Cricket

Hutt News, Volume 13, Issue 23, 15 November 1939, Page 5

Cricket

—— Weather conditions were most unpleasant for cricket on Saturday, when the third series of championship matches began. The boisterous northerly was most annoying to players and spectators alike. The Hutt senior side drew the weak Karori side -for this round, and at the end of the day's play had placed themselves in an excellent position to force an outright win next Saturday. Hutt again lost the toss and had to take the field, but this was not at all a disadvantage against a side over whom an outright win was being sought, It Is almost impossible to secure an outright ■ win if the opposition has to be dismissed twice -during the afternoon. The IPQjI bowlers, particularly were quickly on the spot when Karori opened. With 5 down for 38, Karori's position was desperate. Their captain, Standidge, took a chance when he came to the wicket and had a mighty swish at everything. His tactics succeeded, and with J. Coupland as his partner the score advanced to 80 before ho lost his wicket. For the eighth wicket the Coupland brothers were associated in the best batting effort of the innings. Both showed very good form, and the 50 runs they added were a welcome addition to their side's meagre total. The end came just before afternoon tea, the inning's total being 137.

Champness bowled particularly well, even better than his figures— 6 for 54—indicate. Time and time again he beat the batsmen, but just could not find the wickets. There is no doubt about his value to the local side as a stock bowler. Buchan failed to get a wicket. Conditions did not seem to suit him at all. Apparently he needs only a slight breeze, as he was swinging the ball too far on Saturday. Muir secured two wickets, but his efforts were

not very impressive. He is not the bowler he was a couple of seasons ago, but may yet come back to that form with constant practice.

Hutt's batting early in the innings was little better than that of Karori. Gwilliam, Kemp, Stehr and Aim were all out with the total at 60. Capstick, who wont in first wicket down, had settled down when McLeod joined him. A century partnership by these two provided the best knock cf the day. Capstick played his best knock for some time. He was at the wickets for two hours for his 55, which included six boundary shots —all except one being beautiful cover drives. McLeod gave a sterling display for 67 not out. His driving was particularly strong, giving the fieldsmen no chance whatever of stopping the boundaries, while his leg shots were excellently placed. He is in splendid form this season and appears a certainty for the Plunket Shield sicle. His ability as a slow bowler and his excellent fielding make him the best allrounder in Wellington cricket, and why he has not retained his place in the Wellington side is a mystery to followers of cricket.

At stumps Hutt's total was 199 for 6 wickets, the innings being declared closed at this total. With a handy lead of fi2 runs and a full day's play left, the local side has a great chance to gain maximum points in the game.

At Wellington College. Hutt thirds did not begin too well, 6 wickets falling for 73 runs. However, a splendid recovery was staged, the last wicket falling at 236. This team is a very sound one and every one in the side is likely to get runs. Saturday's game game proved the value of solidity down to the last man. Dickenson, a new member, who played for one of the W r averley Club's teams in Sydney, led the way with a half century. Dalglish batted solidly when wickets were falling fast, while Muir and Halstead returned handy scores late in the innings. With four of the College lads out for 82, the team is in a good position.

The fifth grade (Social) team gave a similar performance. Their opponents ran up 185 and had six of the local team out for 8;). Apparently the batting order in this team does not matter very much, for at the close of play they were still at the wickets antd had 240 runs on the board. Maclure, with 80 out( thirteen fours included), treated the bowling without mercy, and was well supported late in the day by G. Judd. Lockett followed up his century of last week with 44.

Kennedy gave a very promising display for 72 for the sixth team. His innings was of great value to his side, as Stop 0»t produced a negro fast bowler who, after capturing two wickets in his first two overs, looked like running right through the side. Kennedy played him splendidly and defended stubbornly until the fast bowler was taken off. Heald gave Kennedy good support, while a few double figure scores from the others swelled the total to 210. Good bowling by Corbett and Wall kept the Stop Out batsmen in check, and they have lost eight for 72.

The eighth grade team scored a splendid win over Onslow B, who hifcreniad a very successful run so far this season. Hutt declared with 6 for 167, towards which Parker, Carey, Martin and Anderson made useful contributions. Onslow B could only reach 103 against good bowling by Lane and Martin. In the follow-on they lost 7 for 46.

This gave Hutt a win on the first innings. WOMEN'S CRICKET Hutt-United (153) defeated Wellington (65) at Prince of Wales Park No. 3 on Saturday. Highest scores for Hutt-United were J. Williams 65, M. Marshall 33, C. Williams 25 n.o. S. Baron bowled best for Wellington, taking three wickets for 12. For Wellington, N. Staveley scored 20 and J- Tricklebank 13. For Hutt United, J. Forsyth bowled remarkably well to take 7 wickets for 18 runs; G. Sukrow took 3 smart catches in slips and the fielding was good and keen. This is Hutt-United's third win in succession.