Championship matches.

NZ Truth, Issue 135, 18 January 1908, Page 2

Championship matches.

FHYTRYTR

"mozzle" m -losing two of their first wickets per medium of a run-out, but some of their number went, pavilionwards through Aveak strokes. Ishenvood owed his dismissal, to over-e. ness. He drove a ball to Mahone. , who was fielding close m at cover-point, and charged up the pitch at top. His partner had yelled "no," and the sequence was Ishei'Wood's retirement. There was no possible chance of a run, especially when the ball was going to a fieldsman of Mahoney's calibre. As Petone has still 23 runs to make to win on the first innings, with only one wicket to fall, the other side may be said to have a bit the best of the deal. If Holise, however, can manage to negotiate a few overs safely, uobcroft will likely wipe off the -deficit. Cobcroft played a very solid innings. Going m first, he saw his comrades sent to the rightabout one after the other,, but the efforts of the .opposing trundlers were fruitless to dislodge him, and when stumps were/ withdrawn he was' still unbeaten with 52 to his credit., "Cobby" was sweet on cut and drive, the former stroke being executed with the artistic finish of a tradesman. Canterburyites claim Dan Reese, as one of the best "all-rounders" m the Dominion this season. Welliugtonian's are unswcr-r vingly of opiniorf that "Cobby" . is quite on the same plane. Tom Hales and Mr Otago Fisher's younger brother bowled really well; both keeping, a splendid length. Richardson and Smyrk brought off good catches, the skipper disposing of Senior m the slips, and Smyrk, at deep mid-off, accounted for Barney Wevbourne. Gates is keeping wickets finely this season, and his Saturday' display was no exception to the rule. The catch which sent Jack Mahoney pavilionwards was a beauty and no mistake. Most of the batsmen playing senior cricket m Wellington have themselves to blame to a great' extent when a run-out stands opposite their names ;on the slate, because . they do not back up and make a yard or two at I the bowler's end as soon as the ball j is delivered. Wellington's fielding was only soi so. On two occasions the fieldsmen funked the pace the ball was travelling at, and managed to get out of tlie road instead of gettiiv* • m front of the Feather, which might have saved six runs or a couple of boundaries. I Martin Luckie executed a few nice , strokes, and was just starting to convey to one the impression that he is a batsman, when Brice knocked Ms stump out of the ground and settled all arguments. 'After , an absence of over '"six weeks from the Basin, Newtown colts were drawn to meet Midlands on No. 2 wicket, and, contrary to general expectations, put up the tidy total of 20,9 before the last man was disposed of. Newtown winning the toss, G. Day and Alpe opened the innings and had 60 on the score sheet before Alpe was caught off Bruce for 21. Day continued scoring at a rapid rate until finally caught and bowled by Wi^hton, after compiling SR. Day is certainly showing some of his ' old form which gained him his rep. cap some five or six years ago.

His display on Saturday was a goodl one, scoring principally by powerful driving ; two were beauties, producing a 5 and a 6 each. The best display on Newtown's side was Tilyar-d's (52 not out), excepting a difficult chance to Hickson when m the twenties. His batting was first-class. He has a lovely off-drive, and also a nice square cut. He gained practically all his runs on the off-side of the qicket. Tilyard's last three innings have yielded 35, 44, and 52 not out. A ffixst-class performance. for a young colt. Woodger, a promoted junior knock-' | ed up 23 m a lively style, and should' keep his place m the team. Midland's bowling was only fair, and with Upham away the Newtown batsmen had a day out. Hickson secured the most figures, although he received the most punishment. W. Wighton was brought up from the juniors for this match, but did not meet with much success, his one wicket costing 33 runs. Clause Hickson and Bruce started operations for Midlands. Bruce was Lnot at home at all to Ryan, 'having 'one or two lives during his short stay at the wicket. Hickson batted much steadier than usual and was very lucky to survive a unanimous appeal for a catch behind the wickets oft Ryan which umpire Bock ruled not out. The next ball Hickson placed nicely to. PMmmer m the slips, and, as usual, he dropped it. I would suggest to jPlimmer that he bring, his lettercarrier's bag with him m future ; it might be of. assistance to him. Williams batted , nicely for 37 not out, including a slashing leg hit for 7, all run out. Tlie fielding of the Newtown team was good. In fact, the ground fielding could hardly have been improved upon. After its miserable exhibition m this department against Wellington and Petone- it is to be hoped the Southenders will endeayor to keep up Saturday's performance. Phoenix, m their match against the Gas Co. on the Athletic Park, started none , too well. Vie. Waters and Burton, senr., opened, v but the latter after playing— or rather missing—two balls from G-ourlay, was clean bowled by a straight one. Laws, who followed, was diddled out by Gourlay, as also' was Little. The Gasworkers' fast bowler had no less than five men m the slips,*and bowling with the wind, was racking them m at a terrific pace, but contrary to the usual Athletic Par|c wicket and the expectations of the Phoenix' batsmen the ball did not kick. McLennan and Waters made an excellent stand, taking the score from 18 to 85 before "Vie" was bowled, having played an invaluable innings of 41 runs. Hickey and Burton, junr., helped McLennan to increase the score to 185 when the innings ' closed, leaving "Curly" Mac not out with 74 to his credit. He v.-_s missed by Church when about 60, but otherwise his innings, although somewhat lucky, was undoubtedly the means of saving his side from utter collapse. Gasworkers opened their innings m a winning vein, Waters and Church playing with confidence until the former was stumped, the ball coming back from the pads of the wicketkeeper. Dredge and Church took the total to within four of the half-century before Church was well caught m the long field. Waugh came next and he "and Dredge simply played with the Phoenix bowlers, and it was not until the total was 150 that with the last ball of the day the partnership was severed, Waugh being caught behind the wicket for "a well played 32. Dredge, who was not out with 63 to his credit, played a stylish innings, and one of immense value to his side. Now that Dredge has been relieved of the cares of a captain, he seems to have come out of his shell and is now one of the most consistent ibatsy men m Wellington. He has lost all his slowness, and on Saturday was hitting away a la Blacklock.