AUCKLAND NOTES

NZ Truth, Issue 351, 16 March 1912, Page 3

AUCKLAND NOTES

Last Saturday was a good day for wielding the willow, m fact, the best since Christmas. On that day the ninth draw of the championship programme was commenced, and m one instance only was anything like decent cricket played. The wickets were good, but batsmen bad, whilst the bowling wasn't of a sensational order. At Victoria Park a number of spectators got m without dubbing up towards the Association's funds -to see Ponsonby make a poor stand against the mediocre Graftonites. Of the 131 total recorded, four batsmen practically compiled the lot, the four being Snedden 34, Robinson 14, Woods 23,---and Wilson 24. The Graftonites' most successful trundler, Harvie 5 for 31, has to thank ! his good luck only for this average. | Following on, Graf ton sent m Jones and McCormack to face the hot ones from i McMath and Co., and after notching 3 Jones was despatched to I the pavilion. Hay appealed against I the light at this stage, so play concluded for the day with one stump shivered for 29 runs. ■ At Devonport the wicket was dead for North Shore and Parnell's argument, and after batting all the afternoon the Shore reached a total of 183, of which Bush contributed 54 and Halfe 38. Kerr's 5 for 60 for Parnell was a good effort. The best game of the day was at Eden Park, where the redoubtable Eden eleven gave University haw-

haws the time of their lives. Claude Hem,us and Taylor registered a magnificent partnership. The former, reproducing southern form, gave a mas- . terly exhibition, and when caught out at 91 he received a well- deserved ova-i tion. Taylor, when at 58, was beaten by a beauty from Wallace, and this ended a memorable partnership. Ike Mills and Gordon filled the breach, and when 48 the first-named gave a dimcult chance to Dettnan ofC, Graham, which was accepted. When light failed, Gordon, who was playing sound and free cricket, had 55 not out to his j total, whilst the one-time ; brilliant Brooke Smith -was plodding: away for i a measly 7. T-hus 4 wickets down for 255 is a stiff proposition for the blue [ boys, arid a three- point win seems a ' moral for Relfs old club. •■■•..