CRICKET NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 305, 23 November 1932, Page 12

CRICKET NOTES

AN UNSATISFACTORY SEASON. (By “Slip.”) Whereas last season cricketers did not experience one serious interruption as a result of indifferent weather, the present season has been very much the reverse. . _ , , After the experience of Saturday, there will be many cricketers who will be qualifying for sprint races, so frequently had they to rush for the shelter of the pavilion. One umpire displayed a surprising turn of speed. The softer wicke'ts which have been ruling this season have apparently told against the batting returns. Although Old Boys ran up 349 in their second match this year, their total of 315 for six wickets in the second game last year reads better. Although the Palmerston eleven improved on their earlier scoring totals on Saturday, they still fall far short of* their returns of last season. At the corresponding stage last year they had compiled 718 runs in three matches for the loss of 27 wickets, whereas this year they have made 415 for the same number of wickets.

Norris, the Palmerston skipper, has been showing better form with the bat than he did in the early stages of the 1931-32 season. In the first three games last year he returned totals of 3, 14 not out and 59, whereas he has placed totals of 48, 13 and 48 to his credit this season. .

Robertson, who is assisting Palmerston this year, was not always consistent in his scoring efforts for High School, although he was never dismissed without scoring. His returns of 7, 10 and 32 this year are on the up grade, but he has still to go a long way to reach the 115 he returned against Old'Boys last season.

Leet signalled-the entry upon activities last year by compiling 89 against High School, but he developed more as a bowler as the season advanced. This year he has done better with the ball than with the willow, although he was certainly unfortunate to be dismissed in the manner ho was on Saturday. However, had the ball he mishit not struck the wicket, he would probably have been stumped as he had jumped well out of his ground to play the ball. Hollier jumped into his stride quickly last season by registering two half centuries in his first three strikes. In the closing stages he added scores of 94, 111 and 100 to emerge with an average of 64.8. This season he has had three strikes for a total of 52. Although United lost the services of N. Gallichan as their star bowler, they secured a useful substitute in his brother. In the opening game the new member took five wickets for 36 runs; in the second five for 62, while on Saturday he bagged four at a cost of 47 runs and will have an opportunity to raise his total as. Palmerston have still three wickets to fall.

Both McLaren and Sandman, who elected to transfer from Y.M.C.A. juniors to United seniors this year, have proved their claims to inclusion in the latter combination, even though their batting returns are more modest than formerly. In his three strikes to date, McLaren has compiled a total of 99, while his team mate has an aggregate of 66. It was a case of how have the mighty fallen on Saturday where the big contributors of the previous matches were concerned. Lang, the Old Boys batsman, who had amassed the big total of 172 against United, was dismissed by High School for three runs, while McVicar, the High School member who had made 105 the previous week, made only one run more than his fellow century maker.

Although he missed the first game this season, his scores of 53 and 46 and bowling effort of two wickets for seven runs proved sufficient to bring Loudon back into the senior ranks for High School. He and Stuckey, another recognised trundler for the side, were the most successful contributors with the bat on Saturday and, without their efforts of 24 nnd 31 respectively, High School would have boen in a bad way against Old Boys. AValdegrave was sending down some beautiful deliveries against High School on Saturday, although he was probably assisted by the wind, and he emerged with the good average of four wickets for 27 runs. His average was, however, outdone in the closing stages when O’Keefe bagged tw" wicket® at a cost of 10 runs and Lang one at a cost of two runs. N. Gallichan had to be content with an average of one for 19, but he was rather unlucky in respect to dropped catches. IN THE LOWER RANKS. While the senior batsmen failed od

Saturday, the juniors fared well, one player reaching his century without being beaten, one compiled 75, another got to 50 without being dismissed, while two fell just short of the half century. The outstanding individual effort of the day was undoubtedly that of McGavin, of Old Boys juniors, who captured eight wickets for 43 against Unemployed A and then proceeded to knock up 100 not out with the bat—a fruitful afternoon. City Council have been proving themselves to be a useful set of contributors and, with a total of 212 for the loss of seven wickets, it would appear that Palmerston will have to strive hard to avoid their first reverse being debited against them. J. It. Hardie registered three half centuries for City Council last season, being not out at the close of the innings in two instances. He has been slower to strike form this year, but Saturday saw him reach the half century before the rain compelled the drawing of stumps. Three members of City Council who have proved truitiul scorers this season are Waugh, Turner and Gavey. Waugh's returns to date have been 34, 7(j, 35 and 42 (average 46.75), while Turner’s figures are 15, 6, 35 and 54 (average 2i.50). Gavey had scores of 34, 31 and 50 prior to Saturday, but he spoiled liis average by failing to open his account on Saturday. The Kia Toa-Unemployed B match closed at an interesting stage on Saturday, Kia Toa having lost six wickets for 137 in reply to their opponents’ total of 160, the game being in the balance. Bowles once again headed the batting returns for Unemployed and in three successive strikes he has registered totals of 51, 44 and 48. The brief experience he gained with the High School first eleven at the opening of ■ the season has apparently proved valuable to Howard, for, after registering 17 not out at his one appearance with the first eleven, he returned the good total of 75 against Y.M.C.A. on Saturday. Howard’s score equalled the efforts of the other 10 members and Mr Extras. AVith a total of 150 to their credit, High School will be faced with the possibility of defeat on resuming their match with Y.M.C.A. The latter eleven, which emerged at the head of the table last season, have still to win their first championship points, whereas High School have not as yet suffered a reverse.

Albion continue to lead the field in the third grade series and they meantime enjoy an advantage of 2J points over Phoenix and Gordon. AVitliout doubt Albion are assisted to a material extent by the trundling of Hearsay, who enjoyed a bag of six wickets at a total cost of 47 runs on Saturday.

Two ’Phoenix bowlers fared well ngainst Y.M.C.A. thirds on Saturday, Johansen capturing five wickets at a cost of 22 runs, while O’Kane took four for 18. It is rather remarkable that in this grade bowlers appear to hold a complete superiority for the individual returns, in the big majority of instances, are mediocre.