CRICKET

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14263, 14 January 1920, Page 7

CRICKET

NOTES AND COmWIEIMTS. Saturday’s play brought the first round of the local competition to a conclusion. High School head the list with eight points, having passed through the round without a reverse. Hamilton have two points, their only defeat being by High School. Warwick, after losing to Hamilton and High School and then defeating Old Boys, are two points behind the mark.

Old Boys, who have not yet la.slet the fruits of victory, are nine points or the debit side.

Play in the High School-Hamilton match on Saturday was nothing startling. Both teams were short. High School had first strike, and readied 72, to which Hamilton replied with 51. In their second innings Hie students went one run better than in the first. This left Hamilton 95 to make to win. Balling three men short they made 71, thus losing by 19 runs. Inder was, as usual, the outstanding player for School. The only doublefigure scorer in the first innings—he made 54 by Jessopian tactics. This score included three sixes. In his second appearance lie top-scored with 32. Bowling, he took three for 28 and two for 27. Inder is also an energetic field. It is a pity he is leaving the town, for not only will the students miss him, hut the whole game will be the poorer. No other of the School team reached double figures. The team was four men short, Speight, Davcy, Gilmour and Going being absent. Prosser made 12 in 'the second innings on the first day. He bats well, tout is more at borne with the ball. His analyses were six for 21 and four for 30. His catching is not as good as it was last season.

Speight (18) appeared in the second innings, and was unbeaten at the close. He is showing -nod form this season, playing all round Hie wicket. His display behind Hie, wickets was rather poor on Saturday. Shepherd, one of the younger hoys, hatted well, and Postgato was safe in Hie field.

It came as a surprise to local enthusiasts that Blamires. the well-known rep., should he credited with a pair of “ducks.” On the first day Inder put a goo I one past him, and on the second tie was well taken by Postgate off Prosser. However, there were no faults in his howling, and if he spared School much leather hunting he knocked their set nf stumps about. He wound up with two for three and four for 29. His “off theory’” keeps the batsmen at home and gives little chance for scoring. Pomeroy also failed to give his usual finished display. He notched 17 in the first strike, and in the second when he had five to his credit he square-cut one into pom's’ hands. His howling did rot appear no to form. It was unfortunate that Pomeroy and Blamires did not get going, as some big scoring is needed to brighten un the local play. Patterson (13) is a steady bat and a sure wicket-keeper. He is very smart between the wickets and picks up the stray runs which are so frequently lost.

Kirkman (14) had become set when Prosser scattered his wickets. He combined well with Patterson between the wickets. Edwards (21), though a trifle lucky, saved his team from collapse. He played ali round the field, and for a time it looked as though Hamilton would save the game. He notched two pretty fours through the slips. He carried his bat.

Next Saturday High' School will meet Old Boys and Hamilton will try conclusions with Warwick. The latter game should be interesting, as both teams are strong. It is to be hoped that skippers will endeavour to fill the paps in their ranks. It is these gaps which are killing local cricket.