HASTINGS CRICKET

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 96, 6 April 1934, Page 14

HASTINGS CRICKET

GANNETT CUP MATCH Visitors’ Stylish Batting WICKET AFFECTS RESULT (By "Mid-off.") As events transpired, winning the toss undoubtedly meant winning the match for Wellington in the Gannet Cup game at Hastings during the week-end, for it was obvious from the start that the side which called “heads” correctly would amass a goodly total on the Saturday when, with intermittent showers prevailing upon a saturated wicket the bowlers’ task was formidable. That things may have heen different had the toss favoured the local lads is evidenced by the struggle the visitors had to put up on the afternoon of Monday, when the wicket was sufficiently dry to do any old thing. The Wellington side on this occasion was undoubtedly the strongest that has yet contested this annual fixture, and with an average ago of but nineteen the provincial Plunket Shield side of a few years hence has indeed rosy prospects. The innings of Young, Bezzant, and Rainbird, who scored 71, 69, and 58 respectively, were of high-class order, the first-named particularly showing exactly how to use the feet in covering the pitch of the ball. Rainbird is a splendid all-rounder, bowling left-hand over the wicket in a manner reminiscent of Sammy Geake, while Bezzant gave a finished exhibition also behind the sticks. All three are Wellington College boys. The entire side fielded magnificently, but the Rongotai lad of 15 summers, Luhransky, was a positive treat to watch at cover and compares even with overseas touring teams in this position. Of the bowlers, other than Rainbird, Clark, of similar action, and .lanes, with a medium pace off-break, showed excellent control and length.

The Hastings Team. Although Garrod and Griftin gave the Hastings side an excellent start with 18 and 25 respectively, several good wickets then fell cheaply, Geddis, Earl, Fisher and Newdlck all registering scores below recent form. The openers, however, batted in a manner far beyond expectations. With the “tail” in first the batting was strong from 6 to 11, and from those numbers came the runs. Certainly the wicket was a little easier, but Sid Mitclu'l's 68 was the bright spot of the match. Waymouth, Irwin, Le Quesne and Martin all gathered a few, the former two batting very soundly until an extra good ball dismissed each. Of the Hastings bowlers, who had a heart-breaking task with a greasy ball in the first innings, Waymouth came through, with flying colours, and his five for 69 was the result of consistent and heady bowling. He flighted the ball well and an off turn gained him several victims. Martin, although short at times, later in the innings had better control and gained three wickets. The ball with which he dismissed Bezzant was a. beauty. Conditions were all against tho success of Garrod and Griffin, but Lc Quesne sent down many good ones. The Hastings fieldin' 1 ', up to a point, was good, but later fell away, and not, at any stage was it comparable with that of tho visitors.