CRICKET

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11784, 21 March 1924, Page 8

CRICKET

STAGE DEFEATS PRESS THREU RUNS TO STARE. The umpires cannot be blamed and tho wicket had been watered by nature only, so the Press cannot find any excuse for losing the “ashes" of 1923-24 after three tost lnatcihos with the representatives of the stage. Up to Wednesday honours were even, but nt Kelbum Park yesterday the members of the Fourth Instate were defeated by the narrow margin of three runs after a most exciting game. Harry Stringer, the captain of the Stago tonm, won the toss and his side t>ook first strike. They compiled* 130 before they were finally dismissed. Dan Agar, with strokes all round the compass, a ,1a Macartney, was top scorer with 35, which included two sixes Manager “johnny" Farrell, who can pull a good length hall off the middle peg with uncanny precision, rattled up 29 in fine style. His running between the wickets would have been on object lesson to even the New South Welshmen. Les Thorpe, who is ambidexterous, mado seven runs while batting right-hand, and five while batting loft. Diminutive Dan Agar, junr., was the not out man, and in compiling seven showed his contempt for the Press trundlers. „

Captain Gibbon „an .1 Sando were the opening pair for'the knights of the pen, but tho former had to return to tho back often scoring a brace. J. Farrell skittled his stumps with a yorker. The Press team mado a good recovery, however, but when fast bowler Gundon and that wily trundk-r Thorp© took up the attack a different complexion was cast over tlho scene. Kelly stemmed the not for a time, but onco again the bowlers commenced to play skittles. When tho last pair—Hawthorn and Bishop—were at the wickets one was reminded of Newbolt s lino about “the bumpin/? pitch and the blinding light.” Slowly the total increased, but when four runs only were required to win tho gods ruled that the better side «bcnild have the victory. Scores in this heart-stirring contest are appended:— THE STAGE. W. Whittle, b Hewitt 0 J. Garrett, c Gibson, b Forde 23 D. Agar, b Hewitt 35 Gundon* c Sando, b Fordo 15 F. W. Amery, b Fordo 0 J, Farrell, run out 29 H. Stringer, run out 3 N. Allen, c Sando, b Hawthorn 5 G. Rutherford, b Hawthorn 0 A. Munro, b Hawthorn 1 L. Thoroo, et. Kelly, b Gibson 12 Sudholz, o Browne, b Hawthorn ... 2 D. Agar, ju ir., not out 7 . Extras 0 . Total 130 Bowling analysis:—Hewitt, three for 30; Ooleman, none for 21; Forde, three for 40; Hawthorn, four for 13; Gibson, one for 6. THE PRESS. A. Sando, c Farrell, b Thorp© 15 W. Gibcon, b Farrell 2 G. Hewitt, b Thorpe 21 F. Colman, b Thorpe 0 G. Mummery, b Grundon 12 Mr A. Kelly, b Thorpo 35 H. I. Forde, b Gundon 0 Hawthorn, not out 14 Brown, run out . 0 H. Roberts, o Stringer, b 'Thorpe 3 J. Ryan, b Gundon 3 11. Bishop, b Gundon 2 Extras 14 Total 127 Bowling analysis: —Farrell, one for 17; Stringer, none for 21; Gundon, four for Amery, none for 1; Thorpe, four for 28. • The Stage eleven shou’d bear in mind when celebrating their victory in bumpers that much credit is due to the iaii troupe of talent and beauty that gave them great moral support. Miss Josie Melville and tho other lady members of the company greatly distracted the knights of tho pen, who showed a greater inclination to glance towards the fair charmers on tho bank than towards iho bowlers. They also had the fear that if Miev were against the gentlemen of the boards they might have to try conclusions with M*ss Melville and her eleven who or© no mean cricketers. INTER-COLLEGE SPORTS WANGANUI CLEAR BOARD. Pe»: T-ncq Accnriatioo. WANGANUI, March 20. In the annual cricket match, Wanganui Technical College v. Napier Technical College, Wanganui defeated Napier by an innings and 45 runs. The scores were: — Wanganui 192, Napier 85 and 63. In the annual swimming competitions between Wanganui Technical College and Napier Technical College, the former won all the ©vents, namely, 50yds. 100yds, relay race (teams of four), and diving. CHEMISTS AT CRICKET WELLINGTON THEI LOSERS. TV" "Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 26. Tho annual match for tho Palliser Shiold feet ""eon Wellington Chemists (holders) and Christchurch Chemists, -was played to-day, Christchurch winning by nine wickets. Wellington made 101 in the firit innings (Condliffo 38, Herbert 12). Lawrence took threo wickets for 57 and Masters three for 20. In their ,-eoond strike Wellington collapsed for 37, to which Condlifie contributed 21. Christchurch made 116 in the first innings (Lawrence 14, Maloolmson 16, Glanville 43). llerdl secured six wickets for 34 in the second innings, and Christchurch lost ono wicket for 29 (Fulton, not out, 21). CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIPS LOWER GRADES POSITION. The contests for the lower grade cham plonships of the Wellington Cricket Association aro at a very Interesting stage. and the actunl winners will be decided on the matches to ho played to-morrow and the following Saturday. In tlie third-class A competition Lvall Bay and KiHurnie are at t'he top, in the third B tie ultimate winners lies between the Y.M.C.A. C (the Stop-Out Bovs’ of Rov. Feilden Taylor’s Mission), Karori, and .Tohnsonville, and for the fourth-class chamnionship the teams in the running are Hutt, Institute, Marist. and Central Mission. The following are the fixtures for to-morrow THIRD A. Lvall Bav v. Wellington College, College ' No. i. Hutt. Maori v. Y.M.C.A., Petone. No. 3. Central Mission v. Karori, Newtown Park, No. 3. Hutt v. Thorndon, Hutt, No. 8. Marist v. Selwyn, Wakefield Park, No. 4 THIRD B. Karori v. Johnsonvillc. Anderson Pork, Centrai Mission v. Kilbirnle 88, Kilhirnie, No. 3. Y.M.C.A. B v. Wesley. Kelbum, No. 4. Kilbirnie B v. St. Thomas, Kilbirnle, No. 2. Y.M.C.A C v. Hutt Maori, Potone, No. B. Petone A r. Lvall Bay. Petone, No. 4. Y.M.C.A. A v. Hutt, Hutt, No. 4. FOURTH. Wellington College v. Institute, College, No. 4. Wellesley College v. Marist, Karori, No. Scots College v. Thorndon B, Scots College, No. 2. Petone v. Hutt. Hutt. No. 5. Karori v. Central Mission. Newtown Park, No. 4. Thorndon A v. Y.M.C.A. A, Karori, No.