NAPIER CRICKET

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 9, 21 December 1933, Page 8

NAPIER CRICKET

SENIOR BATSMEN FAIL

Juniors Show Them How STUMPERS’ DAY OUT

(By

“Spectator.”

In point of run-getting senior cricket slumped somewhat in Napier last Saturday, the highest aggregate for a whole innings being that of H. 5.0.8., who reached 170. Some of our senior batsmen are never short of an excuse for a failure, and vague hints concerning the tricks played by the wicket were common, but the juniors discounted these things and no less than three three-figure scores were credited to them. There is a growing belief that the shirt-front wickets provided each week at Nelson I’ark tend to spoil our players in that they become too much accustomed to one class of wicket, and when they play away from it their rungetting abilities deteriorate considerably, especially in the first innings. A case in point of recent origin is the weak effort put up by High School in the annual inter-school game with Palmerston North. The experience of playin ga round of senior fixtures over on McLean Park would prove beneficial to all participants, and the public who follow the game would appreciate a i change to more comfortable surround- | Ings for a Saturday or two. Tech. v. Colts. Early closures are events rare in local cricket circles, therefore the action of the Tech, skipper in declaring at two for 47 against Colts had quite tin original flavour about it. Colts, three men short of their usual eleven ,had first use of the wicket, and all were back in the pavilion with the score board showing a bare 44. G. Gray alone reached double figures. None of the others could make much of the “slows” wheeled up by Brown and Elliott, after Eric Evans had been taken off subsequent to gathering two for four. It did not take Tech, long to reach 47, but they lost Elliott and Evans in the process, Hees shaping in Improved ijorm for an unbeaten 24. Intent on making a onc-day job of the game, Colts were sent in again, end while runs were not plentiful the batsmen showed an inclination to stay, and it was just on 6.30 p.m. before the last man had been sent to the right about for a full total of 59 runs. A feature of this innings was the work of the young Tech, wicketkeeper, Northe, who stumped Cox, Wagg and James in succession, all off the bowling of Elliott. Tech, will now have all day on January 13 (the next day’s play) to make sure of a four-pointer, 57 runs being required. The strong man in the H.5.0.8-eleven eleven against School on Saturday was Tom Beaney as, after compiling 53 with the bat against School, he then helped himself to six wickets at a cost of 17 runs. High School Old Boys had first use of the wicket, and the present day boys did well to have B. Mahony, Beck and H. Beaney back in the pavilion with the board showing just short of 30. T. Reaney then arrived and was quickly tnto his stride, scoring with forceful shorts in all directions. Kenny lent him capable assistance with a handy 30, and McLeod followed with an additional 20, but the tail, as on the previous Saturday, was far from impressive. Disastrous Opening. School opened disastrously, the first three wickets falling for 13 runs. Worker went in a little earlier than usual to stop the rot, but with his arrival at the crease Mahony left, making Tom Beaney's fourth successive victim, and then Armitage immediately put his foot in front and made it five. Worker, playing carefully and monopolising the majority of the bowling, carried the score along almost unaided, apart from the extras obtained from Beaney’s log attack, and at stumps was unbeaten with 34. School were disappointing with the bat, the majority of the boys being very uneasy when facing T. Heaney’s fast medium leg attack, and present indications point to H. 5.0.8. eventually gaining a fodr-pointer.

United v. St. John’s. There is every indication of an interesting finish to the UnitedSt. John’s game, which at present slightly favours the former who, having first use of the wicket, compiled 169. Burns, as opening batsman, gave his side a good kick-off with a very useful 31, although his partner—Signal—did not tarry long. Heath, back from Otago ’Varsity, failed to got going, but Mat. O’Brien, next man in, put United at case. The big fellow scored quick iy end easily, but there were rapid changes at the other end of the wicket, with Grant, G. Stevens and Kavanagh failing to trouble the scorer. The tail was, however, vigorous, and Hobbs (17), Prater (9) and Broad (15 not nut) deserve a vote of thanks from their club mates. The bowling of Chadwick was a feature, and at times he was unplayable, taking in nil seven valuable United wickets at. a total cost of 47. Going in the Saints were quickly overtaken by disaster, losing Polhill, Tnrvey and Fitzwater in quick succession. Cane, opening batsman, defied all attacks and at present is unbeaten with 37 and he has with him Simpson, 25 not out. Much depends on these two. A noticeable feature of the day’s play was the work of the stumpers. For Tech., North claimed three scalps; Yarwood, for H.5.0.8* gotj •two—both

smart efforts —while for Saints, Fitzwater, not to be outdone, collected a brace, too. With the Juniors. The juniors were very busy despite the heat, and Boggs, for Taradale, regitsered a hurricane 179. Last season this player was tried by Toch. as a senior, but he failed to fulfil previous promise. United B supplied two to the list of centurions, Dick Wyllie and “Doc.” Harvey indulging in an orgy of hitting to register 111 and 105 respectively. One docs see plenty of action in the junior games. Of all the teams in this grade Taradale appears the best balanced. Surprisingly enough almost half of this eleven reside in Napier and Port ALurint. —