TE ARAI V. RANGANUI.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8054, 1 November 1897, Page 2

TE ARAI V. RANGANUI.

The senior competition for the trophy presented by the Povetty Bay Cricket Association was commenced on Saturday afternoon last, when the ahove clubs met on Te Arai ground. A rather strong nor'-west wind was blowing across the ground, which made matters soinewnat unpleasant for both players and spectators. Among the latter were a large number of ladies, who took a keen interest in the play. The wicket and out-field were in splendid condition, and J. C. Parker (Ranganui), who won the toas from _W. Gibson (Te Arai), showed questionable judgment jn putting his opponents in on a perfect wicket. Crawford and Chas. Evans took strike to the bowling of Dave Parker and J. Gibson. Both batsmen opened cautiously, and when 15 runshad been scored Crawford was clean bowled by a good-length fast ball from J. Gibson. W. Gibson then joined the veteran, who continued to play careful and perfect cricket, while the incomer quickly got to work, and assumed command of the bowling. With the score at 71, Chas. Evans was smartly caught at cover by J. Gibson off Dave Parker, after compiling a most creditable score of 21. The veteran, who has shown wonderfully good batting form this season, gave an exhibition of finisheji ■ and correct cricket which the majority of the younger batsmen would do well to imitate. Atlee joined his captain, who continued to score rapidly, and frequently found the boundary with clean, hard driving. Atlee was bowled by J. Gibson after carefully making 7, and Smith, who followed, was clean bowled first ball by the same bowler. R. Johnston joined W. Gibson, and the latter, who scored at a rapid rate, banged away merrily and soon brought his century up amidst applause. An over afterwards, the Arai captain declared the innings closed .with five wickets down for 105, of which total he contributed an attractive and stylish innings of 104 (not out), while R. Johnston made 4 (not out) by stubbornly stonewalling for a lengthened period. J. Gibson and Dave Parker bore the brunt of the bowling. The former bowled 16 overs, and secured 3 wickets for 35 runs ; .while the latter, who is quite a lad, showedpromise of developinginto a first-class bowler, with coaching and experience. His analysis read : 17 overs, 2 wickets, 67 runs. J. Gibson and A. McDougall were the first batsmen' to face the attack of Crawford and Craig. The former slipped Crawford's second ball, and essayed a run, but lost his wicket by a smart bit of fielding and a clever return from W. Gibson to the bowler. Dave Parker played an invaluable innings of 15 (not out), and is certainly a promising young colt with both ball and bat. The remaining batsmen on the Ranganui side could not make any stand against the really fine bowling of Crawford and Craig, who dismissed the team for 25 runs. Crawford secured the splendid analysis of 6 overs, 6 wickets, 11 runs, but was beaten by Craig, whose figures ran : 4 overs, 3 wickets, 4 runs.

The Rangaimi men followed on, and at call of time nail" lost 7 wickets for 30 runs. Crawford again bowled splendidly, and bagged 5 wickets at the trifling cost of 7 runs, while Craig followed up his success in the first innings by taking 2 wickets for 6 runs. Te Arai thus won by 140 runs on the first innings. The, game was played in the best possible spirit," and' was greatly enjoyed by the players. The .result of the game must not be taken as a fair criterion of the merits, of the new club's eleven. They are a fine, athletic ' lot of young fellows, possessed of plenty of pluck and enthusiasm, and after they have had a little more practice and experience should be able to hold their own honorably with any senior eleven in the bay. - ■ Mrs Evans and the Misses Evans dispensed afternoon tea with their usual hospitality.

The Gisborne eleven journey to To Arai on the Oth November (Prince of Wales' Birthday), to play the first senior competitiou match with the country club. Great interest attaches to the contests between these old rivals, and there is certain to be a large attendance to witness the play on the 9th. Both elovonsare expected to be exceptionally strong. Probably no batsman in the colony can boast of as large a batting, average this season as that held by W. Gibson, the captain of the Te Arai Club. This player at present lias the phenomenal average of 275 runs for this season. His scores Tjave been as follow : 42 (not. out), 35 (not out), 94 (bowled), and last Saturday's score of 104 (not out) brings his average up to 275. We doubt if he will be able to sustain this colossal average for the season.