CRICKET NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21423, 22 February 1933, Page 14

CRICKET NOTES

PONSONBY'S EVEN CHANCE EFFECT OF HEAT ON BATSMEN BRIGHT BATTING BY KING'S With Parnell holding an eleven-point lead in the Auckland Cricket Association's senior championship, main interest in the series commenced on Saturday centred in the leader's match with Ponsonby, as it was considered likely that the latter, on its recent form, might spring a surprise victory. Ponsonby made a poor start and Parnell seemed to have the game in hand when faced with the small total of 125 runs. The Ponsonby fast bowlers, showing commendable stamina and control of length under .such trying heat conditions as existed ou Saturday, quickly wiped off the advantage gained by their opponents, however, and with five wickets down for 81 runs appear to have an even chance of victory. a A surprising feature of all but One match in the series was the low scoring, in spite of the fact that wickets and outfields were conducive to run-getting. Back play was excessively indulged in and, the ball making pace o§ the wicket, frequently left the batsman standing. Again, batsmen were repeatedly out to careless shots, which may have been duo to inertia brought on by the very trying conditions. It is doubtful if such humid weather has been experienced for some years in Auckland during club competitions. In a wealth of fine bowling averages on Saturday that of L. H. Saunders, five for 12 runs, when playing for North Shore against Eden at Devonport, calls for particular commendation. Always hard to score off, owing to his low flight and control of length, he also secured an amount of pace from the wicket on Saturday. On his day he is one of the best slow right-hand bowlers playing senior cricket in Auckland. Batting Prowess The King's Old Boys' team continues to show its prowess in the batting department, and, irrespective of the opposition, is compiling large scores. University was the victim on Saturday, the batsmen showing a wholesome and invigorating disrespect for the bowling, included among which was that of three representatives, Garrard, Matheson Bush. It only remains for King's Old Boys to strengthen up its bowling to climb to the first flight. At the moment its bowling and fielding are below .standard, and, in spite of the advantage gained in making a large total, the team has to fight very hard to keep the other side from making even more runs. The fifth and final test of the series between England and Australia will be played at Sydney on Thursday, when another stern struggle can be expected. The Englishmen will play but two more matches after the test, the last of which will end on March 14, and the team will then leave for New Zealand to commence the first match of its tour against Wellington on March 21. The performance of Mount Roskill in dismissing Edendale for 2 runs in its second innings of a senior grade B match played under the control of the Suburban Association on Saturday recalls to mind that over 60 instances are recorded of teams in minor matches being dismissed without a run being scored. The smallest total recorded in a first-class match is 12, there being two of such cases, while in a Plunket Shield match at Auckland, in 1877-78, Canterbury dismissed Auckland for 13 runs. Suburban Championship The Auckland City and Suburban Cricket Association's senior grade championship Will be resumed on Saturday next, when the results of the second series in the second round will be followed with considerable interest. The championship is now in a most interesting stage, as three teams have good prospects of ultimate success. On the present series, which was commenced last Saturday week, and interrupted by the athletic championships, the leading teams, Harbour Board and R.V., are in bad positions. Both will need to show their best form to win. Harbour Board has a lead of one point from R.V., while Green Lane occupies third place one point further down. Ponsonby has shown good form of late and is a much team. It may cause a surprise before the round is concluded. RIFLE SHOOTING FAULTY AMMUNITION ISSUED OPEN SERVICE CHAMPIONSHIP The Akarana Rifle Club continued its championship series at the long ranges last Saturday, but the aggregates were not high when the capabilities of the marksmen are considered. The shooting conditions were good, although the wind variation required careful watching. Few of the competitors escaped without a miss at some stage in the day. Ammunition of very old manufacture was issued and many of the experienced marksmen expressed dissatisfaction with the results obtained. Erratic shots have been far too frequent with the old ammunition thig season to allow the whole of the blame to be thrown on the marksmen themselves and the position is far from satisfactory. Ammunition which has not deteriorated with age gives such perfect results that, unless something is done to meet the situation, there is grave danger of several prominent riflemen abandoning the sport in disgust. A. H. Dixon compiled a nice score at 800 yards with 4, 5, 5, 5) 5, 5, 4, 5, 6, 5—48, which was easily the best at this range, but he struck a little trouble at the second shoot, where J. R. Draffin led with 5, 5, 5, 5, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5 47. This was a fine effort as was that made by E. J. C. Reston, who showed a glimpse of his old form in making 46 with 5, 4, 5, 4. 3, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5. Reston has been shooting much below his usual standard this season. . * A. M. Jenkinson also shot well" for 4ft at 900 yards, his score including two magpies. With the exception of R. Wakefield, this boy has the best championship aggregate at 900 yards this season, and in a year or two should be able to hold his own with the best. Shooting over the short ranges in the fourth round of the service championship the City Club men reached a high standard of efficiency. The plate range at 200 yards introduced a new type of practice this season, and the shooting, here has been very weak so far, owing to lack of experience, but in the other Dractices the marksmen did very veil. H. Simmonds was top on the day, due principally to his brilliant effort on the disc target, where he dropped only nine points. G. G. Kelly was in second place, three points away, and is fast recovering his old form under service conditions C. J. M. Clark and C. J. Robieson both gave good displays, while F. Bowes, S. ■ C. Wells and R. Swift will all give the recognised leaders considerable trouble before long on present indications. The last-named is paiticularly good for a left-handed shot. The servico championship is now very open, as, with two shoots to go, the leaders are:—Robieson, 395; Clark, 385; Kelly, 383; 'Simmonds, 380."