Cricket.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18587, 12 October 1928, Page 14

Cricket.

ST ALBANS SET A DIFFICULT TASK.

CAN OLD COLLEGIANS DEFEAT OLD BOYS?

The first series of matches in the senior A grade of the Canterbury Cricket Association will be continued tomorrow afternoon. The following was the position of the games at the end of the first day of play-: Linwood 326 for eight wickets v. St Albans. Old Boys 144, Old Collegians 62 for four wickets. Riccarton 318 for seven wickets v. Bast ChristchurchSydenham 203, West Christchurch 32 for two wickets.

St Albans have been set a difficult task by Linwood, and they will have to go hard if they wish to avoid defeat. Linwood will probably declare their innings closed first thing to-morrow afternoon, and put St Albans in. East Christchurch, too, are up against a difficult proposition. The present position of the game between Old Boj’-s and Old Collegians is fairly even, with a slight advantage to Old Collegians, unless their tail end batsmen collapse. Against Sydenham, West seem to be 9-t a slight disadvantage, but, with eight wickets in hand, they - seem to stand a reasonable chance of gaining a lead on the first innings. The cricket season was opened in Christchurch last Saturday under very pleasant weather conditions. The main ground, at Hagley Park, with its beautiful surroundings, presented a fine appearance. ' For surroundings it

would be difficult to find a more ideal cricket ground' in any part of the world. There is one drawback, however. and that i« lack, of accommodation for the spectators. A proposal is on foot that the four' clubs, who have their headquarters at Hagley Park, should make a combined effort to erect a stand and pavilion that will be

worthy of the ground. It is to be hoped that the effort will be made and that it wiil be brought to a successful

It is probable that Riccarton will have a new wicketkeeper before long. A. C. Fuller, who has, kept wickets for Riccarton for many years, is desirous of retiring. It was intended that B. Marshall should keep stumps for Riccarton,. but some time ago he met with a serious accident. However, Riccarton have another wicketkeeper of promise in Allen, who comes from the City and Suburban Association. Allen is also stated to be a very fair batsman.

The necessity of good fielding is perhaps not sufficiently realised. A batsman, who makes 30 runs, and throws about the same number away in the, field is, hardly worth liis place in any' team. St Albans gave an example of bad fielding against Linwood last! Saturday. They presented their opponents with many runs. St Albans, could do with a number of younger and smarter players. There is one player whom St Albans might quite profitably give a try-out in their senior A team. He is Pope, who, before coming to Christchurch, played senior cricket in Auckland for several years. Last Saturday for the St Albans senior B team Pope made 72, run out. At the annual meeting of the Canterbury'- Umpires’ Association, held recently, the usual appeal was made to old players to assist the gaifie along by acting as umpires. In. the past this a'ppeal has usually fallen • ppon deaf ears as far as the majority of explayers are concerned. The result is that the Umpires', Association are carrying on with a very limited membership and a heavy strain is thrown on the few enthusiasts who form the association. There is little doubt that there are many ex-players who would make, efficient umpires if they could only be induced to do their part in this direction. The Oval at Lancaster Park Will be available for matches to-morrow week. Mr T. Hallam, the groundsman at the park, has, on account of the dry lyeather, experienced considerable difficulty in getting the area in order for the summer, game.

TO-MORROW’S MATCHES. OTTY COUNCIL CLUB. . Seniors v -Green’s, at Sydenham Farfe No. 4—G. Newton, R. Chinnery, F. Horwell, F. Quinn, M. Wilson, W. Hollands, C. Quaid, A. Hislop, L. Athfield, J. Gordon. S. Eyre. Second Grade v. Templeton, at Sydenham Park No. 3—C. Price, B. Williams, E. - Chappel, J. Lee, J. Anderson, W. Trot, W. Kettle, L. Sanders, C. Ramsey, I/. Kinvig, C. Harman; reserves, Curuberpatch, R. C- Sanders. TEMPLETON CLUB. A team v. St Albans A. at Templeton —R. Voice, D. Mortland, P. Kent, C. Smith, R. Mackie. A.. Mackie, S. Bush, IT. W. Wilson. L. Manion, L. Ward, S. Borland; emergencies, G. Drayton, n. B team v. Council, at Sydenham Park No. 3—O. Voice. R- Collings. C. Knight. F. Writfbt, C. M Laughlin, W_ Rowe, E. Joyce, 11. Kempt.horne, W. Hampton. N, Vasey, F. White; emergencies, C. Cox. F. Drayton. COMBINED PRESS V. POST AND TELEGRAPH. In a match with Post and Telegraph at the Hospital Corner ground yesterday afternoon, Combined Press made a poor start in their first innings, losing six wickets for 19 runs, but the later batsmen were more successful, and the score reached 67 (V. Burrowes not out 14, C. Haase 12, O. Walker 11 and W. J. ftudduck 10). Assisted by ragged fielding by the Pressmen, Post and Telegraph knocked up 131 (Shand 35 retired, Clarkson 22, Bromley 18 and White 10 retired), and won by 04 runs. Newton and Gray bowled well for the winners, and Archer and Coffey for Combined Press. GREEN DALE v. COALGATB. In the Malvern Cricket Association’s competition at Greendale on Saturday, Coalgate, 149 for three wickets declared fDr Dickson 44, W. E. Charles 39, J. : Reynolds 24, J. A. M’Caughan 21 riot out, G. Willis 17 not out), defeated Greendale, 137 (P. J. Dowd 08 not out. R. Stephens 34. K. Clucas IS). Bowling for Coalgate, W. EL Charles took three wickets for 39 runs, J. A- M’Caughaii one for 10, Dr Dickson three for 32, G. Willis one for 10; and for Greendale, F. Cullen took two for 39, and R. Clucas one for 24.