CRICKET GOSSIP

NZ Truth, Issue 882, 21 October 1922, Page 7

CRICKET GOSSIP

WELLINGTON JOTTINGS.

Midland and V.M.C.A. met at Anderson Park. Cobcroft won the toss from Bruce and decided to bat on a wicket that did not give the bowlers much assistance. It certainly had two paces, as the low-lying- end was a trifle slower than the top. - V.M.C.A. complied a total of 187— a fairly good score for the start of the season when boundaries only counted two instead of four. The V.M.C.A. score (with the exception of a nice innings by Dug Binnie for 43) was put together by the bowlers of the team — viz., Peter Fulton 35 (not out), Mat Henderson 27, and Reg White 16. It augurs well for the batting strength of the team to find the bowlers showing such good form with the bat. Sutton played very sound cricket, his strokes all round the wicket being good. In conjunction with Henderson ho helped the score to mount up to a respectable total. Mat Henderson exhibited sound defence m spite of the numerous changes m the bowling, and his innings was a most serviceable one for his side. The catch made by Dave Patrick which caused his dismissal was a good one. Rob Murphy was unfortunate ( m having an appeal for a catch behind the wickets given against him, just as he had settled down and looked the goods. Still, the best ot ! umpires make mistakes. Patrick, Hutchings, Judd; Bruce and Jeffs had turns with the ball. Hutchings got the majority of. the wickets, but 1 think Patrick and Judd bowled best. Bruce, who does not bowl enough, also bowled well for the few overs he had. Midland's fielding was fair. With half an hour to bat Midland made 31 runs without the loss of a wicket (.Baker 17 and Hutchings 11). Henderson, Fulton and White bowled for V.M.C.A. * ' Midland should be able to get the runs, but one never knows. Hutt met Petone on No. 2 wicket at the Basin Reserve and were got rid of for the small total of 134. Herb McGirr, 41, played his usual attractive cricket and with Arthur Aldersley, who made 26, saved the side from collapse. Shanahan was unbeaten with 17. The latter will do well, this season as he exhibited plenty of confidence at a critical) stage of the game. ft . , The ever-green Stan Brlce, coupled with Ranji Finlayson, were the destroying angels for Petone. The tall Petoneite seems to be rejuvenated again, so well did he bowl. Ali! Gate was, as' 'usual, very, sound behind the wickets and allowed little to escape his clutches. Petone made an indifferent- start and the first three wickets fell for 8 runs, but Corner (IS) and Hamilton (6) increased the total to 31 for three wickets. Aldersley has captured two and McGirr one wicket. The game is m an interesting stage, with Petone appearing to have the better chance of a win. The. fielding of Petone was good. No. 1 ground was occupied by the Old Boys against' Wellington. The former, having the luck to win the toss, batted on an easy wicket with a very close three boundary and succeeded m compiling 259 before being disposed of. iThe batting honors lie with K. Tucker (79)* A. Ronaldson (47), G. Burt (40) and E. Bull (33). Tucker's innings was sound and made m that player's characteristic style, driving being his most, telling stroke, while he made some sweet cuts to the boundary. Ronaldson .deserved his runs, and will be a great asset this year to the Old Boys' batting. It is pleasing to see two colts, Burt' and Bull, doing- well, as once they have broken the ice they will m all probability cause a" lot of trouble to the opposing bowlers. • Hidclleston and Millbrook were tho best bowlers on the day for Wellington ahd secured good figures considering the strength of the batting opposed to them, also the small boundary. Wellington's fielding- on the off was ■not very bright, and, m fact, the ground fielding altogether VY T as p?itchy. Old Boys have not. made too many to consider, themselves safe as their opponents are a good batting- side; also, it does not. take long to rattle up a century when the wickers like the Basin. are played on with the short boundary of three on the pavilion side. It should be a good go, and Old Boys will want to accept every chance given if they wish to gain a win. Kelburn Park was the scene of v the Institute-Thorndon game. Institute, batting all the afternoon, made a total of 370, which looks exceptionally good, but good score though it is, it must be discounted a hundred by the easy four boundary. What should be ' most pleasing to the Institute is to see so

many of their junior members of the team scoring so- well. Dempster and Banks, the two star batsmen of the side, were got rid of cheaply, but Ditchiield (69), Burt (68), Baumber (51), Smith (50) scored their runs well, and, altogether, the batting was m every way up to senior form. Oh]y two batsmen failed to get double figures. Plant, the fast left-hander, captured four wickets for 69 runs, and Edgar Phillips two for 71. Thorndon's bowling was very weak and badly requires building up. institute should have no difficulty m gaining a win as Thorndon's batting, with the exception of three players, does riot appeal to the writer as up to senior ciass. Buck up, Thorndon, and go after the hurdle set you! E. McCardell captured 5 for 22 and 6 for 9 (including the hat trick) playing for J^oneke Third A against Institute. ) Browning, of Poneke Juniors, captured 7 wickets for 16 against Johnsonville. Some good batsmen were dismissed cheaply m their senior games on Saturday — viz., Collins, Dempster, Banks, Rob and H. Murphy, Westbrook and Barclay. ' The majority of these, I feel sure, will make their, presence fe!t to some of the bowlers this seasqn. A Congratulations to G. "Gibson (four wickets for 1 run) and Sec. of Association E. R: F. Hewett (27) for Midland Juniors against Thorndon. Wellington College Juniors hold a slight lead from Johnsonville, having made 110 for 9 wickets to their oppo - nent's 94. Anything can happen yet. V.M.C.A. Juniors hold a commanding, lead from Wellington. Y.M. put to- • gether 127 (Andrews 32 and Mitchell 31 being highest scorers). "Wellington were all out for 74 (Ward 24 and Henna 20)1 / ' Kilbir'nie have it all over Petone so far, naving made well over the century to ttiei suburban team's 30. W. Uhristopherson (33), Eaton (41) and Armstrong (24) were the principal contributors of last season's winners, while Russell bowled exceptionally well, obtaining 5 wickets for ,7. St. Patrick's College created a surprise by leading Kilbirnie B m the first innings, the waterfront suburb making 92 and St. Patrick's College responding with 108 for 8 wickets. The Management Committee of the. Association should define the boundary question on the various grounds, particularly on Anderson and . Kelburn Park^. Marris did a great bit of stonewalling for the Old Boys against Wellington on Saturday, being at the 'wickets ■well over the hour for less than double figures. Berneau, the left-hander of the Wellington Club, did not bowl too successfully on Saturday, yet the only wicket he captured was a star batsman's (D. C. Collins?. ' Such is the luck of the game. The majority of old timers did well for their clubs on Saturday, which only goes to show that cricket at the present time is not quite like it used to be. Tucker 79, Fulton 35 not out, Aldersley 26 and Stan Brice 5 for 62, Jack Hutchings 4 for 43, and Ranji Finlayson & for 51.. A word of praise is due to Mr, Mabin for the interest he takes m the Boys', League. .He is busy with the junior boys on Saturday,, mornings at the Basin and the senior boys occupy his attention m the afternoon, principally at Kilbirnie. ■ -, While having a glance i*ou,nd at some of the boys on Saturday morning J noticed some promising youngsters— Cookson, Wiren and a tall boy from Terrace School, Watt and Barclay (Clyde Quay), and another left-hander, I think from Wellington South. Auckland cricket will start m earnest to-day. Burton, the old Wellingto'nian, is showing good form. There is. not the slightest doubt that m that case m which Cate caught aball behind the wickets with his pads and then got hold of it with his hands before it reached the ground the batsman was out. -■ ■ -