Captain’s Day In Whangarei Cricket

Northern Advocate, 13 March 1944, Page 2

Captain’s Day In Whangarei Cricket

It was captain’s day in Whangarei cricket on Saturday. For High School W. Wilson was in fine form all round, making 61 and taking six Army wickets cheaply, while Les Bull, the Albion skipper, held the fort when Central’s bowlers were definitely on top.

Playing at Kensington Park, Albion gained a win over Central by 35 runs, and on a wicket at the Whangarei High School grounds, Army was defeated by School by 37 runs. A strong north-westerly wind aided swerve bowlers. CENTRAL AGAIN DEFEATED Cole and D. Stevens gave Central a good start but the innings tailed off after the third wicket had fallen. The opening partnership was dissolved when F. Madden bowled a tricky ofi’-break and gained Cole’s wicket. Stevens remained at the wicket to score the highest individual total of the innings. Dunn flattened his leg stick with the first ball he sent down and took the remaining four wickets at a cost of four runs.

Wilton, an opener for Ablion, was cleanbowled by the first ball of the innings, while the wicket of his partner, Judson, was the next to fall and four were down for 22. Going in first wicket Bull played a captain’s innings, staying for the remainder of the innings, collecting 24. It was the hard hitting of H. Madden, who made 22, that put Albion ahead. At the outset Wallace, swinging to the wind, and Cole, turning the ball a great deal, were almost unplayable. Scores: Central 46 (D. Stevens 12, Conway three for 8. Dunn four for 4). Albion 81 (Bull 24 not out, H. Madden 22; Cole three for 22). SCHOOL DEFEAT ARMY School’s batsmen soon found their stride against weak bowling by Army’s scratch team. The captain, Wilson, in under an hour’s play knocked up 01, mostly by well placed singles. Skying a bail, he was caught by Hock ofl a ball from Aplin. After his downfall a rot set: in and wickets fell cheaply. Except for a display by Arneil, who used his shoulders, the remainder of the innings passed uneventfully. After an hour and a half’s batting School were all out for 113.

Accurate medium howling by Wilson, who accounted for six of Army’s wickets, together with use of a tight field prevented Army batsmen from compiling big scores. In good style, Hook made 20 runs, but tricky bowling brought about his downfall.

Scores: School 113 (Wilson 61: Aplin three for 31, Hook three for 24). Army 76 (Hook 20, Forrest 17, Webster 17; Wilson G for 18).