COMMENTS ON THE MATCH

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1934, Page 4

COMMENTS ON THE MATCH

PARKINSON, AN ALL-IROUNDER LARGE CROWD KEPT INTERESTED. * HARPUR’S MARATHON BOWLING. BIGGAR AGAIN IN GOOD FORM. It was pleasing to cricket officials and the cricketers themselves to see the large number of spectators that attended Pukekura Park to witness the finish of Taranaki’s first innings and the commencement of Rangitikei’s second. The interest which the acquiring of the Hawke Cup has infused into Taranaki representative cricket was reflected in the rounds of applause, or murmurs of disapproval, plus occasional keen barracking, that greeted each differing phase of the play. In comments on the Poverty BayTaranaki match just previously the following statement was made: “The Taraanki player in the public eye was V. Parkinson, stock bowler, excellent field and punishing batsman.” Again prominent from start to finish, Parkinson caught the eye on Saturday. After taking, six wickets on a ground suiting the batsman more than the bowler on the first day, he reached the top score on the second day by cool and chanceless hitting. He treated with ease a bowler whose deliveries were troubling the choice of the batting strength. How often has the writer heard Parkinson in supreme confidence say “Pooh! the bowling’s not difficult!” as he returns from the scoring of 30 or 40 off the cream of the opposing side. A brilliant slip field, his sense of anticipation is surprising. A glance to fine leg went past Giddy, but Parkinson at second slip with a fine sprint gathered it in before it crossed the boundary. He backs ,up well and throws in unerringly. DORMER’S CONSISTENCY. W. Dormer after a free display on the first day crouched himself over the bat and defied attempts to take his wicket. His defence gave Harpur the majority of his maidens. His was certainly a dour finish to a bright opening display, but the conditions underfoot were not of the best and free batting at that stage was perhaps not possible to a batsman of his type. His 39 against Nelson, 39 against Poverty Bay and 42 in this innings demonstrated his consistency. A. Biggar was disappointing, not in his batting display, as his style was pleasant to watch, but because of the ease with which a bowler’s wiles and a captain s anticipation took his wicket. The Taranaki wicketkeeper must have seen Cameron and Low converse and then Camerson drop out to the deep on field, but he hit just where he was ijivited to and Cameron made no error. Larkin was more or less fortunate to reach his 14. A steady, forceful bat in club cricket, he scraped here and there,

hit a four, slogged a six and then made a wild slam at a good length straight delivery. The most pleasing feature of interest to Taranaki followers of cricket was Christensen’s final display. He .lofted one or two certainly, but his fours were correct shots and his straight bat defended his wicket successfully. More will be heard of his batting. Kirwin hit soundly and his inclusion in the team could not'be condemned by any partisans of the game. Great things were expected from Norman Giddy, but even Bradman makes small scores occasionally, and the ball that took Giddy’s wicket was a real “daisy-cutter.” TWENTY-FIVE MAIDEN OVERS. If Harpur could run as steadily as he bowls he would make a really successful cross-country man. Fitfy overs for one innings is considered an excellent marathon task, but when 25 overs are not scored off and he dismisses five good men at a cost of only 18 runs apiece, that feat becomes a notable one in Hawke Cup cricket. It was just a well-pitched ball, but how well-pitched only the batsman could tell. Varying from correct length to “yorker” was the method by which he executed the damage. Batsmen who had successfully played forward and stopped his previous ball played forward, again and were “yorked.” Thirty-six overs were to Duncan’s credit. A long, quick-stepping run and a medium fast delivery sprang - quickly off the pitch and he took three wickets

The laurels for the best batting performance must go to D. A. Cameron, captain of the Rangitikei team, a cricketer with fine reputation and a compiler of 80 against the Auckland Plunket Shield team last year. He failed completely in the first innings, a wonderful catch on the leg side by Biggar bringing his downfall. Faced with the cheap dismissal of three of his main batsmen he went into stop the “rot,” and he succeeded. Playing to all parts of the ground, he scored rapidly but carefully and he was the chief factor in compelling Taranaki to forego all hope of an innings victory. W. Hayward putting a correct blade to every ball, ably assisted Cameron by keeping the other end intact, and when occasion offered he added a few runs himself. He often covers up to off balls by using his pads, and this brought about his dismissal as he covered up to a straight one and his leg was well in front. TARANAKI TOTAL PASSED. W. A. Duncan, stock bowler, scored double figures in the first innings and replaced Hayward to play fine forcing cricket and compile a valuable total of material assistance to his team’s tally. A. B. Marshall held the fort intact for a while to add 12. Some zest was added to the game when Fullerton-Smith scored freely, aided by two or three missed chances. He and Low upheld the ninth wicket to pass Taranaki first innings score. Low played the defensive game pure and simple, determined to stay till to-day’s play, when with one more man to bat Rangitikei still hopes to have a fighting chance. Allowed only nine overs in the first innings, Christensen was entrusted with 15 in the second innings, and bowling a reliable, steady ball he gained the success he was expeted to. It is. only, the best of batsmen who can score freely off him. Many items of interest were produced from the day’s cricket, and perhaps more humorous than events usually witnessed in a representative cricket match were the batsmen’s endeavours to anticipate the wrong-uns from Nasmith’s bag of tricks. Aided by a drying wicket he had plenty of break on the ball. Although unlucky in not having mor: chances accepted his control of direction was not too perfect. Larkin’s seven overs were not treated cheaply and he accomplished what the stock bowlers had been attempting throughout the innings—the dismissal of Cameron. A captain should use all bowling to the full advantage, and Dormer should realise that his own deliveries are useful. His five overs cost only 14 runs and his fast bowlers had a chance to regain strength while he kept runs down. Where was the smart, keen fielding of the first innings? Practically every 'fieldsman was guilty of carelessness of some description. Catches are. dropped in every match, but balls should be stopped and picked up smartly. H. Barker at cover let one ball go through his hands, otherwise his cover-fielding was smart and capable. His throw-in to Biggar was a quick and clean piece of work and accounted for Duncan, a good batsman. But his brother W. Barker again showed a weakness in the fielding department, as also did Larkin. Biggar was again a barrier behind the stumps. Some of Nasmith’s breaks had him puzzled, but only two balls passed him throughout the match—possibly a record in view of the 330 odd runs scored. He again dismissed a good batsman

when he accepted a scorcher off Wysocki. Biggar will be a fixture behind the stumps. Dormer led his team well. His long and steady innings assisted Taranaki to gain a large lead. Opening with Christensen, and to the surprise of some, Nasmith proved a successful move on Dormer’s part, and three batsmen were dismissed for 19 before a change was necessary. There is no necessity to be dissatisfied with the trial of Dormer as captain. OKATO VERSUS WAITARA. WEEK-END MATCH SCORES. A week-end match was played at Waitara between Okato and a Waitara eleven. The scores were:— Okato:—First innings: Paul jun., c Pizzey, b Chadwick, 31; Paul sen., run out, 1; R. Andrews, b Collins, 0; H. Roberts, b Collins, 2; P. Edwards,' b Collins, 0; D. Dunn, c Benge, b Woods, 2; P. Slater, 1.b.w., b Chadwick, 0; W. Taylor, c Beckbessinger, b Collins, 0; Randrup, c Fowler, b Woods, 0; L. Goodwin, c Fowler, b Beckbessinger, 4; C. Hodge, not out, 4; C. Larking, b Collingwood, 1; extras, 6; total, 52. Bowling: Woods two for 4, Collins four for 12, Chadwick 2 for 7, Beckbessinger 1 for 3, Collingwood 1 for 3, Dunn none for 17. Waitara:—First innings: H. Chadwick, b Goodwin, 4; A. Dunn, run out, 18; A. Collins, b Randrup, 0; E. Bowen, b Randrup, 0; L. Woods, 1.b.w., b Goodwin, 0; W. Pizzey, retired, 47; T. G. Fowler, b Andrews, 1; H. Beckbessinger, c and b Hodge, 10; F. Benge, not out, 4; Collingwood, c Goodwin, b Hodge, 0; R. St. George, b Hodge, 0; H. Lowe, b Taylor, 5; extras, 4; Total, 93. Bowling: Hodge 3 for 5, Taylor *1 for 4, Randrup 2 for 17, Goodwin 2 for 17, Andrews 1 for 10, Paul jun. none for 12, Roberts none for 20. Okato: —Second innings: Salter, c Collingwood, b Collins, 3; Randrup, b Woods, 35; Paul sen., c Pizzey, b Beckbessinger, 6, Paul jun., c Collins, b Collingwood, 44; Andrews, c Collins, b Dunn, 10; Larking, 1.b.w., b Fowler, 9; Taylor, c Bowen, b Collingwood, 14; Hodge, c Bowen, b St. George, 1; Dunn, c Collins, b Pizzey, 4; Goodwin, not out, 2; Roberts, b Pizzey, 5; Edwards, c Woods, b Pizzey, 5; extras, 13; Total, 151. Bowling: Collins 1 for 19, Dunn 1 for 12, Chadwick 0 for 6, Beckbessinger, 1 for 15, Benge 0 for 30, Collingwood 2 .for 7, Fowler 1 for 2, St. George 1 for 18, Pizzey 3 for 10. Waitara:—Second innings: Collingwood, b Hodge, 9; St. George, retired, 21; Benge, b Hodge, 0; Beckbessinger, run out, 10; Fowler, retired, 25; Woods, c and b Goodwin, 1; Bowen, c and b Hodge, 8; Chadwick, st Roberts, 0; Dunn, b Hodge, 15; Collins, b Hodge, 5; • Pizzey, not out, 2; Lowe, not out, 2; extras, 8; total, 106. SOUTHERN SENIOR B CRICKET HAWERA DEFEATS STRATFORD. MEULI’S CENTURY FOR OPUNAKE No senior A cricket matches were played in South Taranaki on Saturday but the senior B competition was continued. The leading team, Hawera, beat Stratford at Hawera by 193 runs to 112. Opunake, the next team, found it difficult to dismiss all the Old Collegians at Hawera but just did so, winning by 263 runs to 151, Meuli making a century. At Manaia Power Board beat the home team by 102 runs to 45. Stratford High School defaulted to Hawera High School. HAWERA BEATS STRATFORD. Stratford gave the leading team, Hawera, a good game at Hawera. The home team batted first and made 193. Fairweather made 46, Geary 25, Fleet 23, Stevens 21, Mortlock 20 and Pine 19. The last two both gave vigorous displays. Young took four wickets for 32 runs and Donnelly three for 76. Faulkener and Donnelly gave Stratford an excellent start and after Faulkener went Donnelly was very hard to dig out, eventually going l.b.w. He made 60 and Faulkener 24 of Stratford’s 112. Stevens took seven wickets for 55 runs. OPUNAKE JUST BEATS TIME. Opunake had a difficult task in dismissing Old Collegians in time for a win by 263 runs to 151 in a match that was notable for its high scoring, including Meuli’s century, th a first in the senior B grade. Opunake declared with seven wickets down, the main contributors being Meuli 102 retired, Cundy 53, and Maddock 45. Boesley took two wickets for 26 runs and Malone two for 38. Hughes 52 not out was Old Collegians’ principal scorer, Cropp making 38, W. Wills 34 and Boesley 13. Two of the later batsmen were run out and as Opunake had only 10 minutes to spare

there was an exciting finish. Maddock took three wickets for 34 runs and Meuli two for 17. i x POWER BOARD WINS AT MANAIA. Power Board was well on top of'Manaia, winning by .102 runs to 45. Sargeson was top-scorer -with 25 and D. Hughes, Buist and Lendrum also secured double figures. Hobday took six wickets for 15 runs. Most of Manaia’s runs came from the bat of D. Baldwin, who made 22. D. Hughes took six wickets for 23 runs. CENTURY AT MASTERTON. TWO SAVING PARTNERSHIPS. HAWKE’S BAY-WAIRARAPA DRAW. By Telegraph—Press Association. Masterton, Last Night. The Hawke’s Bay-Wairarapa representative cricket match concluded at Masterton yesterday resulted in a draw, Wairarapa playing out time in the second innings. After Mahoney’s dismissal for six in Hawke’s Bay’s second innings, Rees and O’Brien became associated, bringing the score to 100 after 88 minutes’ play, the partnership being responsible for • 97. O’Brien’s 64 was the best of the innings, his knock being a bright one. Hobbs,' 39 not out, was the only other to make any stand. Bowling for Wairarapa Massey took five wickets for 57 and A. Whiteman two for 41. Wairarapa made a bad opening in the second strike, four wickets being down for only 33. W. Peterson and Sherratt then, got together and between them knocked up 162, Sherratt continuing until time, his total being then 102. He scored freely all round the wicket. At the close of play Wairarapa had four wickets in hand with a score of 214. Bark took four wickets for 59 and Kavanagh two for 55. In the first innings Hawke’s Bay made 204 and Wairarapa 139. WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIP. CITY TEAM HOLDS THE LEAD. Wellington, Last Night. Rain interrupted play in the senior cricket championship on Saturday. ;At the end of the sixth series Wellington was leading with 26 points, with Kilbirnie 25 second and Old Boys 23 third. Kilbirnie 377 for seven declared beat Petone 263 (Brice 63). t Wellington 334 (Ell 100, Hollings 66, Whyte 55) beat Old Boys 292. Midland 253 for nine declared (Tindill 75, Lawton 66) beat University 163 and 151.

Hutt 308 for seven declared (Aim 50, Birch 89) beat Institute 155 and 110 for seven.