CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13901, 7 November 1908, Page 9

CRICKET.

i DIBTIUCT J3HAMPIONSHIPS. , TODAY'S FIXTURES. The second round of the Auckland district - championships will conclude to-day, the folb lowing being the fixtures SENIOR GRADE. j 'Varsity v. Ponsonby, at. Victoria Park; umpires. Messrs. Arnui'l and Von dor Hyde. , Parnell v. Eden B, at Domain; umpires, Messrs. MoVoagh and Sando. . Grafton v. Eden A, at Domain; umpires, Messrs. Matthews and Pritchard. City v. North Shore, at North Shore; umpires, Messrs. Bond and Christie. i • SECOND GRADE. ? I Eden A v. Parnoll A, at. Domain; urn,j,pirns, Messrs. Peek and Collet. , j Eden li v. ('it v. at Domain. i North Shore A v. Parnell B, at North ) Shore. ) Grafton v. North Shore B. at Domain. ' Pon.souhy v. 'Varsity, at Victoria Park; ' I umpire.-, Messrs. Clarke and Thomas. i ■ . 1 | Till no GRADE. Grafton v. Kden 15, at Domain. I J Parnell v. 'Varsity, at Domain, i City v. Ponsonby, at Domain. i North Shore v. Kden A, at North Shore. i I _ l In addition to the Auckland Association's j district championship*, the various grade j matches of the. Associated League, Sunday j Schools, Secondary Schools, and Public : ; Schools' Associations will be played. • i '■ NOTES AND COMMENTS. ! The Ponsonby-' Varsity mulch at, Victoria j Park should result in a win for the western I suburb team. The students have too big a \ deficit to make up. j At, the Domain the Parnell-Eden Colts | match will be continued. The issue is at j prevent in doubt, and may provide an int.I resting finish. Parnell have a total of 149 j run.- for the first innings, while the colts J have seven wickets down for 97, the figures j showing that the game may go either way. I Oration will continue their innings against ; Eden A at the Domain, and should establish J 0 sufficiently large enough lead before the i close of the innings In ensure a win. Their i -p. ci- are certainly rosy with a lead of ! '1 runs and three wicket* to fall. ; City have a big task set them at Devon- ; '"' ..V.V nttcrno.m. and ii i- an evident, imi possibility for them to win. The score of I ooi is a big one to fate, and it is only a : question as to whet.her the North Shore I team can dispose of them twice in the I same afternoon, am! thus secure a three- . point win. The possibility of such a con- , iiugeucy will doubtless prove an attraction. I for there is nothing so exciting us a close •finish against the lime limit for a three- -! point win. j "An Old Umpire" writes as follows: — I " I (bought, while watching the cricket ; match last Saturday between, Shore and ; City it would be well if yon would kindly , instruct. the umpires in the use of the white i roils provided by the North Shore Club. j .Some of tho umpires seem to think the coats 1 are _ for the purpose of protecting their j c.olhes I rum the sun'., rays. The purpose j served by the coats is that of giving a l" white background to the bowler's arm. thus j Riving the batsman a good sight of the bail: I but when the. coats are worn, as (hey were j J:e>r Saturday, unbuttoned" and flying open i with every breath of wind, Riving the batsman a variable black and white background, j they arc worse than useless. 1 trust these remarks ill be taken in the spirit in which they are made." . It was with feelings of deep regret that cricketers throughout the Dominion, especially those who were playing in the period from 1861 to 1890, heard of the (loath of the veteran cricketer, George; Lankham, which took place at his son-in-law's residence,' Dcvonport, on Wednesday morning list. The deceased gentleman was born in Perth-,i shire. .Scotland, in 3 ; 30. and commenced his j cricket career by playing for the Perth I {.'bib in the late forties, representing his | county during the middle fifties. About hO years ago be came to Auckland, where on the Albert Barracks ground (now the Albert Park) he watt very successful against the military teams. lie was one of the original j members of the Auckland United Cricket I Club, and wax a member of the team of ! 1873 which toured New Zealand and won j every match. He represented Auckland on I mativ occasions with great success, his I bowling— mediocre pace round arm, the ' ball being delivered in the old-fashioned ■ wry (no hieher than tht> shoulder) being : very successful, as W. L. Murdoch found I on one occasion. He did not depend on ! break or pace, but on accuracy of pitch for , his wickets. It may be news to many to leant that he was originally idaved a* a wicket-keeper, his bowling abilities being discovered' accidentally. Ho had almost oti'Notie notions as to how the " noble game'' should be flayed, contending that it bowler | who made an appeal when he knew the do- | eisio'i ought to be " not out" was trying to cheat. Although, owing to the infirmities j of age, he had for some yours ceased to : lake an active part, in the game, he retained ! his interest in it to the last. During his last illness nothing nlcnsed him more than to talk over old cricketing episodes with tiny of his old friends. ' When the Umpires' Association was formed in 1893 lie was elected unanimously its first president. Ho also took great interest, in racing, being at the time of his death one of tho stewards of the Takapuna Pacing Club. PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMPETITION. Ideal weather prevailed for the continuance of the public v school matches last Saturday, and keen interest was taken in the various games. Caretakers Yates anil Smith had the grounds in excellent order. Whilst recognising that it is a difficult matter-for teachers to be in attendance every Saturday morning, .still their presence would do much to prevent anything approaching unfairness taking place. At Victoria. Park last Saturday there was a good muster, but the same cannot, be said of tho Domain. Several games were simply struggles against time, and should bring home to the boys the ■ necessity for keenness right front tho commencement of pluy. Pitt-street, v. Grafton A. proved to be a most, exciting gam?, victory resting with the former after a gallant effort on the part of Grafton, , .Jackson (Grafton) played a nicu inning* for 31, and exhibited a good defence. Foreman (Pitt-street) knocked up 37 by hard hitting. ' - Senior (Onehunga) nlayed two good innings for 1.1 and 20. Craig (Richmond Bond' scored 34- in good style.' Holl'ord (29 not out), Slater (23). and Brown (15 not out) shaped well for Romuern. Brown and Philson also put tin a remarkable bowling performance—Brown six for 1 and Philson four for 1. Howson (Mount Eden), 95, played a brilliant innings. He scored freely' all round the wicket, and was extremely unfortunate, in missing the century. This lad, playing for Grafton TIT. fcho same day, piled up 42. McLauchlan (Mount Eden), 40. piled up the runs very rapidlv. Alison (Devonnorl), 42, gave another dashing exhibition. Jones (Pcresford-street A), a left-handed bat, promises well. Bennett (Bayfield) scored 34 in attractive style. Williams (Napier-street) proved a stumbling-block to tho Ellorslio liovs. His 62 was a fine effort. Hani wick (Ellerslie) bit up 45 out of a total of 72. McClure (Newmarket) scored 44 by good cricket, West.brook (Normal) kept, the Ponsonby lads- leather-hunting, hitting up 124 not out. , This is the second century in the public i school matches. I White (Normal) took six wickets for 0 runs, a rather remarkable, performance.. The "bat trick*' was performed by Crawford (Normal; and Flewson. Wilson, and (Jetton (Mount Eden). The following are the lending teams:--A Grade: Dcvonport, Pitt-street, Mount E'h'n. 3-wins. 6 points. B Grade: Newmarket/ and TTomuora, 4 wins, 8 points: Newton West, 3 wins, 6 points. C Grade: Napier-street and Epsom. 3 v ins, 6 points; Bayfield, 2 wins, 4 points.

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS' ASSBQIATION. The second rOtilkl of matches'; commenced last Saturday, should provide, some interesting finishes to-day. St. John's A have got a lead of 10 runs oyer All Saints' in the first, innings, the bowlers on each side having, go far, r Had the best; of the argument. T*_< fielding of ffco St. John's team was not up to its visual standard, and did not compare at all favourably with that of All Salute'. In reply to W.Y.M.I.'s score of 112, Ivanhoo have made 63 for tho loss of three wickets, and have the advantage on paper, as there are, sound batsmen still to come. It is probable'that this match will be decided on the first innings, unless the scoring is lower, or much faster, than last Saturday. The St. John's B-St. Sepulchre's contest, also nromises a close finish," the scores, so far, being: St. John's, first, innings 76, second innings 25 for three wickets. ' St. Sepulchre's first; innings 70. Tho fielding of St. John's H was very creditable for a new team. MeCowon being, particularly noticeable. St. Sepulchre's also showed keenness in the field, _ St. Peter's did not repeat the form shown in then- first match, allowing St. Luke's to score 119 against. them, for which score mistakes in fielding were very largely responsible. They «ill have to play we'll if they are going to pull the match out of the fire cow. HERE AND THERE. A mutch will take place to-day at 'Victoria rail- between the. ' Newton Excelsior and Smith and Gaughey teams. Eden Park will be officially opened for tho season on Monday. The grounds have received special attention, and are reported to bo in hotter condition now titan before the flooding. The main attraction on '.Monday will be tho match Eden v. Pest of Auckland. "' " ' ' "'""' " """ v '"" Twenty-throe centuries in the Sydney grade matches have been scored to date, six in the first, twelve iu the second, and five in the third grade. On a recent Saturday footballer-cricketer Crawshaw made 112 (not out) in excellent style for Boys' High School v. West ChristI church Juniors, but the latter won, thanks |to \V.- B. Feller's big score of 133.' ' "'," j ( The Victoria v. South Australia 'interi state cricket match will-be started on tho i Adelaide Oval, to-day. The New Zealand Council has written to the N.S.W. Association asking that the visit of A N.S.W. team to the Dominion should lie put off until,the,.l9o9-10 season. LAWN TENNIS. I FIXTI'IIES. Xovember 26, 27, ami 23': Davis', tup contest," at Melbourne. - .■ ■.. | December 26. £8. and 29: New Zealand Cham-, ! pionshijis nt Nelson. Dei-ember JO, 31. January 1 and 2: Wliangaiei I Tournament, a; Wliuugarei*. • December 2.0. 31. January 1 ami 2: Nelson ] Open t'iMtiiiiiuiiiliips and Handicap Tournament, 1 at Nelson ' " ! January .1, 2, 4, and.,s: Auckland Champion- | ships and Handicap Tournament. January 1, 2, and 4: Wellington Handicap : Tournament. • . . I January 1 and 2; Taranaki Open Champion j ships and Handicap Tournament. ." ! I The West End. Parnoll, and. Onelmnga J tennis .courts will be formally "opened lor [the season thin afternoon. .;.■■• I Those visitors who were fortunate enough I to be present at." the Eden and Epsom Clubs' ' : opening last Saturday spent a very pleasant j afternoon. The courts were in perfect order, | and have evidently had a lot of attention 'during the winter. The- 'arrangements for | the opening were in the capable hands of i Mr. J. 11. Stewart (lion, seeertary), who was ; indefatigable in his efforts 'looking after ilia i visitors. With the exception of Dr. Keith I (who was a spectator), all the leading players I had a. '"knock up.'' As it was only the i ; first, day's play of the season it was not ! to be oxpee.od that the games would be of : a very high order. The ex-New Zealand j champion, J. Collins, was conspicuous for j some neat work at the net. It is to. bo, ! hoped for the sake of local tennis than this • first-class exponent will be able to devote I plenty of time to practice this season. Owing to a sprained ankle, sustained at. j the cud of last season, it is doubtful whether j Miss A. Gray will be able to take a prominent part in local tennis this season. The I'arnell Club's courts appear to he in I very fine trim, and should lu.-t the season I well out'. Tho eastern club has in its ranks I several promising young players, and, with j several welcome additions to choose from, i it should be aide to place a formidable. i team in the field for the 'Auckland club ; championship. • j Horace Pice put up a line performance or the Strnthfiokl tournament, Sydney, by winI uiug the championship tingles, and with Campbell the championship doubles. The ex-New Zealandor H. A. Parker was' a competitor at. this tournament. He partnered with Bowker in the championship doubles, and the pair got to the semi-final, then Parker failed to put in an appearance' I at the appointed hour to meet H. Kiee and Campbell. After waiting some time, .the committee decided to scratch Parker and Bowker. When Parker arrived, and heard that lie had been scratched, he responded by giving England, a player whom he could easily have beaten, a walk-over in the semifinal of the championship singles. From all accounts, it appears Parker is entirely to blame, and he has received very little sympathy. Parker is a member of the team to,represent New South Wales in the annual inter-State contest with Victoria. ... Great interest is being taken in Australia now that the challengers, Heals Wright, and Alexander (America}, have arrived for the. contest for the famous Davis Cup, It is expected that, there will he a pilgrimage to Melbourne of wielders of the racket t from all over Australasia. Norman Brooks has been appointed solo selector of the Australasian team, wli'eh will be picked from Brooks, Wilding, Parker, and Dunlop: It is almost a certainty that'. the first-named, two will be picked. The rate of admission has been fixed at 2s 6d. each adult per day. and 2s 6d additional to the stand. It is recognised that the American pair is not, the strongest that could be go, together in the States, and it is unlikely that they will lift the famous trophy from the Australasians. It was hoped that we would have, an opportunity of seeing the Yankees play in Now, Zealand, but that seems impossible now, as it has been announced that, they start o:i their return journey on December 1. .■ »• ;>'<■ The much-discussed Sykos' ball, which has been lately adopted by the New . Zealand Association, as (no balls {or the championship meeting, were tried at the Eden and Epsom courts last -week, and appeared to give entire satisfaction to the loading players who tested them. T gather from a Diiuodin scribe . that, after, a severe test they fame through the ordeal with . credit, and in spile of some opposition they will in all probability, be adopted by the Dunedin Association. ' '•-'"' Tie- lawn of the, Devonport. Club " was opened last. Saturday by the president, Mr, '1, Macky. The line weather enticed, a large number of visitors. Refreshments were dispensed by the ladies' committee. During the afternoon a round of. progressive tennis was played, the winners being Miss Watkiu and Mr. L. Taylor. The excellent' arrange'-' ments for the day reflected great credit on the secretary, Mr. Boy Macky, and the general committee. ■ Tennis appears to bo very popular in Canterbury this year, not only amongst clubs, but people with private courts entertain a lot. just now : in fact, the game has j become fashionable again. The United Club (Hagloy Park) opened on Saturday, 10th, when the president issued over 1000 invitations, the most of them being accepted, so thill Hie scene, must, have been a very animated one.