CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12776, 21 October 1919, Page 2

CRICKET.

CITY 10 SUBURBAN.

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

(By “MID-OFF.”)

The City and Suburban Association opened the season’s competitions on Saturday last, most of the matches being played at Sydenham Park. The playing of the ladies’ hockey tournament and consequent delay in starting the preparation of the wickets made the. pitches somewhat rough, although they were wet enough to deaden the pacn of the ball. Only four entries were received for the Senior competition, one being from a new club, which contains, however, a number of old and well-known players, no less than eight of the eleven being past members of other clubs, including five that played last season, C. Rix and R. Langford from the Druids, H. Mills and W. Bates from Wards, and M. Bugg from Railway. It _is to be regretted that an old club like Druids that has been connected with the Association for so

many years should have to drop out, as there are a number of their players about. A lack of organisation seem? to be the trouble. Wards have left the Suburban Association and gone into the district competitions with the East Christchurch Junior grade- With their team they should have no trouble in winning the Junior grade competition. It is questionable if the change will be to the club’s advantage, as in- all probability East Christchurch will have to alter its boundaries next season and members will not be able to play all in the one elub. Some good scores wore registered in the Senior matches on Saturday', the partnership between H. Mills and H. Hobbs being a fine exhibition of good batting. Of the two Mills displayed the better style. Hobbs has evidently not yet got hack to form, but he batted very well and some of his straight drives wore a, treat to watch. Most of the old suburban players will remember Hobbs a.s a Glenmore player before he went to the war. He was severely wounded in both legs, hut happily he is still able to play a good game and is as keen in the field as ever. H. Mills played a splendid game. His penchant for hooking the straight ones to square leg was so consistent that he looked like staying all afternoon, but a rising hall shot off the shoulder of his bat and he was caught in the slips. E. Langford got busy very early and nearly reached his half century. While he was evidently out of practice he batted very well and had plenty of scoring strokes. Rix started, as usual, by looking for sixes. Ho found them early, Brosnahan’s two first balls sailing over the boundary. Rix soon had three dozen to his credit.

With the total of these four reaching 174 out of an innings of 219, the rest of the team made very few, the only other double figure being Bates, who never looked very much at home.

Railway, however, made a very poor stand, and at six o’clock had lost nine wickets for 74. Unless the last man, who happens to be Barney Crcssen, of tho old Waimairi Club, makes a big stand Railway will probably have to follow on. In the Greens v. St Albans match the former team had a day out against very medium bowling. Batstone, an old member of the club, who has lately returned, stayed nearly through the innings for 78. Although he was over cautious at times he played good cricket for his runs.

R. Woods stayed well with the bat and, although his style does not inspire confidence, he nevertheless gets the runs- He hit Up 34 by bard hitting. Gasson played very correct and good cricket for his 30, and never gave a chance until U. Pitt beat him all the wav.

With 203 against them St Albans started badly and had lost five for 2!) when play ended for the day, tlm bowling of Gasson and Jones being too good for the opposing team. Some good individual scores were registered in the Junior matches, W. Turner, of St John’s, just missing bis century and carrying bis bat for 96. Matthews in the same team bit up 75. Kelly, of the Boys’ Gordon Hall, with 86 not out, gave a very' fine performance, Grose getting do in the same match. In the Woolston v. Now Brighton match. Won-all 51 and Clarkson 40 were .the highest scorers, the total runs registered being 135.