CRICKET

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 February 1927, Page 6

CRICKET

HAWKE CUP,

TROPHY RETAINED BY TARANAKI GREAT BOWLING BY COLE. KINGSTON’S AND NASMITH’S BRILLIANT BATTING. After a match which on the first day was not inspiring, but which at the conclusion brightened up very much, the Haivke Cup—the blue riband of minor association cricket —was retained by TtiXci h ci lei • The scores on that portion of the match on -which victory was decided were not large. Poverty Bay made 117 and 72 (189), while Taranaki made 105 and 92 for three wickets, thus winning by seven wickets. The teams were about to leave the field when, in deference to a-strong request by the spectators, the challengers agreed to continue in the field, while Taranaki concluded, the second innings. Kingston gave a brilliant display of all round the wicket play, delighting the spectators with his forqeful and artistic batting, -while Nasmith, though less brilliant, was very sound, and played a capital innings for 74. Kingston was thrown out brililantly when only four off his century. The outstanding feature of the second innings for Poverty Bay was the fine trundling by Cole, who was in rare form, and secured no less than seven wickets for only 20 runs. TARANAKI BATTING.

SECOND INNING’S CONCLUDED. Witk three down for 19, the challengers had a good fighting chance until Kingston joined Nasmith. He at once began play with the utmost confidence, and Nasmith, playing with care, the runs began to mount up. Fifty appeared, mni'nly from Kingston’s bat, in about forty-five minutes. In quick time tlic tens were added, and at 78 Kingston brilliantly hit Lockett up on to the terraces, and the scores were level. A pretty glance through the slips for two, and the match was -won, with seven wickets to spare. The jiext ball Kingston again bit for six. His brilliant display, and his partner’s dogged stand were greeted with enthusiasm. THE TEAMS PLAY ON. The teams agreed to continue, and when he had taken his total to 96, Kingston was thrown out by a rare feat of fielding by Robertson—one of the brightest incidents in the match. Bottrill gave a nice display, showing great hitting powers, and Nasmith continued until ho -was 74. Cole played a hurricane innings of 22, including a six and two fours. The innings concluded for 281.

The Ivingston-Nasmith partnership produced 148 runs, the former hitting three sixes, and thirteen fours.

The full scores in Taranaki’s second . innings were: C. Lash, c and b Robertson, .12; H. Bro-wn, b Bennett, 5; O. Nasmith, b Robertson, 74; H. J. Grayson, b Bennett, 0; C. N. Kingston, run out, 96; C. G. Bottrill, stp. Scholium, b Robertson, 36; J. Cbeevcrs, c Cave, b : Robertson, 9; C. G. Clarke, b Robertson, 0; E. Cole, b Robertson, 22; A. Betts, not out, 1; A. Giblin, stp. Scholium, b Robertson, 4; extras, 22; total, 281. COMPLIMENTARY SPEECHES. After the match the teams foregathered outside the dressing sheds and congratulations were exchanged. Mr T. H. Bates, president of the association, complimented Mr Cooke and his team on their great sportsmanship, which, he said, was the driving force which made the game go ahead. They had come live hundred miles, and if Taranaki held the cup next year he hoped to see Poverty Bay hack to try again. Mr Kingston congratulated the visiting team on their sporting, clean play, and paid a special tribute to their great fielding capabilities throughout the contest. He believed that in the first innings both were wanting in enterprise, because they were apprehensive, and did not let themselves go. Mr Cooke expressed the pleasure all had felt in the match. Naturally they were disappointed. That they did not make a hundred or two more was the fault of flic Taranaki bowlers. He complimented Kingston on his brilliant batting, a very tine performance. They would have liked to secure the ciiji, for its possession had dono a lot of good to cricket in Poverty Bay, but lie could appreciate the fact that Taranaki needed the fostering of the game,'and renewed interest attaching to its possession, and to the contests for the trophy. His team had played a number of cup matches, and the contestants made many good friends thereby, and cemented old friendships-. Next year they -would again make the “pilgrimage” to Taranaki, provided the cup were still here. Ho thanked Messrs Brown and Morton for their efficient umpiring. r The challengers, who came by car, left lor home this morning.

MELBOURNE CLUB’S TOUR. MATCH WITH AUCKLAND. HOME SIDE MAKES 284. (BV TELKGKAPH PIIEBS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 4. Auckland hatted first in its match against the Melbourne Cricket Club. The weather was fine and the attendance was 2000. Auckland made 284, and Melbourne had 20 on the hoard for the loss of no wickets when stumps were drawn. Auckland hatted 1 first, and opened with Bowley and Anthony to the' bowling of Ebeling and W. Armstrong. The latter’s length was, as perfect as ever, and the batsmen were content to play him. At times Ebeling kicked dangerously. At 17 Anthony survived a confident l.b.w. appeal from Armstrong. He drove the next hall crisply through cover for three, also hooking the skipper for three, bringing 30 up in half an hour. Both batsmen were playing freely and confidently. Anthony survived another l.b.w. appeal, this time from Ebeling, and drove Armstrong for a, single. T. Armst, rong, a slow right-handed bowler, replaced Ebeling. Anthony scoring a single oil’ his first delivery. The next was a no hall, which Bowley lifted’high to the fine leg fence. Anthony mishit the last hall of the over and narrowly escaped being caught at short leg. It was the second nine ball over. Rodgerson, a medium fast righthanded howler, succeeded “Warwick

Armstrong, and Rowley brilliantly square cut him to the line and with a lifting shot got him again to the fence on the leg side. The Melbourne fielding was clean, and the stopping of crisp ground shots frequently evoked applause. Threequarters of an hour’s play saw 50 go up at noon, both Bowley and Anthony then shaping confidently. Bowley drove Rodgerson hard to the fence, and in the next over sent the same howler straight for four. Runs came freely at this stage. Bowlev’s placing being exceptionally clever. Anthony’s contribution was ten successional singles. Auckland had 66 on for an hour’s play. Bowley swung T. Armstrong to tlio* fine leg boundary, sending 70 up. He patted the next hall gently hack, the bowler dropping a sitter. The Englishman scored a, single off Rodgerson to reach his half-century in 70 minutes. On the Victorian side Wood/ stood out for brilliancy at extra cover. Armstrong rang on another change, Ebeling going on in place of Rodgerson and howled at three-quarter pace, with an occasional hall rising head high. Bowley came down hard on an off ball, which Hashed through cover to the line. Anthony took 80 minutes to reach 20. Bowley topping 60 in only five yiinutes longer. After scoring 14 successive singles, Anthony fluked ELeling for four, bringing 90 up in the same number of minutes. Ransford took up T. Armstrong’s ’•ole after he had sent down nine overs for 28. Anthony opened out at the left-hander and chinned him to the boundary. Facing Ebeling, he pulled a bumnv one for a brace. Two leg byes brought TOO up for 97 minutes. ■Tewell, a, slow right, was tried in place of Ebeling, Anthony hooking him to the fence. Ransford sent down a maiden to Bowley, and at luncheon the partnership was unbroken. Anthony was bowled by Ebeling in lii = first over after lunch. 108—1 —39. The details are;

AUCKLAND. First Innings. Bowley, c Campbell, b Ebeling ... 130 Anthony, b Ebeling 39 Frater. 1.b.w., b Ebeling 7 Gillespie, b Ebeling 0 Alcott, e Campbell, b Ebeling ... 60 Dacre, b "Wood 2 Postles, 1.b.w., b Ebeling 12 Matheson, b Johnstone 13 Butler, b Johnstone 1 Player, c Onyons, b Ebeling 8 Scott, not out 2 Extras 10 Total 284 Bowling analysis; Ebeling took six wickets for 63, Johnstone three for 21. "Wood one for 13. MELBOURNE. First Innings. Jewell, not out 18 Campbell, not out 4 Extras 4 Total for no wickets 20

PLUNKET SHIELD.

CANTERBURY vb OTAGO. DUNEDIN. Feb. 4. The PI tin ket Shield match, Otago v. Canterbury, was commenced at Oarisbrok to-day in perfect weather. Canterbury went in first and made 242 runs. The home team has lost four wickets for 107. The chief .scorers for Canterbury were:—Page 73, Read (not out) 35. Talbot 26. Bowling analysis: Dickinson took two wickets for 75 runs; Torrance, three for 37. • Blunt 73 (not out) and Knight (18) were the leading /scorers for Otago.