CRICKET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 284, 4 November 1925, Page 6

CRICKET.

SEASON SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED. (By “Slip.”) Last wc-ek both the Wednesday and Saturday competitions conducted by the Manawatu Cricket Association were successfully launched. A commencement had been somewhat delayed owing to the indifferent weather conditions, but the actual opening days in both series were all that could be desired. On the Wednesday two matches w re contested nt the Sportsground, while one was played at Terrace End. The latter area promises to prove an excellent addition to the playing grounds, for its surfnee is even faster than at the Sportsground. Saturday saw two senior and two junior games contested at the Sportsground and one third grade match at the northern end of the town. To two High School players in Norris and McDonald falls the honour of returning the first centuries of the present season. On Wednesday Norris compiled 103, while on Saturday his team mate registered 109. Last season the honour fell to the Railway veteran, McVicnr, who knocked up the big total of 138 in the opening match, being still unbeaten at the close, of the innings. The same day Norris narrowly missed the honour when he was. dismissed with his score standing at 92. The draw in the Saturday scries was, strangely enough, the same as last year, but stranger still was the fact that High School repeated its score of 333 against R.S.A. A further coincidence was forthcoming in the scoring, for last year McDonald registered a century, his actual score being 102, while this year he agnin headed the returns with 109. Norris was next in order last year with 47 and occupied the same position on Saturday with 69. R.S.A. replied to High School’s total with 184 and 184 for six wickets on that occasion, and it remains to be seen whether they will attain such figures when they enter upon their innings next Saturday. Positions of the opening days were reversed in the case of Old Boys and Railway, although the latter eleven had first strike on both occasions. However, whereas Railway registered 130 at their first strike last year, they only attained the 74 mark on Saturday, while Old Boys, who compiled 84 at their first visit last year, improved on that figure to the extent of 43 and will thus hold an advantage of 53 runs when the second innings is entered upon. Some excellent Iwwling figures were registered on Saturday. Playing for Old Boys against Railway, Hope secured six wickets at a cost of 39 runs, while Deiderich obtained three for 31, both trundlers being unchanged. Five trundlers were tried by Railway, Gallichan with five for 52, Ongley with two for 14, and Mullins with two for 25 gaining the honours. High School, who have invariably an advantage over the other teams from the point of practice prior to the season opening, gave R.S.A. a merry afternoon’s leather hunting and the fielding skipper tried no less than 10 changes in the attack, only the keeper failing to have a turn with the ball. The honours were shared by Donaldson (3 —40) and Mansford (3 —51). Some startling figures were forthcoming in the junior grade, Seymour, a High School trundler, securing nine Rongotea wickets at a cost of 27 runs, while Bee, for R.S.A.,* took seven Y.M.C.A. wickets for 18 runs. Rongotea made their debut in local competition circles on Saturday when they opposed High School. The termination of play for the day found the country team in arrears, but they should improve with practice on better wickets. In Blcnkinsop the country eleven possesses a useful type, he being responsible for 55 of Rongotca’s total of 84. J. Weston was another player who bore the burden of the dny for his side, making 69 of Y.M.C.A.’s total of 139 against R.S.A. R.S.A. juniors did not make a very promising start, taking the field with but eight members. Phoenix and Kia Ora registered victories over Albion and Gordon respectively in the third grade series last Saturday, but Kia Ora’s proved to be of the narrowest. On the first innings Gordon had an advantage of 17 runs, but ultimately lost out by five runs. McKenzie, of tho Gordon side, hnd the honour "of returning a half century, while Dc Vantier, who headed the returns for Kia Ora .at both visits to the wickets, just failed by seven runs to likewise attain tho honour. The attack was apparently superior to the defence in this grade also, for good returns were very much in evidence For Albion, Saunders secured six wickets for 51 runs in the first innings, while in the opposing ranks McLaren took six for 31 and. Christie For Gordon, C. Spring obtained five For Gordon, C. Spring obtained five wickets for 25 runs, while for Ivia Ora Trow accounted for four opponents at a cost of 13 runs in the first innings, and Cowley cafne to light in the second and took five for tho low total of 11 runs. HINTS TO BEGINNERS. Writing in the Daily Mail, D. L. A. Jephson, ex-captain of the Surrey eleven, says;. — t , Now that cricket is coming into its own again, and tho tuple pegs replacing the football goal-posts, a few words of advice op the rudiments of the great game may not be out of place. TO BATSMEN. Play with a straight bat —you are much more likely to stay in. When in doubt, play back. Never move until tile ball has left the bowlers hand. Don’t lie afraid to leave your crease: you can smother any break, “googly” or otherwise, if you get to tho pitch of it. Always back up, and run your first run as if there were a certain two. Play with your bat and not your legs, and when you hit, hit hard. TO BOWLERS. Try to bowl a length—that is, bowl the ball that gets the batsman in two minds. Remember speed is not everything—direction counts; change your pace,. When you are hit for four or six, don’t drop tho ball short; keep them well up. The worst ball that can be bowled is a “long-hop”; a half-volley gots many a batsman, out. j Don’t try to turn the ball too much -'-a break that beats the bat is all you j want.

Don't appeal for l.b.w. every time you hit ihe batsman. TO FIELDSMEN. Watch every ball that is bowled. Keep on your toes and meet the ball. In making a catch let your hands give; and nei er use one hand when it is possible to take two. Throw low and quickly, a “longhop” or a full pitch—a high trajectory is simply a waste of time. Return the ball to the stumper unless there is a chance of a run out —a bowler’s hands are precious things and should be treated gently. Invariably Lack up, however needless it may" appear. Remember, whatever your other capabilities may be, a goad field is always worth his place on the side. TO UMPIRES. Never take your eyes off the game, and when you make a mistake (as you are bound to do if you umpire long enough) never try to level matters up. TO SPECTATORS. Be as keen and enthusiastic about your own team as you like, but appreciate tho good work of your opponents, even if they beat you.