CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18947, 18 December 1929, Page 11

CRICKET.

CHRISTCHURCH B.H.S. PRAISED FOR DISPLAY. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, December 18. The Auckland “Star’s” cricket writer says: “After being held by the Auckland Grammar School for five years, the Heathcote Williams Challenge Shield goes south. “At Eden Park yesterday afternoon an eleven representing the Christchurch Boys’ High School rounded off an impressive performance by beating the Grammar side by the big margin of an innings and 125 runs. It was one of the most decisive wins recorded during the twenty-one years of the shield’s history, and marked the close of a match which was contested in the keenest and most sportsmanlike spirit. As the captain of the Auckland side expressed it: ‘A jolly good game, and of course the best team won.’ “There could be no question as to the superiority of the visiting side Holding a marked advantage in physique, they showed themselves to be a combination strong in every departmen. In Fisher, Brittenden and Parsons they have batsmen of great promise. Hounsell is a medium-paced bowler of more than average accuracy. Dawson mixes his slows judiciously and always ‘needs playing.’ Lee is a capable wicketkeeper and his fielding is sound. “The outstanding feature of the match was Fisher’s century on the first day. Its merit was well expressed by Mr E. E. Nalder, chairman of the Management Committee of the Auckland Cricket Association, who handed over the shield at the close of the match. There was only one obvious mistake in a really good innings, he said. That in itself is high praise. It was one of the best knocks f eeat . c l en Fark. It was Auckland s misfortune to meet a strong and well-balanced team at a time when they themselves were below the average of recent years. To every university and school there comes an occasional ‘lean year,* and Grammar were thus handicapped. Nevertheless, thev have the nucleus of a good team, and by the time the season has run its course the elder members will have gained in proficiency and the younger ones in confidence.

It must have been a very considerable ordeal for youngsters like Sawyer and Munro to go in at the tail end, when the side had collapsed, and face bowlers who were on the full tide of success, to say nothing of mid-off and mid-on, who were almost close enough to touch the point of the bat, and the cluster of fieldsmen close round the wicketkeeper vigilantly guarding every possibility of a score. Incidentally, a tribute must be paid to the ‘tail-enders’ for the plucky way in which they faced fearful odds. One could not help thinking of Horatius and the grim battle on the bridge. Even the ranks of Tuscany could scarce forbear a cheer. Resourceful and clever batting for Auckland was shown by Jessup., Dixon and Renshaw, and Atkinson bowled consistently well through Christchurch’s long innings. His average of three for 74 represented a whole-hearted effort and, what is equally important, the vital factor of length. Grammar’s other bowlers would do well to pay more attention to the dictum of Wilfred Rhodes, ‘Keep a length and they’ll get themselves out sooner or later.’ -.v closing stages of yesterday’s dt> not need extended comment. The wicket gave some assistance to the bowlers during the early stages, but not enough to justify the collapse which ensued. Jessup, and Dixon offered a plucky resistance during the follow-on, but the remainder of the side added only eight runs.”

COLLEGE MATCH. WANGANUI, December 18. The college match Wellington v. Wanganui was continued to-day, Wellington, in their Second innings, have six wickets down for 29. Heavy rain •delayed play again. WEST COAST V. CANTERBURY. .t. Th i s morn ingr, at Hagley Park oval, the Canterbury Boys’ Cricket Association commenced two matches against a couple of boys’ teams from the West Coast. Qne of the visiting- sides comes from Hokitika, and the other is from Greyraouth. Both are being opposed to Boys* Association junior (under fifteen) teams, and, in both matches, twelve-a-side is being played in order to give all the visitors a game. Tho weather was ideal, and the pitches in perfect condition when a commencement was made this morning at a little after ten o’clock. OBBTXOUTS V. CANTERBURY. In the match between Greyraouth and Canterbury, the visitors won the toss and sent Canterbury in to bat, and, although Shand and Byrne carried the score to 23 without loss, a rot then set in* three wickets (one a run-out) falling with successive balls, Shaw showing good form with the ball for the Coast. Sound batting by Collins. Campbell and Hunter, however, changed tho complexion of the game, and, at the luncheon adjournment, seven wickets had fallen for 124 runs. Detailed scores:— CANTERBURY. First Innings. W. Byrne, run out 6 N. S. H. M’Cann, lbw b Shaw 0 E. A. Shand, c Adams b Shaw .... 17 I. T. Costello, b Shaw 0 J. ; Campbell, c M’Dermott b Adams 21 J. A. Collins, b M’Lean 61 J. Hunter, c Kiely b M’Lean 15 G. K. Malcolmson, not out 2 R. L. Rossiter, not out l Extras 2 Total for seven wickets ..124 HOKITIKA ▼. CANTERBURY. Cantei-bury won the toss in the other match, and sent the visitors in to bat. A good opening was made, the score reading 25 before Stapleton was bowled by Fullwood. Knowles also helped the score along with some nice strokes, but could get no one to stay with him for long, and, after he had been dismissed, the remaining batsmen went cheaply, the innings totalling 75 runs. Young and Hay bowled well for Canterbury, who, at the adjournment, had lost four wickets for 20 runs. Detailed scores:— HOKITIKA. First Innings. F Stapleton, b Fullwood IS J. Williams, c and b Harding .... 8 T Knowles, b Hay 26 A i-i’Court, c and b Young 0 L Wells, c Williamson b Hay ~ 5 F*. Pascoe, b Young 0 C. Jolly, c Fullwood b Young .... 6 L Hedwig, b Young 0 G* Selby, c Harding b Young .... 0 M. Morgan, c Roberts b Hay o A. Muir, b Hay 0 A Rogers, not out 0 Extras 13 Total 75 Bowling analysis.—J. Fullwood, 7 overs, 0 maidens, 1 wicket, 24 runs; W. J. Harding, 7,3, 1,8; W. Hay, 5,2, 4, 16; F. W. Young, 7,0, 5, 15. W. Hay bowled one no-ball. CANTERBURY. First Innings. A. Williamson, b Stapleton 0 C. Merritt, b Williams 3 W. T. Harding, b Stapleton 3 5 V. Were, b Williams 2 J. Fullwood, not out 0 G. H. Lynch, not out 0 Extras 0 Total for four wickets .... 20