RANGITIKEI CRICKET

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 February 1947, Page 2

RANGITIKEI CRICKET

(0.C.) Marton, Feb. 22. With the last two Marton batsmen at the wickets, and 17 minutes left for play, tlie finish ot tlie match against Porewa was the best and most exciting of the season and provided the highlight in the Rangitikei cricket matches decided to-day. The batsmen defied all attempts to dislodge them, and their wickets were stin intact when stumps were drawn. Tne match ended in a draw, with the honours resting with Poiewa. Conditions were perfect for runmaking, but the bowlers were never really mastered, although there were two or three good individual batting, performances. Marton, leaders in tlie competition, required al runs tor victory when the last batsman went to tile wickets. The Porewa fieldsmen were on tneir toes and clustered around both men, P. J. Corballis and R. Darrow. The batsmen, however, played very car> fully and just kept tne ball out Ot their wickets. In the penultimate over of the day, Corballis was dropped at srorl leg and when the umpire called “time” (he batsmen were undefeated. It was a remarkable effort oi the part of the two Marton cricketers. Marton's total stood at 113 for nine in reply to Porewa’s 142. Old Boys registered a comfortable victory over junction, scoring 201, which was 70 runs better than Junction.

Owing to transport difficulties, High Scnool did not make the journey to Bulls. It remains for the management committee to decide whether Bulls won by default, as unusual circumstances prevented School from travelling. One ot the disappointing features of this afternoon's play was the indifferent fielding. Several catches were not accepted, which subsequently proved costly. Tne ground fielding, also, was not clean.

Highest score oi the afternoon was registered by the dashing Old Boys' batsman, P. Johnston, with 85. Other good scores were: D. A. Cameron (Porewa) 75, W. Sanders (Marton) 45, J. Barnes (Junction) 33, R. Girling (Junction) 30, B. McCully (Old Boys) 30. A good bowling effort by R. Girling (Junction) 7 for 30, topped this department. This is only the third time this season tnat a player had captured seven or more wickets in a single innings. Others who did well were O. Williams (Marton) 5 for 45, B. McCully (Old Boys) 5 for 50, J. Arkwright (Porewa), 4 for 47. HONOURS REST WITH POREWA. The first ball of the match shattered Parkinson's stumps, but D. Cameron (85) and A. B. Marshall (22) were associated in a valuable second-wicket stand for Porewa, worth 51 runs, and when the captain, A. Fullerton-Smith (25) joined Cameron these two added a further 61 runs. With three wickets down for 115, Porewa appeared set for a big score, but the bowlers then took charge and Porewa collapsed, the last six wickets producing only 21 runs. The side was one short the innings terminating at 142. Cameron gave by far the brightest display, and scored all round the wicket. He hit eight fours, and was bowled off his pads. The medium pace left-hander, Owen Williams, did the most damage with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 45 while H. Parkes took 3 for 34. With two hours 10 minutes left to make 142 runs, it meafit the Marton batsmen could not loiter if they desired. to get the runs. There was a minor collapse in the early part of the innings and after 50 minutes’ play Marton had five wickets down for 35 runs, and the pendulum had swung definitely in Porewa’s favour. A stubborn partnership between W. Sanders (45) and A. Fullerton-Smith (28) placed a different compexion on the game, and with runs coming faster, their chances of passing Porewa’s score seemed imminent. With Sanders dismissal (he was expertly caught in slips), at 78, the rate of scoring dwindled. Then Williams joined Ful-lerton-Smith and sneaking runs, they advanced Marton's tal’y to 100, when Williams was caught at cover, and one run later his partner was caught in slips. Nine wickets were down for 101, but Corballis and Darrow took no risks and played out time to end an exciting match. J. Arkwright and R. Parkinson, with 4 and 3 wickets respectively, did the major part of the bowling. Porewa.—l42 (D. A. Cameron 75, A. Fulierton-Smitli 25. A. B. Marshall 22. Bowling: O. Williams, 5 for 45; H. Parkes, 3 for 34; A. D. FullertonSmith, 1 for 19). Marton.—ll3 for nine wickets (W. Sanders 45, A. D. Fullerton-Smith 28, H. Parkes 13. Bowling: J. Arkwright, 4 for 47; R. Parkinson, 3 for 35; A. B. Marshall, 1 for 8). OLD BOYS WIN EASILY. Two splendid feats, with both bat and ball, by R. Girling (Junction) and B. McCully (Old Boys), were the outstanding performances in the Old Boys - Junction clash, although P. Johnston's vigorous display for 85 was full of merit, despite the fact that he was dropped just after reaching 50. Twelve fours and one six were included in the latter's tally, the batsmen giving the fieldsmen plenty of exercise in the heat. Five other Old Boys’ batsmen reached double figures, with McCully touching 30, adding, with Johnston, 91 runs for the fourth wicket. Old Boys were all out for 201, Girling’s fastish deliveries accounting for seven wickets for only 30 runs oy 16 overs. Junction used seven bowlers. A fifth-wicket partnership, worth 40 runs, between J. Barnes (33) and R. Girlinlig (30) was a feature of the Junction's innings, which realised 131 rns—their best effort for some time. With 8 wickets down for 126 and 15 minutes left for play, Junction appeared to have a chance of holding Old Boys to a draw, but McCully, with his slows, took the last two wickets with successive balls and finished up witli 5 for 50. ’ Old Bovs.—2ol (P. Johnston 85, B. McCully 30, A. Duncan 19, J. Hunt 18 not out. M. Wysocki 16, V. Sirncox 13, •'extras'' 16. Bowling: R. Girling, 7 for 30; S. Allen, 240 r 71; P. Gibbs, 1 for 19>. Junction. —131 (J. Barnes 33, R. Girling 30, C. Fittler 19. S. Allen 17. B. Bornbush 13. Bowling: B. McCully, 5 for 50; P. Johnston, 3 for 14; I. Dickson, 2 for 34). PERSONAL. Mr. George Rox, touring manager lor Whitehall Productions (London) was in Marton during the week-end making arrangements for the company's forthcoming play “Dangerous Corner'' which is to be staged in Marton on Monday, March 10. i Dr. W. S. R. Dick is at present on

three weeks' holiday. During his absence from Marton, Dr. R. A. Church will be attending his patients. RESTORATION OF TELEPHONE SERVICE. Telephone services damaged in the storm last week-end have nearly all been repaired in the Marton district, linemen hoping to complete the job during the week-end. The most serious damage occurred in the Turakina Valley where numerous breaks on one line were common. Wanganui and Marton line gangs were on the job last week and on Friday there were only about 100 district subscribers whose service had not been restored. POST OFFICE TENNIS CHAMPIONS. The Marlon Post Office now has its staff tennis champions. After a series of hard-fought matches W. C. Higginson and J. Russell claimed the title by beating T. Tyrell and J. Byers 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. SCHOOL OF DANCING The Viola Barker School of Dancing opens in March. Miss Janet Willis, an ex-pupil ot Miss Barker, will take juniors, that is, pupils of school age, who wish to study dancing other than ballroom. Miss Willis, a trained teacher, is a speciaist in physical education, and being interested has furthered her studies in the art of dancing. COMING EVENTS To-night (Monday): Showing finally at Civic Theatre, "The Harvey Girls" with Judy . Garland—romance bright and gay and all in technicolour Auction sale at Mr. P. Lurajud's residence, Hair Street, Marton. General meeting in Bulls Town Hall of residents of Bulls, Greatford, Sanson and Ohakea to consider means of obtaining a resident, medical practitioner. Meeting in Druids' Hall oi all those interested in promoting the Town Queen in connection' Iv'ifh the forthcoming Marton QueemCarnival. Public meeting in Parish .Hall to form a branch of the United - 'Nations Association in Marton; 'speaker, Mr. Anton Vogt, Dominiflt), .Organiser. Tuesday, February 25: Bring and buy stall in Broadway under the auspices of the Marton Scottish Society. Amateur athletic sports meeting on Marton Park. Wednesday, February 26: Interclub swimming contest in Marton baths between Wanganui East and Marton for 'Runnymede” Cup. Annual meeting of Marton Nursing Division of St. joint Ambulance in Victory Hall General meeting of Marton Amateur Athletic Club in Jockey Club room to make arrangements for grand open sports meeting. Saturday. March 1: Rata snorts meeting and horse show, to he held on Mr. A. H. Rhodes' properly. Rata. Tuesday. March 4: Marton Plunkel I Society's street day sale in Broadway.