SATURDAY'S CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19799, 21 November 1927, Page 12

SATURDAY'S CRICKET.

Comments on the play. IT HE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP, BOWLEY BATS ATTRACTIVELY.' STRANGE FINISH IN ONE GAME. One of the features of the play in the senior championship matches of the Auckland Cricket Association on Saturday was the batting of E. H. Bowley, for IY.M.C.A. against United Suburbs. In compiling 65 the coach played one of his best innings since he first arrived in Auckland. It was a treat for those who were fortunate enough to see it. He was particularly good on the leg side. Bowley scored 44 of his runs by boundary hits. I'here was a peculiar ending to this match. On the first day Y.M.C.A. did not have the- services of Bowley, and its first innings realised only 96. In reply United Suburbs had made 179 for four \yickets. The remaining batsmen added but 36 runs to the total, Bowley taking three wickets for 17 runs. In its second innings Y.M.C.A. scored 175, Wayne and Gorrie being the only two to give Bowley much assistance. Each scored over 20 by forceful cricket. Kerr bowled very well for United Suburbs, the ball with which he disposed of Bowley beating the batsman all the way. United Suburbs had forty-eight minutes »t its disposal to make the 57 runs required for a complete victory. He-ndy and Davis made a good start, putting on ■47 before they were separated. The score was two for £6, and then there was a sensational happening, three men being dismissed for no runs. As time was then up, United Suburbs failed by one run to achieve its objective. It was the batsmen's own fault that they did not get the extra points, as several runs were thrown away. An Innings Defeat. North Shore was in a very sound position as a result of its fine first innings' score of 418 against Grafton, but few expected that it would gain an innings victory on the second day. However, Grafton was forced to follow on, and its second venture resulted in only 121 runs. C. A. Snedden, the Grafton captain, ■was top-scorer in the first innings, and he compiled his runs by careful and patient batting. He was associated with Horspool in a second-wicket partnership that yielded 51 runs, badly needed after an ' unfortunate start. In the second innings he was handicapped by receiving a nasty knock on the instep from one of Coates' . last deliveries, and he figured at the bottom of the batting list. Had he been able to take his place at the top the Grafton score would probably have been a lot bigger. Horspool batted soundly for his 29, and he relieved the general slowness of scoring by attractive' little flashes of bright play, being more aggressive than most of the other batsmen. Sloman com- . piled 35 by sound, orthodox cricket and Pope was nicely set when he was unlucky enough to be run out. Hopkins, who played second-grade last year, batted forcefully and put plenty of power into his strokes. He hit xvith precision , and force all around the wicket, particularly on the leg side. Dykes gave a bright display in both winnings, his effort in the first, when he scored 40, not out, being enlivened by several big hits. He scored 14 off one over of Johnson's, and hit six boundaries i in ali. In Grafton's second innings the wickets began to fall fast and, when five were down for 83 runs, it became obvious ,that j H .stern effort to play out time would be . .required to avoid the innings defeat. Olsen and VVylie were associated in a bright partnership but when they began '■ to hit out they both lost their wickets. ]■ Each hit a six. None of the later batsmen could make a stand and the iast wicket fell in the last over of the day. Toward the end shadows from the trees on the boundary fell across each end of the pitch, making the light rather tricky. The most successful bowler for North Shore was Saunders, who took six wickets for 33 runs in the second innings, while in the first innings Player bore the brunt of the attack. Johnson was . persevered with, but proved expensive. Coates was unfortunate in not securing a wicket, as he frequently had the batsmen puzzled and narrowly missed the stumps on several occasions. Webb sent down three overs in the first innings for one wicket and two runs. A Weakened Attack. With J. Langndge and N. C. Snedden absent, the PonsonDy attack against Parnell on ! Saturday was consideiably weakened. Nevertheless, Parnell failed by 63 runs to reach Ponsonby's total of the previous Saturday. Ponsonby had made 223 and Parnell had replied with 32 for two wickets. Righton and Hay were dismissed with only two runs added, and . then Irving and . Kissling held up the attack for a time. Then Irving returned one to Smith. In making 20 Irving had shaped with confidence and shown glimpses of his best form. It was left for Kissling and Anthony to make the best partnership of the innings. This pair added 69 runs for the seventh wicket, Kissling being content to hold his wicket while Anthony did the scoring. Anthony's innings for 62 was a treat to witness. He scored with pretty shots on either side of the wicket, plainly showing thaj he still retains his best form. His driving was very powerful and his leg glanc ing delightful. He was at the wickets for 85 minutes and hit seven fours and one six. The six was scored from a short ball on the off which the batsman promptly sent over the chalk-line with a neat hook shot. Kissling followed Anthony outwards almost immediately and the innings closed with only 14 more runs added. Smith, with three wickets for 47. bore the brunt of the bowling. He sent down several puzzling deliveries and was unfortunate on occasions in just missing the stumps after completely beating the batsman. Ponsonbv's second innings produced some bright and exhilarating en'eket on the part of Commons and TVvlor. The farmer was esneciallv acrrressive. scoring runs in 10 minutes. Chit r.f this total S6 were made bv boundary' hits in sue. cession as follows:—4. 4. 4! 4. 6. 4. 6 4 Commons hit 22 off nn over from Anthony His inninps was greatly appreciated bv fh« snectators. Taylor, although not, so aErpressive as his partner, nlaved attractively and jirnred freely. On* of his total of oR he hit fours With two men absent and the rpmainincr batsmen fivincr little trouble, PonHonhv was «r>nn dismissed its eictht batsmen scoring 13R runs Anthonv war, again the most howler for Parnell, taking four wickets for *64 runs. Parnell was left an almost task of making 202 runs to win in an hour and a-ennrter. and when time was called if Itm! scored 76 for two wickets A. W. McCoy plaved a particularly nice innings, scoring several runs with a solendid son are cut. He hit five fours. .Kissling, who made 24 in the first innings. was unbeaten with 26. Possessing a sound defence and somo good scoring Strokes, ho should mako a lot of runs

during the season. Anthony went in just before time and scored 10, not out. Smith secured both the Parnell wickets. Eden's first innings victory against University was almost inevitable. When the match was resumed on No. 2 wicket at Eden Park only 40 runs were needed, and there were four wickets to fall. The conditions were all in favour of the batsmen and. although I. W. Cooper lost his wicket before the runs necessary for the lead were scored, Eden went on to score 212 and gain a lead of 58. Both Cooper and C. L. Weir batted well, but perhaps both were a little too cautious. The bowling in the main was very sound, but there were cases of halfvolleys escaping punishment. The running between the wickets could have been considerably improved, the batsmen frequently running only one when a quick first, run would have resulted in a second. This was in marked contrast to the display of several University batsmen in their second innings. Cooper seemed to be sure of his century when he was run out owing to a mistake in calling. He had played very sound cricket, though once or twice early in the afternoon he was manifestly puzzled by A. M.'Matheson. Twice he snicked balls just short of E. C. Geo at first slip. However, his forward shots on the oft were made with plenty of assurance, and bis shots past point were very fine. Weir played a patient innings, showing that he has the first batting essential, a sound defence. Later, when University's total was passed, he showed a wide range of scoring shots, his driving both to the off and on being mado with a beautifully straight bat. W Brooke-Smith played some crisp shots before ho was caught in attempting a big hit off Matheson. Matheson, in the early part of the afternoon, bowled excellently. He kept a fairly consistent length, swung a little at times, and made appreciable pace from the wicket. Ho kept the batsmen strictly oil the defensive, but later he appeared to tire. He was given a little ton much to do. 11. Barnes was very steady and also forced the batsmen to play back. Hp could have bepn used more to advantage. The outstanding features of University's second innings were the batting of flee and E. G. Bannister, and the bowling of G. L. Weir. It was a case of success after failure. At the opening of the innings the batsmen could not play Weir, who was bowling excellently, and four wickets fell very cheaply. ft seemed that Eden might' secure a four-point victory when Gee and Barnes became associated. Both played solidly, and Barnes appeared well set when he was given out stumped, a ball rebounding from McCarthy's pads on to the wicket. Gee and Bannister saved the game. It took 80 minutes for Eden's first innings lead to be wiped out. but the batsmen kept on steadily and when the last wicket bad fallen it was impossible for Eden to get the runs necessary for the extra point in the time available Gee showed a sound defence but Bannister, lacking nothing of his partner's solidity, showed the better range of scoring shots. G. L. Weir finished off the innings with the creditable average of five wickets for 38. He appears to be. the type of bowler for which the Auckland selectors are searching, and is one of the finest young ali-round players in the city. Tie should have a chance of getting his representative cap this season. Judging from its form in the two opening games, Eden will be somewhat lucky to retain the championship this season. Roth against North Shore and Eden, Cooper was the chief batting contributor, and in both eames he was dropped earlv. However, Eden is a batting team right down to the last man. and the fact that five of the best batsmen are at present in the midst of university examinations may have handicapped their plav to a considerable extent. Then, again, G. L. Weir is proving that a good length can defeat most- club batsmen.