CRICKET

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6451, 24 February 1908, Page 7

CRICKET

WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION. THE FINAL. HEAVY SCORING. FINE PERFORMANCE BY BEECHEY. There was a charge of Gd admission to the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon when the final mutch tor tho senior championship between Old Boys and Midlands was commenced, and those who pu’c in an appearance received full value for their money, interest was confined almost exclusively to the contest mentioned, notwithstanding that there were two other first grade games in progress. The play was brimful of incident. Old Boys have been responsible for some capital performances this season, but it Woks, on tho face of Saturday’s play, as if they axe going to eclipse their previous achievements. Their most ardent supporters could never have dreamed that they would have done so well, as when stumps were drawn the telegraph showed five wickets down for a total of 3-15 runs. The afternoon was a peculiar one. When play commenced, the sky was clouded a,s if with smoke, but about four o’clock the wind changed to southerly, ominous clouds commenced to bank up, tho wind came up cold, and the light commenced to fail. These conditions continued for me rest of the afternoon, but tho full time was played, though the light rapidly got worse in tho last half hour. The wicket was good, and the side in possession of the creases made tho most of it. The outstanding feature of tho afternoon was a brilliant performance on the part of Beechey. who played a magnificent chancoless innings for 158 runs. Since the representative games this season started he has shown a decided improvement in his batting, being more steady and less venturesome, and he compiled his runs in a manner which was worthy of the occasion. He obtained most of his runs by vigorous forcing strokes all round tho wicket, driving particularly well, and when he attempted to lift a bail lie put sufficient power into his effort to jdace tho leather beyond the danger zone. He scored his runs rapidly until nearing tho century, when ho slackened doivn, but after notching three figures—and despite tho fact that ho was palpably tired—livened up again and did some vigorous work. He was three and a half hours at the w-icket, his effort being the biggest innings of tho season in Wellington, and his first century. He received an ovation on reaching the hundred, and was applauded from all parts of the field when coming back to the pavilion. He hit two fives, six fours, and numerous threes.' Other members of- tho side rendered valuable assistance, and there is every piospect of Midlands having a big total to face when they commence their first innings. The weakness in their bowling was apparent throughout, each one of their trundlers causing the batsmen littlo anxiety, while their throwing-in at times was a bit reckless. , . .. ...... Two other senior games were also commenced, but they wore completely overshadowed by the final .match. Moreover, there was very little in these contests to rivet attention, the only feature of an outstanding nature being a century by Laws for Phoenix against P.etone. He wont in about the same time as Beechey, hut scored at a much slower rate, fearing the wickets with 121 not out to his credit. This is the second occasion this season on winch he has exceeded three figures, tho first time being a AVednesday competition match. OLD BOYS v. MIDLANDS. Midlands, who boat Old Boys in the first innings in the initial round, lost tho toss and took tho field. Old Boys adopted a slightly different method of sending their side in, as S., Jacobs, who had previously., been reserved until the last man, accompanied Beechey to the wickets. Both men ployed steadily to the bowling of Unham and Mitchell, the first change in tho bowlers being made at 46, when" Hickson displaced Upham, Jacobs notcnfng a fiver off the last ball of his first over. The initial wicket fell with the total at 64, Jacobs being given out in leg-before to Mitchell in trying to hook a shortlength ball. Tucker filled the breach, and his advent saw the commencement of a partnership the dissolution of which caused a lot of trouble, 169 runs being added before Tucker succumbed, clean bowled, to a good-length delivery from Mitchell, the batsman playing all over it. The retiring batsman shaped confidently, allowing a variety of strokes, cutting well. . He had an element of luck on his side, however, as when only 8 runs on he sent a ball high up in the slips between Mitchell and Upliam which neither attempted to got," while when he was 27 he gave Mitchell a chance in tho slips off Patrick. Beechey meanwhile had been making good use of his. time, and, while giving the field plenty of work, was also grafting hard himself. Lomax had a brief stay, as five runs only had been added when AVighton got ono past him. The arrival of J. P. Blacklock saw no diminution in the rate cf scoring, but while he was at the wickets ho monopolised most of the bowling. Ho was shaping in his best style, and had added S2 out of 40 runs scored for the wicket when be sent a ball high into the air off Hickson. Upham taking the catch. Some time before this Beechey had brought his 100 up with a fine, drive for. four oft Dpham, haring taken eaotly two hours. Tho crowd gave him a great rally. Monaghan, the next man. also proved to bo in a run-getting mood, and lie had not been long there before he hit. a ball for five, all run out. A wild overthrow resulted in four more runs being obtained, and this effort, after over”threo hours nt the wickets, took all the steam out of Beechey, who shortly after hit a ball up to Quee at long-on and retired amidst a great outburst of applause, haring been at the wickets just on three and a half hours. Mills filled the vacancy, and the total was raised to 345 runs without the loss of any additional wickets before piay ceased for the day. Scores:— OLD DOTS.—First Innings. Beechey, c Quee, h Dpham 15S R. Jacobs. Ib'.v. h Mitchell ... —. 26 Tucker, b Mitchell €0 Lomax, b AVighton 2 ,T. P. Blactlock, c Dpham, b Hickson 32 Monaghan, not out ... 3S Wills, not out 9 Extras 20 Total for five wickets 343 Bowling Analysis—Dpham, 18 overs, 84 runs, 2 wickets; Mitchell, 21 overs, 1

maiden, GO runs, 1 wicket; C. Hickson, 16 overs, 96 runs, 1 wicket; Patrick, 9 overs, 4i runs; Wighton, 5 overs, 41 runs, 1 wicket; Bruce, 2 overs, 13 runs. PHOEXIX v. PETUNE. This match was played on the No. 2 wicket, and, but for the individual performance of Laws, was not productive of any sensational play. Phoenix batted first and made 205 nins, nearly half of them being credited to F. Laws. Ho went in first, and went through the innings unbeaten, leaving tho. crease with 121 runs to his credit. Ho played a careful innings, opening out at times, and made a number of capital strokes, scoring a six, two fives .and seven .foul's. Ho gave a couple or chances, one before he ivas fifty, and another possible one when nearing the century, but neither were accepted. Four of the other members of the side obtained double figures, McLennan, Waters and Poiteous each contributing 12, and Crcwes 14. Connolly made his first appearance as a bowler in this match, but achieved nothing remarkable, the two wickets with which ho was credited costing 53 runs. Cobcroft took three for 69, and Smyrk two for 27. AVhcn stumps were drawn, Petone had lost four wickets for 67 runs. Scores: PHOENIX.- First Innings. Burton, c Islierwood, b Gobcroft ... 5 Law 6, not out La E. Wilson, run out 4 Saunders, b Connolly ... 9 Coliole, b Gobcroft 1 McLelian, c and b Connolly 12 Waters, b Gobcroft L Portcous, run out 12 Hickey, b Smyrk 8 Crowes*, o Brice, b Taylor 14 A. Wilson, cJ. House, b bmyrk ... 0 Extras 7 Total 305 Bowling Analysis.—Connolly, 25 overs, 3 maidens, 58 runs, 2 wickets; Gobcroft, 2J overs, 2 maidens, 69 runs, 3 wickets; Green, G overs, 1 imu-ucn, 23 runs; Smyrk, 7 overs, 1 makien, 27 runs, 2 wickets; Taylor, 5.5 overs, 2 maidens, 17 runs, 1 wicket.

PETONE.—First innings. Cobcroft, c Porttx>u&, b Hickey . ... 16 leherwood, c Porteotis, b Hickey ... 7 Taylor, not out ... 24 Green, c Crewes, b Wilson 7 A. House, c Hickey, b Wilson 0 J. House, not out H Extras Total for four wickets 67 Bowling Analysis-—Hickey, 8 overs, 40 runs, 1i wickets; A. Wilson, 7 overs, 26 runs, 2 wicbcts. WELLINGTON v. GAS CO.

Play was very dreaiy in the match between the above contestants, who only suoceded in playing one innings. Gas Company were at the wickets nearly the whole afternoon, taking three and a quarter hours to obtain tho 174 runs with which they were credited. The first five batsmen started fairly well, having 148 on for live wickets, but the tail was minus a wag, the last five wickets only adding six. runs. Hodge was top scorer with a useful 48, while Topp played’ a capital innings for 36 runs. Ashbolt made 23, but he took a considerable time to do it, being at the wickets well over an hour. Eight of the opposing team were given a try with the ball, the most successful being Luckie, who captured five wickets for 41 runs. Wellington had ten runs on in their first innings when play ceased. Scores:—

Bowling Analysis.—Luckdc, 18.5 overs, 6 maidens, 41 runs, 5 wickets; Hickson, 8 overs, 2 maidens, 16 runs; Fisher, 7 overs, 25 runs; Nash, a overs, 3 runs; Naughtooi, 4 overs, 28 runs, 1 wicket; Quinn, 5 overs, 14 runs, J- wicket; Hales, 10 overs, 25 runs, 2 wickets; Richardson, 1 over 2 runs. f - THIRD-CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP^ Tliorndon second eleven defeated Now town tliird bv 102 runs. The former completed their second innings for 137 (Martin 34, Barry 22, Duff 32, Thompson 13, Gayford* 10). Newtown only scored 71 in their second strike (AAL Banks 20, Eiffgs 14, J. Johnston 12, (i. Johnston 10 not out), being unable to do anvthing with Martin's kh-breaks, that howler securing all the Newtown wiekotß at a cost of 27 runs. BOYS’ LEAGUE. The leading teams for the senior grade, Y M C.A. and Thorndon, met. Ihorndon’s first innings yielded 20 and Y.M.C.A.'s 33. If Tbornoon wins this match it takes the championship. If Y.M.C.A. wins. Thorndon and ST.M.C.A. will have to play off again. In the match between the Post and Telegraph Stores Department and It. Fletcher and Co.’s employees, the former scored 69 and 61; B. Fletcher and Co. 60 and 38 for five wickets. . Young’s Chemical Company defeated Rouse, Black and Co. by 8 runs. Young’s side made 51. and Rouse, Black and Lo. replied with 43. .

GAS COMPANY.—First Innings. Topp, b Laughton .... ... 3G Spottiswoode, Jbir, b Luckio ... ... lo Waters, c Mabony, b Qumn ... ... 15 Hodge, c sub., b Hales ... 4b Chumh, b Lucid© ... 6 AiShbolt, o Naughton, b Luckio ... 2., W augh, b Hales ... ... 5 Gourlay, h Lucid© ... a Hill, run out ... ••• ... 3 Dredge, net out ... 1 Morrell,' b Luckio ... 0 Extras ... 20 Total ... ... ,174