SATURDAY'S CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19781, 31 October 1927, Page 11

SATURDAY'S CRICKET.

COMMENTS ON PLAY. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. SOME BRIGHT BATTING. ENGLISH COACHES IN ACTION. Good scoring may be anticipated on the opening day of a cricket season, and such proved the case in connection with the Auckland Cricket Association's senior championship matches on Saturday last. Two of the teams made over 200 runs, while a third was just nine runs short of the double century. Ponsonby showed the weakest batting effort, and, had it not been for the last-wicket partnership, the total would have been a very poor one indeed. The English professional coaches, E. EL Bowley and J. Langridge, took part in the games at Eden Park, and consequently these particular matches were vested with additional interest. The United Suburbs team, hitherto playing in suburban cricket, made its first appearance under the auspices of the Auckland Cricket Association. Bowley's Lucky Innings. Y.M.C.A. may be considered very fortunate in holding such a strong position against University, or perhaps it would be more correct to say the University players' have themselves to thank for the position in which they were placed at the end of the day's play. Their fielding was slack and the catching extremely bad. Bowley, who, with Elliott, opened Y.M.C.A.'s innings, was dropped three times, while ho also gave an easy chance of stumping. The first catch was dropped when the professional had just reached double figures, and this and the subsequent unaccepted chances proved very costly indeed to University. Bowley continued until, at 81, he went out leg before. Having arrived here only on Thursday he was naturally not in form, but he played Borne beautiful shots, especially a glide round to the leg Bide, where he scored the majority of his runs. Bowley sent the ball to the boundary 12 times. The University Bowling. Elliott batted very nicely and was well set when he was beaten by Smeeton just after passing his half-century. Th® firstwicket partnership of 96 gave Y.M.C.A. a capital start. When Bowley went out, the total stood at 150 for three wickets, , but the remaining wickets fell at fairly regular intervals, and what promised to be a big score did not materialise. Four University bowlers were tried, and they deserved much better figures. Had the fielding been up to the mark Y.M.C.A. would have been disposed of for a very small total. After his first over or two Matheson bowled very steadily, and wound up with four for 40. University has not made a very effective reply so far, and the side looks to be np against it. Ralfe batted very well for his 31, and was nicely set when he was caught. Xtangridge's First Appearance.

Much interest centred in the meeting of Ponsonby and United Suburbs on No. 3 wicket at Eden Park. First of all J. Langridge, the English professional, was making his first appearance on a New Zealand cricket field; and secondly, the United Suburbs team was making its debut in the ranks of the Auckland Cricket Association. At one stage it appeared as though this debut was going to be a most auspicious one, as the United Suburbs men had nine of their opponents out for 55 runs. Then one of those uncertain cricket events took place. The last two men got going and added just on a hundred runs. They adopted the correct tactics on such a treacherous wicket. Waiting patiently for the right ball to hit, they dealt it out hard when they did go for the howling. The batting of this pair was the one bright spot in the innings, VEfcarneford hit two sixes and seven fours in compiling his 59. He was eventually caught right on the boundary, just short of another sixer. Roy, who made 37 not out, hit one SIX and Uiree fours. Nine Men Caught Out. A splendid feature of the United Suburbs team's cricket was its fielding and catching. The fact that- nine men were caught out speaks for itseif, so far as accuracy in catching is concerned. Apart from Williams tne side does not appear to be strong in bowling. Thus right-hand, medium pace bowler obtained mnch assistance from the fiery wicketj, and with great support from his field he had an average of eight for 21 at one stage. The last-wicket partnership, however, damaged his figures somewhat, but even then he finished up with eight f or —& very creditable performance. On going in to bat United Suburbs did not fare much better than their opponents had donß. It is difficult tP j accurately estimate the hatting strength of the side on such a wicket. However, some of the batsmen shaped quite well against very good bowling. All eyes were on Langridge as he walked to the wickets for his innings. He was accorded a round of hearty applause by the spectators, and also Jby his opponents. He made only 13 before he was caught deep on the leg side. He reSved a nasty smack on the elbow from the ball soon after he started innings. When Ponsonby was in JeM I*ngridge displayed some brilliant fielding. His nimbleness is wonderful, and, at close range to the batsmen, he gatnered in balls which would have be* - well past the average fieldsman. He a '?° a brilliant running catch which iooked a hopeless attempt from the beginning of his run. Bowling a medium-paced ball with his left hand he makes it spin awav very fast. He should take a lot of wickets during the season. Horspool in Good Form. The batting of E. Horspoolandthe bowling of A. Anthouy were the features in the match between Grafton and Parnell Dlayed at King's College. On paper Grafton is not a strong hatting team, while the attack of Parnell is & tauiy sound. Consequently, it was a good performance for Graiton to score 268.» Horspool gave an excellent display. He was a little lucky early there was a catch behind the wicket when the bowler obscured the umpire s vision After that he was very sound, batting freely, but never forcing the pace. His leg shots were as crisp and as P?* er *" 1 as ever, and an occasional off drive received the full force of the bat. He received ampie support from Iv. Pope, with whom he put on 135 for the first wicket. Pope has a solid defence and a good eye. but lack of footwork makes his scoring shots somewhat few. liotu Horspool and Pope fell victims to Anthony, who was flighting the ball well. G. L. Goodwin made 37, including three sixes and three fours. He played that merry type of cricket that is his forte, but one or two shots served to show that he can keep the ball along the ground. With more restraint he would be a very useiul man to his side. Of the promoted juniors, H. Dykes made a good impression, but he has a tendency to "feel" for the rising bail outside the off stump. Anthony sent up a few loose balls, but these may be excused so early m the season. His flighting was disconcerting and he made the ball break very sharply at times. A. G. Aitken's length ball was very good, but the shorter one, which ; waa somewhat common, presented Hott-

pool with several easy boundaries. _ H#. waa getting plenty of nip from the pitch. Goodsir, a newcomer to Auckland cricket, may be successful later in the season. On Saturday he gave the impression that; he was not quite up to form. The Parnefl fielding was very sound, M. Turbot taking some fine running catches in the outfield. Anthony, in the slips, was as alert as ever, and H. Duncan set an excellent example to his side by hi# kecm work. North Shore made an auspicious beginning against Eden, and at one stage had 88 runs on the boad with the loss of on® wicket. Frater and Player opened tha innings, the latter being the more aggressive, while Frater was batting cautiously. Several bowling changes were made, but a ■ separation was not effective until A. Weir clean bowled Player. The retiring batsman had given a nice display for 29. which included three fours. Frater and Bush carried the total to 80, which occupied just over an hour. G. L, Weir took up the attack again, and Bush was caught' at point off his second ball, the board reading, 89—2—16; The rate of scoring increased when Gerard joined Frater, the pair running some smart singles. Frater was chasing A Weir's slows down the wicket, a well-placed field making it difficult to get his shots away. At the tea adjournment the score was 122 for three wickets {Frater 51 not, out, Gerrard, 13 not out) A sudden change was brought about after the interval, Weir being responsible for the dismissal of Gerrard, Monteith and Frater within half an hour. Frater was caught in the slips after compiling a patient 68, most of the total being scored by drives and cuts. His score included one six and three fours. He was at the - wickets two hours apd 20 minutes. A seventh wicket partnership Colebourne and Saunders, for 43, saved a collapse. Both batsmen scored freely until Saunders was brilliantly caught by Gillespie on the boundary. A little later Colebourne was well thrown out by Gillespie from mid-off, and the end caima when Scott hit a six and attempted to repeat the stroke nftxt ball, being clean bowled. The innings lasted three hours and ten minutes. Weir was Eden's best boar.«?r. He" maintained a good length throughout, was alwayji steady, and commanded respect from all batsmen. He took five wickets for 54 runs. With a few minutes to go Gillespie and Postles played a couple of overs, both being not out.