FOUR GOOD GAMES MARK OPENING OF SENIOR CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19197, 10 October 1930, Page 9

FOUR GOOD GAMES MARK OPENING OF SENIOR CRICKET.

Three Matches To Be Played at Hagley Park, And One At Sydenham Park.

CRICKET starts in earnest to-morrow with competition matches, and in the draw there is promise of four interesting games. The re-arrangement of teams holds infinite possibilities, hut how the varied combinations are going to work together cannot be judged till the first games are played. Hagley Park and Sydenham Park are in good condition, and there should be a big crowd of spectators at both places to see the competitions open.

At Hagley, the clash between St Albans and Lancaster Park will be given pride of place. This game will hold a lot of attraction, for both teams have been strengthened, and with their new personnel should be among those near the top when the final points are allocated. Sandman is turning out again for St Albans, and they have Page to stiffen their ranks, as well as Crawford, Dorreen, Condliffe and Falloon. The Lancaster Park Club, on the other hand, profit by the addition of Cromb and M’Lennan; Smith, Yates and Read are with them yet, and in good form. On No. 2 ground at Hagley, Old Bovs and East Christchurch will meet. East Christchurch are an improving team, and with Woods and Hamilton to stiffen the batting, will be a considerable factor; but it is doubtful if they will be able to cope with Old Boys, who are fielding a strong side even- Ihough three of their good men have been-transferred, and Burrows is standing dotvn. Both Hobbs and Hastie have missed places in the senior 1 eleven this time, so it can be seen that Old Boys have strong material to draw from. West v. Sydenham. West Christchurch meet Sydenham at Sydenham Park. West should have a win, if their impressive list of new players means anything, for the Syden-

ham team have suffered several losses and have gained practically no additions through the changes. Oliver did not change as anticipated, on account of the fact that there were no other players offering for the club, and so they have one brilliant batsman in their ranks who is liable at any time to put up a large score. Douglas and Hemus are two newcomers to the West ranks whose play will be watched with interest. Hemus is still liable to make a lot of runs in club cricket, and Douglas can be a very troublesome bowler. With Allen, Alexander and Kerr in the side, West should make a lot of runs this season. “Hard To Beat.” Old Collegians will meet Riccarton on No. 3 ground at Hagley. Old Collegians have some batsmen with great potentialities, and, if they can only settle down to steady cricket, the side will be hard to ; beat. Bean, as; a bowler, is their serious loss. Dunster, the two Talbots, Lester- and Coop are the batsmen most liable to score. Riccarton are fielding a strong team in spite of donations to other clubs. Cox, Dunnett, Roberts, Evans, Jacobs and the two Powells form an impressive nucleus for a side. The game should be a good one, with high scoring if the wicket is favourable.