OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXXII, Issue 25, 2 March 1912, Page 10

OUT DOOR SPORTS

AFTER a week's spell, the Auckland Cricket Association resumed their fixtures on Saturday last. The senior'competition is still at an interesting stage, and it looks as if it will undergo a little alteration <at the conclusion of the games now being played.

Ponsonby and Parnell met at Victoria Park, and the West Enders appear to have the better of the deal so far. Ponsonby batted first, and ran up the not too large total of 125 runs. Parnell did not do so well, as when time was called they lost six wickets for 62 runs.

University are well up against North Shore. The students showed consistent form in their batting, with the result that the good total of 221 runs was realised. Shore made a poor reply, so far, losing four wickets for 14 runs.

The Grafton-Eden game was the most interesting of the three senior games. Grafton took on the batting first and with of several good scores, ran up a total of 183 runs. Eden made a poor start, but a useful stand by Smeeton and I. Mills took the total on to 88 runs for four wickets, when play ceased.

C. Snedden shaped well in making top score for Ponsonby—22 runs. He eventually sent one into Oliff's hands off Warner.

Jacobsen (16) and Kavanagh (16) both battetd in fine form for Ponsonby, and each fell a victim to Oliff.

The Parnell bowling was divided between Kerr, Oliff and Warner. The two former were dealt with at times. Oliff got three for 46, Kerr five for 62, whilst Warner's two victims cost 3 runs.

Outside of Wright's 45 not out and Robinson's 17, the remainder of the Parnell batsmen failed to materialise against the bowling of McMath and Woods. Wright showed splendid form, and Robinson was settling down when he was caught by his namesake.

McMath's four wickets were obtained for 36 runs on Saturday, whilst Woods's two cost 26 runs.

Jacobsen played a slashing innings in making 50 runs against Shore on Saturday. The bowling did not seem to trouble him much, and it was an interesting flisplay all through. Caradus played sound cricket in making 43 runs for 'Varsity, and another useful score was that of Walker's, who was unbeaten with 41 rune to his credit.

Ellis and Airey made .a serviceable first wicket stand for 'Varsity at the Shore. The former made 17, when he was smartly stumped by Sale. Airey carried on till he made i3B, when he got l.b.w. to Howden.

The Southern tour of the Auckland cricketers panned out very successfully. Three matches were played, two being won and the other game had to be abandoned. The win against Wellington was a close thing, our men just getting there with a wicket .to spare. Hemuu was very consistent in his batting, and it is noticeable that he generally comes to light in these big cricket fixtures.

F. Wilson made 13 in quick time for:Ponsonby, while Robinson went steadily for 13 not out.

Howden is keeping up his improved form in bowling, and with a wicket in favour of the batsmen, he did well in getting four for 50. McNeil played havoc with University's " tail," winding up with the good average of four for 37.

The Shore batting failed badly against the 'Varsity bowlers on Saturday. Farquharson, G. Dacre and Ralfe failed to score at all. Howie showed good defence, and has 9 not out to his credit.

When D. Hay and McCormick became partnered on Saturday, the Grafton score got a big lift. Hay was the more aggressive of the two, and indulged in some pretty cricket in making 44 runs. McCormick was, as usual, batting on the cautious side in compiling his 26 runs.

R. Neill came to light with the good socre of 36 runs for Grafton on Saturday, batting really well. Sloman livened up proceedings by his free hitting, and his innings of 29 runs was greatly enjoyed by the onlookers.

Several of Eden's bowlers failed to do any good against the Grafton batsmen. Hay very rarely fails to get a wicket or two, but BrookeSmith and G. Mills happened to be on the job. The former got four for 55 and Mills three for 20.

Cummings, G. Mills, Gordon and Brooke-Smith made only 16 runs between them on Saturday. Neill and Pratt were the stumbling blocks.

Smeeton (27 not out) and I. Mills (32 not out) stemmed the Eden rot on Saturday. The colt batted in fine istyle, and it is pleasing to notice that the veteran, " Ike" Mills, still retains some of his oldtime form.

So far, nothing more has been heard of Canterbury's determination to come up to play Auckland for the Plunket Shield. Anyway, if a challenge is coming, it must be in by to-morrow (Friday).