DISTRICT CRICKET.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 962, 12 March 1917, Page 2

DISTRICT CRICKET.

LINWOOD THE CHAMPION TEAM. By its win against St. Albans last Saturday the Linwood Club made sure of the Canterbury Cricket Association's first-grade championship for 1916-17, its lead of points now being such that the result of its match with West Christchurch in the next, which is also the last, series of matches cannot affect the position. Still, the final game should be very interesting, especially as it is to be extended, if necessary, to three days. Linwood is anxious not only to increase its lead of points, but also to avenge its earlier defeat by West Christchurch —the only reverse that the former has suffered so far this season.

The positions of the teams now are as follow: — W. I). L. w7 I). L- i'ts." 3-points 2-points matches, matches. Linwood .... 4 - 1 20 West Christchurch 2 1 4 1 t 15 Bicearton .. .. 1 Sydenham .. .. :t East Christchurch 1 :i 3 - - 2 0 Christ's College . 2 St. Albans .... 1 Boys' High School A Well-Fought Game.

Tho most interesting of the first grade matches which were finished last Saturday was that between West Christchurch and Christ's College, played on the College ground. It was a very close game, won by West Christchurch on the first innings'' scores, by only four runs, but with inexorable Time depriving the College eleven of a three-point victory. When time was called, the College team, which had scored 163 runs in 65 uiinutes —a nice display of forceful cricket —needed only 16 runs for a win, with six wickets in hand. So West Christchurch had a decidedly narrow escape. On the preceding Saturday, West Christchurch scored 125 and Christ's College got S)7 for seven wickets. 11. S. Hindmarsh, who had scored 3S, and J. N. Lowry, who had four runs to his credit, were the batting pair. 11. B. Lusk, who is a master at the College, was not playing in this game, and West Christchurch was weakened still more by the absence, last Saturday, of D. Reese, the team's best bowler, business having taken him away from the city. C. S. Hammond was also absent, and so West's attack was much below its usual strength when the game was resumed, and the College eleven's chance of overhauling the West score seemed all the brighter in consequence. However, 11. C. Watson and J. A. Nelson rose to the occasion. In his third over last Saturday the fomer bowled Hindmarsh, who had increased his score to 44, which .included seven fours. The first ball of Nelson's next over bowled Lowry, who had added seven runs to his total, and so nine wickets were down for ll.'l runs. A. H. L. Sugden and W. M. Cowlishaw got four apiece, and then, with only four runs wanted for a tie, Sugden hit too soon at a slow one from Watson, and the innings was over. There was some doubt as to whether Christ's College had not equalled West's score. This was due to the fact that both score books showed 113 runs in the bowling analyses, which, added to the 12 extras, would give 125 runs. The books differed somewhat in details, however. An examination of one of the books shows that there are 28 singles shown in the batting scores, but 32 in the bowling record. It so happened, however, that the present writer kept an independent record of the bowling on the first day of the match, and this shows three singles less than the number in the score book for that after-' noon. It is evident that the bowling records in the score books were not kept accurately.

Watson's Good Innings. Without Harold Watson and T. Donaldson, West Christchurch'h second innings' score' would have been but a poor one, for these two batsmen contributed over 100 of the 174 runs. Watson scored his 65 with attractive batting, playing graceful, wristy, welltimed shots all round the wicket. He did not give a chance, and the on*y weak stroke in this innings was played at the ball which bowled him. Watson hit a six—off Blunt —and 11 fours. Hard carpet drives were the feature of Donaldson's innings, but, there were <dso several uppish strokes. When he had scored only a single, Donaldson was missed by Boulnois and Blunt, fielding (dose together in the slips, to Edmond's bowling. At 26-and at 37 Donaldson crave chances to Palmer, at mid-off, off Blunt's bowling. The second of these was a very hard chance, though, and the dropping of it did not make any difference, as the next delivery but one from Blunt got into Donaldson's stumps. Donaldson hit a six—off Sugden—and six fours. On the whole, the College fielding was good. R. C. Blunt got five of West's nine wickets, at a cost of 61 runs.

Wanting 170 runs to win, and with

65 minutes to go before the scheduled time for drawing stumps, Christ's College opened its second innings with A. F. JTindmarsh and P. B. Boulnois, to the bowling of Watson and Nelson. After Nelson had bowled a maiden over, the batsmen set the pace, and, with smart running between the wickets, runs came. quickly, 12 being knocked off Watson's first over. But Boulnois was just too eager, and he ran himself out at. 17-1-7. Edmond and 11. S. Hindmarsh filled useful positions, while the elder Hindmarsh ilid the bulk of the scoring, and 58 runs had been obtained by the time that the third wicket fell. A. F. Hindmarsh in Form.

The next man in was J. N. Lowry, and the scoring quickened. W. O. Rolland and D. Eedpath had taken a turn at the bowling, and the former had managed to get 11. 8. Hindmarsh's wicket, but the original trundfers soon had to be put on again. The score mounted rapidly, A. F. Hindmarsh playing nice cricket, with a good variety of well-executed shots, and Lowry getting plenty of power into his shots. But Lowry was lucky. When he had scored 28 ne raised his bat as if to piay a ball on the off from Watson, but apparently decided not to let it go bv. An off-tun. brought the ball into Ins stumps, end he walked toward the pavilion. Ilow(ver, after a word or two with Lusk, who was umpiring at the bow;er's end, Lowry returned to the and continued batting, to the nstoitisfinictit of many players and spectators. Subsequently it was explained to the writer that Lu6k asked Lowry if he had been ready to play the ball, and, on receiving a reply of "No," told him to go on batting. After scoring 66 runs, Hindmarsh gave an unaccepted chance to T.; D. [larman, at point, off Nelson. He added four runs to his score, and then was caught by Crowley, at third man, in Nelson's next over, the last over of the day. Hindmarsh got eight fours in his excellent innings. Lowry got 52 not out, which included a six—off Watson—and eight fours. The bowling figures, apart from West's first innings, were:— West Christchurch. —Christ's College's first innings: D. Beese, 20 overs, 6 maidens, 35 runs, 4 wickets; H. C. Watson, 19.4, 4, 52, 5; J. A. Nelson, 9, 1, 22, 1. Christ's College's second innings: J. A. Nelson, 11.3 overs, 1 maiden, 52 runs, 2 wickets; H. C. Watson, 9, 1, 53. 0;W. O. Eolland, 4, 0, 22, 1; D. Eedpath, 2, 0, 17, 0. Rolland bowled a wide, and Redpath a no-ball.

Christ's College. West Christ church's second innings: R. C. Blunt, 13 overs, 1 maiden, 61 runs, 5 wickets: A. H. L. Sugden, 11, 2, 56. 1; J. H. Edmond, 7, 2, 11, 1; H. S. Hindmarsh, 5.2, 0] 23, 1; P. P. Boulnois, 4, 1, 22, 1. Linwood Wins Again. As was evident from the state of the game between Linwood and St. Albans wheni play finished on the previous Saturday the leading team secured another win." It looked at that stage as thougli the match would be decided on the first innings scores. This assumption turned out correct, though in the earlier stages of St. Albans' second batting effort a three-point win for Linwood looked highly probable. With four wickets down for seven runs, the St. Albans batting talent pave every prospect of succumbing to Read and Company before the hour that remained for play had. passed, and without the first innings' deficit of 98 being wiped off. Gordon and Nightingale, however, added 48 for the sixth wicket, and remained unseparated until within five minutes of the official closing hour. Read, who emerged with three wickets for 26, had the samo number for nothing at one stage. This bowler heads the Linwood averages for the season with a total of 73 wickets, taken at an average cost of less than 11 runs —a hipiilv creditable performance. Nightingale's 38 fnot out) was compiled in that, player's most attractive style. Gordon, too, shaped confideutlv. and had distinctly bad luck in playing Thomas on to his wicket. The Linwood howbnsr figures in St. Albans' second strike rend as follow:—A. W. Thomas, 8 overs, 3 maidens. 23 runs. 1 wicket: R. Read, 13. 2, 26, 3; E. Perrin. 3, 0, 19. 0; A. Grant. 3. 0, 12. 1. Read's deliverv that howled Simpson came off like a rocket. It appeared to pitch outside the le<j stump and to take the off-pin. A Three-Centnry Innings.

Linwood's batting display was attractive all through. When play was resumed, the score stood at 117 for two wickets, and the total was taken to .104 for nine, Doell being absent. The additional 187 runs were, put on in 140 minutes, St. Albans' first innings'score of 206 being passed with the loss of only five wickets. A. Grant, who started the day with 57, got to within 10 of his century when he fell a victim to a good ball from Simpson. Tie helped to add 168 runs, and did not give the semblance of a chance. His cutting was .•lean and crisp, while his driving was forceful ami well-timed. He hit 15 fours. IT. Forsyth, who went in fifth wicket down, was the last man out, with a score of 57. He also gave a sterling display, and put a lot of power into his strokes. He was at the wickets for 110 minutes, saw the score <jo from IfiS to 304, and hit six fours. "W. Kind's 33 was a valuable contribution, arid G. Tate landed 17 in four hits —3, 4, C>, 4. The fielding of St. Albans showed considerable improvement on that of the previous week. The complete howling figures for St. Albans are as follow: —T. W. ftoese. 17 overs, 1 maiden, 7,'! runs, 3 wickets; ■R. G. Johnston, 7, 0. 31. 0; L. A. Gordon. 13, 2, 48, 1; A. McNne, lfi, 2. 72. 0: Tv Andrews. <i. 2. 13, 2; W. Simpson. 11, 2. 23, 2; TI. Hatch, 2, 0. 8, 0; TT. S. Nicrhtiiiffale, 7, 0, 21, 0; 11. Stringer, 12," 0, 8, 1.

East Christchurch v. Sydenham. East Christohurch continued its first innings against Sydenham at, Lancaster Park, with the not out batsman, H. Lawrence, 34; and C. .lust, 8. The latter added 15 to liis score before he was caught and bowled by .1. Martin. The board showed 137 for six wickets. A. R. Blank came in, ami runs came quickly, until the Sydenham total of 160 was passed, when Lawrence was given out, caught behind the wickets. The retiring batsman put 25 runs on to his previous .''-4, making his score 5!). lie batted in a nice, free style, and hit seven fours and one six. VV. Hayes. the former Sydenham and Canterbury player, who has not played for over two years, joined Blank, but did not, stay long enough to "get his eye in." as he got his legs in front to Gray. The remaining two batsmen put on nine runs, and the innings closed for 174. Blank got 20 not out. So Last had a lead of 14 on the first innings. J. Gray and J. Martin bowled very steadily. J.

McEwin could not got his length, and did not get. a wicket. Sydenham's attack has been weakened by the loss of E. N. Goring, who has left for Dnncdin. Sydenham opened its second innings with J. Clarkson and S. Hineksman, but the latter only made seven liet'ore he was bowled by A. 10. Ward. I'. Martin, who is on final leave from camp, filled the breach, hut he was out of practice, and was bowled by Ward, after making four. J. Gray was top scorer, with 27. lie was caught by P. Woods, belli ml the stumps, off the bowling of W. Howell. J. Forrester was the only other batsman to reach double figures. (J. Mather, a promoted player, joined Forrester for the last wicket partnership, aud the pair added 27 to the score—the best partnership of the innings. Mather was content with keeping his wicket up, Forrester getting runs. At 95, .1. I*. Flood replaced A. E. Ward, and with his third bail he bowled Forrester.

To make the win a three point oue Fast hail to get 82 runs in 54 minutes. F. Woods and A. I?. Blank opened for Fast, but the latter, being too eager to get the runs, was run out, both batsmen being at the one end. W. Hayes joined Woods, and they added .'i7 runs, when Hayes (5) -was bowled by Gray. The next two men, Just and Howell, did not stay long enough to open their score. The former shared exactly the fate he did in the first innings, hit ting oue back to J. Martin. A-' F. Ward joined Woods, and after hitting 10, he was bowled by Gray. J. W. Crichton came in, and four runs later he was bowled by Martin, without scoring, and six wickets were down for (52. H. Lawrence joined Woods, and the pair got the required number of runs, Lawrence having 9 not out, and Woods, 54 not out. Woods batted right through in a nice, finished style. He seems to have struck his old form. lie gave only one chance, it being at 43, aud was to Hincksman, in the deep field. Woods was in lor 45 minutes, and hit eight fours. East Christchurch' thus got a three-point win, with four wickets in hand. J. Martin and J. Gray bowled right through with fair successA Batting Surprise.

Boys' High School provided something in the nature of a surprise for Rieearton on the middle wicket at Hagley Park, carrying the score to 280 in response to Rieearton 's 357 for seven wickets (declared). The boys.started off upon their big task in great heart. They forced the pace from the outset, and the enthusiasm of the spectators ran high as the Rieearton bowli-ig was punched all over the field. In two hours 210 runs were reeordel for the Joss of only four wickets, and opinions were freely expressed that the game would resolve itself into a close finish. However, M. 0. Sinclair carried too many gi-ns for the tail, and the last wicket fell with School still wanting 77. The honours of the innings went to D. W. Reese, who worthily upheld the family reputation by knocking up 113 in less than two hours. He shaped confidently from the start, and, early in his career, hit a beautiful six. In compiling tjiis, the first century he has ever made, Reese helped to add 175 runs. His batting, thougli aggressive, was never reckless until he passed the century. Then hs hit at everything, and finally fell a victim to what looked an easy ball. Graham was shaping well when ,he was unfortunately run out. Other exhilarating displays were those of C. G. Crawford (24), R. J. P.-Powell (23), E. J. Bowes (23 not out), and G. W. Cox (18),

The Rift-artou lmwlini; analysr? wrre: M. 0. Sinclair, 25.3 overs, fi maidens, 5 wickets, GcS runs; K. E. Luttrell, 19, 2, 1, <>!>; 11. B. Whitta, IS, 2, 2, 06; R. .1. Nixon, 5, 0, 0, 20.

Rieearton playetl out time, losing one wicket for 2.'! runs.

THE DAY'S HONOURS. FIRST r.RADE HATTING. D. \V. Hccsc (Hoys' High School) .. 11.1 A. Grant (Unwood) 00 A. F. Himhnarsh (Christ's College .. 70 li. C. \V:itMin (West Christchurch) 65 11. Uiwrcncc (East Christchurch) .. sii 11. Forsyth (Unwood) 57 F. Woods (Fast Christchurch) . .. 54* J. N. Lowry (Christ's College) .. .. 52» SECOND GRADE BATTING. Jackmnn (St. Albans H) 171* Higgins (Technical College) .. ..111 Dobbs (Technical College) .. .. 79 Johnstone (St. Alhuiis B) 7f. Cudcnhcad (Unwood) 74 Evans (Iticcarton) C 9 Dally (Boys' High School) 68 Young (Sydenham) CO THIRL) GRADE BATTING. Ditchfleld (Hicearton) 05 Sinclair (West Christchurch D.H.S.) ('.('>* Macfarlanc (Christ's College B) .. s»t *N<it out. t Retired. FIRST GRADE HOWLING. .1. Gray (Sydenham), five for 28. H. Read (Unwood), three for 20. 11. C. Watson (West Christchurch), five for 52. W. Howell (Fast Christchurch), four for 11. J. Martin (Sydenham), lour for 48 and three for 33. SECOND GRADE HOWLING. Higglns (Technical College), five for 36. Wilson (Christ's College), three for 35. THIRD GRADE HOWLING. McMeekan (Iticcarton), three for 2. Hanharu (Iticcarton), five for 8. Dickson (Iticcarton), nine for 11. Powell (Christ's College H), five for 12. Williams (Christ's College H), four for 24. Sinclair (West Christchurch D.H.S.), six for 32. Wise (West Christchurch D.H.S.), six for 35.