CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 643, 4 December 1865, Page 5

CRICKET.

UNITED O. C. v. WEST END O. C. On Saturday last tho representatives of these two clubs mot on tho Domain ground to engage in friondly rivalry for tho honours of this manly game. Tho day was as lino as the most ardent lover of cricket could possibly desire, and the ground in admirable condition, thanks to a copious supply of rain and tho application of a heavy roller. It had been arranged that wicketd wero to bo pitched at ton a.m. precisely, but it reached nearly midday ere this preliminary was complete. The toss having been won by tho West End, they decided to tako the field; accordingly, tho United sent Messrs. Barnard and Weatman to oppose the bowling of Mossrs Muuiford and Stottor. Tho game opened auspiciously, both Barnard nnd Westman scoring freely, tho former by somo capital drives placing 11, including three for two each, and tho latter after adding soven, being ciught at short leg by Moss. Laukham now joined Barnard, and playod in his usual manly style, giving considerable omployment to tlio fielders, and scoring 21 by threo splendid hits of tl roe each, two for two, nnd tho rest in singles—tho majority of tfceso were leg-hitß; ho was thou cleverly caught by Alpo at long stop. W. Outhwaite addod ono, and then gave a second catch to Alpo, which ho promptly availed himself of. Three wickots had now fallon for 39 runs, and tho eight remaining batsmen only succeeded in contributing " unitedly" eleven additional, four of thoir numbor being "cyphered," tho score was thereby raised to 50, and fix registered on account of byes nnd wides. The bowling of S'cotter and Mumford was at first somowliat loose ana wild, but as they warmed up to their work they got " well on tho wicket j" notwithstanding this, howovor, as tho scoro will show, only threo wickets were actually bowled, nearly all the rest of tho batsmon being caught out. Tho fieldiug was very creditable, and tho long s-topping of Alpe is ontitlid to special commendation. Tho West End nnv aont ti tho wickets Messrs. Scotter and Flockton, to deal with tho onslaughts of Russell and Lankliam. Scottor, after scorin? two, succumbed to a "shooter'* from Russ.d], and his place was supplied by Yates, who, contrary to the universal expectation of his side, did not oven troublo tlio scores, another " shooter" from Russell taking his bails. Mumford then faced Flockton, who had been scoring in fino style fours, threes, twos, and singles, to tho tune of 21, when his successful innings was closed by placing a ball from Lankham into the hands of ftu-aell at short slip. Clements supplied tho vacant wickot, scored two, and was soon after caught by G nut, having placed a ball to " long field on." Gatland and Alpe both failed to increase t!io score, Russell's *'insinuators" disarranging their " sticks," indeed we do not recollect seeing Mr. Russell bowl with greater precision and judgment, or with moro effect. In truth, so true and effective was it that he ve-itably established a"fnnk" on tin minds of somo of tho less skilful of his opponents. Mumford batted oxcepdingly well, ns ho usually does, adding 20 as his quota in three threes, threo twos and singles, when a ball from Lankham camo into contact with the hoel of hia boot, which said heel, according to tho opinion of tho Umpire, was not in its proper place, and he gavo him out ".leg before." This decision did not appear to givo general satisfaction, and we regret that the gentleman who kindly ofli.iated as Umpire should havo been requested summarily to vacato hia duty. It is well to endeavour to pr 'vent these unseemly diflerencos of opinion, and it should always bo remembered that the Umpire occupies a position which enables him to form a far more accurate judgment than any mere spectator can possibly do. The innings terminated for 50, including threo from that bad cricketer Mr. Extras, being G less than the United. In the second inninga of the United no double figures wero made, and it became perceptible that without great " luck" the " Aristocratic" Club was to provo victorious. Lankham, who, wo expected to make a stand, and who always plays a loosing game with judgment, was caught at point by Floekton after ho had put a 7 to his name. Barnard, Westman and W. Outhwaite each addod G. Mr. Hall got tho ball away for 2 and 1, and then in a moment of abstraction was smartly stumped by Clements, proving that he was not all there. Brown scored 2, and committed an error in judgment by running out his partner Watte, who thus lost his chance of distinguishing himself. All were out for the exceedingly moderate total of 33. It is worthy of remark that, owing to capital fielding "Mr. Extras" did not show on this oc asion. This left only 40 for the Wost End to obtain. Of these Yates supplied 25, hitting " a hurricane," and occasionally lifting the ball over the ditch, calling forth considerable activity on the part of tho fielders, and proportionate applause on the part of tho spectators, one hit for 5 being especially favored. Mumford placed 11 by a thiee, two twos, and singles, and Yates being given out " leg before" Gatland took his plaoe, got ono good drive for 3, and tho shouts of tho scorers announced that tho Weat End had won tho match, with eight wickets to go down. We congratulate this promising club on their victory, remembe'iag them as wo do at tho commencement of tli ir career matriculating on tho rough ground forming the Market Reserve. They have certainly succeeded in breaking the spell which tho United havo for so long enjoyed, and proving that they aro not invinciblo. [t would, however, he scarcely fair to omit that the United were deprived of tho services of soveral of their most able bats, and that their placeß were supplied by younger members of tho club, somo of whom lrid never before figured in a match. The " return" may reverse tho decision of Saturday, and if so they will have to play a conqueror. Tho following is the score:— united c. c. Barnard c Clements, b Muinfurd - - - 11 b Scotter - - 6 Westmau c Moss, b Slumford - - - -7c Yater b Mumford - - G Lankliam c Alpe, t>. Scotter - - - - - 21 c Flockton b Mumford - 7 \V. Outhwaite c Alpe. b Scotter - - - - 1 c Gatland b Mumford - 6 ltu.-fictl c nnd b Mumford 0 b Scotter - I "Watts b Scottcr - - 0 run out - 1 C. Outhwaite c Alpe, b Mumford - - -4c Gatland b Scottcr - - 1 Hall, runout - - - 2 st. Clements b Mumford - 3 \V. Brow ' b Mumford - 4 not out - 2 I'itcairn b Scottcr - -0b Scotter - 0 Grntt. not nut - - - 0 c Clements b Mumford - 0 Byes 1, \Y T idc3 5 - - C 30 33 WEST END C. C. Scottcr b Kussell - - 2 Flockton ob b Lankham - - - -21 c I'itcalrn b Lankham - 0 Yates b Ituescll - - 0 1 b w, b Lankham - -25 Mumford 1 b w, b Lankham - - - - 20 not out - - - - 11 Clements c Grutt, b Lankham - - - - 2 Gatland li Itussell - - 0 not out ... - 3 Ipe b Knsscll - - - 0 Moore, ran out - 1 Tisiinian b Itussell - - 0 Grant, not out - - - 1' Moss c Barnard, b Lankliam - - 0 Byes 1, Wides 2 - 3 Byes - - - - 2 50 41 The Weat End winning with 8 wickots to go down. Beforo dismissing tho subject of cricket, it is gratifying to observe the increasing vitality which it is acquiring amongst our community. Youngsters but just breeched may now bo seen on every plot of ground which affords scopo enough for pitching a wicket, playing tho "fino old game" in miniature style, and possessing soir.e knowledge, too, of correct pitoh, pace, and longth, position and. smartness in the field, and tho many points and intricacies of the game. Every school also has its " club," and some can oven boast of a ' second" as well as a "first" eleven. No sooner does a township spring up, or a settlement become developed, than it is immediately proposed to establish a cricket club, and the proposal is as promptly responded to and carried out. We say we aro pleased to notico these proofs of a growing interest in this essoutially English pastime, because since it requires in who cultivate it vigorous bodily health, quicknesa of perception, steadine.-s of nerve and eye, and the continued practico of it tends to improve all those excellent qualities, it follows that it at onco becomes a powerful antagonist to disease—a strong opponent of over-indulgence and the too freo U3O of alcoholic stimulants, an aid to digestion, and a benefit to society. It is therefore justly entitled to the support of all fathers of families and those ho havo tho training and education of our youth, and wo trust it will ever continue to enjoy the popularity which it has now acquired. HIGH SCHOOL O. C. v. EAST AUCKLAND C. O. The return match botween tho High School Cricket Club and the Eaat Auckland Cricket Club, was played ia the Pomain on Saturday ladt, suid resulted

m favour of tho former with 20 runs to spare. The following is a correct score 1 ny

niGH-STHEET CRICKET CLUB. Aitken b. Williamson o , „ gStta*" 1 -* ■■ !&*** = I Lourey b Brassoy - I 1 " "'lamsoii *••• 3 K GrihrnnsmSlson l'.". ~ o Z, on 2 Mnlinny c Willlnmaon .. , o b Br-issev n II-'iulcrson bWilliamson .. .. o run™ 7 " " n Laing b W illiainson . 0 p it,, ,,. ? Lincoln, not out .. .7. " j UnSey".:. \\l I5 - Vc3 ' &c J Byes, &e. ... 2 c W SO Total .. ..4!) EAST AUCKLAND CRICKET CT.UII. Hushes b Dacro bDacrc 0 Flower b Dncro b w b AlcxnniW Hunt st. Campbell nnt nut cr Brnssoy.sen cLainK 8 bDacrc 0 l'lnlson c Kiclid. Graham .. .. o b lincre ■> ISealeb Alexander 0 b Dncro '.V " 0 I nrton c Lulng b Campbell .. 0 Brnssey Jun„ e Dacrc 1 c Campbell 1 Madden b Dacro c Riclid.Grnlmm.. 0 '• ••• 1 Conncll c Lainjj.. 0 W llltiuiibOn b Dacre 1 b andcCampbell.. 10 11 17 WidoB 1 Total.. 29