A FINE GAME ENDS IN A DRAW

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 88, 23 March 1931, Page 7

A FINE GAME ENDS IN A DRAW

.-NO FINALITY REACHED IN CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIP

:1 HONOURS WERE EVEN IN SATURDAY’S MATCH

J MO decision was reached in the final of the club championship T il of Taranaki, played on Victoria Park, Stratford, on Satur- » day, between Stratford and Tarurutangi, the latter, with one wicket in hand, requiring 2 I runs to win on the first innings. Stratford had first use of an excellent matting wicket, ideal for ' batting purposes, but an indifferent opening saw five wickets fall for 55 runs. A timely stand by Hall and Sandford in large measure retrieved the situation, and Hall and Wilson were then associated in a bright partnership, which consolidated the position and enabled the innings to be declared closed at 193 for nine wickets. Left with about three hours in which to score the necessary runs, although at one stage when seven wickets were down for 107 runs the end appeared to be in sight, Tarurutangi pluckily fought an uphill battle with such success that on the call of time they had notched 1 7 3 runs for the loss of nine wickets. The game thus ended in a draw, with hon- ■ ours easy.

The finish was as exciting as one icould wish to witness; the bowlers \nd fleldsjnen striving desperately in their endeavour to effect the dismissal Of the last two batsmen, and the batsmen in their turn determinedly calling upon all their skill to keep their wickets intact, and, if possible, to score the requisite few runs which would have given victory to their Bide.

Essence of Steadiness

Weil Patronised

The match was exceedingly well patronised by the public, who were treated on the whole to a day of most interesting cricket, during which the fortunes of the contending elevens fluctuated in*a highly fascinating manner; and though in the early Btagea of the game spectators were subjected to the ordeal of watching play of a singularly unenterprising nature, though such play was warranted by the circumstances, yet the thrilling conclusion was ample recompense and more than atoned for any deficiencies in the character of the play from the point of view of the onlooker. The ground itself was in capital order and playing conditions were pleasant. r Stratford Bats

■' Oil winning the toss, Stratford elected to bat, and Hamilton and Gatton opened the innings to the howling of Bishop and Spence Giddy, both of whom immediately struck a length and for over after over were the acme of steadiness. Gatton was soon caught behind the wickets for 5 and Donnelly, who replaced him, just failed to make good his ground when a short run was attempted. After reaching 10, Hamilton snicked a ball from Bishop and was caught in the slips, three wickets thus having fallen for 21 runs —a most discouraging beginning for Stratford. Beere and Dormer added 32 valuable runs for the next wicket, the former’s inclination to attack, the bowling yielding him sevefal boundaries on the leg side. When 22, however, an off-break fror % ’ N. Giddy beat and bowled him. Hall joined Dormer, who shortly afterwards fell Ibw, to Spence Giddy. Fifty-five runs for five wickets was a disastrous start, and Hall and Sandford applied themselves to the task of Improving the position. Both batsmen refused to take the slightest risk, though pall reached the fence with some forceful qff-drives, and they were Mill together when the luncheon adjournment was taken, the score then bfelng 88 runs for five wickets, ine result of over two hours’ play. Resuming in the afternoon, the pair carried the score to 114, when Sandford was bowled by E. Giddy for 17. Sandford had stone-walled for his runs, but hfs opportune stand with Hall had realised 69 runs. Wilson quickly made his presence felt and by hitting the bowling freely, played the right type of game in the circumstances. Hall also opened out to score with facility all round the wicket by means

of attractive iStrokes. Eventually his

sterling Innings was terminated when Potter, behind .the wickets, accepted a catch off Bishop. Eight boundaries figured in his score of 63, which I was compiled as a result of the best batting of the match, and in appreciation of his meritorious effort spectators accordjed him a deserved ovation on his return to the pavilion. His partnership with Wilson had been rev sponsible for the addition of 63 runs fbr the seven wicket. Collins failed to survive his first ball, but Wilson, before being stumped at 42, hit lustily to provide the fireworks of the innings. Irving and Young were associated when the captain decided to declare the innings closed at 193 for seven wickets.

Although towards the end of • Stratford’s long innings it deteriorated somewhat, the Tarurutangi bowling was in the main the essence of steadiness. The easy wicket, which was all in favour of the batsmen, lent scant assistance to the bowlers, and when it is stated that it took Stratford about four hours to compile a total of 193, it will he conceded that the bowlers accomplished their work with distinct credit. That only 40 runs Were scored from the 25 overs that Spence Giddy delivered, two wickets being the reward for his perseverance, bears eloquent testimony to the sustained accuracy with which he bowled, and he, together with Bishop, who captured four for 61, bore the burden of the visitor’s attack. The steady bowling was well seconded by smart fielding, while the men themselves were usually placed to the best advantage. Although the opening batsmen, Sian Giddy and Sampson, succumbed cheaply to the bowling of Sandford and Wilson respectively, yet consistent scoring was a feature of the Tarurutangi innings, five batsmen in all exceeding 20 runs apiece. Spence Giddy, N. Giddy and Thomason all passed into the twenties before Wilson, who was keeping his slows well up to the' batsmen, accounted for them. Thomason infused great power into several vigorous strokes before Beere in the outfield judged a soaring drive nicely, to hold a very fine catch. E. Giddy and Street had brief stays, and when seven wickets had fallen for 107 runs, Stratford’s prospects of winning appeared bright, especially as nearly an hour remained for play. It was at this critical juncture that the veteran, A. Giddy, and Bishop, cemented a partnership which was to prove the most prolific of the innings, ami one which, on its dissolution, had been instrumental in placing Tarurutangi within striking distance of the opposing total. Bishop was finally caught tor an invaluable 23. A. Giddy continued to bat soundly, cleverly manoeuvring for strike so as to monopolise the bowling, but when tie was joined by the last man with some minutes yet remaining for play, the end seemed imminent. Amid much excitement the batsmen contrived to play out time, and a memorable match ended in a draw, Tarurutangi having scored 173 for nine wickets and being 20 runs in arrears with a wicket to fall. A. Giddy, who had batted resolutely in the crisis, was undefeated with 27. Of the Stratford bowlers, Wilson, who captured five wickets for SO runs, secured the best analysis, and although rather expensive at times, howled consistently well throughout. Sandford took two wickets and Donnelly and Dormer one each. Patchy fielding gave away runs, while dropped catches proved expensive. The following are the detailed scores; — STRATFORD Hamilton, c Spence Giddy, h • Bishop 1° Gatton, c Potter, b Spence Giddy 5 Donnelly, run out 1 Dormer, Ibw, Spence Giddy .... 14 Boere, b N. Giddy ■ ... 22 Hall, c Potter, h Bishop 03 Sandford, b Eric Giddy 17 Wilsofi, st Potter, b Bishop .... 42 Collins, c N. Giddy, b Bishop .. 0 Irving; not out .. .. 6 Young, not out .. .. 2 Extras 11 Total for nine wickets (dec.) 193 Bowling analysis: Bishop took four wickets for 08 runs; Spence Giddy, two for 47; Norman Giddy, one for

27; Eric Giddy, one for 30; Thomason, none for 9; A. Giddy, none for 6. Fall of wickets! One for 10, two for 18, three for 21, four for 53, five for 55, six for 114, seven for 177, eight for 177, nine for 192. TARURUTANGI Stan. Giddy, Ibw, b Sandford .... 10 Sid Sampson, b Wilson 2 Spence Giddy, c Dormer, b Wilson 25 Norman Giddy, c Sandford, b Wilson 28 Thomas, c Beere, b Wilson .... 23 Eric Giddy, c Young, b Wilson .. 2 Arthur Giddy, not out 27 D. Street, b Dormer 1 Bishop, c Hamilton, b Sandford . 23 J. Sampson, b Donnelly 9 Potter, not out 4 Extras .. 19 Total for nine wickets .. . . 173 Bowling analysis: Wilson took live wickets for 77 runs; Sandford, two for 27; Hamilton, none for 28; Dormer, one for 15; Donnelly, one for 4. Fall of wickets.—One for 5, two for 27, three for 51, four fob 94, five for 97, six for 101, seven for 107, eight for 151, nine for 108.