CRICKET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19374, 24 December 1932, Page 4

CRICKET

NOTES AND COMMENTS By “Onlooker” CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS First Grade

The final series of the first-grade competition was commenced on Saturday under ideal conditions. Despite their advantage, the majority of batsmen gave very poor displays. The most notable exceptions were Marriott and Wilson (Old Boys), L. Wood (Star), Herdman and Hudson (Timaru), S. Callanan (Geraldine).

The Old Boys skipper is to be congratulated on reaching the coveted three figures score, which he thoroughly deserved for his attractive display. Marriott has a wide range of strokes, and is undoubtedly the soundest batsman of the ride. Wilson, in ; compiling 34, gave a pleasing display, opening cut to score with powerful offdrives. The bowling of Celtic, apart from Kane, was not impressive, and in the team’s outcricket there is a very noticeable falling off in comparison with a few seasons back.

The outstanding batsmen for Timaru against Geraldine were Hudson and Herdman, the former representative players showing glimpses of past form. S. Callanan again gave a sound display for the country side, showing sound defence and punishing anything loose. On his consistent form this season, the young Geraldine player is deserving of a trial in the representative team. Callanan also bowled well, taking six for 39. Star and School, playing at the Rectory, gave a very mediocre display of batting. Wood (Star) hit out merrily to score 33 in quick time. McDougall was the best of the School bowlers, finishing with the fine figures of five for 30. The Star attack was a strong one. Seaton. Taylor, Styles and Hahn all trundling in fine form.

All the matches are at an interesting stage, and the results will have an important bearing on the competitions.

Country Trial Match: The match between the northern and southern country clubs, played last week, was keenly contested, and the standard of play compared very favourably with the form shown this season in grade matches. The team selected to represent the country against the town is a well-balanced side, and should give a good account of itself in next week’s match. The country team’s selectors were Messrs. D. Keyes (Waimate), H. Rollinson (Albury), and M. Angland (Timaru). The wicket prepared at Anzac Park for last week’s match was in excellent order, which reflects great credit on the Star Club. It is to be regretted that the outfield is in such a deplorable condition, for in several places, owing to the rough state of the ground, fielding is really dangerous. The outstanding batsman in the Northern team was Clark (Temuka) who, in compiling 61, played an excellent innings. The young Temuka player executed some well-timed straight drives and leg glides. Clark has a tendency to play at a rising ball on the off, which fault he should remedy, for in last week’s match it nearly proved his downfall on several occasions. Argus (Albury) is a batsman of distinct promise, combining a very solid defence, with good scoring strokes, especially behind the wicket. The Albury batsman’s front of the' wicket' play is very cramped, owing to poor footwork. Rule (Geraldine) showed good hitting ability and knows how to trounce slow bowling. This batsman was one of the few exceptions of the country batsmen who used their feet in getting to the slow bowlers. The bowling of the Southern team was greatly superior to the form shown by their opponents. Cleverley, who secured five for 27, bowling fast-medium, maintained a good length, varying at times with a ball which swung in from leg. The form displayed by the two slow bowlers, Fleming and Wilce, was also impressive. The fielding of the southern side was good, with skipper Keyes behind the “sticks” showing good form. Wilce, in compiling 59. was the outstanding bateman of the southern team, scoring mainly by wellplaced off-drives. Holden, the ex Star player, batted very solidly for 29. scoring mainly in singles. “Onlooker” considers this batsman concentrates too much on defence, which tactics retard the use of his undoubted scoring strokes.

The bowling of the northern team was weak, Clark being the only bowler of any merit. “Onlooker” congratulates the country clubs on their support of the fixture, for 24 players were selected, all of whom took part in the match. Such enthusiasm for the game is deserving of every support by the Association and clubs in the way of arranging matches with the counti*y clubs. Owing to unforseen circumstances, two matches previously agreed upon did not eventuate, but “Onlooker” trusts the town teams will fulfill their engagements after the holidays.

Ex-South Canterbury Players. I. M. Hamilton has been selected to represent Canterbury in the Plunket Shield match against Auckland commencing to-day at Christchurch. It is to be hoped the ex-Old Boys’ player will reach his best form in the Plunket Shield series, for apart from his batting prowess, Hamilton is undoubtedly the equal of any slip field in New Zealand, which should earn him a place in the national side. The left-hander has previously represented New Zealand. F. T. Bellamy (Sydenham) who joined up with Celtic several seasons back, but only made one appearance for the local club, has again been selected for Canterbury-. The Sydenham player is rated high in Christchurch as a left-hand medium bowler.

G. R. Gregory, formerly of the Timaru Club, playing for West Christchurch in the Canterbury Association’s competitions last Saturday, registered two outstanding perform-

mces, scoring 88 and 73 not out his

team having to follow on. Taking part in the Otago Association's competition. two ex-South Canterbury players, C. B. Lynch and W. Ditchfield have been showing excellent batting form this season.

•g d y. >> CL, 1 ts C<1 P Lost £ School ., 4 2 1 1 20 Old Boys .. 4 2 1 1 17 Celtic .. 4 1 2 1 16 Star .. 4 1 1 2 15 Timaru .. 4 1 1 2 15 Geraldine .. 4 1 2 1 13 Second Grade P. W. D. L. Pt. Star 8 5 2 1 21 Pare ora .. ,. p, 5 2 1 20 Celtic .. 8 3 4 1 20 West End .. .. 8 3 4 1 19 Pairview .. .. 8 3 3 17 Old Boys .. .. 3 3 1 4 15 School .. 8 2 1 5 12 Temuka .. 3 2 0 6 10 Railway .. .. 8 1 1 6 10 Third Grade P. W. D. L. 1 Pt. Oddfellows . 8 6 1 24 School C .. 7 6 1 0 22 Star . .. 8 3 2 3 18 School A .. ... 1 3 0 4 12 Waimataitai .. 8 1 3 4 11 West End .. .. 7 2 1 4 11 School B .. 7 0 2 5 7