CRICKET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 26 January 1927, Page 6

CRICKET.

HAWKE. CUP MATCH. LAST SATURDAY’S MATCHES. A GOOD SERIES. BATTING ACHIEVEMENTS. The .scoiing in the challenge match between Wairarapa and Taranaki was some of the smallest seen op, the Park for quite a long time, and-in this- respect- it Was a direct and marked contrast to that of the ordinary championship fixture which filled its place on what -should have been “People’s Day” of the representative match. By the most unfortunate and regrettablei collapse of the batting of the visitors, the match was over in one- day, and. there was nothing to put before the interested public. It was evident at the beginning of the. Wairarapa innings that the batsmen were going to .have trouble, and that .scores were likely to he email, and as the tally of the wickets lengthened, the hopes of the visitors and of the impartial public ever waiting for good play, on which ever .side it might be, vanished, but for two good partnerships, Logan with the Whitburn brothers—the veteran made a plucky stand — the men from the central valley district failed badly. At the beginning of the Taranaki innings a similar happening looked likely, as three good wickets fell for a small total as their opponents. But- then began the bright and breezy partnerships between- Kingston and Lay, end later Bottrill and Cole —Taranaki .seemed to realise that to hit was the only tactics likely to .succeed —and the score went up to nearly double the Wairarapa total, a good score under the circumstances. Wairarapa began better in their second innings than in their first essay, hut after the first wicket or two fell the remainder collapsed, with the bright exception of F. Hoar, who hit out manfully, and Fox, who went in last and was going well when his partner got out. D. Logan wag very foolishly run out by his club mate. _ The fourteen required to win were quickly scored by Taranaki, who went out to hit from the jump. And so a most disappointing match, especially as far as Hawera is concerned, concluded. The. Southern Association was keenly looking forward to the strong popular support on the Saturday, and it is pretty certain they would have secured that liberal -patronage which is so essential to the financial side of the game, and without which enterprise is stifled. , , , It was very had luck that the hard and conscientious work put in so enthusiastically by Mr L. Hunt and his helpers did not 'result- in the success expected. The papa with whicli the grass was top-dressed, and which against the Xomac’jt gave a really good wicket, appeared to lift under the pounding of the fast bowlers. The result was very disconcerting, and took a lot of the sport out of the play. Mr Bottrill, of New Plymouth, following whose advice the papa- was used, said after the match that- he was convinced that- good wickets could still he secured, and urged the local association not to be. discouraged by one faillire. He suggested putting on some more of the top-dressing, hut in small quantities, and giving the turf n_ thorough rolling after each application. The Wairarapa captain and manager were both of tlie same opinion, and appreciated the unfortunate posit ion in which the association was placed. They urged the executive to persevere until success was gained, and were enthusiastic about the outfield surroundings. The matter of the must be taken in hand forthwith, because the kernel of the cricket problem and its popularity with players as with 'Supporter,?. and the public generally, depends vow largely on that- factor.

MIDLAND v. EXCELSIOR. It was rather remarkable- that on Saturday in the senior championship match, a wicket which did not get anything like the work put in on the other, placed very well, and gave the batsmen no trouble. They scored more freely on it than has been the case perhaps on any day this season. During the afternoon no -less than 503 runs were scored, and the grand total for the two afternoons was 556. It was throughout pretty quick and busy scoring. B. McCarthy, in .scoring 46, showed that lie is till can lay the wood on, for he had seven fours in his total, three and two in two successions, besides six twos. He also bowled very well, some of his deliveries being reminiscent of his best- days. Lay, who got top score in both innings, 47 and 118 (not out), showed his best form, especially .in getting his century. Only one chance, was debited against him. the rest of liis score being good attractive batting. Ho had many good strokes all 'round- the wicket, and his driving was special!v strong. He and his skipper were ably assisted by Sealer. Treweok and “Extras” (totalling 35). . , . The outstanding feature rn each innings of Midland was the batting display of- Cheevers. He did not score fast, but his defence was .sound, and he watched the ball very carefully, laying the wood on anything loose. His totals of 66 and 51 not out were perhaps his best this season. In three of the four innings ‘ Mr Extras” ran to over 39 a. decided acquisition to any score. . Of thirty-five wickets that 101 l -n the match, no less than 19 fell to catciies, twelve bv Excelsior and seven by Midland. But some of the ground fielding, especially by Alidland, was not so good ns could be wished. Wnlkley. 11 and 38, and Alnlonoy, a promoted junior, both batted very (nicely, an-rl are a decided help to their (Rblin (31) and Sugden (24) had each a hurricane innings, each getting a couple of sixes and .several fours, while singles were very rare Neilson Newton and Giblin all howled well for Midland, while Alachin, for the other team, .started , sensation ally by oiettino- Crombie and McKenzie for n duck each. His third wicket .spoilt ins average, however.

OTHER Al AT CITES. Short notice prevented Alanaia getting a team away to- Stratford, and a So the Excelsior juniors. The latter competition lias -now been revised, and the fresh drawing has _ been published. Aluch interest is being taken in the junior competition.;

G. Allen, a .son of Mr C. Allen, of Hawera, and an ex-High School boy, lias been doing a lot of good batting in New Plymouth. On Saturday he struck a very lively patch of form, and hit up- a -six and eight fours in making 50. It was quite a spectacular performance. ENGLISH TOUR, It will be noted that the final selection of the New Zealand team will he left until after the first match against the Victorian team. The delay does not appear necessary, for the selectors have had the opportunity of .seeing most of the leading players, and they probably know the capabilities, of a large number. But perhaps.' they wanted to see. them in action against the howlers from the other side. However that may be, the postponement of the selection will not be very popular. The Council has agreed to allow the selectors the extra time, and adds that they will also have the benefit of seeing the match between Canterbury and Otago. VISIT OF A VICTORIAN TEAM. The team has been chosen from the Melbourne Club, and presumably will be able to extend the Dominion’s best. It will be a popular event with enthusiasts to see Warwick Armstrong, Hendry, and Ransford once more in New Zealand. Eberling is about the only other member known to any extent here. Two matches wil be played in Wellington —one against the province, and the final test. THE TARANAKI FIXTURE. February 11. and 12- are the dates now allotted to the match in Taranaki. It is unfortunate that the latter is one of the North Taranaki race days. AUCKLAND PROVINCE v. MELBOURNE CLUB TEAM. ROWLEY’S SERVICES TO BE RECOGNISED. (by telegraph press association.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 26. Subject to an arrangement for a- refund, the Auckland Cricket Association lias accepted the New Zealand Council’s terms of £3OO guarantee for a- provincial match with the Melbourne Club team on February 4, 5 and 7, at Auckland. The Cricket Association last night decided to recognise, in a tangible form, Rowley’s magnificent match-winning effort'in the Punket Shield match. The question of liis re-engagement for next season will be further considered at a subsequent meeting. He had planned to leave by the Tainui on March 9, to reach England for the, county matches, starting in May, hut a suggestion, has been made that he travel with the New Zealand team on the, Tahiti on March 29. Bowley has expressed his willingness to assist in coaching aboard tha steamer. A .recommendation is being made to the. New Zealand Cricket Council that his services be so utilised.