WELLINGTON CRICKET

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10930, 20 November 1913, Page 2

WELLINGTON CRICKET

[Fhom Our Coriiesi'okdent.] November 14. It has often been said that if the spectators at a cricket match can be given something to enthuse about, you will find that they are as willing to cheer as tho most leather-lunged amongst the barraekers at a football match. Nobody will challenge this statement who happened to be passing the Basin Reserve between five and half-past six o'clock last Saturday afternoon. I. have watched many exciting athletic games, but I doubt whether it lias been my privilege on any previous occasion to listen to such sustained enthusiasm as was shown during tho ninety minutes I am referring to. Tho cheering of the spectators was - something to remember. To toll the story in brief. The previous Saturday East A scored 271. four, of the East B being dismissed for 46. The latter's following batsmen did so well that they saved the followon, the total reaching 187 before the last wicket fell. The A team lost no time in taking strike, and when 78 runs were on the board "for the loss of four wickets Midlane declared the innings closed, The ii's were left with about an hour and a half to keep their wickets, or 162 runs to make to win the game. They decided to try for the win, and so well did they perform that (aided by a century stand by F. Bowles and W. Hughes) they got the runs required within a few minutes of time, and amid a scene of enthusiasm that was gladdening in the extreme. Somo people are inclined to cavil at F.' Midlane for having closed his innings when he did. They argue that he should have been satisfied with the two-point win.' I do not agree with them, for the simple reason ' that, in my opinion, the game is the first thing all the time, and that the winning of a match is a secondary consideration. Of course, I know that there are many who subscribe to this doctrine, but supposing, for tho sake of argument, ' the East A innings had been continued for another ten minutes, would have been no possible chance of" tho B team getting the runs required, and by six .o'clock the spectators' would have grown weary of the players' efforts to keep up tho wickets to the call of time, and they would have left the ground disgruntled and growling at the slowness of cricket. As it was, the East B's were set" a big main, and they succeeded in their contract, to tho delight of tho spectators, their own satisfaction and to the uplifting of the game. Even if the team led by Midlane lost the match they helped, forward the cause of cricket considerably by making a sporting match of it. Another healthy sign! At ten minutes past two last Saturday afternoon the players took the field—something that has not happened previously during my experience of crioket in Wellington—and regular attendants arriving on the Basin Reserve at a quarter-past two found themselves too late to see the first ball bowled. This, on things during the past four years to mymmintd t is such a big improvement that I am inclined to stress the fact, for the simple reason that it denotes that the players are taking the interest they should in the weekly matches. Two rounds cf. championship matches have now been played, and the several teams have scored points aG under:—

Frank Joplin was a prolific scorer while at Wellington College, and a good career'was predicted for him in the Senior ranks. Last Christmas he left College and started studying at our University, but in the few innings he played in for the Victoria College team at the latter end of last season he could not get going, and began to feel a bit downhearted at his non-success. Last Saturday he took eta-ike for the first time this season, and he helped himself to a. tidy tally of runs—66— with an innings that impressed mainly by the long way he reached' out to smother the best of the bowling that was sent along to him to deal with. Joplin makes the square-cut in fine style, the ball shooting to the side boundary on the inside of point like a -shot from a gun. The short-pitched ball just outside the off-stump he treats in very cavalier style, hoolang it l'ound forward of square-leg to the empty place in tho field. Maybe because he was not too sure of himself, Joplin didinot let loose his full bag of strokes, and I would like to see Jiim going once again before giving a final determination on his batting. Fred Beechey is a batsman whom it is a delight to watch. He is an elder brother of the Beechey who has been prominent in Wellington cricket for so many years past, and up to this season has dono all his playing in the Wairarapa. He weilds a bat that weighs about a ton, but it is like a willow in his hand, so expert is he with it. Rarely have I seen the forward drive better made than Beechey made it on Saturday, and this shot was the best one ho had in his lockcr. To help him along the way ho wanted to go the Old Boys pitched him down many easy ones outside the off-stump, and he gave them the happy despatch in good style. Otherwise, also he weilded a hefty bat, runs coming from square-leg hits, cuts and drives. Several other batsmen did well on Saturday. F. Bowles (5) and W. Hughes (38) and their century stand I have already referred to. Ryan, the ex-Anstralian, helped the Central to a win against the Hutt, both by good generalship and line batting. When Saunders .joined Ryan close on 40 runs were wanted to save the defeat, and Ryan worked the bowling so well that, aided by a bit of luck in the shape or a propped catch off Saunders's bat in tho dips, this pair held the fort long enough.to score the wiu. W. 'Wagfitafi'e (42) raid A. Alderslcy (69 no out) wore another pair who did «ashing things with tho bat, the former for North and i-ho latter for Hutt. 'Aldersley hit three bnaniilul sixes in his tally, two by straight, drive;* and one by a pull. Saunders. wlio hntt rarely la-en guilty of mitking :::any runs. r<»lvc out in a j'rosh jdiieo, and ended the da#

with n tally of 30 not out. "Wonders will never coato. Thin reminds mo that the wickets provided by Saunders for last week's matches wero practically perfect, and the Basin Reserve was in fine order for run-getting. When Canterbury teams were previously in 1 Wellington they were not inclined to throw any boucjuets at the Basin Rcservo as a cricket ground; therefore,-the abandonment of this week's game is a keen disappointment to me. I had hoped that Dan Reese and tho men lie was bringing along with him would have said some nice tilings about tho improvement that has boon effected on our main cricketing ground. But that can wait for a future occasion.

Played. Won. Lost. Pts. Central . . . 2 a 0 6 Old Boys • . 2 2 0 6 North . • t 2 1 , 1 3 East A < . 4 2 1 1 3 East B « . , 2 i : 1 3 Petono . . 2 l 1 8 Hutt . ' .. . 2 0 2 0 Victoria Collego . 2 0 2 0