NELSON’S BIG SCORE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1933, Page 7

NELSON’S BIG SCORE

MATCH AGAINST HIGH SCHOOL

KARSTEN A CENTURY UNDEFEATED

SCHOOL TAIL FAILS BADLY.

MEREDITH’S BRIGHT INNINGS.

(By Wire—Special to News.) Nelson, Last Night.

The cricket match between Nelson College and New Plymouth Boys’ High School opened to-day in baking sunshine. A strong northerly breeze blew across the ground. Later the sky grew cloudy, and after lunch a little rain fell. Rain had fallen on Sunday and the wicket was sticky, but it dried quickly in the morning. The match was not very exciting, being too slow altogether for a two days’ match. At the drawing of stumps the situation indicated that the end will be a draw in Nelson’s favour unless Nelson declare early enough to-morrow to get School out and make the required runs. School made 142 after a good start and a poor finish. Nelson defied the bowling, and had made 196 for one wicket when stumps were drawn, Karsten being 103 not out. School’s first innings produced a fine opening partnership and a dreadful collapse. Karsten’s century not out was the best part of Nelson’s innings. There was little in either innings of an exciting nature, although Meredith’s splendid sixes were loudly cheered. Meredith ■ won the toss for School and elected to bat on a drying wicket. Donnelly opened. Facing Ralfe he scored a single, then cut four beautiful fours off Sparrow’s first over. In the main, however, the scoring was slow, though when Donnelly did hit he frequently found the boundary. The field was well placed, but the fielding was poor. Ralfe and Freeman kept the runs down, but the other bowlers were knocked about. Fifty came up in fifty minutes, but the scoring grew much slower later. Donnelly was playing pretty cricket, placing well, and Waters was holding his end up carefully. Both were not nearly aggressive enough, however, considering the state of the wicket and the attack, which was not dangerous. Waters called Donnelly to run, turned back and would have been out but Freeman knocked the bails off before he had the ball. Donnelly gave no chances until he turned Freeman to leg low and fast but right into Du Feu’s hands. The partnership had compiled 71. BROUGHTON STUMPED. Broughton joined Waters but was well stumped by Buddle. Larkin came next. He quickly settled down, but failed to reach the boundary time and again. Waters, who had been (increasing his score with singles, went for a hit but was caught in the outfield by McKay. For two and a-half hours’ play on a batsman’s wicket, facing' easy bowling, the result was poor and the scoring very slow. At the luncheon adjournment the score was 108 for three wickets. After lunch the Nelson bowling was much improved. Ralfe, who was easily the best bowler throughout the day, kept low, and was very awkward to deal with. Simpson was soon run out. Grant followed him and was soon dismissed. Larkin stepped in front to Ralfe, and Johns followed suit. Meredith repeated •last year’s performance against Nelson, knocking Freeman three times out of the ground. Bullot and Buckenham did not stay long. Meredith'went for another hit off Freeman and was stumped by Buddle. The innings closed for 142 fit 2.30 p.m. School showed a depressingly long and ineffectual tail. Meredith was the only : batsman in the afternoon who looked like making anything. The School backing' up between the wickets was poor, and the batsmen showed little enterprise l in going for’ short runs. Ralfe kept a good length, and well deserved his four wickets. He kept all the batsmen quiet. Freeman received little help from the pitch, and Meredith showed what should be done with this type of bowling on a vzicket that does not suit the bowler.' The fielding for the most part was somewhat flat-footed,, but Buddle behind the wickets was very safe and quick.

OPENING BY NELSON. Mason and Karsten opened for Nelson, facing the bowling of Larkin and Buckenham. Biickenham was at first fast, but soon lost pace and became somewhat erratic. Larkin kept a good length throughout, but none of the many bowlers tried against the pair seemed to trouble them much.-They took no undue risks, and runs came slowly. It was not a very interesting exhibition, both batsmen being rather careful. Still both were graceful, and showed what proper backing up will do in a match. Short runs seemed their specialty. With the score at 65 Karsten gave a hot chance to mid-on. Meredith sprang and held it, but rolled on the ground. The century came up shortly after tea. A little later Karsten gave an easy chance, but the fielding by this time was tired. ■ In stealing a short run Karsten was nearly run out soon after. At stumps Karsten was opening out somewhat. His was a good innings, but it was by no means chanceless or brilliant. On Mason’s dismissal Buddle played out time, and was scoring quickly at stumps. Many bowlers were tried during the afternoon, the most successful being Larkin and Donnelly, although it was Broughton who shattered Mason’s stumps with a full toss. Urry bowled quite well, but was easy to play. Johns bowled very little. Meredith did not keep himself on long. Broughton’s fielding was outstanding. The ball bounced awkwardly on the hard ground but he never missed,-and his returns were quick and accurate. Details are:— NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. ( First Innings. Donnelly, c Du Feu, b Freeman .. 69 Waters, c McKay, b Freeman 36 Broughton, st Buddle, bDu Feu .. 8 Larkin, 1.b.w., b Ralfe 11 Simpson, run opt 0 Grant, c Ralfe, b Freeman 0 Meredith, st Buddle, b Freeman .... 26 Johns, 1.b.w., b Ralfe 0 Bullot, b Ralfe 4 Buckenham, b Ralfe 0 Urry, not out 0 Extras 1 Total 142 NELSON COLLEGE. First Innings. Mason, b Broughton 57 Karsten, not out 103 Buddle, not out 17 Extras 18 Total (for one wicket) 196