RUNS AT AUCKLAND

NZ Truth, Issue 1043, 21 November 1925, Page 11

RUNS AT AUCKLAND

Bright Centuries (From "Truth's" Special Auckland Hep.) On wickets which could hardly be termed troublesome for the batsmen, the first games of the season were completed last Saturday. With the willow, honors went to Mills of Eden (131 not out) and Horspool of Grafton (133 not out), but there were other performances which though not productive • of such tall scores, were m some respects more worthy. A Lasher. Horspool at Devonport against North Shore went for the bowling gluttonously. His score contained three six hits and fifteen boundaries, but there were several blemishes m his innings He was caught by Johnston, but the fieldsman had a foot over the boundary line. Dacre, during the Shore innings opened his shoulders repeatedly to the opposition bowling, but his term at the crease was meek and mild cpmpared to that of Horspool. Dacre was long enough at the crease, however, to demonstrate that he ia m the best of fettle for the Aussie tour. His 68 were compiled byj faultless cricket, and his innings was characterised by enterprise and 'aggressiveness. He showed no economy of energy m his running between the wickets. In this respect he aast s times bustled his partners but that may have been due to want of understanding. In an all-round-the-wicket display. Dacre brought off several beautiful late cuts. His straight-from-the-shoulder drives were rarely skied except twice from successive deliveries one of which he placed into the adjoining duck pond and the other well over the boundary. At times he took a risk m stepping out and pulling to leg, but he never missed the leather. Altogether his batting was up to a high standard. Youth of Promise. Frater carried his uncompleted innings to 71 by pretty cricket, while Gen'ard's 48 was the next highest contribution. In the last-named, the Shore and m fact Auckland has a very promising youth. He plays with a confidence and skill which must be inborn, for it is only the other season since he was a junior player. Cricketers like Gerrard 'should be encouraged by the selectors, for, besides being worth trying for the sake of the experience they would get, they have also youth, and vigor on their side which has a material value m the field. jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^