CRICKET.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 11, 15 November 1919, Page 14

CRICKET.

SPLENDID weather prevailed last Saturday when the first series of the Auckland Cricket Associations' Championship fixtures were completed. As a result of the play Ponsonby scored a three-point win over Parnell, while North Shore and Graf ton each notched a two-pointer at the expense of University and Eden respectively. The first century of the season was hoisted by Burton, the promising Graftonite. Hie 114 not out was compiled by good cricket. He opened in a very confident manner, and batted freely throughout. The next best scores were Mills (Eden), 32, Snedden (Ponsonby), 31, and Garrard (University), 30. Of the bowlers, the best performances were: Snedden 6 for 37, Smith 4 for 22, Saunders 6 for 21, and Player 4 for 21. It was generally considered that University, who resumed batting with one wicket down for 59 runs, would account for North Shore. The uncertainty of cricket, however, prevailed, and after the two not-outs, Caradus and W. Garrard, were early disposed of. the remaining batsmen failed. The last Students' wicket foil with the total at 140, a deficit of 22 runs. The wicket was in favour of the bowlers, and at times the ball* bumped badly. The mainstay of Shore's bowlers were Dacre, with three wickets for 20, and Elliott three for 24 runs. Arblaster, in whom so much reliance was placed only succeeded in securing two wickets for 34. Shore failed miserably in their second venture. A rot set in quickly, and at one time the score read 22 for 6 wickets. The next four wickets fell for only 18 runs, and the innings closed for 44 runs. Player and Saunders held command* with the ball, the first-named securing 6 wickets for 21, five being caught and one stumped, while hie club mate got 4 for 21—two clean bowled and two caught. 'Varsity required 67 runs for a win, a three-pointer, and only 35 minutes to go. It was a race against time. The batsmen gave it ago, but the luck was against them. Tjne alone saved Shore, and gave tEem a win. Another over and the result could have been reversed. The Shore fielding was very good, and kept the runs down. Coates and Dacre bowled throughout, getting two wickets apiece. A splendid catch was brought off by Bellhouse, University, in dismissing Stewart who made a big hit from square-leg. * « * Parnell and Ponsonby continued at Victoria Park on a fair wicket. The Eastern Suburb Eleven, with t> for 53, continued at the wickets, but made a very poor showing. The remaining wickets only added y j"- uns•This left Ponsonby with a lead ot 111. It was anticipated that Parnell would follow on, but owing to a misunderstanding Ponsonby went to the wickets. With the score at 93 runs for 7 wickets, they declared, and left : Parnell with 204 to get an If hours. ' Ponsonby's second venture at the wickets produced a poor display ot batting. The only batsmen t°^ yen proceedings were Taylor 11, Culhmore 20 not out, and Snedden 31.

Snedden was sent back to the pavilion with l.b.w. jtist at a time he seemed well set. His 31 was contributed with good free cricket. The.Paraell wicket-keeper brought off two very smart pieces of work when he stumped Taylor and caught Mason. The last effort was a very fine one. Parnell failed upon their second attempt with the bat, the last wicket falling with the total at 98. Smith, 3 for 43, and Snedden 7 for 52, were the destructive trundlers. Graften took possession of the wickets upon resuming, and with the score at 195 runs for three wickets declared. This gave them an hour and a half to dispose of Eden and secure a three-point win. Eden's second venture proved more profitable, for 5 wickets realised 123 runs, and saved a three-pointer. The main contributor to Grafton's second innings was Burton's 114. He scored freely all round the wicket. Only one very diflknilt chance was given. The score included three sixes. Bottrell enjoyed 25 not out. For Eden, Mills made a good stand in compiling 42. Then followed Taylor 24 and Rountree and Sheppard 17 each. • • • JUNIORS. Shore first juniors scored a threepoint win over last year's champions, Eden. The Edenites won the toss arid put Shore in. They rattled up 171—Johnston 56 and Woolley 48—being the main contributors. Eden batted three men short, and put on 38. In the follow-on they were more successful by compiling 102. Davies 22 not out and Inglesby 22 adding the major portion. Shore thus won by an innings and 40 rune. Of the Eden trundlers, Taylor 5 for 37 was the most successful, while for Shore, Woolley 3 for 20 and Foster 9 for 40 secured the best averages. • * • V.M.C.A. had a big win by an innings and 128 runs over Eden 13. V.M.C.A. first innings closed with 4 wickets for 235. Eden B replied with only 71 and 36. a * * Interprovincial Matches. At a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Cricket Association correspondence was received from the Otago, Wellington, and Auckland Associations with reference to inter-provincial fixtures. Members of the Canterbury Association advocated abolishing the home matches. It was suggested that Otago be invited to send a team to play Canterbury at Christmas, at Christchurch, that Canterbury play Wellington at Wellington, at the New Year, and Auckland, in Auckland, at a subsequent date. It was decided to write to the other associations accordingly.