CRICKET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 313, 2 December 1933, Page 3

CRICKET

THE MID-WEEK SERIES. CENTURIES NOT UNCOMMON. (By “Slip.”) The 144 compiled by Bowles for U.S.C. A on Wednesday set a new standard for the mid-week series. It was a capital effort on the veteran’s part. Actually, he should have had an earlier century to his credit-—in the Saturday junior series. With teams running up 300 in the one afternoon, it would seem that twoday matches are required. The majority of tlie games, save where the weakest elevens are concerned, are nearly always decided on the first innings which, after all, is hardly a true test. In the first round P.D.O. were prevented from attaining a definite decision in their game with Services A through want of time. Wednesday saw therii similarly situated where U.S.C. A were concerned. However, in the latter instance they still had a long row to hoe. Eyre appeared to be on the highroad .to registering his third successive century on Wednesday when he was caught at 80. With totals of 108, 103 and 80, this batsman possesses an average which many would be pleased to have. Brace has not yet had the satisfaction of registering a century this season, but he went very close to the honour on Wednesday. When within sight of his 100, he slowed up in his scoring and time was called with him still four runs short of his total. His previous best was 71. With U.S.C. A and P.D.C. having to divide the three championship points, Optimists were able to extend their lead , over the former eleven to three points, P.D.C. being a point further removed. Services lost an opportunity to depose Optimists of the leadership, the dismissal of Wilson with the opening ball of the game coming as a heavy reverse. This usually prolific batsman quite spoiled his average as a result. It was a contrast to his earlier totals of 93, 122 and 53. Evans has been proving himself to be a very useful member to Optimists in both batting and bowling departments. Earlier in the month he registered an innings of 111 and he came in again on Wednesday with a score of 56. In tlie bowling department lie claims a bag of five wickets for 34 runs in one game. Clinton lias been proving himself to be the real destructive agent for Services B and on Wednesday he accounted for six opponents at a total cost of 31 runs. It was only in the closing stages of the strike, when some of his deliveries were somewhat loose, that his average really suffered. A. Westion, who had to retire on the previous week with a knee injury, was. again <out assisting U.S.C. A on Wednesday, and his contribution of 55 was a very useful one. His brother, who has been producing some good figures in both the Saturday and mid-week series with both bat and ball, was in subdued mood on "Wednesday.