PLUNKET SHIELD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25396, 28 December 1945, Page 6

PLUNKET SHIELD

WIN FOR CANTERBURY FIRST INNINGS SUCCESS AUCKLAND TEAM UNLUCKY (S.R.) CHTUSTCHURCH, Thursday The Plunket Shield cricket match between Auckland and Canterbury, which was concluded at Lancaster Park this afternoon, was won on the first innings by Canterbury alter each side had had its varying fortunes throughout the four days of play. Heavy rain over- j night and wintry showers during the morning, with a cold southerly wind, delayed the start until 2.45 p.m. The players went to tho ground at the usual starting time, 11 a.m., ana tlie spectators were not admitted until two minutes before the commencement of play. During the recess the captains of the ten ins inspected the wicket on three occasions, but there was no disagreement regarding the conditions. With nine wickets in hand, and requiring 204 runs to win outright, it became a matter of conjecture whether Canterbury could bold its wickets intact and avoid an outright victory lor Auckland. Canterbury at stumps had scored 145 for seven wickets. On the resumption the foothold \ - as not firm enough for Wallace, the Auckland captain, to use his fast bowlers. Cowie and Cleverlcy. He opened with Kerr and IJcinmingson. The left-hander Walter, who had not opened his account on the previous day, failed to score, being well caught behind the wickets by Kent in Kerr's second over .

An Appeal Disallowed T'ttley, who had four to his credit, showed a return to form and plaved some nice drives and hook shots, ps scored his 29 quickly, but after hitting Henimingson for a fine six over the square-leg boundary, lie fell next ball to a good catch in the gully by Kerr. The left-hander, Anderson, attempted to stem tlio title. It was obvious he was not, in form although he defended stub-_ boiiily. Burgess, his partner, early m his innings attempted to hit a rising deliverv off Cleverley and Meuh caught him off his glove close in on the leg side. A unanimous .appeal, however, was disallowed, although the batsman had already started to walk out. Two overs later Cleverley dropped Burgess off his own bowling." The batsman was then dismissed in a manner similar to the appeal which had been previously disallowed. Canterbury had now lost four wickets for 59. Cowie was given his first turn with the ball and bowled at medium pace, with a shorter run than usual. From his first delivery, a short one, Anderson attempted a hook shot and was easilv caught without any addition to the score. At the tea adjournment the total was still five for 59. Let-of! Proves Expensive Canterbury's prospects were now more or less placed on Butterfield and Shand, who had retrieved the position for the side in. a great fighting partnership in the first innings. Shand was dropped by Cleverley off Kerr when in doubles, but the chance was not expensive as the batsman soon afterward was caught by Pearson in the gully off Cowie, who was now bowling with full speed. The wicket had dried out, but was easy and had no life. When Pearson, in the same position, dropped Scott, at two off Cowie. it proved very costly. Scott went on to defend well, and hit bard at times to score 40 not out. He never appeared unduly worried after the let-off. When he joined Butterfield, with an hour and 16 minutes to play, Canterbury had lost six wickets for 84.

Stubborn batting saw the pair associated until 20 minutes before time, when Cleverley clean bowled Butterfield. The batsman, one of the best a 11rounders in the Dominion at the moment, again played a fine fighting innings. Me batted for 95 minutes for his 20. With ten minutes to play. Canterbury still had three wickets intact, and Cowie was brought on again. Bnrtt survived appeals for leg-before and caught behind ofl the last two deliveries. Scott and Burtt were still associated at stumps. Decisions of Umpires

The best partnership of the innings was that between Butterfield and Scott, which yielded 48 for the seventh wicket, and probably saved the day for the team. Wallace rang the bowling changes much more frequently than in Canterbury's first innings. Cowie finished with the best figures in taking three wickets for 16 runs in 14 overs, nine of which were maidens. If rain had not fallen, he would have been very dangerous on a wicket which was wearing. Although Auckland lost on the First innings, many Canterbury supporters considered tlie team to be unfortunate, in spite of chances being missed by both sides. It was obvious that the decisions of the umpires, Messrs Burgess and Vine, did not find favour with either side at times. The gate takings for the match amounted to £540. Scores:—

AUCKLAND—First Innings . . . 269 Second Innings ?'23 CANTERBURY.—First Innings . . 281 Second Innings I. B. Cromb, c Cleverley. b Cowie . 0 K. F. M. Uttley, c Kerr, b Hemmingson 29 C. V. Walter, c Kent, b Kerr . . 0 AV. McD. Anderson, c Wallace, b Cowie 9 A. Burgess, c Meuli, b Cleverley . 10 L. A. Butterfield, b Cleverley . . 20 R. C. Shand, c Pearson, li Cowie . . lo R. li. Scott, not out 40 T. Burtt, not out . . . . . . . . 4 Extras . . . 18 Total for seven wickets . . . . 145 Bowling.—J. Cowie, 14 overs, 9 maidens, 16 runs. 3 wickets; D. C. Cleverley, 19, 5, 41, 2; F. Hemmingson, 10, 3. 23, 1; C. Kerr, 16, 6, 32, 1; C. Burke, 5, o,' 15, 0.

OBITUARY MR HARRY W. DAVIES (0.c.) WHANGAREI, Thursday The death has occurred of Mr Harry Wilson Davies, aged 72. of Whangarei. Born in England. Mr Davies came to New Zealand with his parents as a child of three years and resided for some years in Wellington. Later he came north, being first at Dargaville before establishing a business in Whangarei about, 20 years ago. He retired some time ago. Mr Davies was a member of the Trades and Labour Council and of the Marsden Labour Representation Committee, as well as secretary of a number of unions. During the war he served on the .Motor Trade and Engineering Utilisation Committee, the T.vre Control Committee and, the Regional Planning Council. He is survived by his wife and fnmilv.