AUCKLAND NOTES.

NZ Truth, Issue 352, 23 March 1912, Page 3

AUCKLAND NOTES.

.The semi-final stage of the local championships was reached last Saturday afternoon when Grafton, Eden and North Shore notched two-point victories. The day was perfect for cricket, but the wickets were a trifle sticky after the recent downpours. At Eden Park, the home- team, who on the previous Saturday had 285 on the board for 4 wickets, declared, and sent 'Varsity m to do their best, amounting to 201, of which Graham's

SG, Wallace's 34, and Ellis's 32-. were the highest features of an otherwise eyesore of a display. Taylor's -4 for 54 for the Eden eleven, stamps . this colt as a player of promise. There being only twenty minutes to go to the call of time, and realising that their chance was hopeless, the ' Varsity ifce<3 agreed to draw- stumps, thus suffering defeat by 84 runs. Eden looks as if they will land the championship this year. . Parnell ignominiously failed to produce form against North Shore' at Devonport, and m 'their, first innings, only vmanaged to score 96, of which Oliif contributed a bright 32. Going m again, Shore'had two stumps down for 08 when the day's play concluded, and I therefore they left the field victorious I by 87 runs on the first innings. I Ponsonby suffered yet another deCeat at the hands of Grafton, at Victoria Park,' and it now looks as it the once leading team will. end up. at the bottom of the list. In their first innings, the Ponsonbyites scored 131, to which Grafton responded with 179 last Saturday, Mason's 27 and Pratt's 4S be- • ,ing creditable efforts. A 47-run vie- ! Tory therefore gave, Grafton another j two-point win.