CRICKET IN THE SOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1930, Page 4

CRICKET IN THE SOUTH

LAST WEEK’S GAMES REVIEWED. SOME GOOD PERFORMANCES. After cricket in South Taranaki had been postponed for some weeks last Saturday the weather was favourable and all matches were concluded. Wins were gained by Okaiawa, Stratford, Kaponga and Old Boys A. On tho Hawera ground Okaiawa met Hawera and, batting first, ‘ commenced badly, losing four wickets for 33 runs. Penny, who opened, found it necessary to hold the fort and apparently determined to take some risks to show his incoming batsmen that the bowling was not unplayable. Ho certainly revealed that the Hawera men’s fingers were all thumbs for he was dropped several' times. _ Thomas showed some of his old form and relished, as did Crawford, another left-hander, short stuff on the leg. It is astonishing to see that very many bowlers do not realise that a ball breaking away to a left-handed batsman s off is most likely to tempt him into mistake. McKenzie was the best Hawera bowler, taking three wickets, including Eden and Watson. Eden playing inside a “yorker” swinging from the leg and leaving au open off stump. It was surprising that McKenzie was not brought on again after a spell. The Hawera fielding was poor and dropped catches cost many runs. Young and. Nielsen opened steadily for Hawera until Young failed to get pioperly on to a full toss and was caught. Nielsen, who has acquired more proficiency in leg play, was bowled by Crawford -with a perfect length ball that turned and took the top of the middle stump. Crombie was very steady. Crawford and Penny bowled unchahged, both getting excellent figures. Crawford has plenty of bowling in him and concentration on length will repay him. Penny bowled very steadily and used his head. Murdoch kept wickets for Okaiawa and did the job well. Hughes, in a like position for Hawera, shapes yell but his slow bowling and slip fielding would be of assistance to his team. Crombie is an excellent wicket keeper and a good ■ matting boyvlcr. In the fdllow-on Hawera ran up a great score for two wickets. Old Boys A had little difficulty in beating Patea. Stan Lay was in good form with the ball afid sent ddwn some of his nippy off-breaks that left batsmen standing. Old Boys scored well and most players reached double figures. As a team Old Boys A appear to be striking form. ’ , Smith for Patea secured very gooc» figures and bowled with good judgment. Paterson and Palmer made a good stand for Patea, tho former getting in sonic nice strokes until he was out l.b.w. —he has a bad habit of getting in front. Stratford defeated Old Boys B in an interesting match played at Stratford. The features of the game were the bowling of Sandford for Stratford and tho baiting of Clieevers and ’J’urvey. Unfortunately the Old Boys team has a decided “tail” and does not appear to have a batsman who will succeed when the “heads” fail. Stratford bad such a useful man in Young who though well down in tho list scored double figures, a score that made all the difference. Stratford has a good all-round team. High School visited Kaponga and suffered defeat. Stanley Betts once again showed his consistency as a batsman, and; if he would just check the occasional urge to 1 smite the wrong one, he would do better still. School lost a number of wickets l.b.w. If tho first round is to be completed by Christmas there will have to be no postponements. The Taranaki-Wanga-nui Hawke Cup elimination match commences on December 12, but it is hoped that fixtures will go on. It is early in the season to choose a representative team and selectors will have to depend largely on past performances. _ South players who should be in the running aie Clieevers, Lay, H. Barker, S. Betts, A. Wilson, Crawford and Ross Eden (if available). Next Saturday there will be three matches f t Hawera and au interesting series of games is set down. Tho fix'- ■ tures are: Old Boys Av. Ilawcia, Old Boys B v. Kaponga and Stratford v. High School. The last-mentioned match should prove the most interesting. Okaiawji plays Patea at Okaiawa. JU g ■: TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. ' Western Park Club. —Senior B v. Waitara, at Waitara: Blincoe, V. Duff, Huxford, Jackson, Medhurst, D. Morris, McKeon, Parfitt, Rennie, Robertson and N. Wright. 12th man, Carroll. Junior v. Old Boys, at Tukapa No. 1: Beard, Burgess, G. Duff, George, Hyland, Innes, J. Morris, McKinney, Thomson, Veal© and* T. Wright. Emergencies: Millham and I. Duff.