CRICKET

Wairarapa Age, 21 November 1928, Page 3

CRICKET

NOTES ON PLAY AND PLAYERS.

(BY

“SPECTATOR”)

There was an unexpectedly good ending'to the game between United and High School, concluded oni the High School ground last Saturday, and though United duly fulfilled expectations by emerging victorious, they had by no means the runaway victory that appeared, likely when stumps were drawn at the clo.>e of the first day’s play. United, who had a lead of 49 on the first inning?, concluded their second innings with the .respectable total of 257 on the board, thus leaving School with the big score of 307 Lo get to win. Taking past performances into account. this seemed far too big an objective for the School team, to reach, and it was indeed a pleasure to see the lads almost completely subdue the bowling, and. take their total to within 50 of the required number. Their second innings total exactly equalled that of United. Much of the credit for this good performance was largely due to a productive partnership between Greves, who was one of the opening batsmeni, and K. Uttlcy, who went in. at the fall of second wicket. The determined stand stand of this pair took all the sting out -of the United attack, thus making easier the task of the following batsmen. Groves, who scored 44, is mere of a stonewaller than a stylist, but, gifted with an unusual degree of patience, is a particularly useful type of batsman to have in a side. He resolutely refused to be tempted, always preferring a certain single to a risky boundary hit. His defence appeared impregnable till he stepped in front of a bumping ball, and was given out lbw. ! K. Uttlcy (51), played; really splendid cricket for his rums He also re-

fused to take any risks, but never at any time lapsed into purely defensive play. He waited for the right ball, and when it came laid on the wood wth good effect, favourite shots being the square cut and net glides to leg. Ken was absolutely at ease against the bowling and appe.’ured well set for a big score when one of hit later partners foolishly ran him out. Onthia performances to date, this young High School batsman is wqjl worth a place in the rep. team to meet Southern Hawke’s Bay at the end of this month. School then. lost -a couple of wickets fairly cheaply, and with half their number out were just half-way towards their goal. Then Jenkins and Farnsworth held United up again and scored rapidly at the expense of a tired attack. Jenkins, a left-hander of a. useful type, with a sound defence, opened quietly, but as he got his in, made the bowling look cheap. With two successive sixes off Elamites, he had the .satisfaction of hoisting the second century, .but immediately afterwards stepped in front of a ball from F. Hoar, missed, and was given out lbw. He had added a particularly useful 31. Farnsworth (41) another left-hander with a long reach, is the most aggressive batsman of the side. Once he got his eye in, he indulged in some hard, clean hitting. At this stage. School, with three wickets in l hand, still required 60 runs to win, with half an hour to play. It was the attempt to force the pace that ultimately led to Farnsworth’s dismissal, and with him went the last hope of victory for the School. Faulknor scored 15 in chanceless fashion, chiefly by means of well-timed off drives. He showed far more confidence in this innings tlian in any previous effort, and should do better still as the season advances. The remaining two —'apparently instructed to hit out or get out — offered litle resistance and the last wicket fell with United 49 runs in the lead. It is a question whether, had School toot been pressed for time, they would jhave registered a win. Certainly two good wickets were sacrificed to the need for haste. In any event, the boys are- to. be heartily congratulated on their showing against older and more experienced opponents, and it is only reasonable' to suppose they will do even better yet. A refreshing spirit of aggressiveness was a marked feature of this innings, and it is evident that the boys are well on the way to gaining confidence so essential to success. In United’s second innings in this match, A. Hoar gained the distinction pf being the season’s first century getter. To score centuries is no novelty to Arthur, but it is just as well for United that he has struck form so early, for without his 133 not out, United would have been in Queer Street. Patrick scored 31 and Lamason 29 on the first day of the match, but on the re-sumption of play the remaining wickets fell very cheaply, Freeman being the only one to get into ■'double figures. Ted, last man in, scored 22 in womething approaching his old form and looXs likely to soon eayi a place higher up in the batting list. r J rapp, who was absent- on the first day, was largely for United’s dismissal, his slow breaks getting four wickets at a cost of 37 runs. Groves, who bowled so well the first day, but Was overworked in the second innings finished up with the very fair average of 5 for 91. With but three exceptions, every member of the United team had a turn at the- bowling crease, with but scant 'success. None seemed to be able to find and keep on the spot with any consistency and it was v6ry evident that |he team was feeling me effect of the interference with practice caused by the broken weather of late. This was particularly noticeable in to their fielding, some of which was very ragged. On the other hand, Lamason fieldfed brilliantly all through, while Renner and F. Hoar were also good, the latter taking a pamtieulairly brilliant slip patch in dismissing Trapp off Bla-mirc-s’s bowling. Tom James had an loft day behind the sticks, 40 extras getting by. The United skipper probably made a mistake by starting off with slow break

bowlers at either end, and then making a double change to two fast straight bowlers. The similarity in tho attack helped the batsmen, to settle down quickly and the opening batsmen were well set before being called upon to face a variety. - Old Boyfl had a straight-out win against Carterton after an exciting race against time for the extra point. The scoring was again, very moderate, Carterton's second innings producing only 113 runs, while Old Boys lost six wickets in wiping off the required 90 . odd runs. Bunny (27) plaped correct but very slow cricket for his runs, which took him an hour to get together, and had it not been for the aggressive play of S. Smith and Holly, Old Boys would probably have dropped a point.

Phelps and Mcrt-on bowled excelleiutly 1 for a start, and looked like bringi-mg j about a collapse, Law, Falloon and Montgomery going for next to nothing, j Bunny’s defensive innings, however, t gradually took tho -sting out of the at- ( tack, and paved the way for Smith and I Holly to wipe off the deficit.. The left- 1 bander was unbeaten with 37 to his credit and gave a fine exhibition of forceful play, scoring freely all round tho wicket. Taken on the whole, the play of both the Old Poys and Carterton Clubs has been, very disappointing so far, and it is very 'evident that many of the players have been neglecting practice. The eliminating match with Southern Hawke’s Bay for the right to cha'.lengt for the Hawke Cup has been set down, for 3'l und Deeeinber

1. The selectors have chosen twenty players to attend pruotice at the High School gicunds from F.u’.ay ev-n'.ng next until further notice, r.nd tainly overlooked no one with any claims to inclusion. Their real difficulty w’ll of course, lie in sorting out tho final eleven, and it is evident that they will have, in some instances, to choose between old and tried players who have ietched the veteran stage and several youngsters, who ha : 7e- practically eveip qualification but experience to back up their -claims to inclusion. It is to be hoped the selectors will not allow this latter disability to wJgh too much with them when he fina 1 selection is under consideration, for it b to te young players wo have to look to carry the game on in future years ■ and thi sonner they are giveu theii

chance in representative rricket, the L sooner are they likely to make good. There is no reason whatever why the • selectors, with the material at their • disposal, should not be ah e to select • a btTong team containing a jhfficicnt 3 number of tried ami pru -ed players f with a leavening of young blood which, e has, at least, earned the right of a o trial. d L-