CRICKET NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21133, 16 March 1932, Page 18

CRICKET NOTES.

HONOURS IN CHAMPIONSHIP. UNIVERSITY LACKS ENTERPRISE. THOUSAND RUNS TO VIVIAN. Grafton, the leading team in the Auckland Cricket Association's senior championship, can be accounted a little fortunate to take the honours by two runs from University in the series of matches completed last Saturday. More aggressiveness by same of the University batsmen would probably have placed the result well beyond doubt. It was dreary cricket as can be judged by the fact that University occupied practically all tho afternoon in compiling 175 runs. On the first day, Grafton, batting two short, scored 226, ancj. University replied with 49 for one wicket. Allcott, who was absent on the first day on account of the test match against South Africa, again proved of great assistance to the team. He bowled most of the afternoon and took six wickets for 59 runs in 32 overs, 11 of which were maidens. To date this season Allcott bas taken 57 wickets in club cricket at a cost of just over seven runs apiece. His return to his best bowling fonn has been chiefly responsible for placing Grafton in its present position on the championship table. Two More Series. Two series of matches still remain to be E laved before" the season Grafton aving to meet Ponsonby and King's Old Boys. The possibility of Grafton losing the honours is extremely xcmote. An interesting match should result between the leaders and Ponsonby in the next round, owing to the improvement shown by the latter team. H. G. Vivian, the young New Zealand batsman, by compiling 80 against King's Old Boys on Saturday, brought his total runs for the season to 1007, this including international, provincial and club games. Vivian's three-figure scores this season are as follows:—120 v. Ponsonby; 165 v. "Wellington; 100 v. South Africa. He has also taken a total of 41 wickets. O. Cleal, the young batsman made 177 for Parnell second grade at Victoria Park on Saturday has been a member of the Auckland Grammar School first eleven during the last two seasons. He has played one senior game for bis club this season. Suburban Competition. Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys' lead in the Auckland City and Suburban Cricket Association's senior'grade championship has been disputed as the result of Saturday's matches. Until now Mount Albert has maintained its advantage over other teams with a lead of two points throughout the first round. It was expected, however, when the second round commenced three weeks ago, that Harbour Board and Green Lane would improve their positions. The second series on Saturday saw both these teams register six championship points, while Mount Albert added four points to its total. The result is that three teams are now level with 23 points each. The competition becomes all the more interesting, and some keen cricket is expected as the second round progresses. Both Green Lane and Harbour Board threaten to displace Mount Albert, but it will take a really good eleven to defeat the colts. Green Lane registered perhaps the most impressive win, defeating Inntta by an innings and 75 runs. Invicta has shown improved form of late and was fully expected to extend Green Lane. Good bowling, carefully handled, however, saw Invicta dismissed for a small score in each innings. Kerr has rarely bowled better, tho veteran securing six wickets in each innings for an average of six. The wickets were by no means perfect but Kerr, with his long experience, ' displayed perfect ball control and he was at times unplayable. Green Lane's bowling is likely to play an important part in deciding games against Harbour Board and Mount Good Partnership. When A. Lewis and R. Innes became associated in a valuable partnership. Mount Albert lost a good chance of securing a six-point win against Ponsonby. In response to Mount Albert s total of 565, Ponsonby made a bad start and lost five wickets for 58 runs. At this stage Bush had taken four wickets, and looked likely to go through the Ponsonby team. Lewis, however, played fine cricket, and Innes carried the score to 154. Both batted attractively, Innes being more aggressive. Robertshaw proved hard to shift and scored 25, not out. The remainder made a stubborn fight and carried the score to 208. .No time remained for Mount. Albert to win outright and it had to be content with a four-point win. _ M. Wetherill, Harbour Board's captain, placed a lot of faith in his bowlers in the match with R.V., and his judgment, proved correct. Harbour Board is the first team this season to take advantage of declaring after batting for two hours on the opening day. R.V. made a poor showing and superior bowling gave Harbour Board a decided advantage. _ Bowling honours fell to N. Martin, who took five and four wickets respectively. Mann and L. Martin also bowled well. Harbour Board made 259 for four wickets in its first innings and R.V. replied with 147 and 136.