REMINISCENCES OF THE SPORTING WORLD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19862, 3 February 1920, Page 4

REMINISCENCES OF THE SPORTING WORLD.

“JOINT” FOWKE TALKS OF ORSGKET. MEMORABLE MATCHES AND HUMOROUS INCIDENTS. t PLAYERS OF THE PAST, (Specially written for the " Star.”)

“Now, let me see,” said “Johnny’’ Fowke, when ho again met the “ Star ’’ man, /‘where did wo finish off? , Oh, yes, I remember now. 1 was tilling you about that memorable match between the Melbourne Cricket Club team and. Canterbury and the gruelling the visitors were giving us in the hold. As I remarked, the Melbourne team were a very consistent lot of batsmen. Among them was H. Fry, a very find all-round cricketer, who contributed a well played 28. He went in, first, and included in his score were five boundaries. A. A. Ait-kcn. while shaping well, retired hurl. To show the consistency of their batting, only throe failed to reach double figures, and Melbourne finished up with the creditable score of 336, ' THE CAPTAIN MISGUIDED. “I may say that Canterbury bad all the worst of the luck in this match, us Cohcroft, our captain, was only a newcomer, with no experience of the nature of our wickots. and ho was guided by other members of the team, and unfortunate this proved, too, as the chosen one of the two wickets prepared turned out a most disastrous one. On. it Hugh. Trumblo and J. W. Cave were practically unplayable, although our team in batting was an exceptionally strong one. Cohcroft, a splendid bat, with very fine credentials, was at "tho top of his form, and great things wore expected from him. Syd Orchard, a very reliable bat, and one of our most vigorous hitters, was also in his very best form. In those days bis freo innings were the delight of the public. THE COLTS. “Dan Pee.sc was then the very best colt Canterbury had produced, and ho was in great fettle, but the wicket soon settled him, which was must disappointing from the spectators’ point of view. A. E Ridley, a batsman of the same type as Syd Orchard, suffered thsi same fate. In the team also was Arthur Sims, another of Canterbury'!; very lino colts, a beautiful batsman with a variety of strokes all round the wicket. .Arthur, though, only succeeded in making double figures. The other members of flio Canterbury eleven were Bob Barry, another real good bat, and worthy of high honours; Vv. C. IT. IVigloy,. a very solid player and who proved it on so difficult a wicket by making the top score of 27,; K. C. ■Ridley, one of the young brigade, a most finished and stylish bat. who tool, no risks and always played For keeps; C. R. Clark, a hotter cricketer than ever he thought, bo was; with old ‘ Pro ’ Robertson and myself bringing up the roar. In particularising the whole of the team I only want to demonstrate what was considered an exceptionally fine team, and capable of bolding up the prestige, of Canterbury cricket. It clearly bears out what I say that no matter how good the player may be, or the bowler, everything depends on the wicket; and if plumb the best bowler in the world becomes practically easy. I often beard the remarks, ‘ So-and-Sn ’ is breaking a yard, the speaker thinking the big break is the dreaded hall, but such is not the case. The bowler with a certain amount of pace, with that little bit of nip enough to boat the bat, is the successful bowjcr at the finish. TREMBLE SCATTERS THEM. ■ “ Our second innings was very little better than the first, as only three players scored double figures—Archie Ridley (53, Arthur Sims 19, and Wigley 1 ' 17, out of a total ef 't%. " Hughie Trumblo once more showed his superiority by taking seven wickets for 35 runs, making a total of thirteen wickots for 66 runs in tho match. A player of his calibre is a grand power to have on your side. We absolutely wanted to bo on one of the finest wickots ever prepared to have bad the remotest chance. Trumblo was very ably backed up by that most promising young bowler with such a graceful style, J. . Cave. Then Melbourne had another most experienced bowler in H. Fry, who, if my memory serves 'me light, was their professional, and a good one too. He" was quiet in demeanour, and a very fine cricketer. ■ A LITTLE MASTERPIECE. “Archie Ridley ‘took the cako ’ on this occasion with his very splendid innings of 63, and lie once again proved what a gritty player ho was.

He was unlucky to get out with that over doubtful Ibw. I, with tho spectators, thoroughly enjoyed this little masterpiece by such an unassuming and worthy exponent of the game. Archie richly deserved bis success, and received a great oration on his return to the pavilion. THE WILY BOWLER. “ Arthur Sims was his partner, and never looked like getting put until a very fine catch by 1 the Little Dasher,’ 11. Graham, off Fry, brought about his downhill. Wigley playecT a. very nice little mninga for his seventeen and looked like going on with it until trapped by that good general, ilughio trumble, caught and bowled. One?, more, experience prevailed. Trumble was a bowler who studied a batsman’s weakness, and was not like the generality of bowlers wanting to bowl tho batsmen neck and crop. Like the old time saying all things cometli to him that waits. However, after making reasonable excuses, we frankly admitted the best side won, having played the game up to the handle. Melbourne severely trounced us to the tune of an innings and 108 runs, and still we were not downhearted. THE SOCIAL HOUR. “Tho speeches at lunch were led off by that worthy chairman, F. Wilding. A most humorous speoch was mado by Charles Lewis, then -an M.H.R. In proposing tho “ Melbourne Club ” he said the people of New Zealand were very much indebted to the Melbourne Club for sending to the colony a team of gentlemen who showed them such excellent, cricket. Ho said' ho did not speak as a cricketer, but merely as one of the crowd who had paid his shilling to seo the game. _ If some of tho local teams were in his debt for money he had paid to see them, ho had certainly got full value from the Melbourne men, especially in tho very fine performance of H. Graham, which would live long in his memory, coupled with Hugbie Trumble. Ho regretted the misfortune that had befallen Mr Aitken. but if they would bo go disrespectful as '.o knock the Canterbury bowling about they must put up with the con,sequences. (Laughter.) The speech was splendidly received and fully proved what-a. worthy and loyal gentleman Mr Lewis was to have as a representative of the people. WHAT “ TIM ” DID. “ Genial Charles Ross, manager and captain of the Melbourne team, in responding to bile toast, said the team had mot with the greatest kindness and hospitality throughout the tour. He was sorry that Cobcroft unfortunately chose tho wrong wicket, and frankly admitted that Canterbury's was a bowler’s wicket, but bo hoped they would do bettor next, innings (which they didn't). Cobcroft suitably replied, mid pleaded ignorance of the nature -of the wicket, and said be was naturally guided by those who were in the know. F. Wilding responded on behalf of the Canterbury Cricket Association. Mr Wilding said five real credit for the visit was due to F. 0. Raphael, who lived solely for the purpose of making all cricketers happy. In conclusion, he could not help saying somethiiirr of 1 the fighting powers of the colonials in South Africa, and be thought the cricket field was a good training ground for the soldiers. F. C. Raphael, although a man of few words, gracefully accepted the complimoiit. A STORY. “Mr Wilding’s reference to the colonial soldiers puts me in mind -of a story which I think is worth repealing. When the first Australian contingent arrived at Gape Town to take part in the Doer War, Kruger is said to have asked General Jonbert if ho knew anything about.those. Australians. ‘I only know eleven of them once beat All England,’ said Jonbert. ‘Good God!” cried the President. ‘ we are lost. Thirteen thousand of thorn have iu«t landed.’ HOSPITABLE PEOPLE. “I cannot close my remarks in respect to the visit of the Melbourne Cricket Club without referring to the very great hospitality shown to tho players of both teams by Messrs Charles and Leonard Clark, who entertained them at their beautiful residence. I well remember tho old gentleman. Mr Charles Clark, son., relating how those beautiful grounds were once a veritable swamp, and the amount of bard work that fie had lo put in redeeming the wilderness. generations cannot

realise how thankful they should be for the work of the old colonists, nor can' they properly understand the hardships the pioneers had to contend with. I may say that Mrs Charles Clark was also ever ready to do all in her power l to make visiting teams most welcome. I would so much Hko to see a. repetition of these intercolonial matches, for by so doing it helps the good old game, along in leaps and bounds, besides being a splendid education for the rising generation and inducing thorn to rise to fame. Cricket in my estimation stands on ibo highest pedestal °f aiij sport under the sun. AGAINST NEW ZEALAND. “ After so much talk about the downfall of Canterbury, the Melbourne C.C. tried conclusions with the pick of New Zealand, composed ns follows:—F. S. I' rankish, D. Reese, L. T. Cobcroft and J. N. Fowke (Canterbury), J. Baker (Otago), W. Stemson (Auckland). C. Richardson, K. Tucker and E. Upham (Wellington), H. B. Lusk (Napier). The selector was J. Baker, of Dunedin. Batting first, Melbourne put up the fine score of 367, or 31 more runs than when playing Canterbury. To once more show tho consistency of their batting strength nine out of the team secured double figures. A. 0. Russell, with 98, played a- superb innings and just missed the coveted century, while E- R. Jacobs played a verv fine innings for 64, G. H. Boss made 36, H. Trumolo 23, K. Mniller 26, H. Graham 32, D. G. Jennings 22 not out, D. M’Hwraith 12, and J. W. Cave 17. The onlv ones to rejich double figures on our side were F. S. Frankish 28. Cobcroft 16, J. Baker 13 and W. Stemson 10, and our miserable total was 98. THE NOTABLES. “Fry, the Melbourne professional, was in great form with the ball. He was what you would term a slow bowler with a good command of tho ball, as bis figures will show: Four wickets foils runs. The redoubtable Hugbie Trumble bowled with hard luck, lint bagged three wickets for 47. In the second knock we showed a great improvement by making 246, of which the outstanding feature was a innings by G A. Richardson for 114 not out. One peculiarity of bis play was he left his crease to every straight ball and met it with great accuracy. He was a- very fine player of Australian fame, and very kindly disposed. Unfortunately he had no one to stay with him, otherwise there is no telling what his total rnny have hocn. Ivon Tucker played a nice free innings for 40. when he had the misfortune to be trapped in the slips off Gave in those safe pair of hands of Trumble. Dan Reese was batting very carefully and looked like assisting Charlie Richardson in maldim a, long stand. After compilm"- 26 ho shared the same fate as Ken"Tucker. •J. Baker was tho . other double figure scorer, and be started most vigorously by making four boundaries in succession, when ho was nipped in the bud by n beautiful ball from Fry that clean bowled him. Jim's remarli on returning was that it was too good for him. 4he match ended most disastrously for iSew Zealand, who were severely beaten by an innings and 32 runs. A FINE RECORD. " The. Melbourne C.C.'s record roads as follows:--Seven matches played won six, orawn one Seme of their inning were most ereditahlc—3s4 runs against Auckland. against 'Wellington 336 against Canterbury, 367 against New Zealand, 182 and 222 for six wickets against Otago, Such scores prove conclusively what a verv fine loam they were m every department 0 f the game.” Saturday!) Cr ,nstalment wili a PPea r on The question of making additions to the present civic offices in Christchurch was ro,erred to again at the meeting of the City Council last evening when 0 m accordance with notice of motion! Councillor D. G. Sullivan moved:--Unit the council abandon the attempt to secure legislation authorising it to build on the river bank to the north of the present Council Chambers and that it in lieu thereof trv t 0 nocure the right to build at the" rear ot the present Council Chambers.” Cmmci lor 61 (vollar_ seconded the motion winch was earned and referred t 0 special accommodation committee. Tim question of encouraging Now Zealand art was briefly discussed h v the City y.ounci l last night, when Councilr r-V. , Lan S ,o . v moved that a grant ot LoO should be made by the council to purchase a work or works of art it-om the coming art exhibition in Christchurch, the work or works selected to lie placed to the credit of the permanent, collection, the work or works to bo by a New Zealand-born artist. Councillor A. A. M’Kellar said that it would be better to provide that preference should bo given tp a New Zealand-born artist rather than to restrict the selection in that respect. Tho motion was seconded by Councillor E. H- Andrews and carried. „ At last evening’s meeting of the City Council Councillor J. A. Flesher gave notice to move to the effect that m °f.the recommendation of the Arbitration Court that wages should lie adjusted by employers to compmuaio or rises or falls in the cost of living the various committees of the council’ should take into earnest cousideral’ou the question of adjusting ine w; ges of the Citv Council’s employees.