CRICKET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 306, 25 November 1937, Page 7

CRICKET

■ i NOTES ON THE GAME. (By “Point.”) Two features dominated the results of the matches in the senior A division which concluded on . Saturday tlie defeat of tlio competition leaders. United, and the further win registered by High School. AVliile United’s defeat shows that they are not invincible, the greater interest centred on High School’s win, the more especially as there was quite a discussion at the beginning of the season as to whether they should be graded in the senior A section. As if to show what' they could do, High School have now won two of the three | matches played so far, losing the first to Old Boys and then defeating City and Y.M.C.A. On all sides there has been pleasure expressed at the School side’s recovery, and it is safe to say that every team in the competition meeting them this side of the holidays will have, to be oil the alert. There are. however, factors which have assisted High School this year and which, unfortunately, appear to threaten a slump in the team’s form midway in tliß season. This season the school side had been favoured by the fact that there were a number, about half of the team, intending to pursue the teaching profession, which has occasioned their remaining at high school the extra year to take in sixth form experience. This meant that, forming the backbone of the side, they had a further cricket season, or part of it, as members of the school team. The team as it stands to-day is almost the same as that of last, year, and it says much' for the enthusiasm and coaching of Mr W. P. Anderson that it is making such an improved showing this season on that of last summer. It is unfortunate for the school that the end of the school year or so will bring almost a clean sweep of the team, as indications now point to nine of the side leaving. The same factor which has contributed to the team’s strength is to bring about tbe change, for usually only about half of the first XI leave at year’s end. Although the material promising is not of the same standard as that comprising the present team, it is the

■iew of tlie school authorities that the : ricketers always come on again. The 1 chool authorities believe that the greatest good can be done by allow- < ng the severance to be made at its < lue time, then coaching the new maerial and giving the younger players he experience of better cricket and bus the opportunity of improving the nore quickly. Champions in 1924, High School rave suffered several lean seasons, al,hough they have been playing senior rrade cricket since 1910 and have been mnners-up on a number of occasions, rheir success thus far in the season ias been welcomed and it will be generally regretted th.at for the moment there are clouds in front of the 6ide. COACH’S COMMENTS. With the following article, Mr G. Wheatley contributes the second of his commentaries: With three wickets down for 119 and requiring 37 runs to pass Palmerston’s total of 156, City resumed their innings on Saturday, but met with disaster in the first over, as Ward, who on rlnv null

a full toss from M. Ongley into the I hands of A. M. Ongley. Leet, who was uncomfortable against Pritchard, was also soon clean bowled. As at this stage two players were absent, the game had taken a decided change and the Palmerston players, scenting a possible victory, were well on their toes. However, Gavey and the writer, by quiet batting, were able to get the required runs. The innings terminated with City leading by 26 runs. Pritchard was easily the most outstanding bowler, securing 'five wickets. He is bowling very well a.nd should be at his best by the time the representative matches are played. M. Ongley, who spins the ball from the off, secured two wickets. This bowler turns the ball well, but if he could work a little more pace into his bowling I think he would get better results. In Palmerston’s second innings the two opening batsmen were out with only seven runs on the board. City then had high hopes of securing the major noints, hut J. Ongley and Norris and then J. Ongley and Pegden, who added 100 runs lor the partnership, dispelled these ambitions. It was pleasing to see J. Ongley (after a poor start in the preceding match) in such fine form. Commencing quietly, he 6oon found tough and, playing many fine

strokes all round the wicket, reached 90 before being out l.b.'w. to Leet. With a little more restraint he could easily have obtained his century, legden, who is in fine form this yeai, passed the half-century, being not out. Most of his runs came from drives. T. Pritchard came in and hit the ball three times, the first two went for six each, and the next was nicely caught by H-ardie on the boundary. The wickets were evenly distributed amongst the .bowlers. Hearsey maintained a fine length and with variation of pace and swing, kept the batsmen quiet. Leet was also on the spot and had to be watched carefully, The fielding on -both sides could be easily improved on. This is a very important part of the game and young players should specialise in the various positions, as it often turns the scales in tlio matter of selection and also decidedly helps to) win matches. It is worthy of mention that the two I

best catches of the match were made 1 by A. M. Ongley and A. C. Mc\ icar. I The splendid form displayed by the High School first XI. in tlieir last two matches must be very pleasing to all cricket enthusiasts, and .also to the Cricket Association. Evidently this discussion as to tlieir grading has put the boys on their mettle. After a meritorious win against tho Oitj team, in no uncertain' manner they vanquished Y.M.C.A. Against City they played really good cricket, then batting being very solid, the players getting well behind the ball and paying forward correctly. They were very difficult to dislodge. With the tireless T. Downes keeping one end going toi long periods and getting wickets witli his left-hand bowling, aided by the tricky slow ■ sninners from J. Rabone and several change bowlers, their attack is quite up to standard. The fielding was smart and alert, many runs being saved by tlieir keenness and an High School produces such fine cricketers there is little fear of cricket deteriorating in Pa.lmerstoi North. This certainlv reflect? credo on that great cricketing enthusiast Mr W. P. Anderson. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. Cricket fixtures for Saturday are: Senior A. Y.M.C.A- (m) v. Palmers ston, Sporteground No. 1; Old Boy

(m) v. City Sportsground No. 2; United (m) v. High School, High School. Senior B. —Old Boys (m) v. Kia Toa .Sportsground No. 3; City (m) v. United, Sportsground No. 4; Y.M.C.A. (m) v. Combined Services, Sportsground No. 5. Junior A. —United (m) v. Combined Services, Sportsground No. 6; Massey College (m) v. H. L. Young’s, Sportsground No. 7; Old Boys (m) v. 1 Kia Toa, Terrace End No. 1; High school (m) v. Optimists, Terrace End, No. 2. Junior B. —Y.M.C.A. (m) v.-Kia Toa, Hokowhitu No. 3; Cook’s (m) v. High School, Hokowhitu No. 1; United (m) v. City, Hokowhitu No. 2. In all matches the eight-hall over will be played and the amended two minute rule must he observed. The two-minute rule is: “An incoming batsman not at the crease within | two minutes of the fall of the last ! wicket shall, without appeal, forfeit i his wicket unless both umpires otherj wise direct.” j "