A Review of the Wellington Season.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 21, 1 May 1894, Page 18

A Review of the Wellington Season.

The cricket season of 1893-94 in Wellington has been distinctly and decidedly a success. To this gratifying result the playing of two Senior Championship matches simultaneously

has mainly contributed; in addition, a team from New South Wales, under the management of Mr. Coleman Davis, paid us another visit after an absence of four years, and Auckland and Hawkes Bay also had elevens on tour. The only occasion on which Wellington contended on “ foreign ” soil was at Auckland, the result being a draw.. The Championship matches excited the keenest interest and were well attended by the public. It is just to remark that in no other city in the colony are Saturday matches so well patronised as in Wellington; furthermore, liberal response was always made when our combined cracks appeared to represent the province, in the matches already indicated. Regarding these rencontres one is constrained to express regret at the prevalence of the custom of leaving them in an incomplete or technically “ drawn ” state. -Spectators are apt, and rightly so, to deem them as mere time-wasters. In two out of five games in which our players were concerned did this unsatisfactory termination occur. Reform should clearly be agitated for in this direction if the alienation of the public support and sympathy is to be averted. The first trial of strength took place at Auckland, it being one of the two draws alluded to. The veteran Cross was seen to advantage as was likewise Lash, who made his first appearance as a “rep. ” which was also, strange to say, his last. Unpropitious weather induced mediocrity and the game was ultimately abandoned in an even state.

At the second meeting of these Provinces, which eventuated here, an intensely exciting finish was witnessed, the visitors snatching victory, after many vicissitudes by the narrow margin of one wicket. It was here that Gore effected his memorable boundary catch. At a critical period he caught Lawson at the second attempt; at the first contact the ball was within, and when actually secured beyond, the boundary. The Umpire, Mr. Knapp, rightly ruled “ no catch,” and Wellington’s last chance was gone. ' Ashbolt made a promising debut as a bowler, and the batting honours were carried off by Holdsliip and Gore. The third appearance of our cracks was against the New South Welshmen. Ashbolt confirmed the favourable opinions formed in the previous match, and Holdsliip and R. Blacklock were the mainstays in the batting department. Cross, at the eleventh hour, displayed a glimpse of his Club form. The result was a draw slightly disadvantageous to Wellington. At the fag end of the season the Hawke’s Bay team were met and easily vanquished. Arthur Blacklock, Upham, and Ashbolt being the “ leading characters.”

In the match, New South Wales versus a combination of North Island, the local contingent did nothing worthy of record, with the exception of Upham, who bowled capitally. For the first time in our history the cricket strength of the colony was consolidated, the opposition being, of course, the team of New South Welshmen ; Holdsliip and Gore constituted our quota, the selection giving rise to much adverse comment. Certainly, if averages are the test of merit and confer priority of selection Gore should never have gone South before Cross. The issue of the game was woeful disappointment. In the light of the display made by Canterbury and Otago against the visitors it was reasonable to predict triumph for the colony. The reverse was, however, the case, New Zealand being in the deficiency of 160. It is satisfactory, however, to be told by our conquerors that we would be capable of rendering a good account of ourselves on the other side. The idea of such a trip is now within the bounds of probability, and when it is fully matured Wellington will be found occupying a conspicuous place.

The introductory Championship matches, commencing on October 14th, were not characterised by extreme brilliancy. The Rivals after having a lead in the Ist innings against the Midland (which gambit they adopted throughbut the season) failed lamentably at the second attempt, and suffered ignominy by eight wickets. The old-time trundlers, Upham and Fitz, were irresistible. The Phoenix were also victims at their initial venture. As the season progressed they deteriorated with but occasional flashes of vitality. The second series saw Cross shining with much refulgence, 88 being his tally; the highest recorded during the season,

Holdship, for the Wellingtons, responded gallantly with 81, and the Rivals were again defeated for the second and last time. The Midland, of course, defeated the Phoenix. The final match of the first round saw the Midland and Rivals returned victors in their respective engagements. The second round was commenced when the majority of the leading players were away in Auckland which somewhat affected the games, although the results would not probably have been disturbed, had the normal conditions prevailed. Bob Blacklock placed a splendid not Out innings for 58 out of 124 realised by his side. The Rivals replied with 208, Cross contributing 80, and Fuller a very pretty 20 not out. The Rivals ultimately won by 3 wickets, the victory being very opportune as tending to augment interest in the competition.

The other match was of little moment. On the succeeding Saturday the Midland beat Wellington and the Rivals beat the Phoenix, the latter making their best effort, the veteran Harris being facile princess with 76 not out. The next series was notable for the batting of Fuller who made 70, his team winning against the Wellington, and the splendid batting of Burton, a new player in Wellington, who threw in his lot with the Phoenix, but who nevertheless were beaten by the Midland.

The third and last round was shorn of its interest by an error of judgment of the Match Committee who declared the match between the Rival and Midland a draw, despite the fact that an extra Saturday was available for play. The Phoenix succumbed as usual, but some tough play was shown in the other heat. The Midland batted first and compiled 110, their opponents heading them by 34; Jones playing a steady and determined innings for 46. The Midland at their second essay made 167 for 7 wickets when stumps were drawn. Had the match been completed and the Rivals returned victors the two teams would have been on an equality, being declared a draw rendered the Midlanders champions for the season.

This is the first time the Championship has gone to the Midlanders. They are entitled to our heartiest congratulations and deserve also a further meed of praise for their play in the animal Club match with their canterbury namesakes, which took place in Christchurch, and ended in a draw in their favour. Upham and Fitzsimmons were as essential to the welfare of the team as “ springtime to youthful fancies,” the Blacklocks, particularly Bob, were as imperturbable as of yore, and Lasb, Wynyard, Salmon and Tucker bobbed up serenely when required. Williams kept wicket admirably at times, but had a few days “ off.” The eleven worked thoroughly in unison and strained every point to secure the honours appertaining to the Championship.

The Rivals come second on the list—an advancement from the previous season. Cross stands out conspicuously, being a long way ahead of the batsmen succeeding him. His failure in big matches is inexplicable. The valuable trophy presented by Messrs Jeness becomes his absolute property. Fuller, Jones, Ramsay, and Dryden were the only other batsmen upon whom any reliance could be placed. This Club evinced a laudable desire to encourage its juniors, O’Sullivan and Haldane being evolved from the junior participants. The former gives promise of becoming a capable and stylish bat; the latter is a born bowler. Bobby Read should be specially mentioned for his fine fielding throughout the season.

Last year’s winners, the Wellington Club, experienced a considerable change. Several members of the old eleven dropped out of ken, and, although many of the remainder improved and new talent appeared, notably, Duncan, there was a lack of dash about their play. Asbbolt made gigantic improvement as a bowler and rendered the club and his province great service. Holdship was very in and out. At bis best there is no more capable exponent of the game in Wellington. Zealous in practice and keen as a Hornby it will be strange if he is not there or thereabouts next season.

The much battered Phoenix, strong enough on paper, were never in the hunt. Their atrocious fielding conduced to their

collapse. All through the same disheartening circumstanoe prevailed. We would Buggest that vigorous fielding praotioe next season be indulged in. JBenbow was a tower of strength in the bowling department, Burton, late of Dunedin, was an acquisition to the batting power, Harris and Niven at times being also efficient. The latter noted as the rep. oustodian of the sticks with strict consonance with his reputation and benefit to the team. Careful analysis of the eareer of our rap. shows that our leading bowlers are not possessed of a sufficiency of batting strength. This is the chief failing. The bowlers o | Dunedin, Lawton and Downes, of Auckland, Neill and Kallendar, of Canterbury, Labatt, Wilding, and Palmer, can olbo bat. The bowlers of Wellington until the Hawke's Bay match did not show any such disposition. It is to bo hoped that next season they will continue to shine in their dual capacity.

In the junior competition the Stars wore rotumod victors, In Warren they have a man who should bo promoted. His bowling average was phenomenal. Their Adding was uniformly good and the batting even and steady. In their tour througn Greytown, etc., thoy put up a creditable scries of victories.

Wellington College utilised their ground for the first time. The wickets obtainable wore first-class and the out field was tbo best in Wellington. As a result the school woro prominent and played off the final with tho Stars. Mention of grounds oausos one to express strong disapproval of allowing matohos to be played at tho Hutt whore tho wicket is positively dangorous and detrimental to anything approaching good orickot.

The Kilbirnie Club is composed of plonty of good sports who are on tho improve. Numerically, thoy aro strong, and next season should command respect. Stinson, an old timo rep., reappeared with marked succoss. Tho Third Class Championship at time of writing is undecidod, tho Kilbirnie and Wellington 3rd disputing supremacy. The only century of tho season in Association matches was scored in this competition, Judd, of tho Wellington 3rd, performing tho feat against tho Phoenix 111. Hutchens, of tho Midland, should not dwell in this sphere, his talents would bo moro fittingly displayed in tho second eleven of his club.

There is no doubt that our juniors labour undor groat dit»" advantages in the matter of grounds. Agitation was boguu early in tho season for a now Athlotic ground to roliovo tile congestion, tho prospectus was issued, and ovory necessary stop taken for launching the Company. Tho sito is located at Newtown, the scheme is feasible, tho profitable naturo of tho undertaking assured. It rests entirely with .the players to soo tho matter through.

The various Drapers’ and Tradesmen’s matches woro prose* cuted with great vigor on Wednesday afternoons. A combined team proceeded to Christchurch to meet their confreres of the art but were defeated. The “ unconsidered trifles” were as usual as numerous and active as midsummer flies, the basin being literally alive with rising juveniles. This early liking for the delights of the game is further testimony, if such were needed, of the urgent necessity of obtaining another playing ground. Our juniors must be encouraged if we aro to moke solid progress.

In conclusion the kindly attentions of tho umpires must be recorded, Messrs. Knapp and Ashbolt in particular deserve tho thanks of the cricket cummunity for their offices duing the season. Mistakes are liable to bo made by everyone. The gentlemen named, made the minimum. Others at times volunteered the arduos duties appertaining to the position. To them also appreciative recognition must be made. To ring the changes on the immortal bard: And now farewell the trusty bat, The spiked, shoe, the time worn cap; The pangs of despised ducks, The pride, pomp, circumstance , Of glorious smites for four; The scribbler’s occupation’s gone,