RUNS COME SLOWLY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 6 November 1935, Page 14

RUNS COME SLOWLY

ONE DECISION IN A GRADE SOUTH TARANAKI CRICKET COMMENT BY “MID-ON.” % The only A grade cricket match in which there was a concluded innings by each side was the Patea-Manaia fixture at Patea. The scoring was low, especially by the visitors. Hawera had the better of a drawn game against Stratford at Hawera, while the position at Kaponga was at an interesting stage. When one considers how many runs were scored in lialf-an-hour during the Syme Cup knock-out competition at Hawera, one wonders how it is that the competition scores are so slowly made. Certainly, the outfields at Kaponga and Hawera were very slow on Saturday, but even when everything is in favour of fast scoring little enterprise is shown. However, the famous J. B. Hobbs was very staid until 1911, when public discussion led to a change and he developed into the most brilliant batsman of his time. So there may be time yet.

Another factor in the loss of time is the tea adjournment, especially at Hawera, where an undue time is taken. The placers saunter along to the kiosk and dawdle back almost as quickly as some of them score runs.

A suggestion has been made that two-day matches should be played. I am afraid that- if such an arrangement were made the pace would be slower than ever. The greatest objection is, of course, the travelling and sometimes the difficulty of having the same personnel each week. It is said that the most sparkling cricket at Home is seen in the Lancashire League competition which has one-day matches. As far as South Taranaki is concerned, some livening up is wanted badly.

Geary’s Catch. The brightest patch in the Hawera and Stratford game was the brilliant catch by which Geary dismissed Barlow. A competent onlooker, -who has followed cricket at Hawera for many years, declared it to be the finest catch he had seen on the Park ground. Barlow pulled a ball hard and fast and was justifiably surprised to see Geary jump across and hold it. Geary is an excellent field anywhere and returns the ball as it should be done. Ilawera opened carefully with Penny and Hawke, senr., till the latter, who played some nice on shots, was bowled by Beere. Meuli was run out after he had started well with some forceful shots. Geary and Fraser went quickly and matters did not seem too promising, but Des Forges played carefully and Fleet was going well till McKenzie took a good catch to leave Des Forges to carry on with Palmer. McKenzie added to his laurels by clean bowling Des Forges and Kennedy. Gatton had Shaw caught. Palmer, with Hawke, junr., carried on till a declaration was made with the total at 115 for nine wickets. It w r as slow scoring, even if allowance is made for replacing the mat turned up by Adlam, and unless Stratford were expected to score at a smart rate, there was little interest left.

McKenzie did not tire so quickly as he did against Old Boys and he had the batsmen worried with his round arm delivers, which appeared to come in from the leg with a nip off the pitch. His four victims were Penny, Geary, Des Forges and Kennedy. I heard a suggestion that he is close to a no-ball, but I could see nothing objectionable. Appearances are much against roundarm bowlers because of the action which is not given the follow-through that should mark the straight-over delivery. McKenzie is short and sturdily built and his services will be very useful to Stratford. Another “Me” in the team is McGregor, who gave a very creditable first performance behind the wickets, giving only three byes. Practice behind the stumps during the week will develop the timing in taking the ball, so necessary for stumping or running out. A beginner would be well advised not to stand too close to the stumps, for a second sight of the ball is necessary for catches. Stratford’s hope of a win was lost and fear of a loss was found when Geary so brilliantly caught Barlow. Play became slow, but considering the little time left, the visitors did the correct thing in playing out time. The bowling was steady, Penny being a source of worry with his round-the-wicket deliveries that came back. All the same, I hope Reg does not overdo it. The batsmen know what he is after and they play the rock. While on the subject of round-the-wieket bowling, I would like to see Kennedy try it out, for it may counteract the excessive break if he pitches the ball outside the off pin. They are faster than Penny’s and the batsmen would not have so much time to watch the ball. Penny, of course, varies his pace and flight.

Oid Boys Draw Again. Kaponga was tlie venue of the local team’s fixture with Old Boys, and it was anticipated that there would be a close game. Though 217 runs were put up during the afternoon as against the 153 at Hawera, the result was a draw. Old Boys opened with W. Barker and Buist, but Buist -\yas soon run out without opening his account. W. Barker carried on in his usual style—safe and sure—to see his brother, Allen, Herbert and Thomas go cheaply. Duke, who was well down in Hie list, played steadily, but scored well and stopped the rot. Sargeson showed his worth to carry his bat for IS. W. Barker (54), Duke (49) and

Sargeson were the only double-figure scorers, there being two eights, one two and four “ducks.” Not. a very impressive showing for such a combination.

Stan Betts bowled w r ell and got both Barkers 1.b.w., the second time for W. Barker this season. Harrison was. expensive and was persevered with too long.

At stumpzs, Kaponga had lost three for G 9 and the game was in a. very interesting position, though Stan Betts v-as not defeated with 26 to his credit. Stan appears to be in good form this season. There must be something in names in cricket, for Kaponga brought out A. Barker to open with Betts and he did well. Dormer seems to strike form slowly, but he is a good pattern for the younger players, being the essence of care and soundness, even if his leg does get. in front too often. Herbert Barker appears to have the knack of disposing of left-handers, who mostly fall to his faster delivery. Thomas had one over, but Umpire Brighton called him four times, not being satisfied with the action of the arm. Mr Crighton has a good knowledge of the game and he is to be feoinmended for the courage of his conviction. It is a very difficult matter to judge a no-ball at any time, and harder still to call the bowler who in nearly every case is quite unconscious of his offence. Thomas will have to develop a follow-through. In my opinion, he wastes a terrific lot of energy in his run. Let him take a short run, bring the arm well over and right through, practice hard for a week or two, and I’ll guarantee he will take more wickets and not give the opponent extra runs for nothing.

Pauling’s Patch. I have consistently urged the possibilities of Pauling as a bowler. On his day with a wicket to suit, he is almost unplayable. ; Manaia found this out last. Saturday, when they could score only 2S runs against Patea. Boss Eden carried his bat for six, but Jones—a tail-ender—got top score with eight. Cyrus Whalen is having a new experience —two “ducks” in two matches, but his form will return. It would appear that the A grade bowlers are better than the B graders whom Whalen met last year. I have my doubts. Ellis helped Pauling to complete the rout.

S. Edwards and Bourke opened for Patea, but Bourke did not connect with one from Eden. Edwards is a good batsman, but found no support. Jones plays a nice bat, and I think he should be higher in the list. It is wonderful what confidence is given to the less experienced players by older players who know better how to handle the bowling. Manaia’s opening bowlers did no good. Whalen is straight up and down with no guile and at times he appears to get temperamentally erratic. It was the medium or slow-medium Kitt and Eden who took the wickets, though Christie did useful work in getting Jones caught and bowled. Hughes has yet to strike form and fitness, but he will yet show that he can spin the ball as well, if not better, than most.

The Best Score. Stratford’s B team will be a serious contender for the championship and the meeting with Bower Board will be an interesting fixture. True, the opposition met so far has not been strong, but good form has been shown. The batsmen are not brilliant, but in Therldeson and Faulkner are two very solid men who take some shifting. Between them they put on 151 runs in the total of IDO against Patea B last Saturday. This was the best score in all grades for the day. Patea’s total was 53, of which Laurie Edwards got 38. Therldeson is a bowler also, for his three wickets cost only two runs. Edwards must have lost the promising form he had once to be in the B team, for he is, or was, a splendid field, which should compensate for a falling off in batting.

A Meritorious Win. Old Collegians sprang a surprise on Hawera B when they defeated that useful combination by ■25 runs, and with one man short at that. George iMann was the hero of the match, for he played a very good innings for 55 —the result of practice. He played steadily until he got his eye in and then did not

appear to be worried. Tilyard opened well, but did not get properly under one of Lobban’s deliveries and the latter took a good catch. Kemp joined Mann and the two ■made the stand which eventually won the match. Mann is club captain of his team and has brought with him the keenness which he displayed as member of the Wellington Mercantile League. He has done good work in connection with the ground here. His success was very popular. Hawera. appeared to regard the match as lost before they went in. MeFadyen and Longstaff soon went, but Fairweather made a stand, though keener fielding may have seen him caught. This player appears to be developing a penchant for poking his bat round in a half-hearted pull. Lobban not only bowled well on a pitch which suited him, but he played a dogged bat against bowling which was, on the whole, steady and varied. If some one had stayed with him, he may have pulled the game round. As his confidence increases, Lobban should try to adopt a less crouched stance.

Selwood, an excellent keeper, is a really good bowler. He bowled a very nippy off-break to get six wickets cheaply, each being a really good ball. Some reduction in condition and Selwood will prove a serious problem for the opposing batsmen. As field captain,

this player handled his bowlers well. He does not keep them on too long nor hesitate to change them from one end to the other. Malone, who had decided to retire, was called upon to help out his club and did so by dismissing a couple of tail-enders, one being an obstinate sticker.

Phenomenal Bowling. Old Bovs journeyed to Opunake and were trounced badly. In their first attempt they gathered in 20 runs and in the second 28, of which Beamish was responsible for 19. Watt was the destroyer. Opunake’s innings was not very brilliant, but it only required six runs in the second strike to give them an easy win. Clapham showed good form with the ball last season, and it looks as if he is on the job again, as he got seven wickets for 12 runs. Old Boys miss Hammond, who has joined the Power Board club, the rules allowing a sprinkling of members who are not on the board’s staff.

Quick Thinking. Hunter was a very surprised man when he was run out last Saturday. He hit up a ball and 'Selwood made a great attempt at a catch, actually getting the ball, but when he fell the ball bumped out of his hands. I think almost every one except the umpires thought the ball was held. There was no appeal for the catch, but Hunter though he was out and went out of the crease and hesitated. Gorringe realised the position quicker than anyone else, and, picking up the ball, threw down the wicket to run the batsman out. There was no doubt about it and Hunter and those who witnessed the incident will stay at home in future until given' out. Hunter, it may be said, did not grouse. I think that there should always be an appeal for any eateh and the umpire should give a decision in every ease lor a batsman is not out till given out. I have seen a batsman walk out when caught off a. bump ball for which no one appealed, but on the occasion referred to the opposing skipper called hint baek.