SATURDAY'S CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20479, 3 February 1930, Page 12

SATURDAY'S CRICKET.

SPLENDID HITTING.

5. S. WILSON'S FINE EFFORT

UNIVERSITY'S NARROW ESCAPE,

PONSONBY BATSMEN AGAIN FAIL

Tho soft wickets, which cut up badly noon after tho start, and tho slow outfields, made cricket on Saturday rather Hull and uninteresting. However, in a few instances some bright batting was witnessed. Particularly was this tho caso when S. S. Wilson, in some splendid hitting at North Shore, made 34 in one over, four sixes, two foul's and a braco .Wilson had only seven balls in tho over and his scoring shots were:—4, 6, 2, 6, 6, A. 6.

That University made an error in sending Eden to the crease last Saturday week .when conditions were ideal was clearly proved. On Saturday University had to bat under difficult conditions, and just managed to escape defeat, as it hail only ono wicket in hand at stumps. Dropped chances really cost Eden the match. Pearson, who opened University s innings with Smeetou, failed to show his usual confidence, and after one let-off lie fell leg-before to Mills. Smeeton was not dismissed until 94 runs were on the board, he having contributed a very useful 42. lie made somo strong drives, which on a faster outfield would have reached tho boundary much more frequently. Bush and Metgo each ran into doubles, (although the latter was not too comfortable facing tho slow bowling. Schnauer played a patient but very useful innings for* 19, and 20 to Wells made it possible for University to play out time. Butler bowled very steadily for Eden and in 14 overs, six of which were maidens, ho took three wickets at a cost of 22 runs. Two boundaries were registered in his first over, but after this he commanded the greatest respect from the batsmen. A. F. Weir bowled 13 overs and took threo wickets for 29 runs. His tempting deliveries were the downfall of two batsmen who were too eager to hit. Bowling too Goodl. The Ponsonby batsmen once again failed "against Parnell, tho bowling of Wensley end Anthony proving too good. Taylor, :wbo had 16 not out to his credit, added pne boundary off the coach, who then got the batsman caught in slips. linlayson (11) and Smith (22) were tho only others, to reach doubles. Smith gavo a glimpse ,of his best form, a;nd notched three boundaries. Wensley took fivo wickets for 44 rnns tfuring the innings, his figures on Saturday being four for 28. The Auckland coach bowled 14 overs. Anthony in eleven Overs took three wickets for 23 runs.. 'Against two bowlers of this type, tho batsmen, under the conditions, were faced .■with a difficult proposition, and tho trundlers were always masters of the situation.

With 223 required too equal Y.M.C.A.'s Score, and 31 for no wickets already on the board, United Suburbs opened well, in spite of the soft wicket which made conditions difficult for both bowlers and batsmen. Kerr and Lonergan made a good first-wicket stand, although slack fielding contributed something toward Lonergan's score of 22. Kerr, who played e steady, chanceless innings., with some particularly pretty placing, reached his half-century after 100 minutes at the wickets. Shortly afterwards ho was (dismissed, his total being 55. Forceful Batting. " An exhibition of foreoful batting was given by Martin (68 not out), who began to bafc when five wickets bad already fallen. He displayed a variety of attractive strokes, scoring freely all round the wicket. Wctherill, who had been dismissed earlier in the game, also batted vigorously, compiling 20 in the course of twelves' minutes.

A feature of the game was the bowling of Elliott, who took seven wickets for 77 runs. The United Suburbs batsmen found him always dangerous, as he maintained an excelle/it length throughout.

With three wickets down for six runs the previous Saturday, Grafton resumed its innings in reply to North Shore's total of 220. Horspool and Sale, the two not out men. took the score along slowly Sbut. steadily, the former being tho moro enterprising of the pair. Sale was caught trying to force Coates. Ihe tricky •wicket had tho batsmen puzzled, and Horspool was content to wait, for the short ones from Player and Coates, which he placed past cover or hooked to tho leg boundary. Player eventually misled Horspool with a flighty delivery after the batsman had compiled an attractive 40.

Allcott, who had partnered Horspool for the last two overs, did not last long. The Grafton tail failed to make runs, and Hockin was the only one to sizo up tho bowling. He hit both Coalcs and Player with abandon, but mishit th>3 latter after making 15, and was caught. Ihe innings closed for 75, leaving Grafton with & defici, of 145 on tho first innings. Grafton Follows On, Following on Grafton opened with Horspool and Rowntrce. Jt was evident froiu the start that side was adopting tho sporting attitude, and was going for runs in preference to blocking out time. Rowntree opened out in fine style, driving and hooking Miccfssivo balls from Player to the fence. Horspool, who was more mbdued, soon ran into double figures. Rounirrc was well caught at square-leg find Shortly afterwards Horspool was taken behind tho wicket off Saunders, making the total 30 for 2 wickets.

I'rater, at this stage, swung Oil both his slow bowlers' in an endeavour to trap the batsmen. Sale, Alkott, mid Hockin followed for about twenty runs.

Die advent of S. S. Wiliiou, however, put a different complexion on the game. Facing D. Webb, he commenced to make runs at a great rate. His second, fourth, fifth and seventh hits all produced sixes, while he also scored a brace and two fours off the remaining balls, making grand total of 34.

It was easily the best hitting witnessed en the Devonport ground sinco the days of the Dacre brothers. Wilson was caught by Flayer on the boundary liuo in attempting a big hit off Saunders. Once more the Grafton Hail failed, and the/side was all out at 6.10 p.m. [or 112 runs, giving North Shuns a four-point win.

In the first iunings Coates bowled splendidly to take, six wickcis for 21 runs while in Grafton's second venture Saunders' took six for S3.

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