HASTINGS CRICKET

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 10, 22 December 1933, Page 5

HASTINGS CRICKET

FOURTH CLUB SERIES Whakatu Assume Leadership OLD BOYS' FIRST WIN

(By

"Mid-off.”

The conclusion of the fourth series of cricket matches in Hastings on Saturday saw last year's champions, High School Old Boys, secure their first; win of the season. • The results of the game also placed Whakatu as sole leaders with a margin of two points. The issue in both games rested upon the results of the first innings efforts, the opening day’s play having a material effect on the ultimate results. Play was not particularly bright, though in the Old Boys-Hastings game there was some brisk batting, each side making endeavours to force the issue on an outright win basis. The positions of the teams for the senior championship are as follow:— Senior Grade.

’fhe-points are awarded on the basis of four for an outright win, three for first innings win, two for a draw or tie, and one for loss on the first innings. Old Boys v. Hastings. In no great hurry to complete their first innings, Old Boys increased their overnight lead from 55 to 90 runs, before giving Hastings a second turn with the bat. However, towards the close of the afternoon they had reason to wish that they had not dallied quite so long at the crease, for it probably cost them the extra point. Graham and Litchfield really finished the first innings for Old Boys, the former making a good score of 25, whilst his partner contented himself with holding his wicket. The remainder of the team did not succeed in their obvious efforts to play to time rather than with an eye to run-making. Hastings, however, adopted an entirely different attitude, and set out to make as many runs as was possible in the shortest time, with a view to dismissing their opponents again, and so snatch an outright win.

Geddis’s Enterprising Knock. Les McCarthy and “Tut” Geddis opened, but the former w’ent with the fourth ball of the over and w'as replaced by Cyril Martin. The new partnership lost no time in making runs and the pleasing, as well as surprsing, feature was the rapid scoring of Geddis. Looked upon as one of the most stolid batsmen in the competition and one of the most difficult to get out, he gave a truly delightful and enterprising display. “Tut” did not forsake his straight bat, but he made a specialty of hitting at least twm balls in the over to the edge of the playing area. He attacked all balls that were off the wicket. At 85 he lost Martin, -who had been content to bide his time, and was joined by Ncwdiek, who emulated his opener by attacking the bowling. Just to what extent Geddis dominated the bowling is indicated by the fact that when lie w’as dismissed to make the score read three for 120, “Tut” had contributed 82, in what was a record time for him. Ha hit 14 fours.

Skipper Newdick and Colin Le Quei-.o i'.-.ried on the good work, the former making 43 and the latter 29. Both batted confidently and made the most of the opportunities that camo their way. The remainder of the side did not linger, the bowlers regaining supre iacy, to take the last six wickets for 13 runs.

Old Boys’ Steady Bowling. The Old Boys’ attack was steady throughout and required, a watchful eye. The batsmen, for the most part got themselves out by taking undue risks in their efforts to make runs. Rosenberg bowled better than he has done since his elevation to senior status. Waymouth and Henry, too, bowled well. All were materially assisted by the fielding, which, considering the temperalure, was quite good. With 110 to make in about 80 minutes, Old Boys essayed a bid to collect all the four championship points, but failed by ten runs to do so, time entering into the question, with three wickets still in hand. The start was anything but promising, three wickets —Apsey, McKinley, and Graham —falling for 29 runs. “Bunny” Waymouth and Les Henry came to the rescue to make a profitable and splendid stand, raising the score to 93 before Waymouth was dismissed as the result of his efforts to force the issue ami make the necessary runs, whilst his partner plugged along quietly. . He batted very well. Waymouth and Henry undoubtedly deserve credit for their fine stand, for they came to light at a critical stage Whakatu Upset Tomoana. The unexpected happened in the Whakattr-Tomoaua game on Saturday, when “Mid-off’s” prediction that the game would be a keen contest for first innings honours was not fulfilled. Tomoana had half a dozen good bats. I men to collect the 150 required for a i lead, but they found an addition of 70 runs to their overnight score as much as they could manage, and that on as easy a wicket as was that of the previous week. Bob Somervel and Hee Spe nce rnn . tinned their unfinished knocks of the previous week. Th’ former, though more restrained, looked set, when he. edged a swinger into slips. Beuth shortly afterwards clean bowled ' Spence, who was imi nearly as runli-

dent as the previous week, while Hislop hit a four and was then clean bowled with a swinging yorker by Goo.dall, to which he played a very weak shot. Irwin, after playing ' without his usual dash for half a dozen, also went to the same bowler behind the sticks. Errol Mitchell alone shaped confidently, but with his dismissal the end came quickly. In view of first-round performances it was altogether a dismal effort. As mentioned previously in these notes, Tomoana are an “iffy” lot, none being really consistent, and on this occasion not one of the side came to light with a decent score. Goodall Bowls Well. Whakatu relied upon Goodall and Beuth, the pair being unchanged. To the former goes the honour for his team’s good win, and his average, five for 33, was in no way flattering. 1 rom start to finish he had the whole ol the opposition guessing with a ball of nearly yorker length, pitched on the wicket, but going off very late. Four of his victims—two catches each in slips and to the keeper —came from this ball through the batsmen failing to get its pitch. With a lead of 90 Whakatu batted until nearly six o’clock, losing five for 120. The" openers, this time, failed to get going, but Gardiner and Goodall retrieved the position.

Errol Mitchell was in good form, and with the wicket firmer he took a lot of watching, particularly his “wrong ’un.” Tomoana made merry and lost a f® w wickets in a “practice” knock of half an hour,

Outright. W. L. 1st. W. Inns. L. Ch. Pts. Whakatu . ... 1 — q o 11 Hastings . . . . 1. — 1 9 Tomoana . ... 1 1 1 2 9 Old Boys . ,,, • 3 1 — 3