CRICKET

Southland Times, Issue 21581, 19 December 1931, Page 16

CRICKET

CUBBENT TOPICS

(By “Onlooker.”) The orgy of “hat trick” performances continues. An Appleby third grade boy, Jack Calvert, is the latest to join the revellers. Northerners learning of the run of hat-tricks in Southland this season will be beginning to think there is a factory for turning them out in the south. They certainly have been prolific. Glorious weather and plenty of bright cricket made last Saturday afternoon worth while for both players and spectators. Invercargill cricketers are having an unusual trot of fine and warm playing Satur days this season, and there is little doubt about the benefits of such pleasant playing conditions. In the senior games alone last Saturday a dozen batsmen topped the 30 mark. This is gratifying form, and proves that if Invercargill was served just fairly in the matter of weather conditions and wickets, we would soon be able to compete more successfully with the better favoured cricketers in northern centres.

Another aspect of the better weather — brighter—cricket slogan is the increased support from the public. Invercargill is the home of good sportsmen, and if good cricket can be produced it will not be long before the Showgrounds will become as popular as Rugby Park is in the winter. Marist look like suffering their first reverse of the season at the hands of the “in and out" Invercargill side. Invercargill fielding their strongest side for the first time, did well to dismiss Marist so cheaply. I have heard it said that they were lucky to get rid of the Greens for 129 runs, but I cannot subscribe to this opinion. Credit has to be given to W. Southern on this occasion for his handling of the bowling. Probably more confident than at the start of the season “Wattie” now realizes that one man cannot play the opposition lonehanded always. Further, Invercargill’s bowling is much stronger than at the start of the season, and the risk sometimes attached to unproved “changes” has not been disastrous. In Togo, Doig, Southern, McKenzie, Dr Brown and Scott (with Gilbertson and Pollok on hand if wanted) the old club has an attacking strength comparable with that of any of the senior elevens. It is simply a question of handling it correctly to get results. Invercargill’s out-cricket was superior to Marist's batting, and this enabled Invercargill to get. on top. Doig bowled steadily, but got no assistance from the wicket and was retired wicketless. At the other end Fogo hurled them down, mostly outside the off stump, and keeping a good length, was rewarded with three wickets. Bob is fast approaching the veteran stage. Nevertheless he can still “sling them down” and trouble the best batsmen. He clean bowled Riddell, Duthie and Lock, the one which dismissed Riddell being one out of the box.

Southern was first change for Invercargill and proved effective in his first over by' clean bowling Milne, This was a good wicket to get so early. Milne is a solid bat and is hard to shift at any time. Southern finished up with three wickets for 27. This performance should encourage him to bowl more. The fact that he is captain of the side should not interfere with the handling of the attack. He is a good length bowler and should use himself more. Personally, I like his type of trundling and am satisfied that with plenty of practice he will get better results than hitherto.

Scott and McKenzie were also tried at the bowling crease. The former secured a wicket after being more or less pasted by Nisbet and McKenzie took two at small cost. Hallamore, who scored an invaluable 35 for Marist, was one of McKenzie’s victims. According to reports McKenzie was fortunate in getting Morrison’s wicket. The batsman was out of his crease all right, but it is stated that Esquilant failed to gather in the ball when doing the stumping. Marist’s batting was good in parts only. In previous matches they have shown that they can get runs right through the list. On Saturday there were several comparative failures and the total suffered in consequence.

Outstanding in the mediocre display on a good batting wicket was Hallamore’s 35. Here is a batsman who has a good defence, possesses a nice array of shots and executes his scoring strokes in an artistic manner. He is one of the good and “finished” batsmen of the city and should do even better. Last year Hallamore showed much promise but although generally managing to get double figures this season, he had not until Saturday, shown any development. I was pleased to see his work against Invercargill and I think that now he has got into his stride we should see some good knocks from this colt, not only' in point of total, but also in execution.

Nisbet, making his first appearance after many announcements, signalled his return with a characteristically Nisbetian 32. As unorthodox as they make them, Nisbet puts plenty of wood into the shots and scores quickly when he gets going. There were only two singles in his 32. He should be useful to Marist.

Tom Riddell, Marist’s sheet anchor, started well, but couldn’t keep Fogo out and had to be content with a modest nine on this occasion.

J. Milne (22) and Beadle (10) both shaped well and looked like going strongly when Southern got past the pair of them. Faced with only a small hurdle, Invercargill batsmen shaped confidently enough, but were a long time getting on top. Esquilant was a trifle scratchy and went after scoring a patient six, and Pollok was content to take singles before opening out. He and Tapley were associated in a useful partnership and gave the side a good start. Pollok had a life at six, but thereafter went well and, like Hailamore showed that his run of “outs” was not his true form. He is another who should do better from now on. Pollok is a bit slow making his shots. The execution is correct, but is not snappy enough.

“Taps” took six shots to get 19, his last three being 6,4, 6. That small boundary on the Showgrounds appears to be his downfall. He will “run amuck” one of these days and give supporters a taste of the cricket which made him famous overnight, so to speak, three seasons ago. More restraint is needed in the meantime. Southern and Gilbertson are very consistent. The former was fortunate with a jet off at two, but thereafter compiled his runs in a tradesman-like manner. Gilbertson is not out with 30 to his credit. For a veteran he bats very solidly and is hard to shift. He might trouble the Marist bowlers again to-day. With a lead of 22 runs and five wickets in hand Invercargill should experience little difficulty in defeating Marist on the first innings. ... High School made another good showing, this time against Appleby, and a contin-

uation of their present rate of scoring should see the boys strongly disputing the decision with the southerners. Appleby’s 221 was a good total, but should have been nearer 300. Several of the Appleby men threw their wickets away. Beale, McGowan and J. Lilley batted well. Lilley has a style all his own, but he gets there and gets the runs as well. His 50 marks his second half century for the season. McGowan has now scored five thirties —a splendid average. The Oam aru side, published yesterday, is solid on paper, and should be capable of extending the young Southland team. The last time North Otago visited Invercargill the Southland colts had much the better of the exchanges. It is understood the Southland team to meet North Otago at New Year will be announced on Monday. Ken Uttley followed up his 25 not out against Appleby with a well-compiled 76 against Waitaki High School on Thursday. He is batting very' well just now and appears assured of a place in the Southland team.

Jack Scandrett’s absence made a big difference to the Southland High School batting at Oarnaru. Judging him on his form against Appleby last Saturday he would have been very useful against Waitaki. It is hoped to get down to some serious representative practice at the Showgrounds during the coming fortnight and players chosen to train are reminded that they are to be in attendance at 6 o’clock on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Absentees will receive no consideration.

Tom Riddell does not pose as a stylist, but he gets runs all the same. His solid batting and good fielding make him a possibility for representative honours. It is pleasing to see the keenness of the young High School team in the field. Faced with the prospect of a big total against them last Saturday they got down to business after the first four or five Appleby men had put on 160 runs and by smart ground work and good catching dismissed the side for 221. There were two smart run-outs, and Strang stumped one and caught one behind the wickets. It was good work for schoolboys. Ken Uttley, L. Uttley and Carswell stood out for good anticipation and clean picking up and returning. To-day’s fixtures will see the last of the competition games until the holidays are over. Club games will be resumed on Jan uary 9. On January 1 and 2 the annual fixture North Otago v. Southland will be played at the Showgrounds.

It is a long time since so many teams have been playing senior cricket in South Taranaki, says a writer in the Hawera Star. Ten is a large number and it will mean a long round to complete. Each team will have to play nine matches, playing each of the others. In North Taranaki there are only four, but they have a senior B as well as junior, and this division may be necessary to be considered in the south next season.

Waikiwi's withdrawal from the second grade (A section) competition is unfortunate. The suburban club fielded a strong side and always provided a good game. Several of their players now will be left without a game, that is unless they link up with other clubs. Metcalfe and one or two others are up to senior cricket standard and should have no difficulty in securing a place in a senior team.

It is reported that Harry Shirrefis will be available for Appleby after the New Year. He will strengthen the southenders’ side for their game with Invercargill. Jack Scandrett, promising High School left hander, has completed his school education but will continue to play for the School team throughout the season. Next year he will be found in Old Boys’ ranks, provided, of course, Old Boys are raised to senior status.

The fact that the match between Otago and a North Otago-Southland team, which was to have been played in the first week of December, had to be cancelled has occasioned keen disappointment in Dunedin, as it no doubt did in the other centres concerned, writes “Slip” in the Otago Daily Times. The match would have provided a good test for the country players and would have achieved a great deal in satisfying the demands that have been made for consideration of players outside Dunedin. The difficulty that players find in obtaining leave, particularly at the present time is realized, but tbe Otago Association has a just complaint. Why, it might reasonably ask, could the North Otago and Southland Associations not have ascertained whether players were available before arrangements were made, dates changed, and a certain amount of expense incurred ? If "Slip” had perused the communications between the secretaries of the Otago and Southland Associations he could have answered the above question himself. There was none more regretful than members of the Southland Association when it was found imeprative to soek cancellation of the game. But it must be admitted that both the Southland and North Otago Associations were put to much inconvenience owing to the fickle deliberations of the Otago Association. Had the Otago Association adhered to the original dates suggested for the trial, there is no doubt whatever that the game would have eventuated. Both Southland’s and North Otago’s representatives were selected and available for December 9 and 10, and just when arrangements were finalized, Otago suggested a change to December 2 and 3. Their reasons were good and would have been acceptable on any other occasion, but too short notice was given. Three of the six Southlanders were not available for tbe amended dates, and as already 12

Southland players had been approached to take part in the game, it was deemed inadvisable to proceed further. Surely “Slip” does not believe that Southland treated the matter lightly or deliberately tried to shelve the game! Southland players and association members are sincerely sorry that the opportunity to give promising young players their chance was unavoidably lost. It is hoped that the idea of the combined game will not be lost sight of. There is no reason why it should not be played later in the season, say January or February, when the Otago selectors could give Southland and North Otago players the once over for future Plunket Shield William M. Woodfull made his bow to a Test crowd at Nottingham five years ago. It was a veritable Test baptism, for the heavens poured incessantly, after about 10 minutes batting by England. The River Trent running alongside the ground, must have been tremendously swollen by the sheets of rain. The match was abandoned without a wicket falling. Woodfull s next match was at lord’s. He then followed with centuries at Leeds 141, and Manchester 117 He has since made four other centuries and runs level with Victor Trumper and Don Bradman with six centuries each against England. Woodfull always seems to be greatest when the acid test is applied. He has made against England 13, 0, 141 117, 35, 0,0, 30 not out, 68, 111, 7, 10L 1, 30, 102, 35, 2,4, 155, 26 not out, 50 54 54. Christchurch girls have taken up cricket, and it may be claimed that they have done it thoroughly, for a perusal of a score book on a recent Saturday (says the Sun) showed some features which have seldom appeared in the books of masculine cricketers. One team, scoring 141 for six wickets, finished up with three not outs, although nobody had retired. Included in the score were 39 byes and 26 wides, and of the 86 scored from the bat- one maiden was among those not out with 42. Truly it may be said that the womenfolk are introducing something new to the old game. JUNIOR NOTES (By “Keeper.”) Glorious weather conditions prevailed for the completion of the first senes of games in the second round of the junior A section The grounds were on the fast side and some good totals were recorded, although the glaring sun was disconcerting to many batsmen. . , Waikiwi, playing one man short, occupied the wickets practically the whole of the afternoon, but failed to reach Old Boys by the narrow margin of 18 runs. On the first day's play Old Boys compiled 202, while Waikiwi had replied with 22 for the loss of one wicket. -Continuing on Saturday Waikiwi increased their score to 183 Some good individual scores were credited to the Waikiwi side, Darragh 52, Metcalfe 36, G. Fraser 32, and A. Fraser 17 being the most successful. . Macdonald gave a splendid exhibition with the leather for Old Boys. Bowling 22 overs, eleven of which were maidens, he secured one wicket for a total of 19 runs. Other trundlers who met with a degree of success were Henderson two wickets for 14 runs and Smith 3 for 37. In a most exciting game Invercargill defeated Appleby on the first innings by 25 runs.

Invercagill were exceedinly cautious in the djing stages of the game, or they would have secured an 8 point win. Evidently the Invercargill skipper was not taking any chances with the elusive leather when he had idlowed Mr Extras to contribute a grand total of IS. Marchant played a sound and forceful innings for Appleby and his total of 66 was well compiled as he scored all round the wicket. Watson (59 not out) assisted Appleby in good style, although he was not as forceful as Marchant. Lilley (14) and Logan (18) were the other batsmen who secured double figures for the Appleby team. , For Invercargill Macallum (3/), Bruce (30), Stevens (22), and Currie (18) secured good totals in the first innings. In the second innings Macallum again top-scored with 37, while Francis (21), Stevens (15) and Currie (13) ably assisted their colleagues in staving off ultimate defeat. Bowling for Invercargill Currie secured two wickets for 23- runs and Bruce three for 51.

The most successful trundlers for Appleby were Jordan (four for 37), Watson (three for 27, and 3 for 19) and Poole (three for 34).

Exit Waikiwi. Owing to defections in their ranks Waikiwi were compelled to withdraw from the competitions. This is a regrettable circumstance as the ’Kiwi team possessed some really good cricketers. Railway defeated Tisbury by 107 runs on the first innings. Taking first strike Railway compiled 162 runs, Tisbury replying with 55 and 32 for five wickets. Williams (75), Taylor (52) and Shand (14) were the most enterprising batemen in the Railway tpam.

For Tisbury J. Corkin (12) was the only batsman to secure double figures.

In this game some exceptionally good bowling figures were secured. J. Corkin took 9 wickets for 57 runs, and as this was the total number of wickets falling to bowlers, it was a meritorious performance.

Bowling for Railway Williams took eight wickete for 14 runs, and Jamieson four for 7.

In the Union—Old Boys game Tayles emulated the performance of Corkin in securing all the wickets that were to fall to the bowlers. His figures were eight for 31.

Union experienced little difficulty in defeating Old Boys by eight wickets and 12 runs. <

Union compiled 116 for the loss of four wickets in the first innings. Belsham (45 not out), Watson (26) and Carlaw (25 not out) being the chief contributors. Old Boys replied with 50 and 83, Canswell (13), Luzmoor (33 not out) and Canning (11) showing most promise with the bat.

Bowling for Union Woodward secured four wickets for 12 runs and Mattingly 1 for 28.

Collegiate easily defeated Bluff. Batting first the Port side secured 83. Burtenshaw (25) and John (15) placed the best scores to the credit of the Bluff team.

Collegiate compiled 167 for the loss of six wickets, Pay (31), Ingram (55), Dunlop (57 not out) meeting with most success. Pay took three wickets for 14 runs, Ingram four for 17 and Ferguson two for 17. For Bluff Long took four for 28, and Crawford ov for 10. Fielding in this game was deplorable; several easy catches being missed. Ingram was dropped three times during his most successful innings. In the third grade section Appleby defeated Waikiwi by an innings and 47 runs Waikiwi’s first innings was a complete rout, the side being dismissed for 21 runs. Ludlow (10) was the hero of the hour.

In the second innings the Kiwi men showed more ability and scored 102 runs.

Sparrow (42), Ludlow (31 not out) and Metcalfe (10), were the main scorers. Leary (37), Childs (35), E. Calvert (26), Barrett (22) and Shirley (12) all contributed useful scores and assisted the Appleby side in securing 170 runs. Jack Calvert was in good form with the ball and secured four wickets for 12 runs, including the hat trick, all in one over. Swan (Appleby) also bowled well, taking six wickets for 7 runs and eight for 32 in the second innings.

Borstal v. Old Boys was the “big hit” of the day. The Institute team compiled 154 and 159 in their respective innings. In the first innings a Borstal boy secured 86 runs, including fifteen fours and two sixes.

The match was remarkable for the number of big hits. Sixty fours and eight sixes were recorded during the afternoon’s play. Old Boys improved on previous performances and secured 95 runs. Semmens (26), Gutzewitz (22) and J. Paterson (17) were the batemen who secured double figures.

Herbert, Haynes were successful in defeating High School A by six wickets. In the first innings Haynes secured 74 runs and the School team replied with 78. In the second innings School declared with 74 for eight wickets. Herbert, Haynes showed a reversal of form, and scored 88 for the lots of four wickets, and thus obtained an eight-point win. For School McLauchlan (13), Warburton (13), Buddle (12) and Bamford (10) batted with most success.

The. best figures on the board for Haynes were credited to Cartwright (30), Smith (29), Robertson (23 not out), Henderson (16) and Wesney (12 not out). Marist accounted for Collegiate A with ten wickets in hand. In the first innings Marist compiled 99, while Collegiate could only muster 91. In the second innings the Collegiate team failed dismally, the whole team succumbing to the Marist attack, with a total of 27 showing on the board. Marist experienced little difficulty in passing the Collegiate score, and when stumps were drawn they still had ten wickets to fall.

Six Marist players secured good doublefigure scores—Chisholm (23), M. Forde (15 not out), Barry (14), Murphy (11) and G. Forde (11). For Collegiate the most successful batsmen were Murdie (IS), Galbraith (13), Rattray (12), Good (12) and Hopgood (10). Bowling for Marist Dawson took five wickets for 12 runs, Cahill four for 13, F. Forde four for 20 and M. Forde three for 14. For Collegiate Rattray took two for 6, Good two for 10 and Murdie two for 18. A recent recruit to the ranks of Marist who shows distinct promise as a cricketer is T. Cahill. The junior representative selectors have flattered some local players. It is a pity that such players as Bruce, Marchant, Pay, Mattingly and Stevens were not available. Some confusion was caused in the selection of the junior team. Players who were available did not have their names submitted to the selectors by their respective clubs. This was unfortunate, as some players with sound claims to rep. honours were omitted from Wednesday’s team through no fault of the selectors. The usual methods of selecting a junior team were not adopted on this occasion because time would not permit of the trial method. However, the team will be revised in the near future, and some members of the present team will be asked to surrender the maroon cap. The writer wishes to congratulate Smith and Macdonald (Old Boys) on their inclusion in the Town team. Both players are enthusiastic cricketers, and it augurs well for the future of a club which was deprived of senior status at the commencement of the present season. Ideal cricket weather prevailed on Wednesday for the match between the Eastern team and Town juniors. The outfield was exceedingly good, and the scoring on both sides was rapid. Eastern batted first for a total of 211, Rodger (59), Mac Gibbon (32), Spittle (27), Martyn (25) and Currie (20) giving good exhibitions. Town commenced their innings disastrously. Watson, the captain, was caught without opening his scoring account. Bews, Hawke and Wesney failed to connect with the bowling, and Town had lost four wickets for 11 runs.

However, the thrill of the season was provided when Henderson and Mitchell became associated in a partnership which took the score to 96. Mitchell gave his best exhibition to date with the bat, and secured 30 runs, including four fours. Now that he has discarded the habit of slogging at everything, he will succeed in compiling useful scores for his team. , The spectators were treated to one of the finest exhibitions of batting ever witnessed on the showgrounds when Henderson (Old Boys) began to hit the bowling in all directions with consummate ease. The stand reverberated with applause, as he sent successive balls to rattle the pickets. In a wonderful innings he secured 129 runs, which included twenty-one fours and five sixes. . . . , Tayles, although he was dismissed without scoring, is to be complimented on the manner in which he held his wicket while Henderson rattled on the score. The partnership was continued for fourteen minutes and the Town team benefited to the extent of 63 runs. The remaining batsmen for the town side gave feeble exhibitions and the innings closed with 193 runs showing on the board. Had it not been for the exhilarating exhibition given by Henderson the Town side would have failed dismally. During his innings Henderson gave two chances which were somewhat difficult, and his opponents were unable to take advantage of them. Otherwise he gave a faultless exhibition which would be envied by New Zealand’s best batsmen. Congratula"rhe Union—Bluff game looks “on paperi’ a good thing for the former team. _ Their score (235) is a hurdle for the portites to negotiate and though cricket is a game of surprises the odds in this case are heavily in Union’s favour. Bluff fielding let many runs be put on against them. Certainly there were some in the team who performed creditably in their departments but others failed in a way that must have been very discouraging to the bowlers. The catches taken, however, were good ones. Silvester’s ..effort in the slips which dismissed Maxwell was a beauty. For the short time Bluff battled in the evening Union gave a good account of themselves in the field and Wilson and Hinton iliade no mistake when chances were offered them by the opening pair. With two good wickets down for 20 the local men will need to go hard to make a fight of it to-day. Sinclair reached a respectable total of 54 when McDonald caught him off Silvester. Two sixes and six fours were included in the knock, which was a good one to watch. Poole and Hamilton gave the side a decent start with 27 and 15 respectively. Dixon (35) and McCall (14) continued the good work which was later carried on by

Jack Lilley (21), Wilson (16) and Hinton (19 not out).

After a preliminary let off, Hinton batted breezily, his first four scoring shots being boundaries.

The Bluff bowlers stuck manfully to their task and had the support been greater the Union total must have been far less. Leslie Silvester, with four for 54, secured the best figures, Carter getting three for 46, McDonald two for 37 and Hutchinson one for 58. The latter seems unlucky this year, both with bat and ball, though his fielding is as keen as ever. A success with either of the former would be welcomed by “Bob’s” clubmates.

Bill McDonald got a nasty knock on Saturday. The batsman drove one back to him and as he stopped to field it the ball rose sharply to his right eye cutting through the eyebrow. He gamely completed the over, then after a couple of stitches had been inserted played out the afternoon. There are few keener men in the game than the Bluff man. Lack of opportunity to practice has caused Crozier to be an absentee for a game or two. He is needed in the Bluff team, however, and should get into flannels again right away.