RUNS COME FREELY

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 December 1937, Page 6

RUNS COME FREELY

The cricket on Saturday last was of a much more interesting nature than on the previous Saturday, and there were quite a number of verj blight patches in the batting, showing that runs can be scored if the batsmen have the heart to do so. * * * * Particularly pleasing was the Old Boys-’ effort against High School, thus demonstrating that within their ranks is the ability to score runs. The showing of the Old Boys was all the more gratifying because the team is a band of good sports who are out to play the game and get as much fun out of it os' possible. Better results would undoubtedly be obtained had they the opportunity for more practice. Success at cricket can only be achieved by practice, and more practice. * * * * It was practice that made the old Masterton and Carlton teams so many times championship winners. In the days when these two senior teams existed it was a common sight to see some’ 1 members of the Carlton team at the 1 Park every day from 2 o’clock till dark, practising at the nets, and from 4.30onwards about 30 players present, while the Masterton Club were equally consistent in getting down to the nets; and the batting and bowling at the nets was not of the “lash-out-in-any-old-style,” or throwing down the ball to the batsmen in a haphazard manner. Genial Ted' Welch can tell present-day cricketers how seriously the players of his old club took the net practice; it was just like a daily match without running or, scoring; without- running except for the fielders. Portion of the time was spent in ground fielding and catching, and it was a treat to see the way the ball would be scooped up by Joe O’Leary, Bob Moss, Arthur Styles, Tommy Prow, “Dolly” Esson, Bert Waugh, Charlie Perry, Bill Iggulden or Bill Redmond. They apparently took their cricket more seriously then than they do to-day, and the “sticks” displays of “Dolly” Esson, Harry Ogier (the ex-New Zealand wicket-keeper), and Tom Voyce were something Avell worth watching.

Brighter batting Avill undoubtedly produce a larger number of spectatois at the Park or the school ground. Cricketers of pre-war days uoav regret the absence of those jolly times at the matches at the Park, Avhen there was always a large attendance of ladies, especially when the Carlton teams Avere playing, and afternoon tea was often provided, and the barracking Avas loud and hearty, especially Avhen the old Carlton A and Carlton B teams met in the senior championship. When a team that looked a certainty to Avin a match was unexpectedly defeated, its members could always be sure of receiving humorous “in memoriam” cards having reference to their defeat. Keen avrs the rivalry then, but through it all Avas the spirit of comradeship,.. For, instance, the keenest Saturday rivals were Masterton: and Carlton seniors, but in the Wairarapa Thursday Cricket Association’s senior competition many of the Masterton players were to be seen in the ranks of the Carlton senior Thursday eleven. * * * * It may be explained that in those days there Avms a Wairarapa Saturday Cricket Association, and a Wairarapa Thursday Cricket Association, Thursday then being the statutory halfholiday. A certain number of players in the Saturday teams Avere allowed. to play in the Thursday .teams, and vice versa, thus shoAving the good feeling which existed betAveen the rival associations, both of which Avere out to foster the game at every opportunity. * * * * Tommy ProAV (avlio afterwards became prominent in Sydney senior cricket), BeAvley, Harry SAvan and other members of the Masterton senior eleven, Avere often seen playing for the Carlton Thursday teams. The old Carlton club Avas in a sense the fore-runner of the present Red Star Club, as the senior teams then were composed almost solely of Red Star footballers or supporters of the club. * * » * * To return to Saturday’s games. The chief interest centred in the match on the Park betAveen LansdoAvne and Red Star, as the result of this game Avould have a vital bearing on the championship. When stumps Avere draAvn for the day, the advantage appeared to be Avith Red Star. The latter scored fairly fast, 80 odd being up for the first hour’s play, the average rate of scoring being about 70 runs per hour. The LansdoAA r ne team did not score so fast.

Wally Peterson played another attractive innings, and though some of his strokes were uppish they fell safe. His wrist work was very good, and he scored frequently from well-timed leg hits.

In Saturday’s Cricket RED STAR-LANSDOWNE STRUGGLE SOME BRIGHT STRIKES WALLY PETERSON AGAIN PARSONSON ON THE JOB OLD BOYS’ TAIL WAGS PATRICK’S FINE EFFORT (By “Blue and Gold.”)

I-lis return to his true form is very gratifying to his club mates and to the cricketing public, who appreciate fiee scoring and pretty batting. His average this season so far is 68.2. He hit ten 4’s, a 3 and two 2’s on Saturday. * * * * A very serviceable innings was that of Stewart Hatch, whose partnership with Wally Peterson added 79 runs to the score, and helped to place the Stais in a much better position than the early stages of the game foreshadowed. Hatch played sound cricket, and found the boundary three times. * * * * Bell played a good vigorous innings for 19, hitting four 4’s. This player is on the improve, and should pull down some good scores in the future. * * * * Gordon Peterson was just going nicely with 14 to his credit, when Brice took a catch off him in the slips. * * * * Prank Hoar played (for him) a patient bat for a dozen, being content to let his partner pile up| the runs. • * •* * * While the bulk of the wickets fell to Whiteman’s fast deliveries, the bowler who seemed to cause the batsmen the most trouble was E. Jenkins, whose slows often beat the batsmen. The batsmen wnsely left Whiteman’s off stuff alone, with smart Lansdowne fielders behind the wickets. Whiteman obtained Ms last four wickets for four runs. The Star tail collapsed. With 6 down for 152, the whole team was out for 180. •-* * * * The best . strike on the Lansdowne side so far is Bill Whiteman’s 24, made in a masterly manner. Bill w-ent for the bowling, but good fielding kept him* from scoring off strokes that were making their- wav to the boundary. ° * * * * Bruce Jenkins has 19 to his credit so far (including three 4’s), and he battedvery well indeed for them. * * * * O ’Callaghan’s 18 was made by free hitting, including three 4’s and a 3 and a 2. He is still at the wickets. * * * * Frank Hoar has taken the most wickets for Stars—6 for 54 so far. * * * * High School found the • Old Boys “tail” a very hard proposition to dispose of. McPherson (10), Barr (11), Lendrum (25) and Oakden (28) all ably assisted Parsonson (72) to substantially increase the Old Boys score.

The best partnership Avas betAveen Parsonson and Oakden, when some /0 runs were added to the score. Another good partnership Avas betAveen Parson* son and Lendrum, Avhen 42 runs Avere added.

Parsonson gave an outstanding display of batting, and he is to be AA'armly congratulated for the variety of Avelltimed strokes he showed. He had a penchant for the leg side, and drove Avith considerable force. Eleven 4’s Avere included in his score, as Avell as tAVO 2’s.

Lendrum and Oakden both played sound cricket, and were not afraid to go for the bowling. In a good batting effort, Lendrum included three 4’s and five 2’s. His club mates were particularly pleased to see this popular player strike form. * * * * Oakden has rendered his side good service with the bat, and can be relied upon to contribute his Tair share of runs. He plays a stubborn bat, and knoAVS how to hit the loose stuff. On Saturday he found the boundary four times, and also hit a three and a couple Of tAVOS. * * . * * Ryan knows hoAV to lay the wood on, and goes for the boAvling from the start. There is plenty of fireworks Avhen he is at the wickets, and he knoAvs hoAV to handle a bat. The spectators alAvays appreciate his appearance at the wickets. On Saturday his score was made up of a 6, three 4’s and a single —clean, forceful batting. * * * * High School (6 for 116) are not in too happy a position, but then Massey has not been disposed of yet, and anything is likely to happen with him still at the wickets and the other players holding their end up. * * * * Patrick revealed his true form in a well-put-together 43. He scored nicely all round the wicket. He notched four boundaries and also hit a 5. * -X- * * Massey’s 38 includes six boundaries, and he played one of his typically uphill fighting games.