CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16694, 28 March 1922, Page 3

CRICKET.

CITY AND SUBURBAN. POSITION FOR THE SHIELD. (By “COVER-POINT.”) Bleak, wintry weather prevailed for the closing round on Saturday last, when only two senior matches were played, as Woolston, being well behind against Green’s, decided to default on the second day. Both the junior and third grade competitions have finished. Riccarton B winning the Third Grade and Green’s the Second Grade. The following table shows the positions of the teams in the Senior Grade : S-Pt. 2-Pt. wins. wins. LoeseST Pts.

Letter Carriers lia-ve two unfinished matches and the Competitions Committee are faced with the problem of how to have the matches played with insufficient playing time available. T here is a rumour that Woolston will default in their match, but such a course wouki hardly be fair to the Railway and Green’s, who have a chance of winning the competition in the event of Lettfer Carriers being defeated. In the unfinished match Woolston are 43 ahead In the second innings and have two wickets to fall, so they still have a ch a n ce. The second unfinished match is against *St Albans, who are 80 runs behind on the first innings anti Hotter ■Carriers have on for the loss of three wickets in their second innings. In view of all circumstances it'seems to me that the most reasonable course to adopt would be to declare both matches finished, and award the "Letter Carriers a two-point win on each match, thus placing Railway and Letter Carriers equal for the shield. CHALLENGE SHIELD MATCH. The second match for the Challenge Shield will be played next week against .’Malvern, who, I understand, have a team who will extend the local men in all departments. The selector of the town eleven lies made two alterations which F think will be beneficial. J. Worm 11. who is a sound left-hand bat. a. useful change bowler and a good field, replaces Williams, and M'Xae, from Paparua, another left-hander, takes Peacock's place, the latter going in as twelfth man. Tt, is doubtful whether iw? removal of Peacock is wise as he is a. good hat and* has an average of SO odd in club matches. M’Nae was selected in the team to play against North Canterbury, but was not available. SATURDAY’S GAMES. 'The scoring was very slow in the matches on Saturday, and the play was uninteresting. LETTER-CARRIERS v ST ALBANS. At St Albans Park both teams appeared to take the match too seriously. .Letter Carriers were kderi to win, as winning made their position sale as regards the shield. St Albans, on the other hand, had no chance of winning the competition* but had defeated every other team in the competition and were anxious to complete the round of victories. When stumps were drawn on the first day St Albans had a lead of nine runs on the first innings. Their second innings began poorly. Four wickets were down for six runs, and it was not until R. Winter got going that things looked hopeful for the Saints. Batting cautiously. Winter put on \U by stylish cricket before he. was caught by Olsen off a ball that came off bis hat on to bis arm. C. Winter played safely and got into double figures before he was beaten by Bugg. P. Win ter was also going well when he attempted a short run. and a smart return found him veil out. and the in nings closed for 07. Bugg was difficult at all times and got the fine figures of six wickets for 31 runs. With 77 to make to win. Letter Carriers started disastrously. and eight wickets were down for 20 runs. With the fall of the eighth wicket Purdom had secured five wickets for 10 runs and Stammers two for 10. Turner and Bugg doubled the score for the ninth wicket, the former, who made 21. being the only batsman to shape at all confidently. At 78 Bugg was bowled by Dobbs, who finished the innings by bowling Bailey when the score was 00, St Albans thus winning by ten runs. Purdom bowled remarkably well, getting five wickets for I*l runs, while Dobbs secured two for 2. RAILWAY v. PAPILLA. The- Railway Paparua match was soon over, there being only one innings to he played. Paparua required 129 to win. but were 33 runs short when the last wicket fell. A. Maekie. sen., who was the highest scorer with 2-3. batted well for his runs. Cox (13) was the only other batsman to reach double figures. Owens secured severe wickets for 32 runs. THIRD GRADE POINTS. The returns of the Third Grade matches are incomplete, but the following arc the five leading teams: Riccarton B 43 points. Spreydon 39. Roslvn 32, Brighton A 26. Riccarton A 2«.

■Railway 1 ..43 3 18 "Letter Carrier* .4 1 4 14 Greens ... 4 1 3 14 St Albans . 3 '2 4 13 "Woolston . . 1 1 R Paparua . 0 2 7 4