SUBURBAN MATCHES.

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

SUBURBAN MATCHES.

ALBION IN GOOD POSITION.

HARBOUR BOARD'S LOW SCORE,

GOOD BATTING BY COLTS. The Auckland City and Suburban Cricket Association experienced unfavourable conditions for iU senior matches oil Saturday when the first series in Ihe second round was commenced. The wickets were exceedingly tricky and low scoring was generally t.ho feature. The fact that a nolico of cancellation of matches had been posted on a newspaper office resulted in several of (lie teams being below full strength. However, it. is doubtful if a great deal of difference would have boen made by their presence. Tlio dismissal of Harbour Board for 27 was the sensation of tho day's play. The sido batted only eight men, but they made a poor effort. Tho wicket, was very uncertain and tho ball roso quickly, and on occasions kept low. Albion's attack camo only from E. and it. Stallworthy. A splendid partnership between U. Stallworthy, and E. Mincham has placed Albion in a good position, and Harbour Board will need to light hard to avoid a. three-point defeat. Mastery o! Bowlers.

Tho Albion bowlers had complete mastery. Breece reached double figures and was then caught by Mincham off R. Stallworthy. The remaining batsmen failed badly. The innings eventually closed for 27, which is tho lowest score ever registered by Harbour Board since joining tlie association. E. 'Stallworthy sent down seven overs, fivo of which were maidens, and secured threo wickets for nine. 11. Stallworthy bowled seven overs, three maidens, and took two wickets for 16. The wicket had dried considerably when Albion sent in Viscoe and R. Stallworthy. Tho pair opened confidently and scored runs freely. Viscoe, 12, was beaten by a good ono from Turner, who was a littlo unlucky not to get Stallworthy in the same over. Mincham opened his score with two successive boundaries off Mann. Stallworthy met tho ball by using his feet well, and placed somo pretty shots through the slips. Mincham displayed a masterly leg stroke, which sent each ball on that sido smartly to tho fence. He was a little impatient facing Mann's off theory, and gavo two chances by poking at the ball. Stallworthy lost his wicket at 47, a useful innings played under trying circumstances. Mincham Reaches Century.

Mincham was a little uncertain at 80, but three boundaries to square leg gave the colt more confidence. lie reached his century in the last over of the day. Mincham gave promise earlier in the season when he made some useful scores for Albion. In the interval he has batted unluckily, but gave a really good display on Saturday. Included in his score of 100 not out were 17 fours. Albion had lost two wickets for 165 when stumps were drawn. The game between Ellerslie and Ponsonbv was held up for over an hour while a wicket was prepared alongside the usual pitch which was cousidered too soft. The caretaker's action was greatly appreciated by the players. The new conditions proved satisfactory, and Ellerslie made 173. Ponsonby's attack was respected by the opening batsmen, but a fine partnership between Walkins and Burton proved EllershVs salvation. Williams opened with Slat thews, but the former failed to score, being smartly caught by Nicklin off Barnes, who mixed his deliveries well and runs were difficult to get. Matthews, 27, did some solid hitting, a six off Robertshaw being a beauty. Walkins played an attractive iunings for 42, which included five fours. The colt has been a most- consistent batsman and rarely fails when runs arc required. Some of his strokes through the covers were a treat to watch. R. Burton's Bright Play.

11. Burton played a useful innings for 23. and only for a bumpy ball oft which Ite was caught ho may have made a good score. 11. Burton was in his best form and made 32 without _ being beaten. It was his brightest innings ( The power behind his shots was pleasing to watch. Robertshaw and Barnes shared the bowling honours, the former getting five for 59 and Barnes four for 53. Ponsonby made a very disappointing start, and its batting' was very dull. Nicklin had the unfortunate experience of playing one on to his wicket, while Robertshaw was given out lbw to a ball from Matthews which appeared to be off the wicket. The batsman played well up (ho wicket arid was hit on the foot. Robertshaw was very surprised at the decision. Luck was against Ponsonby as Edmunds, who had played nice cricket for 24, was run out by Saltan. The incident caused a good deal of discussion. Edmunds played the ball to short mid off and both batsmen' ran. Saltan left his crease but returned. Edmunds also was at Saltan's end before the bails were lifted. After an appeal against Saltan was dismissed, a return to the other end resulted in the dismissal of Edmunds, who made no attempt to get bark. It was an unfortunate occurrence as the pair usually get runs. Saltan, 12 not out, and Masters, one not out, played out time. Ponsonby had lost three for 43, but with favourable conditions may reach Ellerslie's total. Good Batting by Kasper.

One of the best exhibitions of tho afternoon was given bv R. Kasper, who baited freely for W.Y.M.I, against Green Lane. Had' tho remainder of the team given better assistance W.Y.M.I. would have made Green Lane's task much harder. Kasper scored 46 out of 87. The exGrammnr representative had no fear of Kerr, whose- deliveries appeared to other batsmen most difficult to plav. The veteran used many traps in his endeavourto dismiss Kasper. but the colt kept the |>all on the ground. He eventually mistimed ono and was caught by Scarborough. Both- Kerr and Seccombo secured excellent figures. Kerr got five for 30. and Scccornbe four for 29. Green Lane did not make an encouraging start, losing threo wickets for 35. E. Watts, however, played a solid innings for 38, which included five fours. The Green Lane captain put plenty of power behind his shots. W.Y.MJ.'s total was passed with a. fine soventh-wicket partnership between Hughes, 22 not out, and Scarborough, 31 not out. The pair made some _ nice placements on either side of the wicket. Green Lane lost six wickets for 142.