CRICKET NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20819, 11 March 1931, Page 16

CRICKET NOTES.

SEASON DRAWS TO CLOSE.

PROSPECTS FAVOUR EDEN TEAM

PLAY IN/ SUBURBAN GAMES, j Tho Auckland Cricket Association's season is drawing to a close, tho senior grade championship being in a very interesting stage at present. Tho final scries of matches will bo commenced next Saturday. Prospects for tho honours favour Eden, which has a one-point lead over Grafton. On recent form Eden appears to have tho easiest match against University. Although Crafton j defeated Ponsonby in tho previous round, chiefly on account of lino innings by Cowio and Allcott, it is doubtful if such will prove tho caso on this occasion, as Fonsonby is showing much bettor form in bowling, which should counterbalance a slight falling-off in batting. The game between I'onsonby and Eden in tho last round proved very disappointing, especially from the spectators' point o$- view. Although tho bowlers gained ''it great amount of assistance from the wicket, tho bowling was not as difficult as the low scores would suggest. The failure of tho majority of tho batsmen was duo to tho hrt that they adopted defensive tactics for tho most part, whereas !>y using their feet tlicy would havo smothered tho dangerous balls. A good example of this was tho innings of L. E. Vivian, of Eden, in scoring 41. The Eden team in recent matches has not displayed its best batting form. With such batsmen, as Mills, Postles, G. L. Weir, A. F. Weir, Lawrie, Vivian and Gillespio, tho team should bo making higher scores than it has done in the past few matches. Somo of theso batsmen appear to be losing form, which can be. accounted for by _ too much cricket what with representative matches and a heavy club season. Unusual Feature, There was an unusual feature in tho match between University and Grafton in tho latter';; second innings. Only three, wickets fell and all of these were caught at cover-point by Matheson off Pearson's bowling. United Suburbs made a good effort to overhaul Y.M.C.A.'s large total of 238 or. Saturday. Wobster played ono of his best innings to date this season, showing plenty of confidence in his powerful driving shots. Clark also Lowled very well for Y.M.C.A. and secured four pickets at a fair cost. It is many seasons since Parnell made such a fine showing against North Shore on tho Devonport cricket ground as it did on Saturday. Only five wickots wem needed' to make nearly 300 runs, three of the five batsmen giving firstclass exhibitions. Hay, in scoring 110, surprised the spectators by his initiative in attacking tho bowling. Ho has seldom played such a :sne innings. Practically the final fight for supremacy in the Auckland City and Suburban Cricket Association's senior grade championship was commenced at the Domain last Saturday, when Green Lane played Harbour Board. -A larger crowd than usual watched the champions bat on a good wicket, which gave Harbour Board's bowlers little assistance. Much depends / on the result, as a win t° either team places tho grade honours beyond doubt. Green Lane won last season from Harbour Hoard. Ellerslie Surprises. Ellerslie caus.ed a surprise by compiling 265 against Albion and this total may bo the means of Albion losing a prominent place in the championship. Considerable interest was,taken in the meeting of Ponsonby and luvicta, two teams which have shown improved form of late. Again Invicta's,bowlers wore successful and the colts aro likely to win in spite of a moderate total scored in tho first innings. Tho luck in winning the toss may play an important part in tho result of tho game between Harbour Board and Green Lane. .The / ln.tter was favoured by the spin of tho coin and scored 203, a total which is not beyond Harbour Board. C. Watts played a great fighting innings, which was easily his best this season. Ho reached 74 beforo falling a leg-before Victim to Mann. Clever running between tho wickets counted for a lot of runs. Tho Green Lane batsman' is a reliable run-getter when sent in to open, Bowling for Harbour Board Mann took eight wickets for 70 runs. Tho left-hander is now at the top of his form. R. Burton made a remarkably good score for JCllerslio against Albion and was really responsible for placing his team in such a good position. In spite •of the loss of an eye, Burton played splendid cricket, and never once looked like going out. Ho played each stroke with plenty of confidence and received a wonderful reception on reaching his century. Burton was eventually bowled by Viscoe for 111. His innings, which was one of the finest seen this season, included 16 fours. Two Improved Bowlers.

Much interest was taken in the game between Invicta and Ponsonby, and many expected the former to continue its run of success. The colts batted first and compiled 140. Russell (47) played a good innings. His. strokes on the of! were neatly executed, whilo a nice leg glance brought him several runs, Russell hit seven fours. R. Watkins (33) was the only other batsman to make runs. The side gave a disappointing display, especially after a good start. Righton, four wickots for 46 runs, was Ponsonby's most successful bowler. Ponsonby made a disastrous' opening and few of the batsmen could play tho bowling of Cheeseman at:d J. Davies. Undoubtedly this pair aro the most improved bowlers in the competition. In quick succession Davies dismissed Lewis, Young and Righton, whilo Cheeseman accounted for Masters /and Robertshaw. At stumps Ponsonby had lost six wickets for 53. Davies anc! Cheeseman bowled unchanged. The former sent down 11 overs, three of which were maidens arid secured four wickets for 19 runs. Cheeseman took two wickets for 22 runs.