GRAMMAR SCHOOL BATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18895, 18 December 1924, Page 13

GRAMMAR SCHOOL BATS.

THE WILLIAMS SHIELD.

TWO CENTURIES SCORED.

TOTAL. 462 FOR NINE WICKETS.

[BiT TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRIS TCHUBCH. Wednesday.

The first Her thcoto Williams Shield match of the season was commenced to-day at Haglev Park, between the first elevens of the Auckland Grammar School and Christchurch Boys' High School, Christchurch. Tho Christchurch boys' hold on tho shield seems to bo already seriously threatened.

Auckland Grammar School won the toss and chose to bat on a good vricl;:cfc. At no time in the innings did the batsmen show anv want of confidence and at '.he end of the day they had amassed the bis t° ta l °f 462 runs for nine wickets. The Auckland innings was remarkable for the number of big scores by individual batsmen. The captain, A. M. Matheson, gave easily the best display by scoring 141. He took no time to settle down, scoring; with «reat freedom to al lparts of the field. Ho showed that he had developed every scoring stroke and was never troubled by the bowling. The feature of Lis innings was the rapid rate*at which he put on runs. He was at the wickets just under two hours and hit 26 fours and one six. It was a magnificent innings. E. W. Wells, in scoiinj; 122 not out, was •favoured by the bowling, which had be- [ come very weak when <ve began batting, j With a quick eye he his- out at every | available ball, "but his innings from the | point of view of good cricket was not to i be compared with that of Matheson. F. McCarthy scored 83 at the opening of the innings. It was a careful display m which (when the bowling was good) he showed sound defence.

Bowling Sorely Tried. Altogether the display of the young was a splendid exhibition, such as has seldom been seen in schools cricket. The bowling of the Christchurch team was very fair under the circumstances. Han-is and Merritt kept a good length at first, but after the second century had been hoisted the batsmen were enabled to take risks in quantity. The result was that some of the scores were due as much to tired bowling as good batting. It is expected that Auckland will declare its innings closed immediately play is resumed to-morrow. There is little hope of the shield remaining in Christchurch. Two wickets were down for 87 when Matheson joined McCarthy and soon settled down. After a couple of fours he lifted Simes for a great six, reaching 20 in quick time. A lucky four off Harris, who kept a good length, brought 120 up. Pickles relieved Simes, and Ma",heson, batfing superbly, scored a couple more fine boundaries. Another clinking late cut by Matheson reached the boundary, and after just over an hour's batting he passed the 50 mark. McCarthy, who had reached 70, was scoring slowly in comparison with his captain. Captain Piles Up "uns. Webster and Merritt took charge of tho bowling, but tho changes made little impression on the batting, which was now very fine. The partnership, mainly owing to Matheson's quick scoring, had taken tho total from 87 to 108, when Webster got McCarthy's wic«?et with a good ball— 198—3—83. McCarthy's innings was a very valuable opening one. He hit nine fours and many singles. Horsley joined Matheson, who reached 80 with two from an overthrow and a single. Three more boundaries on both sides of the wicket to the same man brought him within reach of his century. A shot past point by Horsley was smartly fielded, and it seemed that Matheson would be run out, but the batsman crossed, and Horsley lust his wicket— 230—4—6.

Bartlev joined Matheson, *ho was 97 at the afternoon tea adjournment. Matheson reached his century in the first over after tea with a fine cover drive. Some overs later Bartlev was caught by Parris at point off Pickles—263—s—s.

"Tail" Sats Usefully.

Matheson continued to bat freely, punishing any loose ball with powerful shots. Ho had added 40 runs since afternoon tea, when iu going for a big hit he misstimed the ball, and was caught bv tho bowler—293—6—l4].

Wells and S. Hay made another good stand, Wells scoring rapidly. Jusi before reaching, double figures Hay was caught in the slips by Simes—367—7—B. ° Casper, the next man, added four runs and was then brilliantly caught bv Jacobs in the slips—37l—B—4. Wells and Schnauer took every advantage of the bowling, which by this time was showing signs of the long day's work. A slight rain beginning about five o'clock made the conditions harder for the fielding team. The batsmen scored with the greatest case at. this stage. Then Schnaucr was bowled by Pickles—44s—9 —21. Wells and Stewart formed ihe next partnership, and mainly through WeJls' hitting, carried tho score to 462 when time was railed. Details of tho scores are:— AUCKLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL: First Innings. % Wat kin, c Merriit, 1> Simes ... 20 McCarthy, b Webster .. . 83 T. Hay, si Harper, b Simes 12 Matheson, c and b Simes .. . 141 Horsley, run out .. .. „ 6 Bartley, c Harris, b Pickles .. ... 5 Wells, not out .. .. .. 122 S. Hay, c Simes, b Merriit .. .. 9 R. Casper, c Jacobs, l> Merritt .. 4 Schnauer, b Pickles .. .. .. 21 Stewart, not out .. .. ... 0 Extras .. ... .. 39 Total for nine wickets .. 462