CRICKET.

Waikato Times, Issue 12446, 2 December 1912, Page 4

CRICKET.

WAIKATO v. KING COUNTRY. WAIKATO RETAIN THE SOUTH AUCKLAND SHIELD BY 2 RUNS. AN EXCITING FINISH. < The weather, though very threatening in the early hours of Saturday, improved considerably as the day wore on, and the representative match was contested in fine weather. As a result of the recent rain the wicket was far from being up to concert pitch, and was all in favor of the bowlers, while the outfield was decidedly slow. Despite this, however, several good scores were registered, and the cricket throughout was interesting, and at one period of an exciting nature. The spin of the coin favored Waikato, and Shepherd decided to send his men to the wicket. W. Pomeroy (27) was the only batsman to secure* & double tally, and played a splendid innings for his runs, making a timely stand at a critical stage of the game. Neild (9) showed good form for his quota until sent pavihonwards by a good ball from Christiansen. J. Pomeroy (7), Hawke (7) and Tompkins (7) were the next in order, the former going nicely until caught off a bumpy ball from Fennimore. The rest failed to get in motion, and with the assistance of five byes the score read 71 all out. Of the King Country bowlers, N. Winger came out with the best figures with four for 9. Fennimore helped himself to three wickets at the cost of 13 runs, and Christiansen was third on the list with two for 15. Wanting 72 to win Taumarunui sallied forth to the wicket, and like their opponents failed to make anything like a stand, with the exception of Durand, and were all out for 69—two behind the locals' tally. Durand played the innings of his life in scoring his 33, and it had the additional merit of coming at the right time. He was in some considerable time for his runs, and proved a hard man to dislodge. Ross* style suggested that he should be able to make runs, and he contributed a useful 8 The rest found the trundling altogether too good, and had to be satisfied with menial scores. The most successful local bowler was shepherd, who captured three for 12. Hawke and J. Pomeroy bagged two for 9 and two for 15 respectively, and trundled well, always commanding respect from the opposing batsmen. Hamilton's second advent to the wicket realised 179. W. Pomeroy was again premier scorer with 40. His off drives carried a lot of wood, and he got a number of nice leg hits, though he let a lot of leg stuff off J. Pomeroy (38), Hawke (28), Turbott (16) and Tompkins (21) were in merry mood, and certainly made the visitors' bowling look very cheap. Naturally with high scoring the trundlers' averages suffered. Durand with four for 30 and Sarah two for 17 secured the best analysis, although neither of them bowled dangerously on the now easy wicket. The fielding on both sides was good, the King Country eleven perhaps giving the better all-round display. At the conclusion of the match the visitors were entertained at dinner by the local Cricket Association.

| The scores in the first innings, on which the game was decided, are WAIKATO.—First Innings. J. Pomeroy, c Ross, b Fennimore ... 7 Neild, c McNamara, b Christiansen ... 9 Hawke, c and b Fennimore ... .i. ... 7 C. Farrer, c Gerrand, b Fennimore ... 0 Tompkins, b Gejjrand 7 W. Pomeroy, c Fennimore, b N. Winger 27 Howden, bN. Winger ." 3 A. J. Shepherd, b N. Winger 3 Gash, bN. Winger ... ... q Turbott; b Christiansen 3 Burbush, not out ... 0 Extras ..Y g Total ... _ yj KING COUNTRY.—First Timings G. Winger, b J. Pomeroy 2 Christiansen, b Pomeroy 2 R. Winger, b Turbott ... 3 Durand, c Gash, b Shepherd 33 Sarah, c Shepherd, b Turbott 0 Ross, b Shepherd ... 8 Carroll, b Shepherd 0 McNamara, b Hawke 7 Sleeth, c Tompkins, b Hawke 1 N*. Winger, b Pomeroy 2 Fennimore, not out 5 Extras 6 Total 69