WELLINGTON GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23230, 27 December 1938, Page 15

WELLINGTON GAME

TWO CENTURIES SCORED HOME TEAM MAKES 409 PRITCHARD'S FINE BOWLING [by teleghaph—press association] WELLINGTON, Monday After the end of the second day s play in the Plunket Shield cricket match between Wellington and Otago this afternoon Wellington had established a commanding lead. Wellington on Saturday had first use of the wicket and was not in a happy position with five wickets down for 116 at luncheon. A splendid stand by the two colts, ,T. A. Onglev and W. G. Rainbird, however, added 180 for the sixth wicket and redeemed earlier batting failures. Doth these youthful players registered their first centuries in Plunket Shield cricket. Another useful stand by two Manawatu players. N. Gallichan and T. L. Pritchard, helped the score along, and when rain stopped play at 5.15 on Saturday afternoon the score stood at 379 for seven wickets. Heavy rain this morning prevented play being resumed until 1.45 p.m. The Wellington innings closed for 409. Otago could total only 118 in its first innings against brilliant bowling by Pritchard, who took seven wickets for 32. Following on, Otago lost two wickets for 23 runs. The Wellington captain, E. W. lindill, won the toss. Tindill and Rico added 35 for the first wicket when Rice, who had scored 13, was bowled by Elmos. Bowlers Steady

The Otago fast-medium bowlers, Silver. Purdue and Leader, all kept a good length, while Elmos was flighting his left-handed slow deliveries. Runs were difficult to get, R. Sheffield, the professional coach, helped his captain to carry the score to 75 when Timlin, who had shaped confidently for 46, was bowled by Silver. With two runs added, Sheffield, who had reached 18, spooned one from Elmes, softly into Uttlev's hands at cover. Ell, who joined Harpur, was impetuous. and after hitting a couple of fours played one from Silver softly to I'ttley at mid-on. Four wickets were then down for 8/. Ihe Otago fielding was good, Mills doing neat and effective work with the gloves. Ongley, the University colt, who was making'his first appearance in a Plunket Shield match, in association with Harpur carried the total to 100, which was reached in 109 minutes. With the total at 116, Harpur, who had been batting for half an hour for a dozen runs, was bowled by Robertson. The luncheon adjournment was taken with the board showing 116 for five wickets. Success of Colts The Otago bowlers had done a good morning's work. There was a good attendance in the afternoon, which had the pleasure of seeing two colts, J. A. Ongley and W. G. Rainbird, redeem the batting failures of the morning by holding possession of the wickets from 1.45 p.m. until 3.45 p.m. During this time they carried the total from 116 to 296, adding 180 for the sixth wicket in 120 minutes.

Tho wisdom of giving the colts a chance in big cricket was amply proved during this stirring partnership. The merit of their performance was enhanced by the fact that _ the Otago bowlers, heartened by their successes in the morning's play, were bowling well and the fieldsmen were giving nothing away.

Apart from narrow escapes in the slips, the colts played finished cricket. Ongley was the more enterprising of the pair and 150 came up for 141 mintnes' play. The 200 was reached in 172 minutes. Onplev made his century in 149 minutes. With the total at 296 Onclev, who had made 110, lifted a full" toss from Groves into Fraser's hands at deep mid-on. Another good stand was made when Gallichan joined Rainbird. The howling was better than at any period of the day and the pair had to play steadily for some time. The third century appeared at 4.9 p.m. Rainbird reached his century,' but added only a couple when he was well taken at second slip by Cutler off Purdue. Seven wickets were now down for 350. Free Scoring

Pritchard joined Gallichan and the Manawatu pair started to score freely. They had taken the score to 379 for seven wickets when heavy rain ended play at 5.15 p.m. The game was not resumed until 1.45 p.m. to-day. ' Heavy rain from the south on Sunday night and early this morning had thoroughly saturated the wicket. A strong sun and cool, blustering southerly wind had dried out the pitch and outfield when play was resumed. Silver and Elmcs took up the bowling. Pritchard hit Elmos for a fine six and then gave a catch to Eraser, but it was dropped. Pritchard brought 400 rip for 330 minutes' play and was caught behind the wickets. Pritchard had hit freely for 35. The innings, which had occupied 344 minutes, closed at 2.15 p.m. for 409. Elmos, with four wickets for 97 off 18.4 overs, out with the best bowling figures for Otago. Silver took two for 63 off 18 overs, and Groves two for 78 off 19 overs.

Uttlev, the Otago captain, and Robertson, opened Otago's first innings at 2.30 p.m. to the bowling of Pritchard and Ashenden. The batsmen started

quietly. Rico relieved Ashenden with the total at 34. Robertson, who had reached 15, was clean bowled by Pritchard. Leader joined Uttley but was clean bowled first ball by Pritchard. Knight averted the "hattrick" but did not last long, as before opening his account he was bowled by Rice. Three wickets were down for 35.

Cutler .joined his captain and arrived to see Uttley play on from Pritchard. Klines came next with the total at 3D. Cutler was caught and bowled by Rice. Eraser, after scoring a brace, played one from Pritchard on to his wicket. Six wickets were down for 42. Ashenden relieved Rice, who had taken two for 7 off four overs. Mills joined Elmes and McKeown took the ball from Pritchard, who had taken four for 14 off nine overs. The afternoon tea adjournment was taken with the score at 47 for six wickets. Fifty was reached in 80 minutes. The batsmen were now shaping more confidently. Pritchard replaced McKeown and bowled Klines, who had batted patiently for 23. Groves joined Mills, who was 18, and another useful stand was made;, Mills doing most of the scoring. The century came up after 119 minutes. Gallichan came on for the first time, relieving Ashenden. Rico took the ball from Pritchard with the total at 109. Mills, who had shaped resolutely for 37, fell leg before to Gallichan. Purdue was bowled by Pritchard after scoring a single and nine wickets were down for 110. Silver joined Groves, who was 8, and the total was taken to 118 when Silver was caught by Sheffield. The innings last 150 minutes.

Pritchard bowled splendidly, capturing seven wickets for 32 runs off 15.7 overs. Rico also kept a good length, taking two for 11 ofr six overs. The Wellington fielding was clean and smart and Tindill kept wickets well. "With a deficit of 291 on the first innings, Olago followed on. Uttley and Robertson again being the opening batsmen. Aslh iulen clean bowled Robertson, the first wicket falling with six runs on. Knight came next, but with the total at 17 Uttley was smartly taken by Harpur. Ashenden had taken two for 11 runs. Mills and Knight played out time, the score when stumps were drawn being 23 for two wickets. Ashenden howled well, taking two wickets for 13 runs off five overs, none of the batsmen being at home to his deliveries. Details of the scores arc as follows:

WELLINGTON 1 .—First Innings E. W. Tindill, b Silver . . . . 46 h.. F. Rice, b F.lmes 13 J. R. Sheffield, c Uttley, b Elmes . 18 T. A. Harpur, b Robertson . . . . 12 •T. Ell, c Uttley. b Silver . . . . 10 .T. A. Onglev, c Fraser, b Groves . 110 W. G. I'ainbird, e Cutler, b Purdue 102 N. Gallichan, c Knight, b Elmos . 50 T. L. Pritchard e Mills, b Elmes . . 35 J. McKeown. st, Mills, b Groves . • 1 J. Ashenden, not out 1 Extras 11 Total . . . . 409 Bowling: Silver took two wickets for 63 runs, Purdue one for 93, Elmes four for 97, Leader none for 53, Groves two for 78, Robertson one for 14. OTA CO—First Innings K. F. M. Uttley, h Pritchard . . 15 G. J. Robertson, b Pritchard . . 15 V. .T. Leader, b Pritchard . . ... 0 A. R. Knight, b Rico 0 A. H. S. Cutler, c and h Rice . . 2 C. J Elmes, b Pritchard . . . 23 T. Eraser, b Pritchard . . ».<!>:• 2 G. Mills, lbw, b Gallichan . * . . 37 L. J. Groves, not out 9 J. Purdue, b Pritchard .... 1 R. Silver, c Sheffield, b Pritchard 6 Extras 8 Total liq Bowline: Pritchard took seven wickets for 32 runs. Ashenden none for 42, Rice two for 11. McKeown none for 20, Gallichan one for five. Second Innings K. F. M. Uttley, c Harpur, b Ashenden G. .T Robertson, b Ashenden .. 3 A. R. Knight, not out .. ?• 13 G. Mills, not out • 3 Total for two wickets . . . . 23 Bowling; Ashenden took two wickets for 13 runs, Pritchard none for 10. Gallichan none for none.