BY SLIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1095, 24 February 1893, Page 19

BY SLIP.

The Wellington Rival heat, which began ou No. 2 wicket last Saturday, promises to provide an interesting finish. The Welling* tons have only got a lead of 7, and bare lost two of their best batsmen in their second innings. The wicket was in such a disgraceful condition that good cricket was not to bo expected. It’s anybody’s game on a wicket like that. 001. Fox and R. Gore were the only two on the Wellington side who made any show with the bat. Col. Fox contributed 18, and in the making tboreof he showed very good form. One or two strokes to the off especially were made in the very best style. More will be heard of the Colonol on a good wicket. R. Gore, who can punish the bowling when he likes, knocked up a very useful dozen. Ho, however, did not get anything like full value for his hits. This, of course, applies to a certain extent to the other batsman as well, but more particularly to Gore, whose hits were nearly all on the boundary sides. On No. 1 wicket some of his hits would have produced 4 or 5 instead of 2. Wither, an old Nelson player, who has recently joined the Wellingtons, helped to swell the total with 11, but he played rather streakily. Izard, C. Gore and Wratt contributed 9 between them —three each. The Rivals can congratulate themselves on getting that trio very cheaply. Frith, who does not seem to be in a rungetting mood at all this season, was stumped off the first ball he got from Dry den. He didn’t like the decision at all, but the umpire (Mr W. Salmon) is quite certain that the left-hander was out. The innings only realised 59—an extremely poor total for such a good baiting team. McMaster, who went on late, obtained the best average, securing the three wickets with

9 balls for only two runs. Dryden, who bowled right through the innings, got 4 for 19.

The Rivals opened well, over 20 being on the board before Dryden pulled one on to his wicket. Fuller then joined Cross, and after being let off by Frith (who astonished the multitude by dropping a catch) raised the score to 50. The prospect did not look at all bright for the Wellingtons, but before many more runs were added both Cross and Fuller were got rid of. The veteran compiled 32, and in making them he hit harder and a bit oftenerthau usual. Perhaps it was the best game on such a treacherous, kicky wicket. Cross got fairly hold of one ball, from young Ashbolt, and sent it flying against the front of the pavilion. Poople thought it was the clock he was aiming at.

Ramsay, with a dozen, mado tho ‘tail’s’ total look a little better than it promised, and the innings eventually closed for 91 —giving the Rivals a lead of 32.

The Wellingtons started very woll in their second innings, 27 being scored before Izard was given out l.b.w. He was given out in a similar way in the first innings. Wratt followed shortly after, a bumpy one which he did not get well hold of proving his down' fall. Sanderson and Withers playod out time, the score standing at 38 for two wickets.

The Phoenicians had a real good day’s outing on Saturday, but not an enjoyable ono though. A little exercise is all very well, but you can get too much of a good thing. They got it. Their captain lost the toss, and the Midlanders went in and remained for tho whole of the afternoon, the big score of 355 being knocked up. While every credit must be given to the Midlanders for their batting, it cannot be denied that the bowling (?) was the weakest ever seen here. After the batsmen had started scoring tho bowlers seemed to break down, and they never recovered themselves. The wonder is that the batsmen are out now. Some excuse is to be made for Taylor, who has not yet completely recovered the use of the leg injured a few weeks ago, and Waters, although he only got 3 wickets, bowled well, but it was quite too much for such a young pair of shoulders. But the bowling of the other half dozen who triedtheir hands was simply rubbish, and the batsmen had a real enjoyable time of it. It is as well the Midlanders uiide the most of it, for I don’t think they will got such a picnic again for a long time to come.

They all did well, but Upham was the hero of them all, and be is to be warmly congratulated on his fine score of 102 (not ou ), made too, without a chance. No matter what the bowling was like he played correctly, and laid the wood on to everything. His display pleased everyone, except, of course, the weary fieldsmen, who had to run after tho ball wherever he put it, and he put it in many places.

When Upham topped Cross’ score (80) a cheer went up from a little crowd of enthusiastic Midlanders, and Cross, who was walking along in front of the pavilion, had to submit to a little harmless chaff. By the look in tho veteran’s weather eye, I think he means to go one better next time.

Thcro was a great cheer all over the ground when Upham, with a nice cut for 4, carried his score into three figures, and a few minutes later, when the innings closed, and he was carried off th# field shoulder high, tho cheering was renewed. Upham is made of the right stuff, and as ho ha 3 everything in his favour he should devolop into an excellent cricketer.

R. Blacklock is himself again. His 66 was made in his old style, and if he had a little better luck he, too, might have seen three figures. He went in with his brother at the opening of the innings, and assisted in taking whatever sting there was out of tho bowling. He was well set, and quite good enough for a hundrod, when he was thrown out. The Midlanders were delighted to see their skipper in his old form. He showed that he can hit as well as ever. One ball, sent down by Ogier with tho best of intentions, he slammed to leg for 7 all run out.

Wynyard played a nice innings for 29, and assisted his captain in making the first stand of the match. He lost his wicket under peouliar circumstances. He drove a ball hard back, and after he saw it pass the bowler naturally enough followed it up, but ho did not notioe, until it was too late, that the ball had been stopped by tho umpire (Mr Knapp). He attempted to get back, but one of tho fieldsmen took a speouluter at the wicket and knocked it over. The crowd

seemed doubtful whether he was out. Probably they thought tho game was football.

Another capital innings was that played by Filzsimons, who made 76 in dashing style. He showed that he know how to treat, loose bowling, particularly on the leg-side, in the match against the Otago team, and in order that there should bo no doubt about the matt r, he gave further proof of bis abilities in that direction on Saturday by clouting the bowling all over the place. He aided Upham in adding 157 runs for tho seventh wicket. Fitz is to be complimented on his latest achievment with the bat.

When tho bowling was so loose, the question was asked ‘ where’s McGirr.’ Well, be was in ovidence, and during bis brief stay at the wickets ho let all and sundry known wbero ho was, and who he was. He punched the bowling everywhere, and quickly put 20 opposito his name.

Williams, who came with a reputation from Otago as a hitter, made 11, but I saw nothing remarkable in his batting. From all accounts, though, ho must be a terrible smiter. Williams is reported to ho a good man behind the stumps. We shall have an opportunity of seeing what he can do there next Saturday.

Tucker, consistent as usual, made 14 in his quiet but effective style.

With all these runs about, A. Blacklock had to be content with 7. Well, they can’t all got them.

The bowling and fielding of the Phoenix must bo handled gently. It’s a delicate subject. But, to call a spade a spade, the bowling was the very worst ever seen in a championship here. As for the fielding it was bad at the beginning and it got worse, until the whole team seemed quito demoralised. But perhaps some allowance must be made for the fieldsmen. Leather hunting while the other fellows are scoring 335 runs is no joko, and so Morice, Roberts, and Ellison, and Co., will tell you. These throe had by far the most work to do, Ellison in particular having a very busy time of it. The latter was let in for what a gentleman who feels that he has been ‘ had,’and is much injured in spirit in consequence, will sarcastically tell you was ‘ a good thing.’ He was asked to field as substitute for Mullins, and he did so. No more need bo said.

Tho Midlanders’ innings occupied about 3$ hours, an average of about 100 runs per hour. On No, 2 wicket only 188 runs were scored, so that some idea may be gathered of the difference bet ween the rates of scoring, and the Rivals and Wellingtons played about 20 minutes longer than the Phoenix and Midlanders.

Although the Phcenix made a great show against the Rivals, they were unable to avert defeat after all. The match was p'ayed out on Monday night, the Phoenix total reaching 222. The score stood at 188 when Taylor and Ogier, the not-out men, went to the wickote, and from the way the latter shaped it looked a guinea to a gooseberry that the runs would be made. Twenty runs were put on, and Taylor, who bad only added one to bis previous score, was bowled. One ball was enough for Mullins, and the aspect of the game was completely changed. Montgomery went in, and 22 runs were wanted —a big stand for the last wicket under the circumstances. A few runs were added, and Montgomery was then caught at the wickets, but Mr R. Blacklock, who was acting as umpire iu place of Mr Ashbolt, did not hear or see the catch, and tho decision went in favour of tho batsman, who, I am told, afterwards admitted that ho was out. Blacklock, whoso fairness will not be questioned, bad made an error, as the best of men do. It looked as if this adverse decision was going to cost the Rivals the match, for the very next ball Montgomery got ho hit to log for 5. Within ten runs of the total, however, the end came, Ogier, who had played so well and so pluckily, was bowled. His score was 58.

Twist has been requested to pay a little more attention to the Rival, Midland, and Phcenix practice pitches, which have been extromely dangerous to tho batsmen of lato. I hope the reminder will prove beneficial.

The following table shows the position of the clubs competing for the Senior Championship at the end of the first round, which concluded last Monday evening : Name Matches Runs Runs of played. Wins. L’ss's. scored scored Club. for. ag’nst.

Wellington... 3 3 0 567 507 Midland ... 3 2 1 692 598 Rival ... 3 1 2 772 816 Phoenix ... 3 0 3 673 783

There aro several cricketers in Sydney who are so indignant at the inclusion of Coningham in tho Australian team that they have threatened never to play again. That statement, however, wants taking with a little salt. ‘ Not Out,’ in the Sydney Referee, admits that tho Australian Eleven is a strong team, but the exclusion of Barrett and Iredale, it arguep, apart from the inability of Moses to go to England, is irrefutable evidence of the unrepresentative nature of the team. • Not Out ’ goes on to say :—Some shrewd judges are strongly of opinion that Coningham will prove a better bowler than Ferris on English wickets. The Queenslander is certainly a more likely run-getter than the Anglo-Australian, but if he proves as good a bowler as the plucky Ferris the team should have a record equal to almost any of those of its predecessors. Coningham is a muscular cricketer, full of life and go, and although he has only been included in the team as fourteenth man, I shall be surprised if be proves either the worst batsman or bowler. Turner may be relied upon to perform up to bis previous records, as all who Baw him bowl against South Australia must admit that on such a wicket against Giffen and Lyons no one could have done better. His forefinger in the Yictorian match was badly hurt early in the game, and as the nail was knocked back he could do nothing afterwards. George Giffen is still a good bowler, but it cau hardly with truth be said that lie is as deadly as of yore. To my mind the bowling success of the team largely depends upon Coningham, and should he prove as good as is now anticipated, the test matches should not all be won by England. McLeod may prove a better bowler than is generally supposed on English wickets, and it is to bo hoped that Trumble, too, will do well. There are numbers who think the team will win every engagement against the counties and the Universities. There are scores of people who regard it as a stronger combination than tho ’B2 team, but these estimates of tho strength of tho team aro surely much overdrawn. Referring to Coningham, who seems to have made one leap into fame by his excellent performances against Victoria, ‘ Batsman ’ in the Melbourne Sportsman says ‘ On tho New South Wales side, the success of Coning, ham with the ball was as marked as was the failure of Turner, tho latter taking but two wickets for 124 runs, whilst the ex Queenslander took nine in the two innings for 196 runs. He clean bowled Bruce, Phillips, and M’Leod on tho first and second days, and Barrett and Blackliam in the visitors’ second innings. I have often expressed the opinion that Coningham is ono of the best all-round cricketers in Australia, and he has certainly proved that I was not out in my calculation. Many good judges of the game who watched him have no hesitation in saying that he is equal to, if not better than Ferris as a trundler. An important alteration in the rules whioh govern the competition for the Sheffield Shield was made at the late meeting of the Australian Orieket Council. It is, that the colony which wins the most matches shall bold the trophy, or iu the event of a tie, by the average system. W. Bruce and H. Trumble will sail for England by the Orient liner Ophir, which will leave Melbourne on the 4th of March. Both players are anxious to visit Scotland before the settle down to work as members of the Australian Eleven, hence their departure a fortnight before the rest of tho team. The following items are from the Bulletin :— ‘ “ Gawge ” Giffen would certainly not have gone to England if Walter's inclusion had been condemned by the Cricket Council. Jack Lyons has repeatedly told the writer that he would also have stayed behind. Not a very nice attitude to assume, certainly. It is averred that Graham and Coningham “ are being taken to England under different agreements to the other twelve, i.e., that they are not to share in any of the profits arising from the tour, but aro to bo satisfied with having only their expenses paid.” Let’s see—the Australian eloven are all amateurs ? ’ Giffen has made another century. Playing for the Norwoods recently against South Adelaide he scored 136. W.Giffeu mado 29. Blackliam heads the batting averages of first-class Australian batsmen with 64 for 2 iunings, Moses comes next with 60 for 4 innings, then Graham 56.75 for 5 innings, Bruce 47.16 for 6, I)r Barrett 46.40 for 6, H. Trott 46.40 for 6, C. A. Richardson 45.50 for 3, G. Giffen 40.66 for 6, P. Lewis 40.66 for 3, F. Iredale 40.28 for 7, J. J. Lyons 34.66 for 6. The principal bowling averages are

WITH THE JUNIORS. The Star-Kilbirnie fracas is now a matter of history, as, owing to the former club not acquainting themselves with tho Association rules, the match is now recorded against them. Last Monday night’s meeting, however, cleared up ono point—a most important one—tfcat tho Third-Class games are one-day matches, and if both competing teams cannot finish an innings apiece, the match must therefore count a draw. I do think the Star Club are blessed with more than their fair Bhare of luck. Last Saturday seven of the team were out for 17 runs, but when the last wicket fell 94 was on tho board, thanks to the patient batting of Pago, Smyth, and Osborne.

Frank Moore, the Johnsonville skipper, fairly lost his head, and for what reason Karl Rettor was romoved from tlio bowling crease lamat a loss to know. Dalgleish chuckled lo himself in the earlier portion of the game, bub his face was a picture at tho close.

Rash, the Rival ‘lifter,’ knocked up 39 very quickly last Saturday against the Hutt, but was not supported by bis colleagues. Iu consequence, ‘Jamie’ Judd had to bo removed in favour of Dr Purdy and Welsh. Tho Welsh brothers put a different complexion on tho game during their stay at the wiekets, and the fielding was completely demoralised. Jacks and Mirams made smart catchers early in the innings.

The Midlands were unable to repeat their first victory over Kilbirnie, and for the second time Thorndon defeated Phcenix. The latter team is, however, improving.

The College at present are not in a very good position against the Wellingtons, who are only in a minority of three runs, and have only to get rid of four wickets, The tail may come off, but the chances are ten to one against the boys winning the match.

Two of the leading Third-Class teams meet to-morrow at Karori, i.e., Thorndon and Karori. The latter team (excepting Dick Spiers) have been showing very poor form of late, and I expect the ‘ church ’ club to win.

The Midiand-Hutt heat, which takes place at Kilbirnie, should prove interesting, but I think the suburban team will win. The Kilbirnie-Phoenix, Kaiwarra-Rival, Johnson* ville-Wellington heats should prove run-a-way games for the firsUnamed clubs.

The following table shows the position of the various clubs competing for the Thirdolass Championship up to last Saturday Name of Club. Mts. Pld. Wins. Losses.

The Petone Club has withdrawn from the above contest.

Name. B. M. R. W. A. J. C. Keeman, S. A.. 77 5 24 2 12.00 If. Trumble, V 1374 109 309 22 13.72 R. M’Leod, V 1478 113 357 19 18.78 F. Laver, V. 102 7 38 2 19.00 C. T. B. Turner, N.S, W. 087 43 233 12 19.41 H. Donnan, N.S.W. 300 20 140 7 20.85 A. Coningham, N.S.W.. 658 28 252 11 22.90 E. Jones, S.A 882 31 357 15 23.80 G. Giffcn, S.A .. 1568 91 524 22 24.80

Karori 14 11 3 Star 13 10 3 Thorndon 13 9 4 Johnaouvillo 14 8J Kaiwarra 12 8 4 Hutt 13 7 6 Kilbirnie 13 7 6 Rival 14 n 74 Midland 14 3 11 Wellington 13 2 11 Phoenix 14 2 12