CRICKET.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 74, 29 March 1913, Page 3

CRICKET.

HAWKE CUP FINAL

(Notes by a Member of the Marlborough Team.) Although beaten in jthis match by [ South Auckland, the Marlborough I team was not by any means disgraced; in fact, the men who were ; able to make the long journey to ' Hamilton did better than was anticipated. Had Marlborough's full strength been in the field one is justified in thinking that the result would ! have been different. Even on the reI suits of the match just played it is | admitted that had our team received its share of the ludk the cup would now be in Marlborough's possession. The ground on which the game was played is small and very rough. For a distance of about 30 yards round I the wicket the ground was turfed; j beyond that the outfield was bare soil. The wicket, contrary to expectations, played very well throughout the match. Although it was I very hard and smooth, it played much 1 slower than any wickets in Marli borough, and this accounted in a large measure for the failure of some of our players. The outstanding feature of the game was the fine exhibition of batting given by J. Pomeroy in South Auckland's first innings. Pomeroy scored 113, but he admitted being caught by Geary off Hylton's bowling when only 14. The umpire's decision, however, was in favor of the batsman. The remainder of the South Auckland batsmen were not above the average, although Williams and Durand showed some very stylish strokes. The fielding of the Marlborough team was only moderate, some fairly easy catches being dropped at critical stages of the game. South Auckland's stumper (Gash) proved to be a strong man, but in this position Marlborough was very weak. In South Auckland's first innings Geary kept wickets, but he failed to come uj) to expectations, being quite "at sea" to break bowling. In the second innings he was replaced by Wedde, with, however, little better result. In the first innings Wedde fielded in firstclass style, taking three good catches, the one which dismissed Pomeroy be- ' ing quite exceptional. Chisholm batted well in both innings, but each time was beaten by the slowness of wicket. Pearpoint was batting in his very best style in the second innings when he was given out l.b.w. The decision was one of the worst which the writer has ever seen given in an important match, and the incident was keenly felt by a number of our opponents. Pearpoint's dismissal seemed to unnerve the rest of the team, and probably robbed us of the match. In our first innings Whittle and Reed played stubborn cricket. The former, however, was caught at the wickets about half-way through his innings, but the decision was in his favor. In his second innings he was again batting well, but foolishly ran himself out in the last over of the day. Neal was playing sound cricket in the second innings, but could get no one to stay with him. Geary provided some excitement at the close of the innings by slogging at every ball, his 23 being scored in very quick time. Benning batted well in both innings, but his bowling was by no means impressive. Pearpoint had to carry the burden of the attack practcally on his own shoulders, and he came out of the ordeal with splendid figures, viz., 12 for 73. Martin was the best of the others who bowled. Nearly all the bowlers suffered -through bad fielding, several catches being dropped. It is to b& regretted that Hickman could not accompany the team, as his bowling would have been a tower of strength to the side. 1 None of those who went away could bowl above medium pace. . ! There is a likelihood that the Lord > Hawke Cup will in future be a challenge trophy. If this does come about Marlborough should get to work early next season, with a view to getting its best eleven away, and .. wresting the cup from; South Auckiland. ,