NOTES ON THE GAME.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 48, 25 January 1939, Page 2

NOTES ON THE GAME.

JUNIORS’ GOOD STANDARD.

(By “Point.”)

Tho good standard of junior A cricket in Palmerston North was further demonstrated by the local representatives’ convincing win over Wanganui at Terrace End Park on Anniversary Day. Although the Wanganui team was not at full batting strength, the local side showed all-round superiority and there was encouraging evidence of good material for tho senior ranks in tho near future. Dilks (City) is a fast-medium bowler of good stamina, who provides an excellent shock attack and swings the ball well. In the first innings he clean bowled seven batsmen for 28 runs and followed this with two for 15 off only a few overs in the second innings. Ho is a good field and with Carson put on 122 for the seventh wicket when Manawatu were in a bad position, his own score being 58. He is an allround young player who with further coaching should show considerable improvement, and his bowling would bo of assistance to most senior teams. Blackwell, also of City, was a good support, his left-hand medium-pace deliveries being of steady length, with a good variation of swerve. He claimed four wickets and with Dilks provides a splendid opening attack. 'The remainder of the bowling was steady and tho fielding, although inclined to lapse when the result was beyond doubt, was generally smart. Carson topped the score with an _ attractive exhibition of forceful batting, including a variety of well-played strokes all round the wicket. His innings followed a minor collapse and Ins splendid partnership with Dilks was tho turning point in the game. Credit must be given L. Hart for his solid opening batting which took tho sting out of tho attack. In this he was materially assisted by his two brothers, who are showing promising form for Combined Services. The youthful and diminutive Gilliand (Y.M.C.A.) provided perhaps tho neatest batting of the day and showed evidence of lessons well learned, from It. Sheffield. His leg shots are delightful, while his forward strokes have plenty of power. H© contributed 22 before being unfortunate enough to deflect a rising ball on to his wicket with his arm. This lad has a good match temperament and will make many runs. He is a prospective Hawke Cup player, who will well repay encouragement. A feature of the match was the running between the wickets by Carson and Dilks, who gave an object lesson in this department which most seniors could well copy. They did not miss a chance of a run and their backing up was faultless. The speed of the first run was instrumental in gaining an extra run on many occasions and showed how matches can he won. Apart from the players mentioned, there are a number of almost equal standard in this grade, and as the majority are quite young prospects for the future are bright. The first rounds in both first and second divisions of the junior A competitions have now been completed and it is still difficult to forecast the ultimate finalists. In the first division City and Old Boys lead, and their meeting in a fortnight’s time should l>e full of interest. Palmerston, Optimists and United head the second division, with any of the other teams likel yto upset them. It is undoubted that tho twoday matches have assisted largely in improving junior cricket, but senior players can and should help by passing on the l>enefits of their experience and coaching the lower grade players whenever possible.

DEMPSTER INJURED

PARAGRAPHS OF INTEREST.

Playing for Institute in an interclub matcli on Saturday O. S. Dempster, the Leicestershire county captain, who is a member of Sir Julien Calm’s team which is to tour New Zealand, suffered an injury. While fielding in the slips Dempster attempted to take a bard catch but misjudged the flight of the ball and

injured his hand. He retired and took no further part in the play. It is not expected that the injury is sufficiently serious to affect his play in the coming tour. Thirty Years Ago. It is recorded that 30 years ago Manawatu played Wanganui. Manawatu batted first and knocked up 222, Wanganui scoring 80 and following on to be dismissed for 99. England v. South Africa. Though the first two Tests of the present tour in Africa have been drawn, honours have been with England, for in the second game tho Springboks were forced to follow on. Prior to this season 59 Tests Ifad been played between the two countries, of which England had won 28 and their opponents 12. In their own country South Africa have disputed the honours fairly evenly, winning II and losing 19 Tests. In England, however, they have only once won a Tost. This was on the last tour three years ago and that one victory gave them the rubber, as the other four were drawn. Africa also won the rubber when England last visited their shores in 193031. Then, too, there was only one finished match in the five Tests. Challenge for Cup. The next direct challenge match for the Hawke Cup will be a three-day fbeturo, commencing next Saturday, between Waikato (holders) and Hawke’s Bay. So far this season there have been two challenge games, from Bay of Plenty and from Marlborough, Waikato being successful in both fixtures.