CITY AND SUBURBAN NOTES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 212, 12 October 1914, Page 5

CITY AND SUBURBAN NOTES.

Although the threatened rain passed over, the wind made play decidedly unpleasant for the opening matches of the City and- Suburban Association's competitions. The wickets have scarcely been got into first-class order yet, and many of them are in need of a good soaking of rain, when they could be well rolled. Small ■■scores appeared to be the order of the day, Waimairi's 138 being the highest senior total, mainly due to the efforts of Prebble (30) and McKay (26). Peters played a fine innings for Linwood Wanderers, knocking up 54 in fine style, mostly by his old favourite off stroke. . Sydenham Hockey Club made a small score against Rangers, they totalling only 94; evidently the wind was making play difficult. However, the Bangers only managed to get within 26 of their opponents' total. Bartlett looked like making a score, but the wind carried one back'to Sheridan, who brought off a smart one-handed catch. Norman and Gray were the only others to make any Kenworthy, an Islington-Hornby man last season, opened up his account for Druids by knocking up a useful 23 against Marist Old Boys. He seems to be more at home on grass wickets than on the matting. Gyde justified his promotion from juniors by compiling a careful 13. He is a man who is useful in a team, as he can always be depended on to keep his end up, and is content to score off an occasional loose one. Marist Old Boys have a lead of 21 on the Druids' team, due to McQuillan (18), R. O'Shea (18), and McKeon. This is a new team, but with the two O 'Sheas, McQuillan, Wain, McKeon* and Smythe injt will need to be treated with respect. Bix was a little disappointing, but perhaps he is out of practice. The season is young yet, and he may show what he can do before long. Yates's bowling was mainly responsible for Islington-Hornby's small score of 59 for eight wickets, his figures being five wickets for 15' runs. Hobbs, a junior last year, has started well for Glenmore, with 15 not out. Besides being a first-class field, he is developing into a very fair bat. Belfast's score of 98 would have looked rather small if Kinvig's 57 had been deducted, but considering that this team has only just started in competition cricket it is early to criticise. Y.M.C.A. could not do as well, and Sellers's figures for Belfast of six wickets for 33 give the impression that he is a bowler of some merit. Ainger struck his old form for New Brighton in the junior grade, against Belfast, his 57 being eight in advance of Belfast's total score. West is evidently going to be a useful member of the New Brighton team, as he followed his skipper's example and made 23. Betts has lost little of his skill with the ball; seven wickets for 14 is a fine performance. Howes performed well with the ball for St. John's, he being mainly responsible for Y.M.C.A.'s dismissal with the small score of 69. Beece batted well for St. John's, compiling 37 very neatly. Bandall (34) and Wright (55) played a good game for St. Peter's, putting . up 89 out of a total of 141. Green's created a surprise by defeat-

ing the Sydenham Hockey Club's junior team rather easily, beating them by 110 runs. Bourne, for Green's, played a fine innings, knocking up 62, although the bowlers were not getting much assistance from the field, numerous catches; being dropped. Spencer has the making of a nice bat, he shaping really well for a beginner. Bennett, for Woolston, knocked up 57 very prettily, getting good assistance from Levi (33). Woolston should be very near the top this season, as it has some good batsmen in Bennett, Benells, Levi, and Clark. The veteran J udson 'is still as keen as ever, and I was pleased to see this old player knock up 28. He is always reckoned on as the one to be '-'dug out.'' The Islington-Hornby team has lost McCloskie. He is playing for the Druids' junior team. I hear that Kenworthy, Sales, and Munane have also changed over. Duthie and Fletcher were the backbone of the St. Matthew's A team against Y.M.C.A., they compiling 90 runs between them, both being not out. Fletcher worked havoc with the ball, getting five wickets for five runs. I could not help noticing a marked improvement in the appearance of the teams. Surely it would not be difficult for all players to procure flannels. I hear on good authority that four bats have been donated for the best batting and bowling averages, and also for the highest aggregate in each department. It is a debatable point as to whether trophies are for the good of the sport or otherwise, for while the chance of a trophy certainly encourages individual play, a man should never lose sight of the fact that he is only one of a team, and winning the match ' for the team should always be the first consideration, rather than personal gain. However, all thanks are due to the gentlemen who donated the bats, and so long as there are such sportsmen in Christchurch the fine old game will never die out. COVERPOINT.