CRICKET.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9108, 28 February 1898, Page 2

CRICKET .

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP, \ „ c WANDERERS V. UNITED. The vagaries of the game of cricket and the uncertainties of this good old game were once more revealed on Saturday. For the \Yanderers, who, save in their previous nnfinished game, conquered all the Clubs they have met were badly beaten by the United Club, who only occupy a secondary position ' intheohampionship. But cricket is almost as ] uncertain as horse racing, you never know till the numbers are up what the results are to be. The wicket was pot the best, but it ! was just as good for one as the other, so that if the United were good enough for a century and a half, the erstwhile champions ought to have been t The United lost the toss, and the Wanderers batted. The former had only seven of their number to commence the game with, and were allowed substitutes in the field. They fielded one short. The Wanderers opened very badly, and T. Eden's wicket fell to L. Graham's fifth ball for 0. and G. Fowler the skipper fell to Jackson, the 2nd wicket registering 8. The third wicket by steady batting totalled 20, but the next four wickets put on but 9. The innings closed for 41— a complete collapse, unexpected from a fine team. W, Newbh was the only double figure scorer — 10. L. Graham 5 for 14, and Hale 2 for 3, did the mischief, and two were foolishly run out. After lunch on the ground, which was a great saving of time, Corder and Page 2ommenced the United venture, and a separation was not made until 56 runs had been secured, when Page who had just previously hit a 6, run out, was caught by Arnold for 20. Corder who was playing his best innings of the season, with L. Graham kept adding the runs and they retired with well played scores of 35 and 23. Jackson and Stiles gave further trouble, the former being in for over half an hour without scoring. Stiles made a beautiful hit for 6, all run out, and then 6 byes were run out from a fast one by Tommy Newth, Shortly after Jackson made a graceful draw on the leg side for 7, and was well applauded for it. Stiles put on 16 and Jackson 12. Brown, who was the not out man made 23, hitting all the loose ones with great vim, and very carefully playing the straight fellows. The innings closed for the nice total of 152 runs. The Wanderers with 111 runs to get to save a one innings defeat made a fair start, T. Eden contributing a careful 14. However it was not their day out, three were run out in attempting short runs, and at the ninth wicket there were only 42 runs on. The last wicket gave a lot of trouble, and fairly stuck up the bowlers. L. Knapp and his diminutive brother George giving the field a lively time for 18 and 26 respectively. The latter hit four 4's running and was eventually bowled by Oakley, having helped to put on 42 for the last wicket. It is fair to state that three easy chances were missed in the field. The result of the game proved a decisive victory for the United by an innings and 24 runs. The fielding of the United was very good, but that of their opponents was loose. Somewhat good catches were made by Den•ker, Jackson and G. Knapp. The scores are as follows. Wanderers. Ist innings. 2nd innings. T Eden, b L Graham 0 run out . . 14 G Fowler, b Jackson.. 3 runout .. 1 H Knapp, c Dencker 8• c Stiles . . 7 W Newth, b L Graham 10 b Page . . 0 T Newth, b L Graham 6 run out . . 7 A Mills, b L Graham 0 c Graham . . 0 W Eden, b Hale .. 2 b Page .. 2 W Arnold, not out .. 2 c Jackson.. 1 L Knapp, run out . . 8 not out . . 18 H Knapp, b Hale ..Ob Page . . 0 G Knapp, run out ..Ob Oakley . . 26 Extras .. .. 2 .... 7 Total .. .. 41 .. .. 89 Bowlers' Averages. — Ist innings : L. Graham, 5 for 14 ; Jackson, 1 for 22 ; Hale, 2 for 3. 2nd innings : Graham, 3 for 27 ; Page, 3 for 32 ; Hale, 0 for 11 ; Jackson, 0 for 9 ; Oakley, 1 for 1. United. J Corder, b W Newth . . 35 G Page, c Arnold b W Newth 20 L Graham, c W Newth .. 23 M Jackson, b-H Knapp . . 12 E Hale, b G Fowler . . . . 0 R Stiles, c L Knapp b T Newth 16 D Barnett, b H Knapp . . 4 H Denoker, c G Knapp . . 2 F Brown, not out . . . . 23 fl Oakley, c W Eden b H Knapp 1 O Baigent, b G Fowler . . 2 Extras 14 Total 152 Bowlers' Averages.— H Knapp, 3 for 44 ; T Newth, 1 for 25; W Newth, 2 for 21 ; G Fowler 4 for 48.