SUBURBAN MATCHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21101, 8 February 1932, Page 11

SUBURBAN MATCHES.

INTERESTING COMPETITION.

SURPRISE BY INVICTA TEAM. STICKY WICKETS AT DOMAIN. The two leading teams In the Auckland City and Suburban Cricket Association's competition, Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys and Harbour Board, both suffered defeat on Saturday.- The success of Invicta over Mount Albert provided the surprise of the series, while Ponsonby did remarkably well to defeat a powerful Harbour Board eleven. Ponsonby is a most inconsistent team, in form, of beating the strongest side. Although Mount Albert still leads with 13 championship points, the competition has become more interesting by reason of the improved positions of Green Lane and Ponsonby. Both teams have well-balanced elevens, and now they have struck form more successes are likely to be gained. Invicta was not defeatocf in a single match in the second rounds las:; season, and it will occasion no surprise to see the colts repeat that performance. No doubt as the result of being watered too much the wicket was very sticky when Harbour Board opened its first innings against Ponsonby. Even under perfect conditions the task set Harbour Board was difficult, but many expected the batsmen would be capable of scoring 302, the number compiled by Ponsonby. Harbour Board opened badly, losing three wickets for 8 runs. The dismissal of Wethorill. who was run out without scoring, further added to Harbour Board's misfortunes. Useful Partnership. C. Williams and Hendy made a splendid effort to get runs, and put on 60 before the partnership was broken. Williams, a left-hander, played some nice shots on the off-side, and used his wrists well in latecuts. He was unlucky to play on a ball from Chapman. Hendy played forceful cricket for 37, hitting five fours. His driving was well timed and his shots nicely placed. With the exception of L. Martin, who made 16, the remaining batsmen were troubled by the attack and Harbour Board made its lowest score this season. Harbour Board's failure is difficult to account for. Experienced batsmen 6ay the wicket favoured the bowlers, and this must have been the case as Ponsonby's attack is usually considered weak. The pitch was certainly very heavy early in the afternoon, but it dried as the game progressed. Bennett was Fonsonby's most successful bowler, and his good length made the batsmen careful. Only tliree bowlers were required to dismiss this strong eleven. It was something unusual for Harbour Board to follow on, but Lewis showed good judgment, and Ponsonby narrowly missed a six-point win. Harbour Board played out time, losing six wickets for 157. Again Ponsonby's attack was good, although eight bowlers were used. Williams, 65, was easily the best batsman. His score included nine fours. Stallworthy, 29 not out, played sound cricket. Ponsonby must be considered unlucky not. to get a straight-out win, as Harbour Board required 32 runs to save an innings defeat, with three "wickets to fall. Keen Fielding. A sodden wicket was also expffi[ienced in the Mount Albert-Invicta match, but it was a surprise to see the former fail to reach Invicta's total. Keen fielding and well-handled bowling assisted Invicta to beat the opening batsmen. Aickin, 24, played nice cricket, but Bush, Speuce, and Cantlay failed to get going. Barnes, 27, and Hebden, 35, were associated in a fine fifth-wicket partnership, which appeared to have the bowling collared. Ile'bden was more aggressive than usual, and scored freely on the off side. Lange, 26, and Newdick, 26 not out, were the only others to reach double figures. The game was placed beyond all doubt when Mount Albert was dismissed for 189 at 4.20 p.m. This is the lowest score made by the side during the season. The bowling honours went to Peebles, who scored five wickets for 56. Peebles kept a good length throughout, and gota fair amount of pace off the pitch. There was not a .great deal of interest in Invicta's second innings which produced 58 for the loss of four wickets. Peebles. 19, and Davies, 14 not out, were the highest scorers. Green Lane's Win. Green Lane revealed its best form in defeating R.V. by an innings and 43 runs. R.V. made 60 in its first innings, while Green Lane declared with six wickets down for 275. Saturday's play was thus confined to R.Y.'s second inniifgs, which produced 172. The opening pair, Gunyiven, 21, and Goldsworthy, 45, gave the side a good start. Frequent bowling changes caused the succeeding batsmen trouble, and several made poor efforts to increase the score. Goldsworthy played with confidence and hit six fours. Cloke batted cautiously for 23. Mills, 32 not out, proved hard to dispose, of. His shots through tho covers were nicely placed. Green Lane gave a splendid display ir, the field. Several brilliant catches were taken, and the ground fielding made runs hard to get.