Championship Matches.

NZ Truth, Issue 121, 12 October 1907, Page 3

Championship Matches.

Saturday saw cricket proper ushered m with the commencement of the senior fixtures, the newly-elected executive of the Association having come to the conclusion that m view of last season's happenings it was just as well to' get ofi the mark as smart as possible. Though a chilly southerly was rin evidence, the attendance of patrons was large. It Was a moot point at noon whether the matches would be started, but an improvement m the weather a couple of hours later influenced the responsible officials m going on with them. The wickets were m fairish order— a bit slow.

At the call of time, the position of thi various games stood thusly :— Midland 113, Wellington 4-4 for fivo wickets ; Newtown 129, Phoenix 58 for three wickets ; Old Boys 162, Petone 27 for 2.

The latest aspirants to senior honors—the Petone eleven— met last season's champions on No. 2 wicket, and performed very fairly. With the exception of Cobcroft, Brice, and Cato, the team was entirely new to the regular habitues of the Basin, and a distinct breath of country air seemed to be wafted on the breeze.

It was amusing to hear some of the remarks of the spectators— two old fellows of the "oldest inhabitant" type were conversing. One said, "That bloke with the braces on should ha' caught Blacklock," and the other, whilst/ agreeing, reckoned that "The cove at t'other end could bowl a bit." : ■ ■ ..

One had no opportunity of judging the batting capabilities of the Petone men, but their catching and ground generally was good and their returning capable of improvement. Tom Green deserves mention for his effort m dismissing Tucker— a nice catch. ,

The bowling department appears to be weak. Brice tires quickly and did so more quickly than usual on Saturday, while Cobcroft is only a change. !The other trundlers, G-reen, Barber, and Smyrk, did not impress one greatly.

The College ground will probably aiot be available until late m the present week, so the maiority of the Old Boys had not had a "bang" previous to Saturday, and under the circs the score of 162 was very creditable.

Monagban gave the best display— a Teally good innings— and his aggressiveness was quite refreshing. Pearson Blacklock came next m merit, but was rather lucky, and evidently sadly out of form. He has developed quite a : "tummy."

C. P. Blacklock notched a dozen, including two beautiful cuts. It is a' pity this player does not take his batting seriously. Beechev got a blob. Tucker, Mills and S. Jacobs all batted well for their double-figure scores. So did iDiclcson and Birch, but these two, especially the latter, could do with

some ginger. Skipper Blacklock cannot be congratulated on the order m which he sent his men to the wickets. He must have picked the names from a hat. "Dahn" Fisher was not available for this match, and his place was taken by McGill, a prominent ex-Mid-land junior. B. J. Jacobs made his debut In senior cricket and had the bad luck to get a blob, but should not be discouraged. Better men than him have undergone the same experience. Petone, with about half an hour to bat, scored 27 for two wickets—<Cobcroft (not out) 14. Cobby is evidently to be the mainstay of the 'Suburban team. The recent heavy rains had made the wicket on the soft side, but the .ball bumped badly at times. There is no excuse for bad wickets at this time of the season, and the Management Committee should -assert itself. There were any number of new faces on No. 3 wicket when Phoenix met Newtown. Both clubs are weakened by the changes. The Phoenix had several alleged seniors m the persons of Wednesday players. , Selector Fred Laws is now biting his fingers over the non-success of Moore, the Johnsonyille express, who on Saturday was quite harmless. Frank Alpe, judging from, his luck on Saturday, should invest m a Tattersall* ticket— he couldn't go wrong. Tilyard, who is only a youngster, showed the best form for Newtown. With experience, he should develop into our best left-handed batsman, which, perhaps, considering Martin Luckie is one of the order, is not saying much. Hickey. for Phoenix, bowled more like his old form, and was kindly de-^ bited by the scorer for any number of runs that should have been registered as byes. Laws was off color. Hie' also was murdered by the scorers. The Phoenix fielding reached deeper depths of awf ulness than last year. The Burton family saved the situa* tion for. Phoenix, and may score well next Saturday. The elder one went along very cautiously. Ryan is far ahead of the Newtown trundlers. He comes a little both ! ways and should surprise a i&vr of last year's reps. (?) when he gets, going. Midland got first knock against Wellington, but glitomere-d dismally until Bruce and Upham became associated. Their run-getting partnership was responsible for the hoisting/ of the century, which did not appear possible when seven of their comrades had been sent shedwards for barely half that number. Claude Hickson patted one softly to Richardson,. Arnold Williams- was settling down to business when .he played one from Hales on. to his bales, Barron was splendidly caught by Nash at long-on, the fieldsman I effecting a one-handed catoh, and Patrick,' who' made one or two neat strokes, t fell a victim to Hales \ iin the slips, Fisher neatly . execut- 1 ing the needful. j

Bruce, who the Midlanders look upon as one of the most promism"* young batsmen they have unearthed for some time, gave an admirable admixture of rock-like defence and forceful and crisp -hitting. He made a few weak strokes, but, taken all through, his exhibition— not chanceless—was natty and praiseworthy for the first essay of the season.

His clipping off strokes were m evidence, the ball skimmering along the carpet with the speed of greased lightning. Bruce also brought off some spanking straight drives. He lifted one from .Hales over that bowler's head, which produced fiveall run out. A weakness was his leg-stroke, and ultimately he fell an easy victim to Tommy Taylor, -stationed at short leg.It is (questionable whether Upham ever batted better than he did on this occasion! The Midlander has repeatedly come to the rescue whten things were looking the very blackest for his side, but his latest effort eclipsed anything I have seen from him for seasons past. He eschewed recklessness and shaped as correctly as one would expect to see from a batsman of greater reputation. Upham could fairly- claim the distinction of giving the best exhibition of batting on the Basin that afternoon. Mitchell kept his end up well, and assisted Upham to pile, on the runs. Tom Hales came out with a fine average, hut his deliveries should have been pasted more freely. Sey-r eral of the batsmen played him iv. very half-hearted style. However, Tom got the wickets, and that was^ what he and his side were after. It was a good performance to start the season with. Fisher, the ex-Dunedin and Christchurch player, should prove a good change bowler for Wellington. Jack Mahoney was not particularly sure or slick behind the stumps. The ground fielding generally was sure and the returning accurate, but the catching was below par. Bruce, who top-scored for Midland, was given a couple of lives. Mahoney and Skipper Richardson, made a promising start for tWellington, 31 being on the slate before the latter tried to force Patrick to leg, and the rattle of Ms timberyard proclaimed his mistake. Thereafter the wickets fell rapidly. 45 for five being the reading when stumps were drawn. . Mahoney, who was unbeaten with 26 to his credit, batted carefully, though his exhibition was not the essence of soundness. Still, it served a most useful puroose. Jack had two let-offs from the obliging fieldsmen. Richardson departed "from his usual order of sending the Wellington men m to bat, with a view of keeping Stan Hickson and other likely run-getters m reserve when a faster wicket and truer light would be m evidence. . Patrick made the most destructive show for Midland with the ball, his three victims being netted at a small cost.