Record Total and First Century In Whangarei Cricket

Northern Advocate, 25 January 1939, Page 2

Record Total and First Century In Whangarei Cricket

pffiST CENTURY IN SENIOR CRICKET THIS SEASON WAS SECURED BY E. COLLINS (NOMADS) IN A FINE BATTING DISPLAY. DESPITE HAVING GIVEN SEVEN CHA NCES, THE LAST OF WHICH WAS HELD, HIS STYLE WAS VERY CREDITABLE. Strangely enough, this was his last appearance in Whangarei before going to Okaihau to reside. He made it the opportunity to knock up his first senior cricket century here. Although he has registered some big tallies in the past, nothing approached Saturday’s 125. . . ‘ He was nearly out to a catch in t he first few overs, and again when in the thirties. With 58 to his credit at afternoon tea adjournment, he slowed up considerably, playing cautiously to snick a single now and again.

When his score had crept up to 7f he was missed at point, and shortly afterwards Taylor made a smart effort to hold one that landed close to the boundary. Another chance as he approached the century saw his luck still holding. He passed the hundred mark, however, and went on to 125 for his seventh chance to be gathered in. MASTERS KEEPS IT UP Although Masters had to be content with the wickets of two tail-enders at a cost of 87 runs, he has rarely bowled better. Over after over he kept the batsmen subdued with balls which fizzed off the pitch, and, at times, came across the wicket sharply. Nomads, who have been sadly shorthanded since the school holidays, recovered their batting form to pile on 304—the largest club tally for some time. However, they will be short of bowlers when the game resumes next Saturday. A TOILER AND YOUNG SLACKERS Outstanding fieldsman for Whangarei was Taylor, the City footballer. He was on his toes throughout Nomads’ innings' and saved many boundaries with his fleet-footedness and his sure hands, setting a fine example which most of his team-mates made no attempt; to follow. Onerahi met with little opposition from Services’ outfield. A bumpy field made accurate gathering In difficult, but, even considering this, there was much room for improvement. The bowling was not particularly bright, and Onerahi obviously had control of it throughout. With first-class coaches and with ample opportunity for practice, schoolboy cricketers can generally show older players a trick or two. Some of the fielding by these boys, however, is not very good, as was revealed at the Reclamation Ground on Saturday.- At times thd schoolboys appeared almost slovenly in their attempts to recapture a ball. If there is anyone who should give a display of snappy fielding ft is the schoolboy. It is a pity Whangarei 'does not supply it in holiday, time.

HEWITTS DASHING INNINGS Hewitt skied a few balls in his dashing innings against Services, but they were well away from any fieldsmen. Power unearthed a splendid ball, with a slight break, to send him back to the pavilion. Hewlett and Fyfe, Onerahi’s opening men, made a fine showing, being obviously more confident in getting runs than Services wore, on getting wickets. LATE STARTING Punctuality is not a virtue among Whangarei cricketers. So long as they get started anywhere within half an hour of the scheduled time seems to suit their requirements. Practically every Saturday sees a late start in senior fixtures, with- a consequently late finish. It is a pity that some enthusiasts take the trouble of being on time, while others turn up whenever it pleases them. If the umpires declared a game to have commenced at 2 o’clock, irrespective of whether the two teams were ready, and then declared one or hone the winner after, say, 10 minutes, it might be a lessen for others to be on time. It is noticeable that country teams and players who come from a distance have a better sense of starting time than local players who live only a few minutes away from the ground. EXCITING FINALE The Kamo-Maungatnpere match was the most exciting seen on the latter’s ground for a long time. Maungalapere started badly, but steady batting by W. and P. Croucher brought the score to a reasonable figure. Kamo’s fielding on the whole was good, although W. Croucher was dropped before he had scored. Quick bowling changes by Kamo prevented the batsmen settling down, and a rot commenced. Lester’s bowling had the batsmen in difficulties and the last four men collected eight runs.

Kamo started confidently and wore well on their way with the loss of two wickets. Teesdale's slows, however, were deadly, and when five were down for 55 the position seemed hopeless.

Ball played a captain’s innings and punished the bowling—runs off one over and a similar treatment for the rest of the attack soon put the issue beyond doubt. This player seems to strike form whenever runs are needed badly, and relies on a good eye and the long handle to keep the fieldsmen boundary riding. Kessel, Kamo’s opening bat, again proved himself a hard man to shift, and his determined stand made all the difference to the result.

ALBION GO DOWN FIGHTING Saturday saw Albfon go down for the first time this year in a typical fighting finish. Desperately seeking a draw. Conway went l.b.w. in the last over. The ground was in a bad state and the scores would have been much higher with a fast outfield.

The long grass and uneven ground is dangerous for fielding and does not help the batsman. To score ft is necessary to loft the ball, and, as a result, Wallbank, Portland’s star bat, gave several chances.

Poor fielding by Albion let them go a-begging and Wallbank went on to score his highest total of the season. Strong on the off, this player punishes anything wide of the wicket, and is one of Whangarei’s most stylish batsmen.

Albion’s strength lies in their all-

round ability. Possessing no “tail,” every man in the team is liable to make a stand, and it was a tribute ,to Portland’s bowlers that the loam was out for such a low score.