quickly ran to 17 and was then neatly taken,by Thomson behind rhe sticks off G. J. Robertson. —170 -7—17. O’Connor was the next and Jennings howled in place of Lockett. Robertson’s next over saw the end of Rix-Trott, the batsman not even attempting te play an off-break which took his off-pin.—l77—B—s. Ronberg came in but went l.b.w ro Jennings when he had made two only.—lß2—9—2. C. Aitken joined O’Connor for the last wicket stand hut, the next over from Robertson saw the end, O’Connor being clean-howled l>y Robertson.—lß2—lo—s. The total bad been put together in 175 minutes. ROVERTY BAY’S ATTACK. G. J. Robertson, with four for 37 off 11 overs, was most successful with the ball for the home team. In the earlier stages, his length was uncertain, but this improved later. He mixed his bowling well and his- legbreaks beat the batsmen time and time again. 'Lockett also howled very well. He continually had the batsmen “feeling” for him and his faster ba't, coming through higher than us--ual, always troubled the 'defence. *V. J. Scholium also howled verv steadily. Jennings had two overs only, but both were maidens and he captured one wicket. Poverty Bnv’s fielding was not particularly good. Nothing much went begging in the air. hut the ground work was faulty the players often watelrng the batsmen as they fielded and letting the ball go past. An outstanding feature was Lockett’s fine returning from the outfield. Thomson, who was probably tired after bis long innings has .“kept” much better on other occasions.

WELLINGTON’S SECOND STRIKE Following on 255 runs behind, Wellington opened with Airey and Lawton to the bowling of .Jennings and Bennett. Off the former’s first over Airey helped himself to a brace and a four, the latter by a fine leg hit. in Jennings’ next over, * however, Airey hit the second ball to James at point.—lo—l—7. H. Aitken followed and the pair scored with some freedom, 13 coming off two overs and 20 going up alter 20 minutes' play. The afternoon tea interval was then taken. In tlie first over after, Jennings clean-b-.nvled Aitken.—26—2—ll. in Bennett’s next over, Lawton, then partnered by Bryant, had a narrow escape when he skied the leather to the longfield where Lockett made a great attempt to take the catch getting his hands to the bad, but failing to hold it. Bryant was then nearly stumped off Bennett, but the following ball skittled h i m.—35 —3—4. Gibson followed and opened bis account with a good hit to the leg boundary off Jennings. Blair replaced that trundler in the following over and James relieved Bennett. Gibson commenced to hit .freely and caused amusement by adopting the old trick of running halfway down the pitch to block the hall for a stolen single. Twice he sent James to the long-on boundary. A mis-field by Jennings gave Lawton a four for n good oif-drive and 60 came up. The first ball of Janies’ next over skittled Lawton who had made 21 brightly.— 61—4—21. Doneghue followed but his stay was short, he turning a short one from Blair to Bennett at fine leg.— 60-—s— l . Rix-Trott joined Gibson arid was caught by Thomson off the first ball. —6s—6—o. Robertson came in and saved_Jhe “bat trick.” Gibson - again opened out to James, sending him for 4, 2 and 4 off successive halls. Attempting a sixer, two balls later, he was off James., caught by jLopIccLt. Gibson had scored 30 in bright fashion, hitting five boundaries all to the leg side.— 7s —7-—3O. O’Connor was nexit man and Robertson bowled in place of Blair. Iv. Robeitsou was then run out most unluckily. He backed up and slipped as lie turned to get back again. Dow lidded the ball and hit the wicket with his return just before Robertson, with a dive along the ground, reached home. It was very hard luck for the batsmen.—Bl—B—3. Ronberg followed and James bowled his third successive maiden over. The batsmen were aiming to pi«y out, time and did not worry about runs. James added another maiden and then Robertson skittled Ronborg.—Bß—9—2. C. Aitken was last man and halt an hour remained for play. The incomer opened with a neat on-drive for a brace. In James’ next over, however, O’Connor was clean bowled, the innings closing for 92. O’Connor had played steadily for half a dozen, while Aitken was three" not Out. Tlie innings had lasted for ICO minutes. James carried off the bowling honors iu this innings, finishing with four for 23. His length , was- very good and only two runs came off his. last 4.4 overs, four of which were maidens. There was a marked improvement in the home team’s fielding during this innings. The score book showed the following.- details: —

POVERTY BAY. , —First Innings.— G. J. .Robertson e. W. Aitken b O’Connor ... ... 30 G. Lockett b Bryant ... ... . ... 2 J. Scholium c O’Connor b Brvant la W. Blair b O'Connor ' 35 L : . Thomson b O’Connor ... ... 120 G. Winter: b Donpghue 33 F. Bennett, b O’Connor ... ... 30 O. Dow c Gibson b Bryant ... .... 6 Tfi. James c W. Aitken b O’Connor _ f> J. Jennings b Brvant ... ... 41 \v. J. Scholium b Bryant I 53 N. Tasker nofc. out ;.. ... ... 39 Extras.—h. 10, Lb. 6, n.b. 5 ... 21 Total ... ... ... ... 43>

Fail : 8; 28, 91. 97, 142, 185,1198, 201, 269, 376. 437. —Bowling.—

Doneghue bowled five no-balls. WELLINGTON XI. —First Innings.—-• A, F. Doneghue o Lockett b Robeertson ... ... 84 M. F. Airey bW. J. Scholium 39 \V. Aitken c James b 'Lockett ... 1 S. Lawton c Blair b W. J. Scholium 0 E. Bryant, b Lockett 2 A. W. Gibson, b Lockett 0 N. V. Rix-Trott b Robertson ... 5 lv. Robertson c 'Thomson b Robertson 17 C. V. O’Connor, h Robertson O. Ronberg l.b.w. Jennings ... 2 C. Aitken not out O Extras—b. 14, l.b. 5, n.b. 2 ... S'l Total ... .. 182 Fall: 77, 92, 105, 106, 127, 147. 170, 177, 182, 182.

—Second Innings.—l Airey c. .James b Jennings ... 7 Lawton b James 21 \V. Aitken b Jennings 11 Bryant b Bennett ... 4 Gibson c Lockett b James ... 30 Doneghue e Bennett li Blair ... 1 Rix-Trott c Thomson b Blair ... .0 Robertson run out ... ... ... 3 O’Connor b James 6 Ronberg b Robertson 2 C. Aitken not out ... 3 Extras, —b. 3,. l.b. 1 4 . Total 92 Fall: 10, 26, 35, 62, 65 65, 75, 81, 88. 92.

M. ;w.\ R. O’Connor .89* 6 n 105 Bryant 48 s 5 lOe Robertson 12 .1 0 43 Whi towel l 10 0 0 67 Doneghue 8 0 . 1 48 8 Airey 2 0 0 Rix-Trott 1 0 0 7

—Bowling. 0. M. W. E. (J. Dow 4 0 0 13 K. Bennett 7 2 0 21 W. J. Scholium 12 1 2 36 Scholium -t 0 0 17 (L .Lockett 14 J 3 36 6. J. Koberfcson n 1 4 37 J. Jennings 2 Lockett bowled, five 2 1 no balls. 0

— Howling.0. / M, W. ft. Jennings 6 0 2 22 ft ?n nett i 1 1 20 Lilnir # ii 1 2 IV James 8.4 4 4 20 Koherfsnn 4 1 1 ' 6