CRICKET.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 218, 19 October 1914, Page 2

CRICKET.

SENIOR DISTRICT MATCHES. Although the weather which was experienced during the second day's play in the first round of the Canterbury Cricket Association's competitions was not as unpleasant as that of the previous Saturday, it was scarcely cricket weather. A fairly strong and cold wind reminded players that summer has not actually arrived yet, and helped to make the spectators realise that it is rather too .early, in, the season for them to expect sparkling cricket. SYDENHAM B's GOOD WIN. So far as last Saturday's play is concerned, the most interesting of the four senior games seems to have been that played at Sydenham. Park, where the Sydenham B team Bcored a good victory over St. Albans—a two-point win.—by 84 runs. Indeed, the result of the match caused .no little surprise. St. Albans had scored 275 on the previous Saturday and Sydenham B had opened its account with 51 for one wicket. But a mild rot set in early on. the second day, and with five wickets down for. 11l Sydenham's chances of winning seemed very ; remote. However, thanks to a. splendid partnership between W. Skelton and G. Wilson, Sydenham scored a most meritorious win. Conradit wiio was not out on the to a c&teh at cover pointy off Hickmott. W. K«.Patrick joined Skeltonj but after scoring 15 in his usual breezy style, he dragged a ball from Lamb on to his stumps. Patrick seemed to be misjudging leg-balls to some extent. H. Watson followed and snicked one through the slips for a, pair, but was caught behind the wickets' next ball. Watts was bowled first ball by Hickmott. Hincksman (19) was uneasy at the start, but soon settled down and was shaping well when Sandman got him l.b.w. 6. Wilson then joined Skelton, and soon they set about wiping off the deficiency. Although not styHsh, Wilson scored freely all round the wicket, playing steady cricket throughout. He timed the bowling well and sent any loose balls post-haste to. the boundary. He gave no chances until St. Albans's score was passed, and then, 'with his score at 88 he threw his wicket away rashly, getting his. leg in front of a ball from Bradmpre. A BRILLIANT DEBUT*.Skelton, with his 131; was undoubtedSr .the hero of the day. This was his ebut in senior cricket, and to score a century in the is indeed a great performance. He started off like a veteran, full of absolute confidence. He scored all round the wicket, never giving a semblance of a chance. His carpet drives were a treat to watch, while his back cutting was: splendid, Skelt<ra°aJtso seored a great; many runs on the leg side." He is a stylish batsman, and with a very free aetion.. He. will be a great help to his side this season. McClelland (42) made his runs in good fashion and in quick time. He certainly had the advantage of batting against very tired, bowling, but made full use pf that advantage. Mcßeth shaped "well, but failed to get going, being caught by Sandman off Haigh when his Jwore; was "six. , - The St; / Albans -bowling was on the •weak side.:. Hickmott made' a mistake by not keeping- to his stock bowlers Vrhen Skelton and- Wilson were setting tip tlveir, partner ship. By putting on his change bowlers he allowed the batsmen to "jget their eyes in," and they were ?rell "set" wheii the stock bowlers returned. Sandman (four wickets for 105 runs) was the best of the bowlers, but was somewhat handicapped by an injured hand. The St. Albans fielding was very weak, Edgar in particular, and Haigh albo being slack in tho field. Both men were inclined to be sluggish in their movements and were apparently suffering from "that tired feeling." A great many runs were given away by indifferent fielding. As in other games, k cricket match is not lost until it is Won, and players should field just as Keenly at the end as at the beginning. Barrett kept the sticks well in Brun•fcon's absence through an injury. SYDENHAM A's WIN. In the Sydenham Arßiccarton match, at Hagley Park, the individual honours of the day ..went to a member of the losing side, Cj. E. Evans, one of Riccarton's promoted juniors. Evans made the best score of the afternoon in this game, he getting 42 runs by bright batting. He was rather unfortunate, for one of the umpires gave J. L. Patterson too long an over, and the seventh ball bowled Evans. With the ball, Evans took six Sydenham wickets for 91 runs. He is a leg-break "bowler. Taking it ajil round, the second day's play in. this match was not very attractive. On the first Saturday, Riccarton 's innings had produced 150 runs, and Sydenham A had four wickets down for 134 runs, so JJiat the latter seemed to have the game in hand. J. L. Patterson and J. Gray assured a lead on the first innings to Sydenham A, the latter making 2£ before he was caught out by R. Taylor, off Evans's bowling. Patterson and J. Martin proceeded to increase the lead, they carrying'the tally from 165 for six to 211 for seven, when Patterson was /jaught by W. B. Fuller, deep at mid-on, off Smith. Patterson had batted well for his 39 runs. Martin made runs —he scored 28—but they were chiefly obtained by uppish shots, although he got a good deal of power into some of his strokes. Most of the uppish shots fell out of reach of fieldsmen, but early in his innings long odds could have been laid on his being dismissed by a catch. And that was how he was beaten. W. P. Guiney made 13 by bright batting, but there were no other double figures in Sydenham's second-day batting. Riccarton must be given credit for at least one quality—consistency. That team's first innings yielded 150 runs, and tho second innings 155 for nine wickets. But the second effort would have been less productive than the first if E, Boulton had not emerged from his shell as a batsman, and banged 19 not out off the bowlers, whom he kept at bay until the clock ended the diversion.

Earlier in the innings Whitta had got together 25 runs, but not in his best style—it would be too much to expect him to reproduce his remarkable form of last season. Evans's score has been referred to previously. WEST'S COLLAPSE. West Christchurch is such a strong batting side —''on paper," at least — that most cricket enthusiasts in Christchurch expected it to give the East team a " pretty good run,'' even though East had declared its first innings closed at the previous Saturday 's very respectable total of 364 runs for nine wickets. But the fortunes of cricket willed otherwise, and East finished an easy winner on the first innings by 191 runs. Yet the early part of the West Christchurch innings promised a good fight. Dr. Foster and F. Butler were the first men at the wickets, and they faced the bowling of C. Beale and T. Carlton. Foster soon settled down to good, steady batting, and he quickly took his score into double figures—there was little sting in the bowling. A beautifully crisp cut to the boundary by Butler gave West's supporters hope that the lefthanded Victorian "colt" was getting the measure of New Zealand wickets. But Butler had added only a couple of singles -to that 4 when he played on to the stumps a'ball from Beale that he tried to pull, and the score was 24 for one wicket. It was evident, however, that with more practice on Christchurch wickets Butler should show attractive cricket. The next ball that Beale sent down almost caused more trouble for West Christchurch. The Rev. G. S. BryanBrown late-cut it sharply, and the ball went fast, but off the carpet, to T. Carlton, in the slips. It was a chance — fairly "hot," 'tis true—but Carlton did not get his hands down in time, and the ball gave him a sharp rap on one of his shins to brisk, him up. Foster and Bryan-Brown then lettled down to rungetting, the former playing good strokes on both sides of the wicket, and BryanBrown getting his runs chiefly by powerful drives. Two new bowlers, McLoughlin and McClelland, were tried, but the score still mounted. It had reached just 100—or 76 for the partner-ship—-when *' Ken. " Williams was given a turn in the attack, Foster's stumps were scattered by Williams's second ball, a good one which came in from the off. The retiring batsman had made his 54 runs by nice cricket. Williams was "on the job" just at the right time for East. The fifth ball he. sent' down got Bryan-Brown 1.b.w., cutting off that batsman's score at 27. In' but a few minutes the aspect of the game had changed greatly. An appeal against D. Reese for a catch by Greenlees, the East wicket-keeper, off Carl-toti-'s-bowling, was allowed, and four wickets were down for 111 runs. Reese declared afterwards that he had not touched the ball. Matthews and Donnelly stemmed the Williams-Carlton attack for a while, snd then Matthews, who had made 17 runs by "scratchy" batting, was clean bowled by Williams, with the score at 133. With A. T. Donnelly and Sir Cecil Moon at the wickets, the batting became rather slow, although. Williams and Carlton .were, losing their sting. But Beale and McLoughlin. took up. the bowling again, and before long they finished the inning*. The West team was a man short, Bannehr being absent. i East Christchurch's second tvrn at the wickets, in which five wickets were lost for 74 runs, did not produce much that was worthy of comment. T. McClolland (22 not out) and D; McLoughlin 1(18) were associated in the brightest | partnership of this portion of the ga.ne. | f AN EASY VICTORY. | VvjPerrin and Doell soon knocked up the required 17 runs to give Linwood a win over Kaiapoi by 10 wickets. These were the only two Linwood men to bat in the second innings, but by way of a practice for Kaiapoi On'a, turf wicket* the two teams indulged in a friendly game which resulted m a win for Linwood by 89 runs. . The standard of play on both sides was imich higher than on the previous Saturday. Doell and Perrin went in first and found the bowling to their liking. Perrin made some pretty strokes, and when he reached 32, which included five fours, he retired. Doell also retired when he had notched 23; his batting was more or less of a wild nature. H. Taylor and R. Ridley followed, but they did not reign long, Rollinson's swerves being responsible for the shortness of their visit. A. Grant and Jones made a Useful stand, the partnership being responsible for an additional 46 runs. The foiceful batting of Reid was the feature of the innings. In a very short time he, piled up 56, which consisted of four sixes, five fours, four twos, and four singles. Two of the sixes were hit from the northern end, over the eastern stand. Tait (21) was getting set when Smith caught him off Howarth. Thomas was the not out man with 14. The bowling of the Kaiapoi men did not look difficult at any time. Howarth, at times, sends down a troublesome legbreak, but he is inclined to sacrifice length for pace. The J£aiapoi men, who scored 119, made a much better impression than they did on the previous Saturday. Smith (63 retired) was the top-scorer, and his runs were gained by good sound cricket. If he can continue his present form throughout the season more should be heard of him. G. Blackwell was dismissed by a soft one from Doell when he had reached 12. Green, Rollinson, and Dr Crawshaw also reached double figures. No less than seven of the Linwood men tried their hand at bowling, and a lot of the stuff sent down should have been punished more severely. In any case, taking the game all round, it provided excellent practice for both sides,; and it is to be hoped that the Kaiapoi -men have, received material benefit from the afternoon's play. SQUARE CUTS. J. V. Saunders, who left Wellington during the "off" season, is now playing with South Melbourne. A St. Bede's College batsman, McLaren, scored 93 not out against Christ's College in a third-grade match on Saturday. Flood, another St. Bede's boy, made scores of 47 and 67 not .out. G. Blackwell, of the Kaiapoi team, playing in the third grade, scored 81 not out against East Christchurch. The only district cricket match in Christchurch not reported in the sports edition of The Sun on Saturday evening was the second grade game between Sydenham and Christ's College. This was won by Sydenham, on the first in-

nings. Sydenham made 249 and Christ's College 109 and 243 for eight wickets.

F. W. Gurnsey, playing for Linwood B against St. Albans at Lancaster Park, had the misfortune to have the nail of his second finger knocked clean off on Saturday. Dr J. H. Crawshaw (Kaiapoi), who was playing on the oval, dressed the wound.

John Tyldesley, the famous Lancashire batsman, has made 82 centuries in first-class of them in international matches, 69 for Lancashire, in county games, two for North of England, and two for Players against Gentlemen. On 12 occasions he has made 200 or over ih one innings. His county average for 702 innings is 42. The most interesting game at Hagley 'Park on Saturday was the second-grade match between Linwood A and Riccarton. Scoring 363 runs for six wickets —King had made 100 not out on the first day—Linwood declared. The first few Riccarton batsmen made such a splendid effort to get over the obstacle that the first five wickets produced just on 300 runs, of which E. T. Taylor had scored 163 by hitting lustily and well. There seemed every prospect of Riccarton playing out time and making the game a draw. Then came a collapse in the last 15 minutes, and the innings closed for 303, so that Linwood "got home" just in time. SENIOR GAMES SUMMARISED. "Linwood, 86 and 17 for no wickets, beat Kaiapoi, 39 and 63. Sydenham A, 243, beat Riccarton, 150 and 155 for nine wickets, on first innings. Sydenham B, 359, beat St. Albans, 275, on first innings. :East Christchurch, 864 for nine wickets (innings declared closed) and 74 for five wickets, beat West Christchurch, 173. THE DAY'S HONOURS. SENIOR GRADE BATTING. INDIVIDUAL SCORES OF OVER 60. W. Skelton (Sydenham B) . . 113 G. Wilson (Sydenham B) . . 88 Dr Foster (West Chch.) . . 54 SECOND GRADE BATTING. E. L. Taylor (Riccarton) .. 163 Blunt (Christ's College) .. 83 Hay (West Chch.) .. . . 70 Nixon (Boys' High School). . 57 SENIOR GRADE BOWLING. . Three wickets or more at not more than 10' runs p£r wicket:— F. Butler (West. Chch.), 3 for 30. SECOND GRADE BOWLING. T, Condliffe (Linwood B), 4 for 8. Russell (Linwood A), 4 for 32.

CITY AND SUBURBAN NOTES. With 220 to win and two hours to play, Rangers certainly faced a stiff proposition, and the glorious uncertainties of cricket were never more emphasised than when they pulled the game out of the fire on the last over of the day, with two wickets to fall. After making only 94 in their first innings, Sydenham Hockey Club put up the big score of 193 for five wickets, and declared their second innings closed, leaving Rangers 220 to get in two hours. Sheridan batted well for his 55, and Bellamy run him close with 48. No doubt Burton was quite justified in closing the innings, in the chance of getting a three-point win, for Rangers's chances looked very remote, as they had only compiled 68 in their first attempt. But surprises happen at cricket, and Norman got set and gave what must rank as the finest exhibition of batting that has ever been witnessed in suburban cricket. Starting carefully, and treating Keane with all respect, he "got his eye!' well in, and with the other batsmen keeping their end up and playing the game to a man, lie carried his bat after he had knocked up the fine score of 131 not out. He give only one chance in the whole innings, and that was a difficult one. A. Peters played a fine game for Linwood Wanderers, be being mainly responsible for his team's defeat of Waimairi by the narrow margin of one wicket. His scores of 54 and 35 were made by good clean ericket, mostly along the green. Johnston was in great form for Y.M.C.A., putting up 80 not out. He was ably seconded by "Wally" Bascand, who knocked up 31 out of the very creditable score of 168 for three wickets. Hughes's figures with the ball, three wickets for 25 runs, show that he is no mean performer. C. Rix made a better showing in his second innings for Druids, putting up 43, on a slow wicket. Anderson also came to light, making 32. Marist Brothers went to pieces altogether, only knocking up 53 on a wicket that was terribly helpful to such a bowler as Spicer, as it had evidently had too much water, and cut up badly. Green's (one of the new junior teams) is making a good start, the team notching its second win on Saturday against Scott's. However, it is certainly not a very strong batting team after Bourne and Spencer are out. A j total of 56 is very small. On the bowling side Bourne and Batstone seem to be Green's mainstay, while in the fielding department the players have a lot to learn. McCloskie, Hornby's old senior man, was "on the job" with the ball, he getting three wickets at the cost of one j run. ! The veteran Judson .was again the backbone of the Linwood Wanderers' [junior team, he putting up 22 out of a total of 57. Dunstable could only manage to raise 47 against the bowling | of Hardie and Hobbs. j St. Alban's total of 208 is big scoring for junior cricket, and Saville's 81 not out was very creditable. Miles created a surprise in putting up 51. Mawson's 65 for Rangers juniors was another of the surprises of the day, but Hangers's opponents, the Y.M.C.A. men, have a very strong bowling team this year. : ; New Brighton went to pieces against Druids,. Allan, the Dunediny man, and Campbell, being the only scorers of double figures. Steinman was bowling a good ball, keeping a good length and very low. Sykes, with 26 for Druids, batted well for a beginner, as I understand this is his first season of competition cricket. Woolston is evidently going to be in the first flight this year in the second grade B division, if individual scores are to be taken as an indication. Clarke's 83 not out, and Bennetts's 72 [not out are big scores. With 202 for

three wickets, Rennells declared the innings closed, but Sydenham Hockey Club could only make 63. out of which a last year's senior player, Ballinger, put up 23. Fielding is the weak point of the Sydenham men, and they would do well to put in plenty of practice in that department of the game, as nothing weakens the bowling so quickly than to have catches dropped, and single runs made into twos and fours through faulty ingWaimairi has a strong bowling team with Henshaw, Burt, Cassin, and Drabble. The first three disposed of Dunstable for 25 in the first innings, and Cassin and Drabble dismissed their opponents for 18 in the second innings. COYER POINT.