CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15125, 16 October 1912, Page 9

CRICKET.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. DKsrnx the unpleasant weather, there were large musters of cricketers at the Domain and Victoria Park last Saturday. Matches at e to commence on Saturday, and fixtures will be announced to-morrow. So many players have joined the Ponsonby Club this season that the executive has decided to enter five teams for the competitions. There will bo a senior team, two first junior teams, and third and fourth grade teams. There will be few changes in tho senior team, nine of last year's players being included in the team. The now menare Taylor, a promising young player who played for the St. John's Church team last year, and Hill, l'ate of Wellington. The ■first junior teams contain many players of distinct promise, end each should have a succcssful season. Mr. P. C. White, the old representative player, has kindly consented to take chargo of the A team, and his experience should certainly be of great assistance. Tho club has decided to engage Shacklock as coach for tho season, and ho will bo in attendance at Victoria Park on Tuesday, Wednesday- and Thursday afternoons from 3.30 o'clock. In addition to ooaohingthp junior members, Shacklock will also devote a portion of his time to coaching the first elevens of tho Bayfield, Ponsonby, and Richmond Road primary schools. _ The club has taken the correct step in the interest of cricket in looking after the schoolboys, who aro the senior players of tho future. Tho club is to bo commended for iis enterprise.

It is seldom that the name of the greatest cricketer tho world baa ever known— Dr. W. G. Grace—appears on a scoring sheet nowadays. He turned out, however, on behalf of Blackhcath against tho Philadelphians. Blackheath could only scoro 51 in their first innings, and of these "W. G-" scored 12—the second highest total. Tho Philadelphians knocked up 161, and four Blackheath wicketn had fallen for 66 when rain stopped play, tho great veteran not having a second knock. There is no doubt that " W.G." is still capable of giving tho scorer work.

Quito the largest number of good stories about cricketers relate to the doings of umpires and their queer decisions in moments of emergency. Here is a tale told by the Rev. Frank Marshall. Tho incident happened in country cricket, and the umpire was a rustic who was quite lacking in tho staid taciturnity so characteristic of his professional brethren. Tho batsman had got his leg where his bat should Jiave boen, and it was a plain " case." Without waiting for anybody to appeal, the agitated umpire yelled "Out, leg before!' When tho Iwwfcr had recovered from his surprise, ho inquired, "How's tltfet?" but the umpire instantly reversed his ..previous ruling, and exclaimed, " Not out; you aro too lato now 1"

David Denton, the great little Yorkshireman. has scored 2000 runs for the fifth timo in his career—a wonderful achievement, in a year of wet wickets and bowling triumphs. He had an aggregate of over 2000 in three consecutive years—l9o4, 1905, and 1906—and also last year. His best season as 1905, when ho scored 2405 runs. He has registered nearly 60 centuries during his career, and in this respect he is beaten only liy W. G. Grace, Hayward, C. B. Fry, Abel (R.), Tyldesloy (J. T.), " Ranji," and Shrewsbury.' Tho gTeat " W.G." lias no fewer than 126 centuries to his credit, in first-class crickot, and nearly 100 in minor matches. I The North Shore Club held a practice matoh_ on Saturday last. There was a reprei sentative muster of the club's members, including several new players. The wicket, which had been carefully prepared by tho caretaker, was in excellent order- It was a bowlers' day. the only batsmen to treat tho bowling with any confidence being Sale, Whelan, and L Dacre. Harper, a new member, Cossey, tho ex-Grafton player, and several of tho juniors, however, handled tho bat with a pood deal of success. Messrs. Young and WheHan both kept wickets to advantage, each securing two victims during the afternoon. The most successful bowlers wero Townsend. Miller (2) and Prime. The cl|ib will hold its opening dav on Saturday next, provided the seniors are drawn to play on their own ground, and the committee expect to see an enthusiastic gathering of both ladies and gentlemen.

AUCKLAND CHURCHES ASSOCIATION

Tho now chairman of the Auckland Churches' Association (Mr. F. Bodle) is an old cricketer, and the association is very littunato to have tho benefit of his services. With tho object of improving tho fielding in the games under the auspices of the association, Mr. Bodlo has offered a trophy for tho best fieldsman. Although ranc line" performances were registered with tho bat and ball last year, the fielding was weak. Perhaps Mr. Bodle's trophy will encourage players to pay snore attention to this branch of tho game. Delegate's' mootingß will bo held every second Thursday of each month, and clubs are asked to send their representatives along. When clubs fail to be represented more often than not valuablo time is wasted, and more work involved. Clubs failing to observe this rule are liable to a fine, and all such fines will be enforced this season. The _ secretary of the association (Mr. George Eyre, 54, Crummer Road, Ponfionby) lias rooeired entries from 15 clubs, which have allocated into two grades as follows: —

Senior:—A Section: W.Y.M.1., All Saints', St. John's, Y.M.C.A., St. Peters B Section: Beresford-street. Brotherhood, Y.M.0.A., Croydon, HobeonvDle. Junior: St, David's. Y.M.C.A.,, Devonport, W.Y.M.T., St. Luke's, St.' Mary's, Ivingsland Jubilee, Akarana, St. John's, Cup matches commence on Saturday n n xc, the draw for the first, round being: — Seniors: Section: St. Peter's v. St. John's, Y.M.C.A. v. All Saints', W.Y.M.I, a Ijyc. B Section: Bcresford-stroeb v. Brotherhood, Y.M.C.A- v. Croydon, Ilobsonville a bye. Juniors: St. David's v. Y.M.C.A., Devonport v. W.Y.M.L, St. Ltike.'s v. St Mary's, Kingaland Jubilee v. Akarana, St. John's a. bye.