Cricket.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 196, 26 April 1894, Page 2

Cricket.

The small attendance of cricketers and. spectators at the Domain on Saturday last is perhaps the surest sign that our summer pastime is just about played out for this season. The only match of any interest which took place on Saturday was that between Belmont A., and Roller Mills, and this attracted only a few of the enthusiastic followers of each team. As I pointed out last week, if Roller Mills comes out on top in this contest these two clubs, together with All Saints, will be equal for the Second Junior Championship, but a play off will be out of the question. If Belmont are successful then this team will annex the championship. In either case I consider the cricket season will be brought to a close on next Saturday. The programme contains several more contests, but it is hardly likely that after the break which will be caused by the athletic meeting on Saturday week our juniors will again roll up to try conclusions. In their match with Belmont, Roller Mills winning the toss elected to bat, and occupied the wickets until late in the afternoon for a total of 70 runs. The team made a determined effort to set their opponents a big “ main,” and their play was marked with great carefulness. J. Howard, with eighteen to his credit, proved top scorer, and Totman played sound cricket for 15, not out. Gallagher, 11, was the only other Belmont player to reach double figures. Belmont’s venture at the wickets resulted in a total of 18 runs for the loss of two wickets. J. Seccombe, 8, and Grindrod, 7, are the two players disposed of, whilst Thomas and Spurway, each having 1 run to his credit, are the not out men. For Belmont Spurway trundled in great style, and proved a terrible stumbling block to the opposing batsmen. This bowler comes out of the ordeal with the splendid performance of 8 wickets for 17 runs. So far Todd is the most successful with the ball for Roller Mills, having captured both Belmont wickets. The match will be continued on Saturday next, and judging by the scores, should supply an exciting finish. In their contest with St. Andrew’s College the members of the Belmout B team failed te put in an appearance, and the former consequently win default. A Southern exchange states that Dunedin cricket is about to suffer a great loss in the departure of J. C. Lawton, who goes to England shortly. Lawton is a professional cricketer, and visited Auckland last season with .the Otago representatives. The following list shows the succesful senior clubs for the last nine seasons: — 1886— Gordon 1887 — Auckland 1888— United 1889 — Gordon 1890 — Gordon 1891 — Gordon 1892 — Auckland 1893 — Gordon 1894 — Gordon From the above table it will be seen that Parnell is the only club which has not annexed the championship. Only two players of this season’s senior championship winners occupy a place in the eleven batsmen with the highest average. Williamson comes sixth with an average of 16.87, and Cottrill is the eleventh with an average of 14. A pleasant and exciting game took place at North Shore last week, between the North Shore club and a team from H.M.S. Tauranga. The latter batted first and knocked up the decent total of 157. Lieutenant Abdy again proved what a consistent “ bat” he is by'compiling 64 runs against our senior bowling. This batsman was responsible for some really pretty strokes. Austin 25 not out, ■

Captain Lang 2i, Routley li, and Lieut. Coke io, all troubled the Shorites before xbeing disposed of. On taking the wickets the Shore team made a capital start, and required only 18 runs to win after the fall of the fourth wicket. Austin, however, got fairly on the “ spot with the ball, and secured the remaining wickets for less than a dozen runs. A. Williamson batted in good style, and made b 7, whilst J. Hume knocked up 48. No other member of the Shore team reached double figures, and the innings closed for 149, leaving the sailors victorious by 8 runs. G. Hope, of Dunedin, has-been disqualified during the pleasure of the Association for absenting himself on the second day of the game between Otago and Hawke’s Bay. The disqualification refers only to representative matches.