CRICKET SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22247, 23 October 1935, Page 20

CRICKET SEASON

BATSMEN IN GOOD FORM EDEN AND NORTH SHORE KEEN CHAMPIONSHIP LIKELY The good form shown by the majority of batsmen in the first matches of the cricket season last Saturday augurs well for future contests and it appears at present that the championship will be very keenly fought. Two teams, Eden and North Shore, topped the 300 mark, while Grafton compiled 279. The lowest score of the series was made by Y.M.C.A., which was dismissed by Ponsonby for 182. During the past two or t-lirce seasons batsmen have bad to contend with soft wickets lor opening day and the fast conditions which prevailed and the splendid wickets wero greatly appreciated. In view of the Plunket Shield matches and the visit of the M.G.G. team it is very pleasing to see so many batsmen in form at such an early stage. THE FIRST CENTURY SPRING'S FORCEFUL INNINGS The first century of the season was scored by L. R. Spring, Grafton, who made 101 against King's Old Boys and then lost bis wicket in hitting out. Spring played a forceful innings, driving and hooking powerfully, while the manner in which he used his feet enabled him to get well over the ball and time his allots well.

Prior to coming to Auckland a couple of seasons ago Spring was a member jof the West Christchurch senior eleven in Canterbury for which club J. L. Kerr, the New Zealand representative, also plays. He made some high scores in Christchurch And was chosen as 12th man for the Canterbury team. On joining up with, the Graftotf Club he showed 4iis ability an a batsman, but luck was not with him and, although he played some good, innings, he could not settle down for a big score. Now that Spring hau made such an excellent start' this season he should be a prolific scorer for his club. POSTLES BATS WELL CARSON'S POWERFUL SHOTS A. J. Postles, the Eden captain, came right back to form by playing a very solid innings for 97 against University. Postles faced the attack with the Seatest confidence and paved the way r the later batsmen. He was particularly strong in good placements on the leg" Bide, but when settled down ho alsd scored nicely on the off. One of the most premising batsmen in Auckland at present is W. Carson, the powerful Eden left-hander. In scoring 83 against University Carson played some powerful all-round shots and his batting was delightful to watch,, He always hit the ball hard, Dut ait the commencement of his innings on Saturday he was a little impetuous and was wisely curbed by his captain. Carson is also a right-hand trundler o:f promise. A pleasing feature of the match wais the success of the colt, G. Burges:!, in his first senior game. He was unfortunate to trarfip on his wicket with bin score at 25, but in making this total he showed some good all-round shots. Last season Burgess captained the Mount Albert Grammar School eleven and, judged on his form on Saturday, he has a bright future in the game. NORTH SHORE'S STRENGTH - WALTERS MAKES 85 The North Shore team early-showed its batting strength by compiling 332 against Parnell. C. F. Walters, captain, was in good form in compiling 85 and scored with a vide variety of shots, his cover driving being excellent. The colts, Emery, Archer and Sale, also batted' with confidence, while D. B. Edmonds, the representative wicketkeeper, was unbeaten with a wellplayed ~47. It is interesting to note that H.. I*. Vivian, the Auckland and Parnell captain, won the toss and sent North Shore in. His decision was probably influenced by the fact that Parnell wa3 lacking in batting practice. j The former Auckland representative, I. W. Cooper, showed a return to his old form by compiling 52 for Y.M.C.A. against Ponsonby. Somo keen fielding was se£n in this match, Cleave and Langton being particularly outstanding for good work, while Cleverley took a fine catch in the slips to dismiss H. Lyon. ' R. G. Bush, the former All Black fullback, took four wickets for 69 runs against/' Eden and was also responsible for two good slips catches in dismissing Mills and A. F. Weir. He did not bowl well in the early stages, but improved greatly later on. The University slips fielding was good and Butler and Schnauer also accepted two mice catches. DEFEAT IN SOCCER b The Sparta Soccer Club, of Prague, which inflicted a decisive defeat on Manchester City last season, has been authorised by the International Association Football Federation to make a tour in \Russia. The game has a splendid hold in Russia, the standard haying shown a most pronounced rise in recent years. A Soviet team competed in the, Workers' Games in Paris recently, surprising international critics by . the excellence of their play and dei 1 feating a French team by 17 goals to one. Football in many European countries owes its introduction to the efforts ' o£ Britißh enthusiasts, but it developed Russia largely without outside h«ilp.