CRICKET NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8609, 20 December 1913, Page 15

CRICKET NOTES

Old Boys won the toss from Petone on Saturday, at Petone, and oatted first, the wicket being in first-class order. The ex-Collegians made a disastrous start, D. Hay being nicely caught, first ball sent down by Fmlayison, by Pomton. fielding as substitute at square leg. With three wickets down for twenty runs Old Boys position did not look any too rosy, but at this stag© of the game Black lock joined Beechey. Runs came immediately', but Blacklock did not appear to be at home and was net y—a, yiug with confidence. He soon got in mi his stride, however, and gave a good exhibition, hitting well all round the wicket. Blacklock had hard luck in not notching his century, being brilliantly caught by Powell, off Smyrk. when within five runs of the three figures. In one over Blacklock scored 16 rune off Barber's bowling.' Beechey made 23 nine, and greatly helped his skipper by keeping his end up, as did J. Hay and Mason, who contributed 17 and 10 runs to the total respectively.^ Petone is improving out of sight as regards fielding, and some of the catches taken by the fieldsmen in recent matches have been brilliant efforts. On Saturday every chance was taken, and the team as a whole strained every nerve to save runs. Petone have 44 runs to make to reach Old Boys first innings total of 180 runs, and have,..six wickets in reserve to .make the effort. Brice, who baa been suffering from an injured hand, batted for the first time ■for four playing Saturdays. He started in great form, and knocked up 55 runs before Tucker found his wicket. Off two overs, bowled by .1. Hay, Brice scored 31 rune, simply' revelling in slow breaks. In less than a quarter of an hour Brice bad come and gone, the score sheet showing ho hail been exceptionally busy while at tho w ickets. Smyrk opened Petonc’s innings, with Finlayeon, and played 'firet-class cricket. At the coll of hme he was still holding his end up, and has 41 runs to his credit. Tucker is bowling well just now. The four Petone wickets that have fallen were secured by him at a cost of 32 runs. Smyrk was in form with tho hall for Petone, and added five of the Old Boys' wickets to his girdle for tho small total of 16 runs. Brice claimed three wickets for 37 runs, and Donoghue, who usually accounts for the residue, eecured one at smal cost. . Hutt is net having the best of luck this season and it is seldom the senior team is not one or two members short. On Saturday against North. Hutt's bowling was weakened by the absence of “Tiny” Judd. The fielding of the team is on the up grade; that is as far as ground fielding i a concerned, but a considerable improvement could be made in the catching department of the game. It is noticeable that one or two of Hutt's fieldsmen form their hands into the shape of a cup when catching a ball, and the ball is allowed to drop into them perpendicularly. . This method if catching should bo dispensed with. It will be found that taking the ball at an angle is more effective, and the ball less likely to bounce out of the hands. Islierwood is showing some of his old form, both at the wickets and in tho field. The way he caught Wilson and Crombie on the boundary was splendid. His total of 26 runs constituted the top score for Hutt; Rodgere following him closely wih a nicely played 20. Hutt is rather deficient this season in good boismen. Glennie, a promoted

junior, made 12 runs before be was run out. and should, when he gains more ex-, perienoe. prove a good run-getter. North have a batsman in Quinn. His style is not a catohv one, and is very like Wrath's who played for the Wellington Club some seasons ago. In making his rune Quinn punished everything off the wicket and showed that ho couldhit. He went in seventh wicket and is unbeaten with 56 runs to his credit. Wilson made 42 before" Isherwood sent him to the pavilion. He has some nice strokes, but his innings would have been closed earlier if the chances given had been accepted. _ Wagstafi© made 30 while ho was at the 1 wickets, and North’s total of 184 runs for nine wickets has made their prospect of securing a two point win beyond doubt. North's three bowlers, Southall, Casey and Hiddkstone, accounted for Hurt's wickets at a cost of slightly more than 10 runs for each.