SATURDAY'S CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 14

SATURDAY'S CRICKET.

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

NORTH SHORE'S IMPROVEMENT

ANOTHER CENTURY TO SMITH.

General all-round improvement in batting marked the commencement of the fifth series of senior championship matches on Saturday. The winning of the toss placed the captains in a bit of a quandary, as it was doubtful how the rain-softened wickets would play. The skippers who decided to bat. however, showed sound judgment, as the wickets favoured the batsmen—more so ns the afternoon wore on. United Suburbs failed to exercise the right to bat and paid the penalty by putting Graftcn in.

Two centuries were registered during the afternoon, S. G. Smith, Ponsonby, and R. E. Prater North Shore, gaining the honours This was Smith's second threefigure contribution, he having made 114 not out against United Suburbs. Seven batsmen reached or passed tho half century mark and there were some useful scores of forty odd. Eden occupied the wickets all the after noon against University, and finished with 287 for five wickets. Apart from enter prising displays by the Weir brothers, Eden's display was very slow. Postles was at the wickets over three hours for 68 In his case, however, he had to face good length bowling right from the start, and ho could not aflord to take risks. All the same, ho missed scoring opportunities later in his innings. Postles showed a partiality for balls on the'leg sido. A. P. Wetr Returns to Porm. Cooper batted brightly for 26 before being bowled by a good one from Dunning A. F. Weir showed a welcome return to form in compiling 53. His batting was very dashing, and ho made some beautiful shots, paiticularly on the off. A smart piece of fielding by Pearson s»w Weir run out. It is a pity Weir did not striko form earlier, as he would bo a valuable acquisition to 'lie representative team, despite his non-success last season. Though not quite so forceful as his brother, G. L. Weir batted very freely indeed. scoring with crisp shots all round the wicket. Ho was unbeaten with 62 to his credit. Weir is undoubtedly a better bat this season than last, while, at tho same timo his bowling seems to have gono off. The Eden captain inadc a big error in sending Bennett in so early en the list, Bennett did nothing but stonewall, being at the wickets over an hour and a-quarter for 12 runs From Eden's point of view this was exasperating. When Bennett went in the edge was off the University bowling and it should have been punished With another batsman of the Weir typo Eden would have had at least 350 runs on—sufficient to declare with. University's strengthened batting, however, will now compel Eden to continue its innings, probably for another valuable hour. Luck Favours Ponsonby. Luch again favoured Ponsonby in its match with Y.M.C.A. A poor commencement by the former saw three wickets fall for 20 runs, but then a good partnership between Smith and Taylor saved the situation. Smith, however, was missed off Bovvley beforo reaching doubles, and the lot-off proved disastrous for Y.M.C.A., as the veteran carried on until the end of the innings, and made 110 not out. Taylor, too, skied Bowley on two occasions, but the fieldsmen misjudged the flight of the ball. It was unfortunate for the coach, as had the chances been accepted it was probable Ponsonby would have been dismissed tindci the century. Once set. Smith gave a nice all-round exhibition, proving he still retains a lot of his form of years 3go. He placed the ball well, his driving, through the gaps being delightful to watch. This is Smith's second century in succession, and he was pgain given an ovation on returning to tho pavilion He hit twelve fours and was at the wickets about three hours and ten minutes.

Taylot made 43 at a critical stage, although he had a lit tie luck. lie hit one splendid six off Bowley. Roy (23) provided amusement for the spectators by his unavailing efforts (o hit Bowley. He, however, had his revenge on Riddolls, and placed the bowler for a six, a four and two singles in one over. Bowlev ended with four wickets for 82. but with support from the field in the early stages his figures would have been rather remarkable. The Y.M.C.A. fieldsmen showed shocking judgment of catches. Lyon bowled well at the commencement of (lie innings and captured the first three wickets. His average was four wickets for 58 runs. Langridge Misses Century. Horspool and Langridge gave Grafton a very fair start, the total being 49 before Horspool was caught. He was inclined to make risky shots. A bright partnership between Langridge and Allcott took all the sting out of the United Suburbs attack. They added 107 for the third wicket. Later on Walters batted stylishly, and then Sloman and Cliff punished the tired bowling rather severely. Langridge gave a very fine display and looked certain to reach "his century when he hit one to Hcndy, who accepted the catch. The professional scored freely on both sides of the wicket, but was particularly strong on the leg. Ho found the boundary on nine occasions. Early in his innings Allcott made what looked like lucky shots through the slips, but ho batted more solidly as his innings progressed, and he was hitting freely toward the end. He hit a six and eight fours.

Walters is ati improved batsman, but, if anything, a little too stylish. His wrist work is very fine. Sloman displayed many strokes characteristic of his old-time representative form in scoring 51. in which there were seven boundaries He and Cliff took full advantage of the tired bowling and missed few scoring opportunities. Cliff bit a six and three fours in compiling 45. Kerr, Williams and Webster all bowled very steadily in their first eight or nine overs, and it was only when the hitters got busy that their averages suffered. Martin had a day off, and his slows were of bad longth and easily punished. North Shore's Good Total. With 254 on for"nino wickets, North Shore has left Parnell with a big order. North Shore's total was not very evenly balanced, Prater, Player and Scott boing the only batsmen with largo scores. Prater compiled UO, after making a slow start. His innings was very useful, as lie called a halt when batsmen woro going cheaply. Frater opened out in fine style to the bowling later on, frequent changes making little difference to him Ho hit one six and several fours, punish ing particularly 'tho balls pitched on the off. Toward the close of nis innings, he opened out to everything, providing spec taculai cricket for the onlookers. Player, who opened for North Shore in company with Saunders, battod consistently to score 54. He saw four wickets fall before he was partnered by Frater. The two made merry with the bowling and served to liven' up the innings, which had been slow and unin spiring Player was oventually caught by Goodsir at mid-on. Scott at first played steadily, leaving the hitting to Frater. He then vied with Frater in punishing the bowling and quickly augmented his score. Macallan was Pa moll's most surer ssful bowler, capturing five wickets for 48 runs. McCoy and Goodsir, who opened the attack were rather expensive.