CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, 19 March 1925, Page 3

CRICKET.

(By “Spectator.”) Wretched weather conditions again prevailed last Saturday, and a howl ing westerly gale, accompanied by frequent dust storms, which blew across the grounds, made things very unpleasant both for players and spectators.

The only senior match set down for Memorial Park was that between United and Carlton.

Winning the toss, United decided to bat, being dismissed fot 176. Though the team should certainly be worth such a score, it must be admitted that they were rather fortunate to do so weU as they did., as at least three chances that went abegging proved decidedly expensive to the fielding side. For United, easily the best displays were given by Watts (38) and Phillips (27 not out). Both showed very sound defence, and the right degree of patience in waiting for the loose ball. A well-placed field, however, made runs hard to get, and the rate of scoring of both players was slow. Phillips’s total included 13 singles—a rather striking contrast to the fiery displays this player has been in the habit of favouring us with on former occasions. Only on one occasion did ho open out in something approaching his old style, when he lifted Renner over the boundary for 6. Watts also landed a six-—a powerful leg-hit off Bert Welch.

Sixes, by the way, were unusually plentiful in this innings, being credited to F. Hoar (2), Newbould (2), and Watts and Phillips one each. Three each were hit off the bowling of Renner and Bert Welch.

Frank Hoar was responsible for another good display. Though showing a relish for the other bowlers, he found Renner, who was assisted greatly by the wind, very troublesome, and on one or two occasions the bowler was unfortunate in beating both batsman and wicket.

Newbould was reckless from the commencement, and was decidedly lucky to reach 27. He opened his account with an uppish stroke that should have cost him his wicket, and twice subsequently was badly missed. Such luck was too good to last, however, and he was finally well taken by Terry Vangioni just short of the boundary. Between chances, however, Newbould at times played some very nice strokes, one of his best being a powerful drive. A new member of the United Club A. O. Jones, made his initial appearance locally, knocking up 18 in vigorous style. Jones’s display was good considering he has not played for several seasons past, and better things should therefore be expected when he gets into form. The bowling honours were well distributed between Renner (4 for 6!), B. Welch (2 for 36), Shepherd (2 for 35) and McLaren f2 for 27). The bowling mostly ensured respect, and it took United over two hours to reach their total. Carlton’s fielding was a mixture of good and bad, but the fact that, the field was well placed, kept the runs down, and in many instances, batsmen who put plenty of energy into potential boundary hits had to be content with singles or nothing at all. Several times, however, the ball reached the boundary when it had no business to. Lennie, T. T. Vangioni and L. McLaren found themselves in the way of plenty of fielding, and did their work well. Vangioni brought off a couple of fine catches. Shepherd and T. T. Vangioni opened for Carlton, and for a time looked like putting up a substantial partnership. Vangioni, however, who was finding runs hard to get, at length became impatient, and sacrificed his wicket in attempting to pull a straight one from Newbould. He had made 12 in confident fashion, and the total was 35. A run of bad luck now set in for Carlton, and the next five wickets put on only 22 runs. Three of the losses were due to sheer bad luck. Renner was dismissed by a ball which he first played on to his pad, and which then trickled against his wicket. Shepherd (20) was bow-led off his pad, while Lenuie, under the impression that a ball was headed for the boundary, whereas it was reposing in Watt’s hand, attempted an impossible run, and was run out.

Carlton also produced some now talent in R. Cowie, who proved a decided acquisition. A batsman of the vigorous type, he made his 18 well considering he is totally cut of practice, and if he can be induced to take up the game seriously again, is likely to render the Carlton Club some muchneeded assistance.

lan McLaren, a youthful junior, who is still not out with 11 on, batted well for his runs. He showed some good scoring strokes, but his worstdefect was faulty judgment in picking the right ball. As usual United rang the changes in the bowling. Up to the present, Newbould has , had most use of the ball, and has an average of 2 for 24. F. Hoar had 4 overs without success, and at a cost of 22 runs. A. Hoar retired after 5 overs with an average of 3 for 21, 10 of which came off his last over. Minifie had 2 overs at a cost of 11 runs, and Phillips one over for 2 runs, neither being successful as regards wickets. Watts, so far has bowled one over in which he secured a wicket at a cost of 2 runs.

Watts was responsible for some partieularfy smart fielding at times.

Some of the Carlton batsmen lost many runs through failure to back up properly, and one or two in particular showed a rooted objection to leaving their crease under any circumstances. This team, however, is by no means the only offender in this respect. Though their second innings did not begin too auspiciously, Masterton’s first innings lead against Carterton ought to be sufficient to see them through. In that event the , contest for the championship will be between Masterton and United. So far each team has suffered only one defeat.

Masterton being defeated by Carterton, and United by Masterton. The second meeting between Masterton and United should prove the most interesting match, of the season. With the exception of Phelps (34), the Carterton batsmen failed miserably, the side being dismissed for 67, which was even worse than their collapse against United. Masterton’s scoring was also light, but was fairly evenly distributed. The colts again proved their usefulness, the highest score (31) being registered by Montgomery, who gave a good display for his runs. Despite the good wicket, the High School batsmen did not perform too well against Featherston, their collapse being mainly due to the bowling of Tracy, who secured 6 wickets for 51 runs. So far as I recollect this is Tracy’s first bowling performance locally, and it only goes to prove that one never knows what a man can do till he is tried out. With 4 down for 110, Featherston should have every chance of establishing a good first innings lead, which will probably ifecidc the issue.